SX-70R - A Bluetooth PCB for full manual control of your SX-70! Better than the MiNT Time Machine!

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My name is Jake - and I have been repairing Polaroid cameras for clients professionally as The Instant Camera Guy for over a decade. Want your Polaroid overhauled? Feel free to contact me!
Like what I do? Feel free to buy me a beer (or two!):
ko-fi.com/theinstantcameraguy
In the third episode of The Instant Camera Guy, I have an in depth discussion about a brand new product to upgrade Polaroid SX-70 cameras - the 'SX-70R' PCB
00:15 - Introduction
02:20 - What is the SX-70R and how can you get one?
04:49 - Features
08:45 - Using the phone app to control your camera!
10:27 - How effective aperture/shutter speed works on an SX-70
14:40 - The optional dedicated dongle
17:55 - Using the dongle for flash sync (and yes, you can use a Mint flash bar too)
21:11 - 600 / SX-70 ISO switch on the dongle
22:25 - Charging the dongle + future revisions
23:39 - SX-70R PCB on an SLR680!
25:12 - Full compatibility of the SX-70R PCB
26:28 - Conclusion
28:46 - Sample gallery
For best quality, manually select 1080p quality
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Designed by fellow Polaroid enthusiast ‘Carlisle Lu’, the SX-70R is a brand new, Bluetooth-enabled, replacement PCB that upgrades the original SX-70 shutter. It provides an array of new features while keeping the camera looking completely original!
The "R" stands for "Revolution".
The SX-70R PCB can be installed into:
- SX-70 Model 1
- SX-70 Model 2
- SX-70 Alpha
- SX-70 Sonar
- SLR680*
You can think of the SX-70R PCB as a new brain for your camera. On its own, the new PCB provides:
1) Brand new electric eye and microprocessor for super accurate exposure when shooting in Auto mode.
2) No need for further modifications to take 600 type films, since the new PCB is already calibrated for 640ISO films natively.
A plethora of additional manual control settings are accessible via Bluetooth. This can be done through use of a free phone app OR an optional dedicated dongle. (The app is available for both IOS and Android.)
The dedicated dongle acts as a sort of wireless remote control. It effectively does everything that the app does, but has the added bonus of providing flash sync to external strobes through a 3.5mm jack.
The PCB works like just like a regular SX-70 does when combined with a Mint flashbar. No additional settings are required, just plug it in and shoot!
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The app AND/OR dongle allow you to unlock the following features:
1) Manual control over the cameras combined shutter/aperture system, with an exposure range from EV19 to EV1
2) Remote shutter release
3) Self timer mode with variable countdown
4) Ability to select 160ISO or 640ISO for automatic shooting, allowing you to shoot SX-70 film or 600 type films on auto
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The SX-70R is capable of an astonishingly wide range of exposure settings; from EV19 to EV1.
This is equivalent* to a range of:
1/8000th of a second at f8 to
25 seconds at f8
plus T mode!
This makes the SX-70R mod even more versatile than MiNT’s “Time Machine” series of cameras!
The optional dedicated dongle is not 100% necessary to enjoy the SX-70R PCB. It is an optional accessory available as an extra purchase.
If you are happy to just use the free phone app to access the Bluetooth controls, then you can opt to save some money and forgo the dongle.
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Got a Polaroid that needs some love? Hit me up!
I'd love to restore your camera, and you might even find it featured on this channel!
Links below:
/ instantcameraguy
/ theinstantcameraguy
www.theinstantcameraguy.com
Ashee's work can be found at:
/ ashleetough
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footnote for the advanced user:
It should be emphasized that effective speeds that the SX-70R can use are EFFECTIVE and not absolute. The SX-70’s shutter has no way of truly separating aperture and shutter speed values.
The SX-70 has a unique shutter design that COMBINES aperture and shutter speed together. One ALWAYS affects the other.
Despite what MiNT’s (potentially false?) advertising would have you believe, no SX-70 is truly capable of 1/2000th of a second at f8. Speeds are listed as such only to make using an external light meter easier.
In reality 1/2000th at f8 on an SX-70 shutter is closer to something like 1/250th at f22.

