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Yes—you can use Polaroid 600 film in an SX-70 by reducing the light reaching the film with a neutral-density (ND) filter. The simplest reversible option is to fit a compatible filter over each 600 film pack before loading it. Polaroid also documents a lens-filter option; electronic conversions are a separate, specialist route.
Why 600 film needs an ND filter in an SX-70
Polaroid 600 film is faster—more sensitive to light—than the film the SX-70 was designed to use. Without reducing the exposure, 600 film may receive too much light. An ND filter lowers the amount of light reaching the film; Polaroid says its filter reduces wavelengths equally, so it does not add a color cast. Polaroid’s support article describes the pack filter as developed to use faster-speed 600 film in SX-70 cameras (Polaroid’s installation guidance; ND filter explanation).
Choose a conversion method
| Method | What you do | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Film-pack ND filter | Fit a compatible filter over the darkslide on each 600 pack before loading it. | Reversible and does not darken the viewfinder, but requires handling the filter whenever you reload. |
| Lens ND filter | Attach an ND filter at the lens to reduce light entering the camera. | A lens accessory alternative, but the viewfinder becomes darker and focusing may be harder. |
| Electronic conversion | Have or undertake a specialist hardware modification that changes exposure control for 600 film. | Can avoid fitting a filter to each pack, but compatibility and calibration depend on the camera and conversion hardware. |
Polaroid documents the two ND-filter approaches. MiNT’s SX-70 lens set is another packaged accessory option; its listing specifies that only one lens in the set is intended for 600 film use (MiNT SX-70 lens set). No controlled head-to-head image-quality comparison is established for these methods, so the choice is about handling, viewfinder brightness, model fit, and whether you want specialist repair work.
Fit a film-pack ND filter before loading 600 film
Use a filter made for the 600-pack method and follow its flap orientation. Polaroid’s instructions, updated August 31, 2023, describe a filter with two long flaps and six small flaps:
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- TRIPLE PACK: 24 instant photos rich in dreamlike, nostalgic texture and tone.
- LIGHT IT UP: Polaroid Instant Film loves light. The more light in your shot, the better your photo will turn out. Always shoot in bright light or use the camera flash
- DEVELOP: All photos appear blank at first. Photos develop within 15 minutes. Shield photos from the light and place them face down as they develop
- CREATE: Every photo you create is rich textured and unique. Unpredictable, imperfect, and impossible to reproduce.
- STORE CHILLED: Temperature affects how the film works so keep it stored chilled in the fridge, do not freeze.
- Take one 600 film pack and one compatible filter. Keep the pack’s darkslide in place.
- Set the filter on top of the darkslide, over the cartridge.
- Orient the two long flaps toward the camera’s photo-ejection slot.
- Push the six small flaps under the rim of the cartridge.
- Leave the long flaps outside the cartridge. They hold the filter in place and help prevent it from coming out with the darkslide or an ejected photo.
- Insert the prepared pack into the camera as you normally would.
Check that the filter is seated and that the long flaps remain outward before loading. The filter belongs on each new 600 pack; it is not a one-time camera setting. Polaroid’s complete instructions are at How to use 600 film in an SX-70 camera.
What changes with a lens filter
A lens ND filter reduces light entering the camera through the lens rather than attaching to the cartridge. That avoids installing a filter on each pack, but it also darkens the viewfinder while you compose and can make focusing more difficult. Confirm that the filter is intended for your SX-70 lens and for 600-film use; the MiNT set listing identifies one lens in its set for this purpose (MiNT SX-70 lens set).
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- VERSATILE FILM: two packs of Polaroid instant film for one low price. Our double pack of film contains two sets of color 600 film for a total of 16 photos.
Electronic conversion is a separate specialist path
Electronic modifications are not interchangeable with the pack-filter procedure, and there is no single generic conversion recipe established for every SX-70 model. SX70R’s version 4.0 and 6.0 modification manual documents its own ECM system, a model-specific note for the SLR 680, function checks, and removal of the original metering ND filter after that installation. It recommends checking that shutter speed responds to changing light and describes checks using an empty 600 pack (SX70R ECM manual, versions 4.0 and 6.0).
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Those instructions apply to the documented SX70R hardware and should not be generalized to all folding SX-70 cameras. Removing a small metering-window filter by itself is not established as a complete conversion. If you choose an electronic modification, identify the exact camera model and conversion system and follow that system’s technical documentation or use a qualified repair specialist.
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- CLASSIC FILM: Polaroid Instant Color Film for 600 cameras and i-Type cameras with 8 classic iconic white framed photos.
- LIGHT IT UP: Polaroid Instant Film loves light. The more light in your shot, the better your photo will turn out. Always shoot in bright light or use the camera flash.
- DEVELOP: All photos appear blank at first. Photos develop within 15 minutes. Shield photos from the light and place them face down as they develop.
- CREATE: Every photo you create is rich textured and unique. Unpredictable, imperfect, and impossible to reproduce.
- BACKWARD COMPATIBLE: Film is compatible with Polaroid 600, Polaroid Impulse, Polaroid SLR680, and newer Polaroid i-Type One Step 2 cameras.
Do not confuse exposure compensation with a 600 conversion
Polaroid’s separate exposure-compensation advice concerns SX-70 type film, not a 600-film conversion. Its October 29, 2024 support article says SX-70 film is rated at ±160 ASA while the camera is calibrated for 100 ASA, and recommends moving the exposure dial one third toward darken for that film; it also says to reset the dial to neutral each time the camera is folded. Those instructions are not a substitute for the ND-filter method for 600 film (Polaroid exposure-compensation guidance).
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to get 600 film and compatible accessories
Polaroid’s US store lists Color 600 and B&W 600 film, but stock, price, and available editions can change and vary by region (Polaroid 600 film). Check that any filter you buy is compatible with the 600 pack and the method you have chosen. If using a MiNT lens set, note that the listing identifies only one lens for 600-film use.
Quick Recap
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- VERSATILE FILM: Our double pack of film contains two sets of color 600 film for a total of 16 photos. Compatible with for 600 cameras and I-type cameras
- LIGHT IT UP: Polaroid Instant Film loves light. The more light in your shot, the better your photo will turn out. Always shoot in bright light or use the camera flash.
- DEVELOP: All photos appear blank at first. Photos develop within 15 minutes. Shield photos from the light and place them face down as they develop.
- CREATE: Every photo you create is rich textured and unique. Unpredictable, imperfect, and impossible to reproduce.
- BACKWARD COMPATIBLE: Film is compatible with Polaroid 600, Polaroid Impulse, Polaroid SLR680, and newer Polaroid i-Type One Step 2 cameras.
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- 48 Photo Bulk Pack -Polaroid instant color film for 600 cameras and I-Type cameras with 48 classic iconic white framed photos.
- Backward Compatible - 600 Film is compatible with vintage Polaroid 600, Polaroid Impulse, Polaroid SLR680, as well as modern Polaroid i-Type cameras.
- Light it up- Polaroid instant film loves light. The more light in your shot, the better your photo will turn out. Always shoot in bright light or use the camera flash.
- Develop- Photos will appear blank at first. Photos develop within 15 minutes. Shield photos from the light and place them face down as they develop.
- Create- Every photo you create is rich, textured, and unique. Unpredictable, imperfect, and impossible to reproduce, just like you.
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