u/Thick-Mortgage227

Hi everyone,
I recently picked up a gorgeous Polaroid SX-70 Sonar OneStep (Sears Special Edition) at a local thrift store (Brockenhaus). The expired film pack that came inside the camera had a stamp on the back dated 1975, so it’s highly likely this camera hasn't been used or serviced since then.
I'm facing a very specific mechanical issue and would love some technical insight from the community:
• When empty (with just a battery blank/empty cartridge): The camera works flawlessly. The motor sounds strong, and the mechanical cycle is instant, fast, and crisp.
• When a fresh modern film pack is loaded: The camera completely struggles. When I press the shutter button, the mirror goes up, but the mechanism stalls and gets stuck mid-cycle for about 5 to 7 seconds. Eventually, it manages to squeeze the photo out by itself, but because the shutter stays open during the stall, the photos come out completely overexposed/white (with heavy chemical marks at the bottom from the rollers stopping over the pods).
It feels like the motor is healthy, but modern Polaroid film packs (which have thicker modern film composite and denser chemical paste) are creating too much physical resistance/friction for the camera to handle on its own.
Has anyone dealt with this after bringing a long-dormant SX-70 back to life?
Could this be a case of hardened 50-year-old factory grease inside the gear train creating friction under load? Or is it more likely an electronic issue like the S7 internal switch needing a clean/adjustment, or the motor brushes being oxidized?
Any tips on how to un-stiff or fix this (or if it strictly needs a professional refurbishment) would be highly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone!
I just found this Polaroid SX-70 Model 2 at a local "Brocki" (thrift store) here in Switzerland for only 14 CHF. Before I buy a fresh pack of SX-70 film to test it, I’m a bit concerned about a few technical details I noticed:

1. The Flex Cable: The orange ribbon cable seems to have a small tear or deep crack on the right edge. It also looks like there's some old residue or degradation there. Is it likely that the copper traces are already severed?
2. The Viewfinder : It looks a bit dusty/dirty. Does this usually mean there’s fungus inside, or is it just external grime typical for its age?
3. General Body Condition : The camera opens and closes, but given the flex cable issue, I’m worried about the internal electronics.
   The big question: If I put a fresh cartridge in, is there a high risk of it not firing at all because of that cable? Or is it worth the 20 CHF for a pack of film just to see if it survives?
   I'd love to hear from anyone who has experience repairing these or has seen similar cable damage. Thanks for the help!

Hi everyone! I wanted to share this amazing find from today. I’m an antique and vintage clothing reseller, but I’m definitely NOT a watch expert.

I found this watch today at a recycling dump here in Zurich, Switzerland. It’s a Girard-Perregaux Gyromatic with '39 Jewels' on the dial. From what I’ve been able to gather, it seems to be made of solid gold (found a small hallmark on the lug) and even came with its original box!

I noticed the buckle has a Certina logo, so I assume the strap was replaced at some point over the years. To my surprise, after a little movement, it started ticking and seems to be keeping time perfectly!

I’m still in shock that someone would throw this away. I would love to hear your thoughts, any info on the specific year, or just your impressions on this piece. I’m beyond happy to have rescued this little piece of Swiss history from being destroyed.

Greetings from Zurich!