MiNT Camera: Revive the SX-70

 

Do you have an old Polaroid SX-70 Land camera in the closet gathering dust?  MiNT Camera can fix that camera up like new and offers a warranty on their work.  Common problems can be fixed, and the company offers some accessories to bring the camera up-to-date.

The Time Bar can adapt the camera to use ISO 100 or ISO 600 film and provide more exposure control.  While the Flash Bar provides an SX-70 specific modern electronic flash unit that integrates with the camera.  Polaroid cameras use the distance from the subject to control flash exposure, so be sure to focus on the subject for proper exposure.

If you want an SX-70 that has been reworked and modernized, the MiNT SLR670 camera comes completely refurbished with a warranty and for a limited time, a SHARPAtm glass lens.  The lens is designed and produced by MiNT to replace the original lens from the 1970s for sharper photos.  Available while supplies last.

Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day 2026

 

It is that time again, for the Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day!  Celebrate by taking photos on Sunday, April 26th, then uploading them to the WPPD website gallery by June 30th, 2026.  Check out the FAQ for ideas on how to make your own pinhole camera.

Lots of other photography activities are happening on social media leading up to the last Sunday in April, the FP4 Party, #fp4party, is wrapping up, then Polaroid week starts on the 20th, #polaroidweek.  Instax is welcome on Polaroid week, so grab a camera and have fun!

Happy New Year 2026!

Happy New Year 2026 to all silver and alternative process fans!

Here is to more film choices and more camera choices.  The year 2025 did deliver on new sources of film (Kodak with the direct to retailer Kodacolor films, Ilford with releases of Phoenix, Lucky film with new entrants and more) and cameras from Lomography, Chroma Camera, Intrepid Camera and more.  Definitely looking up.

Seize the day!

Gerald Joehri: What We Lost When Cameras Got Better

In this YouTube video, photographer, Gerald Jeohri, speaks to five things lost in the move from film photography to digital.  More to the point, he has suggestions to get them back, even if using digital.  "For decades, photography evolved toward perfection — more megapixels, faster autofocus, flawless AI corrections. But in chasing technical perfection, we lost something deeper: intentionality, presence, anticipation, imperfection, and mindfulness."

This video was referenced by a reader on social media, but it hits the spot - it might be worth viewing even if one is not a film photographer.

May 2025 Final Wrap

It is now June, here are a few bits and bobs since the Mid-May 2025 Wrap.

The Phoblographer reveals the Keto Pano point & shoot camera.  Featuring a wide-angle 22 mm plastic lens and a panorama mode at the flick of a switch.  The Olympus Stylus P&S had a similar feature, but this camera is $35.

KEH has some ideas on why the point & shoot cameras are trending.  Maybe a digital detox?  They also have a list of (mostly) film cameras that are hidden gems that outshoot the hype.  

The 35mmc blog has an interesting tale of two processing tanks, the original Paterson and the current System 4 tank.   Anything else than the latter has to face this competition of works well and is cheap.

Enjoy your week and thanks for reading!

Mid-May 2025 Wrap

 Some things that have come down the pike so far this month.

PetaPixel posted an article on The State of Film’s Comeback in Japan.  Many interesting stats from interviewing over 800 Japanese shooters.  The bottom line, this group averaged 13.7 rolls a year, held back by the cost of film.

They also posted a piece on Mr. Polaroid, a documentary on Edwin Land and instant photography.

Big news - the release of a new film, Kentmere 200, was covered by many sites:  35mmc posted a review  as did analog.cafe and Kosmo Foto.

Kosmo Foto noted in April that Film Ferrania is under new ownership.  Maybe production will turn around, but the Film Ferrania shop is showing sold out at the time of writing.

The Massive Dev Chart released an update for its app, available for iPhone and Android.  This app is great in the darkroom and can be customized to your workflow.  It includes built-in temperature compensation, to help in calculating times for your room conditions.  Your Blogger paid for and uses this app.

ThePhoblographer writes that, in part, Instax film sales along with GFX camera sales drive revenues at Fujifilm and that tariffs may have an impact.  The Fujifilm Instax Mini 41 was released recently.

Another post from ThePhoblographer on 5 vintage cameras for analog photographers, includes reviews of these mighty fine cameras.

Analog.cafe points to a disturbing case of an Instagram account that posts AI generated images as shot on film.  Strange.

Finally, a short video on darkroom printer, Pablo Inirio:

Happy Easter 2025

There is plenty of film photography news this week.  Make no mistake.

This blog shall be taking the weekend off while many celebrate the Easter holiday.