Polaroid SLR680 Overhaul & Repair - Fixing one of the most over-rated instant cameras!

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Got an SLR680 that needs some love? I have been repairing Polaroid cameras for clients professionally as The Instant Camera Guy for over a decade. Get in contact with me! Links below!
In the sixth episode of The Instant Camera Guy, I tear apart and start the process of overhauling an SLR680. This video is the first part of what will likely become a series on this camera.
Like what I do? Feel free to buy me a beer (or two!):
ko-fi.com/theinstantcameraguy
Getting artifacts in the video? For best quality, manually select 1080p quality, as depending on your bandwidth, RU-vid may default to 720p - and RU-vid's 720p compression looks like garbage
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The SLR680 is perhaps one of the most over-hyped instant cameras there is. Second only to the SLR690 for hype-factor (eventually I'll do a video on the hot-garbage that is the 690), the 680 is a good camera, but is it deserving of such a stellar reputation?
Search for reviews, forum posts and blog articles on this camera and you will often see it being referred to as "the best" Polaroid SLR camera one can buy. As such, prices for them have sky-rocketed in the last few years.
In this video, I offer a unique perspective on the 680 as a repairman and ask the viewer to answer the question 'what defines *BEST*".
We have a critical discussion about a camera with numerous inherent flaws - many of which are never spoken about.
Is the 680 for you? Well, if you absolutely MUST have auto-focus AND a flash built in, then the answer is yes.
But if you are just after the performance gains of 600 type film? I'd argue you are better off having a regular SX-70 refurbished and 600 converted. For the same price as some 680s sell for, you can purchase an SX-70, pay to have it refurbed by a tech like myself, AND still have money left over for a MiNT Flashbar 2.0 and some film!
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My apologies for the chaotic editing of this video. During teardown of the camera I had numerous interruptions. Ultimately I decided to still post the video though, since I believe this information is critical for public knowledge.
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Got a Polaroid that needs some love? Hit me up! I'm across social media as "the instant camera guy"!
/ instantcameraguy
/ theinstantcameraguy
www.theinstantcameraguy.com

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12 янв 2024

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Комментарии : 30

@monochromebluess Месяц назад

Yes it was two hours but so enjoyable to watch. Great breakdown and rebuild. Oh wait that damn Sonar. Onwards to part 2. You have mentioned that a camera may have never been repaired yet it has replacement parts in them that were clearly factory done. This was due to the flaws in those initial months and very early years. Bill McCune ( who took over from Dr Land ) revealed that 300,000 SX-70 cameras came back for repairs and alterations. In my working days at Polaroid we knew this - although not the numbers !

@carslayer 3 месяца назад

Nooo... you can't trash talk the SLR680... I built my identity around those 😭

@user-lt7ou2rd3m 2 месяца назад

25:00 If I saw your video yesterday, I wouldn't have 3 bandages on my left hand! lol...

@Ni5ei Месяц назад

I always remove remaing glue by putting a piece of gaffer tape over it, rub it on real good and then pull it off again. It may take multiple times but the glue from the gaffer tape usually takes the remaining glue off with it.

@theinstantcameraguy Месяц назад

Not a bad idea I worry about removing the superficial plastic layer though by accident. They can be so flakey

@W0mpa 5 месяцев назад

Do you have the setup to convert a SLR680 to I-type? I found a SLR680 at a flea market for 25€ but don’t like the battery packs on 600 film and the throw away mentality…

@theinstantcameraguy 5 месяцев назад

i-Type battery adapters are available from numerous manufactures at the time of this comment Retrospekt, Polastudio, Rezivot etc are just some examples If a client want's an i-type mod, I recommend they send the adapter in with the camera they want refurbished so I can fit it at the same time I do the overhaul :)

@Bertzcommodities 3 месяца назад

I’ve worked on many cameras but never a Polaroid slr , how much does something like this cost ? Minus the motor and reskinning I recently got one of these with a broken/loose mirror as you stated in this video I’ve reskinned a few of my personal SX-70 and sonar SX-70’s , even an ivory white one , but I’ve never done a mirror repair and like you said maybe it’s best to have a pro do it 😂

@theinstantcameraguy 3 месяца назад

feel free to message me through social media etc

@atlefisk7726 5 месяцев назад

Can you show a rebuild with a modern pcb?

