Blew $80 on a "restored" Polaroid SLR 680 that was a total lemon

I bought this camera from a seller on eBay who swore it was fully serviced and ready to shoot, but the film pack wouldn't even eject on the first try. After messing with it for 3 days I realized the internal rollers were seized up with old rubber rot and theres no fixing it without expensive parts. Anyone else get burned by a so-called "refurbished" instant camera and find a trustworthy shop?

2 comments

2 Comments

beth_stone24d ago

Found a guy on Instagram who recaps old Polaroids, sent my broken 680 to him and got it working perfectly for way less than a new one. Retrospekt is also solid if you want something guaranteed with a warranty.

ramirez.caleb24d ago

Man, that sucks. I had a similar thing with a SX-70 I grabbed at a flea market for 40 bucks. Looked clean on the outside but the foam was basically dust inside and the motor was grinding like crazy. I ended up just buying a beat up parts camera off ebay for 15 dollars and swapping the guts myself. It took a whole weekend and I broke a spring clip in the process but it works now. Not saying that's for everyone though. For you, I'd honestly just try Retrospekt if you want a warranty and don't want to gamble again. Instagram guys can be hit or miss too, I know a couple people who got cameras back with new problems from those small time repair dudes.