How to use SX-70 film in a 600 modified camera

[@theinstantcameraguy]

In case it wasn't obvious, using a pack film or lens filter to convert 600 film down to SX-70 speeds will eliminate any benefit you might gain from the higher ISO. The shutter speed will still be super slow. It is much better to have the camera modified for 640ISO film - with a faster shutter. Its far easier to slow a shutter down than it is to speed it up. You can always filter light coming into the electric eye, but its far harder to magically ADD light coming in. Go 600 - you wont go back!

[@seanconnors9912]

Genius! It's so convenient that the filter fits in the L/D wheel slot. That should put to rest the "SX-70 killer" argument.

[@theinstantcameraguy]

100% When a camera is properly 600 modified, it is very easy to revert back to SX-70 speed with a filter over the eye It's far harder to get the shutter to speed up again

[@nate_0723]

Great points! I never thought about putting ND material over the EE, but it seems obvious now.

[@ShiftKoncepts]

I just got my first sx-70 and converted. I found shooting indoors with natural indirect sunlight I would always need flash at 1/2 power and put the black wheel a bit.

[@theinstantcameraguy]

Your camera may not be calibrated correctly

[@monochromebluess]

The modification to 600 film is definitely the way to go. However it’s a useful tip to be able to adjust the light sensor to allow for a backward step. I guess if you had your SX-70 camera converted to take 600 film but still had a lot of SX-70 film in the fridge to use up it allows you to do so. There is the argument of course that if lots and lots and lots of SX-70 camera’s get converted to take 600 film - the SX-70 film purchases will diminish to the point Polaroid might just pull the plug on it and just focus on their 600 and I-type production runs. And once it’s gone … we know these things ( Spectrum film ) never come back !!!

[@theinstantcameraguy]

The big difference between Spectra and SX-70 film is that Spectra was a unique size, requiring unique machinery to manufacture. The reason Spectra film is not coming back any time soon is because they dismantled and modified the machinery in order to produce Polaroid Go - a miniature format of film designed to compete with Fuji Instax Mini. SX-70 film however is identical to 600 and i-Type film with exception of the negative. Chemistry, packs, construction etc is otherwise identical. It is thus MUCH easier to produce small batches of SX-70 film The truth is though, that 600 type cameras outnumber SX-70s by a factor of around 20-1, and i-Type film is Polaroids biggest seller SX-70 is, and forever will be a niche product in comparison

[@chrisyoung1111111111]

Will this trick work with something like a Pronto that's been 600 converted?

[@chrisyoung1111111111]

@@theinstantcameraguy Sorry not sure I understand the answer. Just want to know if I cover the electric eye of a 600 modified Pronto with 2 stops of ND, I can still shoot sx-70 film and it will expose properly?

[@theinstantcameraguy]

@@chrisyoung1111111111 sorry, KZbin was broken. This comment appeared to be in relation to another video Yes of course it'll work. Theory is completely the same It's just harder to mount a nd filter to a pronto

[@deramontefamily]

Is there a way to modify the mint flashbar to shoot perfectly for 600 film?

[@theinstantcameraguy]

I'm going to do a video on this because I'm sick of explaining this The Mint flash bar DOES shoot perfectly for 600 film. My Mint flash works just fine. Why would Mint make a product that didn't work properly? If your camera isn't exposing correctly for flash, it's the camera that's faulty. Your "cam follower assembly" needs adjusting Hardly any techs ever bother checking this from my experience, and thus so many sx-70s out there don't expose properly for flash

[@franklarosa740]

The solution I came up with is to have two cameras. One converted to 600 and one original.

[@theinstantcameraguy]

this is certainly the maximalist approach haha

[@chigyver]

Wow, very cool.