@theinstantcameraguy 5 месяцев назад

You refer to the SX-70R PCB? I might do a video eventually

@cristleon123 Месяц назад

i have a question ¿can use that flash in a normally sonar body? and use sonar Board? recently get slr-680 completely broken body, but front Is in perfect condition, supose need replace lateral arm, but need more work? or just are incompatible

@theinstantcameraguy Месяц назад

Not without lots of notification You'd basically need a spare camera to poach parts from, to convert your 680 into a standard sonar with flash socket

@cristleon123 Месяц назад

ummm basically is more easy just install 680 electronic in sonar body right? have another question ¿do you have video explain process to clean lens in sonar? both systems use same lens and are very dirty inside

@renguney 5 месяцев назад

My request has been accepted!

@theinstantcameraguy 5 месяцев назад

ask and ye shall receive

@renguney 5 месяцев назад

@@theinstantcameraguy Weird that Matthew 7:7 is my favorite passage

@theinstantcameraguy 5 месяцев назад

@@renguney the door will be opened to those who knock

@Ni5ei Месяц назад

1:54:20 Smoothing capacitors with batteries? Why?

@theinstantcameraguy Месяц назад

To smooth the power delivery of course... Kratax rechargeable AAA batteries make the Sonar AF behave crazy otherwise

@Penuuumbra 5 месяцев назад

Ok but what is the MOST overrated instant camera in your humble opinion? In my experience deskinning an Alpha 1 Model 2 with a chisel actually wasn't all that terrible. You just have to be patient and go with a slow rocking motion, and try and work it under the adhesive. I only had a blow dryer for heat, but was able to make do with that. Slr680's seem like a different beast though, and your heat gun tip is way underrated.

@theinstantcameraguy 5 месяцев назад

The MOST over-rated Polaroid is the SLR690. It is utter junk. Often described as the "Japanese 680", but in reality, comparisons are superficial. Electronically, they are completely different inside. Gone is all the analogue Polaroid circuitry, and in its place an NEC microcontroller and transistor arrays. Flimsy internal ribbon cables and the baffling design choice to provide constant power to the MDC03 transistor array (even when the camera is closed!) will ensure these cameras become bricked. They are annoying to repair, and it baffles me why people pay so much for them As for re-skinning, while you might have had an easy time of it, a chisel should just simply never be used for sticky adhesive skins. End of discussion. It's dangerous for both camera and technician. It IS okay to use on crusty glue (such as under the door panel), because this has less chance of getting caught. See my Model 2 restoration video for this. I say this because I've slipped. I've bled. I've ruined body panels. A decade ago every online guide suggested chisel use. After enough accidents I said "there must be a better way". Hence why I am trying to educate people on how to do it better.

@BigJ1033 Месяц назад

The best one is the camera you are able to afford.

@andrewhamop6665 5 месяцев назад

Very interesting request from that client of yours. Personally I would keep a gold SX-70 Sonar 100% original and pristine, but that's just me. Certainly looking forward to part two!

@theinstantcameraguy 5 месяцев назад

The customer is always right! Honestly though... the camera could actually be reverted back at any time really. The shutter assembly can be swapped by a skilled technique without dismantling the body of the camera. So it's not quite as sacrilegious as one may assume

@andrewhamop6665 5 месяцев назад

@@theinstantcameraguy True indeed. They said they wanted something unique, and this will certainly fit the bill. Is the sonar in question one of the serialized limited runs, or a different golden model? I can't remember if there's multiple different iterations of golden units or not.

@theinstantcameraguy 5 месяцев назад

@@andrewhamop6665 I have no idea! And wont know until I see it