Polaroid SX-70 Ad

[jbranstetter04]

Wow! It's amazing what modern technology can produce! Does the camera digitally store the picture image so that you can put it on your computer? And it looks like it could be dangerous to take a real closeup shot of someone because the picture coming out might poke them in the eye.

[rommyghaly]

Back in the 70s, ads were 11 minutes long.

[RugbyFootballer]

Ah a wonderful Charles and Ray Eames project films

[Laclaustra]

There are a lot of rich people on the video, @23.00 USD per 10 pictures and taking shitty images of books (lol)

[kimyuseung]

@Laclaustra It's so expensive because they stopped making the film back in 2008; I'm sure that the film was less expensive back in the 70's.

[MrPlaystationboy]

08:09 look on the persons fingers its like he is wearing ... umm never mind

[ikemstar]

4 artless infidels need to stick to their shitty camera-phone. Edwin Land, rest in peace!

[joemode101]

This is the best Polaroid they ever made I have 3 of them in great condition one is my dads and I still use it to day. The film is not as good as Polaroid but at least I can still use my camera thank you so much for putting this on.

[louis1990828]

Omg! I want one. Nice introduction documentary!! :)

[gaisar80]

This camera is gonna make my kids cry in the future. Great camera.

[RetroToledo]

@gaisar80 Yeah, they'll never appreciate what it took to get anything done in our time.

[AllanGeeRusky]

Does anyone know what this model is called because I could only find the cheap looking plastic SX-70's.

[Xillaw]

I have one. And I have no film. And there will never be film ever again. Hooray...

[csabproductions]

@Xillaw there has still been polaroid film for quite some time. check the-impossible-project website

[netdeco]

I think if Apple produced promotional films in the early 70's they would look something like this. It really does capture the magic and art of instant photography.

[theolivetree95]

@netdeco It's funny because Steve Jobs was inspired by Edwin Land.

[Asshamburgers]

Produced by Charles and Ray Eames. Amazing.

[gansan00]

Fantastic! In my earliest memories, I remember my friends' parents using this camera! I did not appreciate how sophisticated it was.

[RetroToledo]

@gansan00 I think we all felt that way too. I remember thinking the whole thing seem cheap if that was the reason for the camera's existence without taking into account how it was done.

[wivat47]

Expensive film .????? thailand

[jesuisz]

this is fascinating ! thanks for uploading :D

[coolspot18]

Spooky music.

[GabrielePesci]

Technology is Nature

[poorme2]

i got one for sale in mint

[poorme2]

i got one for sale in mint

[sunshineloveshappy]

Just got one of this off ebay :D

[PitWhitman]

Previously, advertising was much less aggressive and creative. I miss it.

[RetroToledo]

@PitWhitman It certainly makes this seem like an enticing product I would like to have.

[TBNTX]

I just bought two "nearly-new" SX-70's (original models from 1972) in fully working condition. You can now get newly-manufactured film for the SX-70 and other Polaroid models from The Impossible Project.

[orosteguii]

magnifico!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[SwissIrishFTW]

what a beautiful camera :(

[moviesunrated]

3 Dislikes. Just shows that the public agree this is a great camera. For some reason I really want one even though i just got a Sony NEX-5.

[16mmDJ]

CUTE BABY

[sctpoch]

TWO HUNDRED TRANSISTORS!!!

[roblarosa]

My mom had one of these when we were kids. Those flash bulb bars are a trip!

[szewei85]

sx70 will never considered outdated in my hearts 4 centuries...this creation can considered 100 years ahead of its time actually haha...2 bad digital cameras killed instant camera days sadly :( RIP :(

[YesCloseToTheEdge]

This is so magical. I wish i could use my SX-70 :[

[wewantaction]

LOVE the music in this

[thomstone23]

just recieved my SX-70 through the post today, cant wait to get out there and take some pictures, dont want to waste them concidering the price of film these days.

[darioeasy]

Fantastic design!!!

[tabbymichelle]

RIP Polaroid =(

[cmouseplane]

are you still able to buy this polaroid??

[monster1200]

god I want one and some affordable cartridges. ahhhhh

[Sockercuts]

I just bought one SX-70 today! :D

[IsaacMaganaMusic]

@Sockercuts Where did you got it? I really want one... A functioning one

[Sockercuts]

@IsaacMaganaMusic In a flea market in my city :)



[RetroToledo]

@Sockercuts That's usually a good place to start.

[pojoaqui]

the way of the future!

[Taikeeper]

Am I the only one who immediately recognized Philip Morrison's voice, narrator of The Powers of Ten?

Amazing.

[cannoir]

my.. I love the quality of this video , the velvet feel and the every smooth DOF are like cream on cake .the colours all look serene.

[yasudab1]

Right now, it seems this is better than the Digital camera now because in order to get your pictures on a photograph, you need a printer and good paper. So although the picture are not as high definition with the SX-70, you get a picture immediately. I think Digital Cameras now have to start taking that into consideration. You can get immediate picture, but you have to download them onto the hard drive or put them o a CD. That's just my view

Thanks

Peace

[cannoir]

@yasudab1 ain't it funny how it is even more complicated to get instant pictures in 2010.I had a pola when I was 7, I would just snap and print immediately.today you shot a pic, then you gotta a find a computer. then you need photoshop to edit the shit and only then you'll be able to print and the paper is crap most times.

