Despite the current large selection of modern Polaroid cameras, many buyers have the desire for an old Polaroid Camera. But what is actually meant by “old” and what should you consider when buying? A quick guide!
What do you mean by “Old Polaroid Camera”?
As a rule, old Polaroid cameras are those cameras that were sold before the relaunch of the Polaroid brand. These models are no longer produced and embody the very charm that made Polaroid a cult brand.
600 Series
The old models are mostly models of the famous 600 series. Their design has shaped the image of the instant camera like no other camera model. It’s no coincidence that modern Polaroid cameras like the Go are still based on this design. More information about the cult camera can be found in our article about the Polaroid 600.
SLR
Even before the 600 series, Polaroid dominated the instant camera market, back then with the legendary SX-70. As a foldable SLR instant camera, the SX-70 was a small revolution, and even today it is extremely popular with professional photographers due to its unique images. Its successor, the SLR-680, has achieved similar cult status and is highly coveted among collectors. We present the legendary camera in our article about the Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera.
Meanwhile, the new Polaroid company has been around long enough to talk about old Polaroid models here, too. The popular Polaroid Onestep2, for example, is no longer produced.
Buying old Polaroid models: what to consider!
For those interested in buying an old Polaroid, there are two options. Second hand market or refurbished.
Refurbished Polaroid cameras
Refurbished refers to cameras that have been professionally overhauled. The cameras are cleaned by a professional and any damaged parts are replaced. Such cameras offer the best quality and are also guaranteed to be in perfect working order. Polaroid itself offers 600 models as refurbished, the company MiNT specializes in refurbished SX-70 and SLR models.
Used ones
If you’re looking for a used Polaroid yourself, there are a few things to keep in mind: Typically, the cameras do not have working film loaded. This means that the camera cannot be tested. From the outside, it is difficult to tell if everything is working properly. Accordingly, it is worth having an appropriate film on hand to test the functionality and quality of the images. For example, dirty or worn rollers can create unwanted artifacts in the finished photos. This can only be tested by taking a test photo.
And the films?
Fortunately, there are now good quality films available again for a number of old Polaroid cameras. Used films are not recommended for several reasons: Often the included batteries are no longer functional, also the film suffers from long storage. For example, the Polaroid Spectra film is no longer produced, available films are correspondingly old. Before buying an old Polaroid, we therefore recommend taking a look at our large Polaroid film overview.
CONCLUSION
Vintage Polaroid models have one thing above all: charm! The temptation is great to bring a piece of history into the house with an old Polaroid. Especially with refurbished models, you can confidently grab one. However, you should first find out about the right film and the associated costs. The film 600 suitable for the 600 series is always more expensive than its modern counterpart, the i-Type film (which is used in the Onestep+, for example).
Also, the older the camera, the more expensive the film, and the more demanding it usually is to operate. So beginners should rather keep their hands off Polaroid large format cameras. Finally, it should be mentioned that modern Polaroid cameras also offer photos with vintage charm: the Polaroid Now, for example, does not differ from the 600 series in image format and image size. However, the price per picture is more favorable.
VIDEO: Mark from ANALOG THINGS about the Polaroid 600
