Polaroid Swinger Model 20

The Polaroid Swinger Model 20 (Polaroid Land Camera Model 20) is an instant camera from Polaroid. It was introduced in the mid 1960s. The white housing of the camera is made of plastic. On the back is a manual with information about the camera and how to use the films. With a price of just $19.95, the camera was one of the cheapest entrants into instant photography. Today, the 19.95 US dollars correspond to about 142.40 euros.

The camera was advertised among other things with the “Meet the Swinger” jingle, which was very catchy and quickly settled in the ear.

As you know it from Polaroid’s instant cameras for the amateur market, it is very easy to use. The camera does not have many setting options. The focus, for example, is fixed. Of course there is no zoom either. Therefore, the Polaroid Swinger has a built-in light meter. This is powered by two batteries inside the camera.

It is possible to use AG-1 flash bulbs. The weight of one copy of the camera is about 770 grams. The dimensions of the instant camera are 15.5 x 12.5 x 13 cm.

Films for the Polaroid Swinger

The Polaroid Swinger needs type 20 films, and Polaroid Land Roll films are no longer produced. There is no alternative from another manufacturer. Therefore the camera can only be used as a decorative object. At that time one picture had the size of 5.4 by 7.3 cm. With one roll of film you could take eight pictures.

Value of the camera

What is the camera still worth today? The financial value of a Polaroid Swinger Model 20 is not very high nowadays. If you get the 20 US dollars of the original price today you are very lucky. The reason for this is mainly due to two factors, the lack of availability of fresh film material and the high number of pieces produced by this camera model.

Tips for taking pictures with the Swinger

This copy was made in Great Britain (United Kingdom)

The open back of the camera