Polaroid SX-70 AF II

The SX-70 AF II represents Polaroid's refinement of its landmark instant camera line nearly two decades after the original SX-70's debut. Introduced in 1985, this model built upon the iconic foldable SLR platform but introduced a significant technological advancement: autofocus. This allowed users to achieve sharper focus with greater ease, moving the sophisticated instant imaging system closer to the point-and-shoot simplicity becoming prevalent in the mid-1980s. It maintained the instant film self-developing capability and the distinctive Polaroid aesthetic, catering to photographers and enthusiasts who valued the unique quality and immediacy of instant photos without manual focus adjustment. The AF II underscored Polaroid's commitment to evolving its core instant technology amidst changing consumer demands.

While sharing the fundamental folding design and instant film integration of its illustrious predecessor, the AF II's primary significance lies in its integration of autofocus into a high-end instant camera. It functioned as a premium offering within Polaroid's consumer range, appealing to those seeking advanced features in the instant format. However, it arrived during a period of intense competition from 35mm point-and-shoot cameras and the nascent rise of compact 35mm autofocus models, limiting its broader impact on the photographic landscape compared to the revolutionary original SX-70. Its importance is thus primarily as a later evolution of a significant platform rather than a landmark innovation itself.