[yasudab1]

@cannoir If they could they Polaroid or another company should make a camera that instantly prints HD quality pictures, that would be awesome. I wonder if some companies have this now? Also 3D pictures with high Definition quality.

[mosoo]

@yasudab1 you kitsch much?

[mosoo]

@yasudab1 

[szabiakanich]

Fantastic. Just fantastic.

[SkepticalSteve01]

I love my digital cameras, but I have a special affection for my old SX-70. People were predicting they couldn't last almost from the day they came out (they lock up a lot of light-sensitive silver in each picture) but I still wish I could lay hands on a few fresh film packs. Such beautiful soft colors, such intimate images!

[KANMistry]

What a classy little ad.

[micmoable]

my buddy gave me three of the x-70 cameras today---one of them doesn't work right--the other two do----but he said since Poloroid don't make the film for it anymore, a company now makes it but charges about 50-60 bucks for one pack of ten or eleven film shots---steep price I'd say but I really like the x-70----my buddy had four of them and gave me three of them---he's also given me other cameras----nice fellow this friend of mine--he and his wife are super folks

[MarcoZ1ITA1]

@micmoable Buy it off ebay or google "The Impossible Project". You HAVE to try it out. Look for the possible manipulations with the Time Zero film, it's AMAZING!

[micmoable]

I called a friend today and he had 4 of these Poloroid x-70s----he kept one and gave me the other 3-----one looks rough---but I think it works----one of the other two wouldn't stay folded down---a latch wasn't doing right--but only one of these is the one that don't work--the other two work fine------only problem is Poloroid stopped making the film which sold for around fifteen bucks---another company makes the film now but charges 50-60 bucks for just around 11 shots---that's EXPENSIVE!!!!!!!

[802usa]

Eames70: Thanks for uploading this gem.

[Kinematographer]

Hey, I have exactly this camera, any takers?

[sayTTpls]

@Kinematographer me!how much?does it work?

[sclogse1]

You guys recognize the voice that starts near 8 minutes?

[16mmDJ]

It's not letting me favorite! WTF?

[zomgitsnolan]

just got one. its so pretty:)

[Oct23rd4004BC]

In 40 years people might be watching i-phone ads like we watch this.

[bartsphotoss]

I have that camera in 00:48

[AlistairHenning]

Rather overlooked as an Eames accomplishment, their design for the SX-70 remains important to its cult following. Great to be able to see their promotional film on the landmark camera, here. Check out The Impossible Project, who have just started mass-producing film for these cameras again!

[comgeek24]

My uncle found one of these at a senior center gift shop for $1. It was folded up at the time in its flat form and we didn't know what it was, so I thought it was junk and tossed it out. I'm a big nostalgia nut, so now I'll forever be kicking myself.

[hkgurlie]

i really want to get this, but i heard that they don't make the film for this sx 70 anymore. i read online that you can get it altered to use the polaroid 600. does anyone know how or where I can get this done??

[BorgMX5]

I have an SX-70 Alpha 1. I picked it up at a pawn shop. To me this technology still seems more impressive than digital photography. The ad is pure 70's. This was total innovation and this extended ad uses that as a selling point. I love my SX-70.

[1983banana1983]

So true. I've read that the costs to design the sx 70 were as much as $ 750.000.000That's one sweet piece of technology!

Grateful for the Impossible Project ! Although rather pricey, at least there is new film to play with!

[tdub228]

Sure, digital may be convenient and fast, but instant cameras where so much more.... Well... They had more heart! A Polaroid photograph is born into existence the moment it materializes in front of our very eyes. It then is never gone! It always exists and will always share itself as a memory whether it be at the bottom of a trash can, or on a corkboard pinned up somewhere... I just love it!!

[darkdave25]

That's the most wonderful thing I've seen in ages! I'm going to go on Ebay now and get some film for mine!!

[cerealguy500]

Isn't it nice that they explain how it works? Today's advertisers don't usually take that liberty, and when they do, they boast about one feature alone in the camera, for which they make up an impressive name.

[quigleybrown]

I just love the sound it makes.

[connietamkawai]

lovely images brilliant background music... can't believe it's produced around 1970'...

[aldso]

what kind of item is @ 2:09 ?

[deryler]

@aldso

i think this an office toy

[aldso]

i want it :)

[MrKaraage]

the sx-70

[229095]

I think this came out a little after 1972.

[fromthesidelines]

This really isn't an "ad"; it's actually a classy promotional film for the camera, aimed at Polarioid executives and sales personnel involved with merchandising it...

[pojanello]

Che meraviglia, anche una pubblicità può essere un'opera d'arte.

Istruttiva, chiara, elegante.

Poetica, oserei dire.

Diretta dai coniugi Eames, musicata da Elmer Bernstein!!! La classe non è acqua.

[GrizzledGeezer]

I assume this was the promotional film created by Charles and Ray Eames. Thanks for the post -- I've been waiting almost 40 years to see it!

