Nothing else in photography works like a Polaroid: press the button and a print develops in your hand. Vintage Polaroid cameras are plentiful and often cheap, but the film is not, and some models take film that no longer exists. Buying the right camera for the film you can actually get is the whole game.
What to Look For
- Film type is still made: SX-70 and 600 film are current, while Spectra and pack film are discontinued
- Rollers are clean and turn freely, since they spread the developer across the print
- Seller has tested it with a film pack, because the battery is inside the pack on vintage models
- Lens is clear, and the flash fires on models that have one
- On folding SX-70s, the covering and bellows are intact and the camera opens and locks properly
Popular Models Worth Seeking Out
Stick to the SX-70 and 600 families and you will always be able to buy film.
- Polaroid SX-70 — the folding SLR classic from 1972, with a glass lens and manual focus. The most capable and the most collectible.
- Polaroid 600 box cameras (Sun 660, OneStep Close-Up, Impulse) — simple point-and-shoot cameras with built-in flash. Cheap and cheerful.
- Polaroid SLR 680 and 690 — the SX-70 design with autofocus, flash and 600 film. Superb, and priced to match.
- Polaroid OneStep (rainbow stripe, SX-70 film) — the famous white box camera. Fixed focus and very easy to use.
Our Pick: A Film-Tested Polaroid 600 Box Camera
For a first instant camera, a tested 600 model is hard to beat. The film is the easiest to find, the flash is built in, and good working cameras cost about the same as two packs of film.
THE VERDICT
- Film: 600, currently made
- Rollers: Clean
- Flash: Working
- Tested: With a film pack
Best for: beginners who want real instant prints from a vintage camera with film that is still easy to buy.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Film is in production and widely stocked
- Fully automatic, with nothing to set
- Inexpensive to buy and hard to break
Cons
- Film costs two dollars or more per shot
- Plastic fixed-focus lenses are not very sharp
Common Problems to Watch For
- Dirty rollers — dried developer on the rollers leaves repeating spots or streaks on prints. Clean them with a damp cloth.
- Dead or untested electronics — without a film pack there is no power, so many sellers have never tested the camera.
- Sticky or cracked SX-70 covering — the original leather often lifts or crumbles. Replacement skins are available.
- Weak flash on 600 cameras — the flash circuit ages. Check that it charges and fires.
- Discontinued film formats — Spectra, pack film and 500-series cameras are cheap for a reason.
How Much Should You Expect to Pay
- $15–$40: Untested 600 box cameras
- $40–$80: Film-tested 600 cameras and OneStep models
- $120–$250: Working folding SX-70 cameras
- $250+: Refurbished SX-70s, and the SLR 680 and 690
Quick Questions, Answered
Can I still buy film for old Polaroid cameras?
Yes, for SX-70 and 600 cameras. Polaroid makes both types new, in color and in black and white.
Why does the film cost so much?
Each pack holds eight prints, and vintage-format packs include a battery that powers the camera.
Should I shake the picture?
No. Modern film develops best when it is shielded from light and left flat for several minutes.
If a listing says untested, assume the camera does not work and price your offer that way. An empty film cartridge with a live battery is a handy tool for checking cameras yourself.