In a moment that would change the world of photography forever, Polaroid’s founder, Edwin H. Land, stood on stage at the company’s annual meeting in 1972. From the depths of his suit pocket, he withdrew a folded SX-70 camera and proceeded to snap five photos in just ten seconds.
For the very first time, an audience marveled as an instant camera effortlessly ejected photographs without the need for peeling or leaving behind any chemical residue. This ingenious creation was an instant sensation, flying off the shelves in test markets shortly after its 1972 debut. By 1973, it had journeyed beyond Earth’s bounds, accompanying NASA astronauts on the Skylab space station.
The Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera marked a historic milestone as the world’s first single-lens reflex instant camera. It pioneered the use of integral instant film, proudly showcasing the iconic Polaroid Classic Border format — that unmistakable white frame that has since become synonymous with instant photography.
Even today, over 50 years later, photographers continue to seek the SX-70 for its distinctive blend of collapsible design, precision-focused lens, and versatile exposure adjustment capabilities.
To commemorate this extraordinary 50th anniversary, a limited edition Polaroid SX-70 has been meticulously crafted. Each vintage SX-70 camera has been painstakingly disassembled, thoroughly cleaned, stripped of its original chrome plating, and transformed into a radiant work of art through the application of 24K gold plating. These iconic cameras are then reassembled with rejuvenated internals, resulting in a true masterpiece.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera (Lime Green) with 2 x Instant Twin Film Pack (40 Exposures)
The exclusivity of this celebratory release is underscored by its rarity, with only 50 of these remarkable cameras in existence, each bearing its own unique serial number. These golden treasures stand as a testament to Polaroid’s enduring legacy and innovation in the world of instant photography.