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Опубликовано:

15 июн 2024

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Комментарии : 48

@TajDeVoreBey 5 месяцев назад

Benefits of staying up at 2am: Coming across this video. Thank you for this.

@TajDeVoreBey 5 месяцев назад

One issue with the Time Machine from Mint for me, was not being able to trust it would stay into my SX-70 while moving around. Always concerned it would fall out, or even break somehow. It never felt all the way secure to me. This eliminates that fear 100%

@theinstantcameraguy 5 месяцев назад

@@TajDeVoreBey there are multiple advantages to the SX-70R over MiNT to be fair Wider range of shutter speeds, flash functionality, studio strobe ability, the ability to use it with auto-focus models, self timer functionality etc

@th1649 5 месяцев назад

Interesting tech, I love the ingenuity of the folding camera community! I currently have the MiNT slr670s like you showed in the video, and I've always wondered if these new modifications would work on my camera.

@theinstantcameraguy 5 месяцев назад

Technically the answer is yes. I could take your MiNT camera and swap out the PCB for you to become an SX-70R The SX-70R is more capable than MiNT's design, and cheaper too! So there is genuine argument for the upgrade. The SX-70R and MiNT dongles work differently though, so they are not compatible with each other. SX-70R uses Bluetooth, whereas the MiNT uses a rotary switch and resistor bank (I believe).

@TrinityCodex 5 месяцев назад

im planning on getting the pcb and i really needed this info!

@theinstantcameraguy 5 месяцев назад

I've answered your questions in the other post you made. If you'd like one made up feel free to contact me!

@petertheis7889 5 месяцев назад

Love my SX70r converted Sonar!

@williamdutton3928 Месяц назад

I can't get over how cool this thing is. Pair this with an internal battery modification and you've got yourself a future-proof SX-70! If you don't mind sharing, what kind of revisions have you put forward to the creators?

@theinstantcameraguy Месяц назад

With my PolaVolt battery mod that is certainly the case! Working with Yongmin and making suggestions on the project I have: - figured out a foolproof method of calibrating the cameras, since the original method recommended was not reliable - improved shutter timing functionality on the 680 series - came up with the method of calibrating the 680 shutter since its slightly different in blade design - gave feedback re: the Dongle and its battery supply - Sonar and 680 cameras now have fill-flash capability - recommended he build a non-bluetooth version for people that JUST want a new PCB

@steveburns9722 2 месяца назад

Hi Jake--another wonderful video. I'm considering an SX70R board--in fact, I've ordered one from Carlyle. I've been doing a bit of lookabout on the net about this board, dongle, and especially, the app. From what I've found the app looks cool. The version I've downloaded looks somewhat different than yours (e.g., 23:50 into the video). The one I downloaded seems to look more, well, Cantonese. Is this the one app that is available? My Cantonese is a bit "rusty/nonexistent."

@theinstantcameraguy 2 месяца назад

If you plan on installing it yourself, be aware It can be very difficult depending on your solenoid, blades etc The app I'm using is the Android app

@steveburns9722 2 месяца назад

@@theinstantcameraguyNot that far along yet; just noticed the app. I've viewed the installation manual--a bit beyond my capabilities. I'm using iOS on the phone and it's 'quite Cantonese."

@Andrew12759 5 месяцев назад

I was waiting for the part where you mention the Bluetooth sends the SX-70 picture to the phone app, but I guess we aren't quite there yet. 😊 Are published cost estimates available?

@theinstantcameraguy 5 месяцев назад

If only! As for pricing, I specifically didn't list prices in the video in case people are watching years from now and the prices have been raised due to inflation etc What I CAN promise, is it will likely be several hundred dollars cheaper than what MiNT will charge for a similar camera. I have all current service pricing estimates on my Instagram, and of course you can always contact me on the links in the video description! I'd love to build you one!

