NEW Polaroid SX-70 i-Type Solution! - Meet the Pola9Volt!

[@tylercarson8032]

I just learned about your original polavolt project this morning! what perfect timing :)

[@bigginsmcsauce]

I have a couple of the brown leather-clad versions and this mod/upgrade is likely going to happen to at least one of them! Thank you for the video!

[@monochromebluess]

Interesting alternative solution to the PolaVolt. Having just ordered the PolaVolt on my one of my SX-70’s I am happy to stick with the original version. The big disadvantage of the Pola9volt for me is the extra bulk and it’s less aesthetically pleasing on the eye. The AAA batteries are easy to charge ( the chargers are cheap as chips ) and with an extra set of batteries I am always ready. And given that the PolaVolt AAA batteries last for at least a dozen or so packs - who burns through that many packs of film at todays prices at one time ! It will be an fascinating exercise for you to see in 3 months what percentage of refurbs are PolaVolt or Pola9volt. I suspect the PolaVolt will be a very very clear winner.

[@theinstantcameraguy]

I agree with you It may prove that this version is unpopular, but its at least another alternative that people can assemble! There will be a 3rd variant in the future... so keep your eyes peeled!

[@monochromebluess]

A third version. What will this be called ? PolaTripleVolt !

[@theinstantcameraguy]

@@monochromebluessYou will have to wait and see! It's currently in prototyping phase, and has a custom PCB being made up for it... That's all I'll say for now

[@monochromebluess]

@@theinstantcameraguy sounds intriguing. Look forward in the near future to the presentation when it’s ready. PolaPCB !

[@coolduder1001]

I forgot what my original comment said as it was deleted by KZbin for having a link to printables. But thank you for the mention.

[@eliseshootsfilm]

Always love seeing new ways to keep using old film cameras. What do you think about Chromatic Parts powerbar? That seems less cumbersome and also a less permanent modification.

[@theinstantcameraguy]

@@eliseshootsfilm check out the video I did called "the ultimate guide to I-type adaptors". I discuss the Powerbar in great length there. It's a very novel solution, but it has numerous quirks and drawbacks that I never see mentioned anywhere

[@eliseshootsfilm]

@@theinstantcameraguy I’ll look for it, thanks!

[@theinstantcameraguy]

@@eliseshootsfilmits at the 54 minute mark in the Ultimate Guide video. For the record, I do think it's a good product. But I do take issue in the way that it has been covered online by reviewers. Particularly in how it seems to be advertised as a "no modification required" solution. I often see the Powerbar advertised by users as being 'plug and play', but this isn't really true. Model 1, 2 and Alpha models do need to be modified, with an extra terminal added in the flash socket. Only a Sonar model can be used 'without modification'. But regardless of the model, the camera should still ideally be fully refurbished and 600 converted to get the best results. Suggesting you can use it on a non-refurbished camera is just asking for trouble. Ultimately, the Powerbar is equally as "cumbersome" when actually attached to the camera, and is actually larger in overall size than the PolaVolt is. The Powerbar also becomes a bit of a flimsy Jenga tower when you also attach a flash. Powering the camera directly through the PCB also introduces numerous behavioral quirks which I discuss in detail in the video Of course, its major advantage is that it is removable, and leaves the original design of the camera completely intact. So if aesthetics are of the utmost importance, then it IS a good solution.

[@thainarv]

I never knew those existed!!! :O

[@theinstantcameraguy]

same here! But mainly because I do not regularly use 9V batteries! I have been using AAA and AA batteries that use similar technology though for a very long time made by a brand called Kratax Basically these days, there seems to be a rechargeable lithium version of ALL consumable batteries. You just have to order them online though, since they are not mainstream in stores yet

[@JerOmyRamos]

Oh this is sick! 😃

[@jantepas7511]

You could change the adapter so that you can plug in the USB-C direct in the back of the adapter/battery. Some guy can make an 3D print for it. Thanks.

