Polaroid SX-70 Sonar Autofocus Conceptual Prototype Folding Instant Film Camera

This prototype camera is likely a toolroom mockup, using available parts, and is a one-of-a-kind example of the prototyping of what would become the SX-70 Sonar Autofocus. This is evidenced by the very "handmade" nature of the modifications, with plastic milled away and grafted on.

While this camera features the iconic sonar transducer disk, there is no circuitry contained within - thus, this camera functions only as a manual focus camera. Additionally, as part of the mockup, the engineers quickly modified the shutter assembly to make room for the faux-sonar. In doing so, they removed the flash capability.

This camera was acquired from a former Polaroid employee in Boston.

Because this camera is a prototype, it should be handled with extreme care. Most of the parts are custom-made, or were modified to fit this camera specifically. Thus, any breakage of those parts from rough handling would not be repairable. This camera is part of our 90-day warranty in which we will guarantee the function of its manual focus capabilities, but we do not hold a warranty on any cosmetics or the non-functional sonar mechanism.