MiNT has been restoring and upgrading the “King of Polaroid Cameras” Polaroid SX-70 (invented 47 years ago) for almost a decade.
Aiming to create a modern take on the SX-70, MiNT Camera has launched a Kickstarter campaign for the InstantKon SF70 camera. The foldable, portable nature of the Polaroid SX-70 along with its classic design and square film format was the company’s starting point. MiNT says that it didn’t just want to re-release the Polaroid, though. Anything that was made today would have to improve in key areas in order to justify its existence.

Making an instant camera better than the Polaroid SX-70 is a high bar to clear, says MiNT Camera. With a few changes, MiNT believes that has been accomplished in the InstantKon SF70, an analog split-image rangefinder like a vintage Leica or old Polaroid camera which features “genuine bellows”, that the company says is hand made by artisans.
The InstantKon uses the very popular Fujifilm Instax Square film, whereas the SX-70 used Polaroid’s proprietary SX-70 type film. Instax square format film is readily available but can be costly, especially for active photographers. The company also is offering an unusual program to provide free film for life after receiving the camera, called the Unlimited Free Films Movement (UFF).

The camera includes full manual control over shutter speed and aperture and includes a fully automatic mode as well. With respect to aperture, you can select from f/5.6, f/6.7, f/8, f/11, f/16, and f/22. You can select from an assortment of shutter speeds ranging from 1/500s to 1s, although a bulb mode allows shutter speeds up to 10 minutes. Speaking of the lens, it is a 3-element lens the company says is made of glass and features aspherical lenses, and has a 35mm equivalent focal length of 50mm.

Here some sample photos taken with the new SX-70:

The MiNT Instakon SF70 is currently fully-backed on Kickstarter with multiple pledge options, with the most affordable currently available for around $720. The company expects to deliver finished products to backers by May of 2021.

More info on the MiNT Kickstarter’s page.