What is the value of a 1960's polaroid camera?

Answer 1

Pretty low. The Model 900 takes Polaroid roll film (Type 42 or Type 47), a format that was discontinued in the early nineties, so it's not a useful camera anymore. Examples generally go for less than $20. I paid $3 for mine, some years back.

Answer 2

Like the 850 Electric Eye, the 900 is a low-demand camera that can be purchased for $5-25, depending on condition.

More Information

The Polaroid 900 Electric Eye was the first automatic exposure camera GE made for Polaroid. The 900 model, manufactured from 1960-1963 actually predated the 850 by one year.

Some of the problems affecting the value of this camera is that it required 40-series roll film, which was discontinued in 1992. The electric eye component was powered by Mercury batteries which are, likewise, no longer available. Hobbyists have had some success converting the camera for use with alkaline batteries, but these give erratic readings. Similarly, the 900 can be retrofitted to use 100 pack film or standard 120 roll film, but the conversions are permanent and eliminate any value the camera may hold as a collectible.

[December 2010]