@Argo-F-Ur-Sef 5 месяцев назад

Couple questions: can the dongle be used as power for shooting I-type film? That would be a great solution. Also, do you happen to know anyone in the US that does these installs? Shipping to AUS would be kinda expensive. Great video BTW!

@theinstantcameraguy 5 месяцев назад

To answer your questions: 1) This is technically possible, however the camera would require modification and the dongle would need to be completely re-designed with a buck converter installed to output a steady 6V. The dongle would also need to be larger, and a much larger capacity battery installed. Additionally, SX-70 Model 1, 2 and Alpha cameras require an extra terminal to be installed into the flash socket if 6V power is to be sent through the flash socket. It would not be a 'plug and play' mod. Eventually I will do a video on "Powerbar" mods, and the pros/cons of them. Sonar cameras actually already have + and -battery terminals inside the socket, so technically a 'plug and play' dongle could be made for these cameras. But whether the demand is there or not is yet to be seen. 2) In regards to international shipping, I believe this is important comment on. I'll address this in my next video. SX-70s weigh under 1kg and are very slim when collapsed. So shipping them word-wide in a well-fitting box really isn't that expensive. Additionally, the exchange rate will generally more than make up for shipping costs, since $1AUD is generally worth around $0.65 or so USD. For American clients, this generally makes my overhaul rates less than what you'd pay in the USA at a place such as Retrospekt.

@javajolt4212 Месяц назад

Hi Jake, can you put the dongle on top of the Mint flash bar 2 and trigger it off camera?

@theinstantcameraguy Месяц назад

No. The dongle cannot trigger things remotely like that It requires physical connection to the camera

@williamdutton3928 Месяц назад

With the light meter being used to recommend you a shutter speed for correct exposure, is there no-longer any need to use the exposure compensation wheel?

@theinstantcameraguy Месяц назад

The L/D wheel is ignored in manual mode. Manual mode bypasses the built in electric eye completely. The wheel is only for exposure compensation in auto mode

@renguney 5 месяцев назад

Can you also make a SLR 680 overhaul video?

@theinstantcameraguy 5 месяцев назад

Eventually I will once I have one to repair

@Ni5ei Месяц назад

Would be nice if the dongle PCB could be shrunk down so there'd be room for a flash as well. If you look at the flash circuits in pocket cameras they don't take op much room.

@theinstantcameraguy Месяц назад

To fit batteries, flash capacitors, a rotary encoder, OLED screen, xenon tube, light meter etc into such a package would be one heck of a task It would end up MASSIVE and likely very expensive to produce

@Ni5ei Месяц назад

@@theinstantcameraguy Yeah that's true.

@williamdutton3928 Месяц назад

If the connection was lost between the SX-70 and the dongle (say the dongle ran out of battery), would the SX-70 continue using the latest settings set by the dongle, or would it go back to some sort of default auto mode (perhaps for 600 film)?

@theinstantcameraguy Месяц назад

In this hypothetical situation it would remember the last setting if the dongle ran out of juice first AFAIK. But the new PCB always defaults to 600 when the camera is collapsed and erected again. Collapsing the camera cuts power to the PCB, so it resets. This is intentional design for this exact reason. If you suddenly couldn't control the camera, just collapse it and reopen it and it'll default back to auto 600

@williamdutton3928 Месяц назад

@@theinstantcameraguy I love that. Say anything was to ever happen to the dongle, I'd at least still have a seemingly regular 600 film converted SX-70.

@TrinityCodex 5 месяцев назад

Two questions: Is T mode for long exposures? and how does the pcb work with the mint flash, can i still change the shutter speeds with that flash installed?

@theinstantcameraguy 5 месяцев назад

yes, T mode is for long exposures. Press button once to open shutter, then again to close shutter. If you are using a Mint flashbar it works just like a normal SX-70. The camera defaults to 'auto' when using Mint flashbar since the flashbar is designed to use the standard SX-70 'distance based' aperture. Manual flash settings are really just for studio strobes only.