[artysmokes]

This is quite a fascinating infomercial/documentary although I got a bit lost when he started talking about solenoids. The amazing thing is that the film was made by Charles Eames, designer of the iconic chair. The man had great taste.

[AnAverageAzn]

this is an advertisement, it should be considered a short documentary haha

[diananavarroo]

damn that woman taking pictures of her daughter skipping baller.

[Jarshvor]

beautifull...

[123456789g700]

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[BoomTssPhace]

6:38, brilliance.

[Marikafan]

all of the baby photos that my dad took of me with camera are cracked:(...

[antiochus66]

more a supper classy mini documentary,than an advert.

fantastic and well made lovely photography.

and what of the products,mr land was a genius and this product could of come from martians.

even now the science is fantastic.

what a tragic story that tom petters managed to buy this iconic company.

i believe the filthy criminal is now in jail,i hope they have put him with someone real nice....

[J4CK100]

DADDY-O

[Streetbmxflow]

Polaroid was a big part of my childhood,

and i used a SX-70,  and a Impulse for bmx-photography for a long time.

I will never forget them

Rest in Peace

[acekingie]

Polariod rock. Hey man, check my bike trial video, you might like it!

[ForgetfulCollector]

When you look at one in person, it doesn't appear to be much different that an ordinary Polaroid. (apart from when you unfold it). And after watching this, seeing what goes on inside it, a simple object became remarkable and ahead of it's time. Who'd have thunk it?

I think the only more sophisticated ones were the Spectra system cameras from the mid eighties.

[maxrules247]

8:17

they are wearing condoms on their fingers o.O

[AcidHoeMike]

It's like wearing ltex gloves, minus the covering on the palm and top of the hand.

And they're not condoms.

[123456789g700]

yes they are!!!!!!!!!!!

[RetroToledo]

@AcidHoeMike I'm certain they have a purpose here in better gripping of these materials.

[16mmDJ]

they did a great job using the different races in this commercials. especially for the 70s.

[kdizzzle123]

@16mmDJ Your mom's from the 70's.

[RetroToledo]

@kdizzzle123 My mom was from the 70's too (being born in the 40's).

[16mmDJ]

amazing how good the film looks when using high quality.

[15minoflame]

i love the sx-70 one of the most popular polaroids ! D

amazing camera !

[ForgetfulCollector]

And oddly, it was only offered from 1972 to 1978.

merely six years.

[skonkfactory]

It was replaced by the SX-70 Sonar Onestep, which was in turn replaced by the SLR680. Widely believed to be the best camera Polaroid ever made- even the Image/Spectra series doesn't come close.

[togusa5000]

What's the name of this camera ?

[devlinger]

Polaroid SX-70

Really amazing invention.

[zirconia234]

That's tight!

[chicken6000]

Photographers appear to be nerds. is this an ad or a documentary?

MMMMMM beautiful camera.

[prometheancurse]

beautiful design

[ie210]

too bad Polaroid dosent make stuff like back then.

[utuber001001]

good video

[acekingie]

juat bought one! wow!

[Roundlay]

Fantastic! Thanks for posting this!

[imflyinn]

my favorite camera

[szymonkosciukiewicz]

I just bought sx70, this video is great, old good style, just Love it. Many Thanks

[noahjoe]

wonderful video. thank you for finally uploading this video with the original audio and into (not the shitty version with music in the background and no audio)

[mickeleh]

Consider that this film was made to introduce the SX-70. Polaroid was able to supply only a very limited amount of film to Charles & Ray Eames. Yet every photo shown is a gem. Also amazing is the diversity of the people shown. This was also way ahead of its time. In 1972, advertising models were pretty much restricted to white Europeans (unless you were trying to sell to an ethnic market).

[fooboozlie]

Well taken. And also consider the incredible extravagance of the entire system. Millions and millions of dollars were spent simply developing the entire system, and the camera itself was horrendously expensive to buy and use. However due to the great economy at the time, this wasn't too much of an issue. Also notice that the ad is dozens of times longer than the average TV ad, employing verbiage that today isn't present in the average American's vocabulary. I guess people today aren't as smart..

[mickeleh]

This wasn't a TV commercial. It was a special film commissioned for the introduction of the product at the Polaroid shareholder's meeting. It was also used at dealer meetings and employee meetings. It was distributed on 16mm film. I think it may have also been available for camera clubs.

That makes it even more extravagant. Until the Eames film gained wider distribution on VHS and DVD, and now YouTube, it was seen by very few people.

[mickeleh]

As for the extravagance of the development of the system--not so much. The underlying technology and processes engineered for the SX-70 formed the foundation of alll of Polaroid's mass market cameras that followed. They dominated instant photography until the rise of digital cameras.

[eyemyth]

One of my favorite films by C&R Eames. Thanks!

[alexfregon]

Fantastic video - thanks for uploading!

[smity219]

i have one of those

[GarlandAngel]

It's still a great camera as I continue to use mine until this day!

[mongess]

pretty complex for it's time i guess

[n8ores]

U wrekon? u think u could make that even today? Nup, i didnt think so.

[ashakeandfrys]

woah!