[@theinstantcameraguy]

Drilling a hole in the housing to pass the USB-C charge cable through was one of the first things I thought of. BUT the big issue is that different manufacturers of the 9V batteries put the plug in different locations. The hole would also have to be fairly large to accommodate the head of the cable I am not personally a fan of 3D printing. In my opinion, the finish simply isn't at a level remotely close or comparable with injection molding. Unless very expensive, high end machinery is used, the finish just feels cheap and flimsy to me. 3D printing would also defeat the design brief I set out for myself, which was to limit the need for parts that are custom made. Anyone can build one of these using nothing but available commodity parts :)

[@devin.briggs]

Would be cool if you cut out the shape of the usb c port on that plastic housing so you could charge the battery without taking it out.

[@theinstantcameraguy]

That was one of the first things I thought of doing! However... different USB-C 9V batteries have the charger in different locations And the hole would need to be kinda large

[@Kestrel_]

i think having a variety of options is fantastic! however, my rechargable battery chemistry of choice is NiMH, so in my case 9v unfortunately wouldnt be as convienent 😅 its hard to beat eneloop's pro AAs so in my eyes that would be the ideal form factor (and i already have like 12 lol)

[@theinstantcameraguy]

I think you are only saying that because you haven't migrated over the lithium ion yet. Search for, purchase and try a set of Kratax 1.5V lithium AAs. They are rechargeable and perfect for flashes etc. They make them in AAAs too. The issue with NiMH chemistry is it only outputs 1.2V Even if you had 4x AA batteries, you'd only end up with a maximum of 4.8V, which isn't enough to power an SX-70 reliably. For a full 6V you'd need 5 AA batteries, and the resultant battery adapter would be super large and heavy

[@Kestrel_]

at the end of the day, the main advantage LiPOs provide just isnt a priority for me safety and lifespan are the biggest draws for NiMH over LiPO, and why i prefer them to LiPO rechargables for pretty much anything i do think ive seen LiFePO4 10440s before, which is definitely interesting, but as long as eneloops remain the gold standard in the hobbies i frequent, i probably won't change away from them

[@theinstantcameraguy]

​@@Kestrel_ yes you can get LiFEPO4 10440s They are 3.2V each, and will work totally fine in the PolaVolt NiMH is certainly a gold standard in some hobbies, but powering Polaroid cameras won't be one of them any time soon (unless you are find with a huge chunky power supply unit)

[@venteach.6289]

Do you think it could be possible to instead of taking out the battery’s make it into an integrated power source that is rechargeable via a usb port? It can eliminate the need for a separate auxiliary charger and the need to recharge/ replace the battery’s, it also could have the benefit of being recharged anywhere because usb are so common, type c would be cool too… although that may be a lot to ask because that would also mean you would have to find a way to integrate a recharge system into the circuitry, I would attempt to create something like this but I’m as skilled as you are in this field lol, but yea that’s my pitch

[@theinstantcameraguy]

I get what you are saying, but I think you have missed the point of the PolaVolt The PolaVolt project's main aim is: 1) As small as possible 2) Simple as possible 3) Thus as reliable as possible, with minimal components to fail 4) Produced using entirely off the shelf parts 5) Easy to repair due to all of the above The issue with adding USB-C charging is that it adds to points 1, 2 and 3. Adding in USB-C charging will increase complexity, increase the physical size of the unit and increase potential points of failure. Since no AAA battery holder exists off-the-shelf that has a large enough cavity to facilitate both the buck converter AND USB-C charging, custom molded housings would need to be made Many charging circuits also put a constant low level drain on the batteries (needed to power management ICs), causing them to go flat after a month or so The 9V solution here is novel, since the battery has its OWN charging circuitry built in! And thus it meets the brief But yeah, it's all possible, and PolaStudio has already made such a product, but it defeats the original PolaVolt design brief

[@Subgunman]

Film?

[@todompol]

Do a demo a PolaCon 9!

[@theinstantcameraguy]

pay for my airfare and sure!

[@tonygraham6140]

Sorry to disagree with you jake, but, not being able to use a strap on an SLR 680, is no problem. I never get one with a camera, used or new. They are/can be hard to find, so, how many owners of them out there, will turn down the Pola9Volt, when they've never see a strap for the camera?

[@theinstantcameraguy]

People like options I personally rarely ever use a strap Too easy to get tangled on something and snag