 |
I have been using and collecting instant cameras for many years. I have and use many different types, both Polaroid and the newer generation Fuji Instax cameras. I actually have reviews posted here on eBay on both Fuji Instax cameras and the Polaroid SX-70 SONAR. The main thing that sets this camera apart is the film format- a 3 1/4" X 4 1/4" print from a peel-apart type film. This film yields a print with more even borders and no varied thickness, making it more like a conventional print than the integral films used by Polaroid, Impossible, or Fuji. This camera is more aimed toward the professional or avid hobbyist than an average user- the controls are very plain and the operation requires a little knowledge to get right. Focusing is done manually and must be "guessed" as far as distance as there is no rangefinder or auto-focus ability. Functionally, however, if you are a good gauge of distance and do a little experimenting to get the feel of it, you can take some amazing and sharp pictures with this camera. I bought mine because as a kid, I always would have an old ColorPack camera from a garage sale or something of the like that had no electronic flash, so I was stuck taking all of my pictures outdoors or in tricky light. I always wanted one of these, and now that they are old and relatively cheap, you can have a ton of fun with one without going broke. Even the film currently available from Fuji as FP100C and FP3000B are very affordable and incredibly good performing films, so you don't have to settle for outdated old Polaroid stock (although that can turn out some amazing things too). My biggest complaints about these cameras (I have dealt with and fixed many before finally getting my own) are the lack of a focusing aid, the tendency for pinholes to develop in the corners of the bellows (leaking light onto the film and blurring or overexposing it) if not stored or cared for properly, and as far as use, you can't just whip it out and take a picture- it's a procedure no matter how you slice it, so every photo must be very deliberate. Chances are, if you're still shooting with a Polaroid, that's not really much change from what you'd normally do. To a real old Polaroid purist, this is probably one of the best all-around medium format instant cameras you can get for the money, without going to the expense of a 600SE. In comparison to other similar models, it's a tough judgement as they are all much older cameras. The earlier ColorPack series cameras had various rangefinder-type focus aids, but used old disposable bulb style flashes. The ProPack uses a nice electronic flash, aptly named "ProFlash", that mounts to the camera and serves as a handle to steady it. It also has an electronic timer built in to the back film door to time the development of your pictures. These features, I feel, outweigh the lack of a focusing aid enough to put it ahead. If you want to take instant pictures the way they did in the 60's with the clarity of today's most modern conventional films and rivaling consumer digital cameras, this may just be your ticket.Read full review
I am a photographic artist and there is nothing more satisfying than working with Polaroid images. Over the years I used many different Polaroid cameras, but once I got the Pro Pack I ended up using it most all the time. I taught a photography workshop to 5th graders using this camera which is a testament to how easy to use it is. While wandering the streets of Nepal I happened to have lost my old Pro Pack and knew that I had to have a replacement as soon as possible. After a bit of looking around I found one here and to my delight it even came with a flash! Once I got to try it out I fell in love with it all over - there are many different effects you can achieve using the flash (which is very accurate on the exposure, by the way). The camera allows for multiple exposures, has manual focus and automatic exposure which can be adjusted to be lighter or darker within limit. It is light and durable with very few breakable parts. The only draw-backs would include the lack of exact focusing (one must estimate the distance to the subject visually) and the lens is not glass like it was on the previous models (which were a lot more clunky). I would recommend this camera to any photo enthusiast. Even though Polaroid has discontinued all their own films for it Fuji still makes a few color and black and white films for it which I find to be of better quality than the Polaroid products with the same characteristics.Read full review
Although this line is much newer than other fold-up Polaroids, it still uses cloth bellows and the wear of the bellows is directly related to usage more than age. I once purchased a Pro-Pack from the '90s and kept getting wierd double exposure. I eventually realized I had a tiny pinhole in the corner of one of the folds and it took forever to find. If you can keep the camera open forever, the extra features of cable release and integrated electronic flash are well worth four stars. If you're a hobbyist, you might do better swapping the shutter/ lense assembly with a Colorpack II to utilize the cable release and possibly extend the leads.
If you are looking for a simple and inexpensive Polaroid camera that readily accepts current Fuji Instant film pack (FP-100/300 B&W and FP-100 Color) this is it. Best feature is the automated flash as well the use of AA batteries compared to the Land cameras with very difficult battery sizes or a modification required to fit AAs. Excellent purchase from the seller:)
It's a pretty straightforward camera. Overall, it's a great little setup with the attached flash and the timer on the back for tracking your film development times. It's not an SLR model, so that's the only thing really going against it (if you can consider that a strike against it). Lastly, it has a minimum focusing distance of approximately 3.5 feet. Otherwise, it folds up very nicely, the flash detaches. The whole thing runs on AA batteries and the pack film that is made by both Polaroid and Fuji (so there might be some ability to continue to use this camera in the future).
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Film Cameras
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on Film Cameras
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