@TrinityCodex 5 месяцев назад

Cool! Thank you!@@theinstantcameraguy

@theinstantcameraguy 5 месяцев назад

@@TrinityCodex feel free to contact me if you would like one built for you!

@ColTRaw 23 часа назад

Can the shutter button on the dongle also be used for sonar cameras? I mean can it be half pressed to focus?

@theinstantcameraguy 23 часа назад

pressing the button on the dongle will engage both focus and then the picture taking Because you are not looking through the viewfinder during remote release, there is no point to have a half-press option

@ColTRaw 23 часа назад

@@theinstantcameraguy thank you!! :)

@dongdam8885 5 месяцев назад

YEEEEEEEEEE BoIIIIIIIIIIIII

@XaqFixx 3 месяца назад

How do these compare to the Pola Studio Mercury PCB?

@theinstantcameraguy 3 месяца назад

It's the same thing. Polastudio just stuck their own branding on it

@XaqFixx 3 месяца назад

@@theinstantcameraguy Thank you, that is what It I assumed, but wasn’t certain.

@bobmalin656 5 месяцев назад

Are multiple exposures possible with the Mod?

@theinstantcameraguy 5 месяцев назад

Multiple exposures are not possible on any SX-70 camera sadly. This is less to do with the new PCB and more to do with the fact that the SX-70 is an SLR. Most SLR cameras, the SX-70 included, do not have double exposure functionality. This is because the viewfinder mirror inside the camera is connected to the film mechanism. Effectively during a photo the mirror flaps up inside the camera, the camera takes its exposure and then spits out the film after the mirror has lowered again. There is no way to manually lower the mirror inside the camera on an SX-70 without it ejecting film. So technically it IS possible to fire the shutter multiple times while the mirror is up. But since the mirror is up, you would not be able to see through the viewfinder to compose! Additionally, having the shutter blades remain closed while the mirror stays up puts huge strain on the shutter solenoid. For it to work, some kind of new geartrain and mirror box mechanism would need to be invented. It would require a massive feat of engineering. Multiple exposures are easier to do on box-type cameras, since they do not have a moving mirror mechanism. The new Polaroid I-2 is the only camera on the market capable of this now as far as I know.

@bobmalin656 5 месяцев назад

@@theinstantcameraguy i saw one Idea by inserting a thin metal rod on the Film-Pack to block the Pickup-Arm. Would that Work or damage the Camera?

@theinstantcameraguy 5 месяцев назад

@@bobmalin656 there is no way to easily achieve double exposures. Believe me, if there was, I'd be offering it as a service! The pick arm is engaged by a metal cam on one of the gears. There is no way to disengage it. You can prevent it from going backwards to its home position... but you cannot stop it sliding forwards. Additionally, the pick-arm is held in place with proprietary metal rivets set from the factory. They are nearly impossible to replace. Damage the pick arm and you destroy the entire chassis of the camera. It's a critical piece of operation and should not be messed with. The only method I can think of that could work is to completely re-engineer the spring loaded mirror mechanism so that it poked out the side of the body with a lever. The lever could be manually held in place to lower the mirror during a double exposure. This would require precision machining, a hole drilled into the body of the camera, re-building the geartrain to accomodate the new part and the addition of light seals to not cause light leaks. The only other method would to manually 'hold' the lever forwards after its taken a shot. The second shot would then be primed for double exposures until the pick was released. This would involve removing the gear train cover though, and would introduce light leaks. File under "too damn hard"

@bobmalin656 5 месяцев назад

@@theinstantcameraguy yeah that sounds too complicated. Thanks for the extensive explanation

@EtChan-tv3lz 5 месяцев назад

@@bobmalin656 Yes...is too hard to make double exposures on the sx70 camera. But i saw some guys found a easy one way to make sx70 doouble exposures. Just use a clear film after emulsion lift, and set that clear film back to the cartridge. Maybe you can try this.

@cyprus1840 Месяц назад

Is your page down?

@theinstantcameraguy Месяц назад

At that moment yes Some issues with domain recently changing Just contact me direct by email or social media. All the contact info for us RU-vidrs is in the "about" section