I have the same camera at one year old and I have the same problem. Brand new batteries and the setting on the camera were right. I don't use it daily but the last time I used it it worked fine. Christmas day and it beeps three time but wont switch on. Surprise surprise the warenty ran out last week.

I had this problem with a Canon that was about 4 years old. After some hunting, I found out that a main control in the camera was broken or worn out. The cost to repair was more than a new camera. Before you give up on it tough, try a new card. I have read that an old or corrupted card will cause cameras to act screwy.

Alkaline batteries just don't have the power for more than a few pictures in today's power hungry digital cameras. Some batteries may also have reached their shelf life at the store, and though brand-new right out of the package may even have problems just powering startup of the camera. The one's that came with your camera are just to show you that the camera works, but as you've discovered, they'll only last for a few pictures. Digital cameras that use AA's for the most part should only be used with modern rechargeable batteries. If you read the camera's instruction manual concerning batteries, you should see the same recommendation.
Modern rechargeable batteries have over 5 times the power density of alkaline batteries (that's right, they last up to 5 times longer than an alkaline battery. And you can recharge them over and over!). Keep in mind rechargeable batteries will save you much money in the long run over alkalines, AND they'll last for at least 100 pictures per charge (and probably many many more). You'll be very pleased with their performance, and may be angry with yourself for not buying them sooner. When at the store, look on the package for a power rating of at least 2500 mah.

It's 32 years old - I'm amazed anything works on it. Have you looked in the manual ?

Your camera may have been in wet conditions. So "short cut" may have been occurerd. Please firstly put your camera in a hot and dry room. Wait at least one day. After that process. Try again to use with brand new batteries. It will work I think.

I think it can still be used for another month.. but you will spend a lot on batteries

How old is your battery? The rechargeable LI-ion battery is only meant to last a couple years at most. If your battery is a couple years old (or longer) it's probably time to consider a new battery.

Fortunately, due to the popularity of Canon cameras, generic versions of the NB-4L battery for your camera are widely available. This makes them very inexpensive. Recommend looking for one on Amazon with good user ratings. Here's some suggestions.

Back when I had my canon slr, (if i remember right) the BC lamp was actually for the battery grip - not necessarily the batteries.

SEE THIS WEBPAGE for more info on what im talking about.

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try using lithium or nimh rechargeable batteries. I had the same problem and switched out the batteries and put in eveready nimh batteries and it works fine now. Guess the old cheap ones weren't doing the job. And they were brand new batteries.

When you say "brand new" film, the battteries could easily be dead (or too low) if this is old, unused film. The camera's batteries are in the film pack....
I don't think true SX-70 film has been made for years. There is one Austrian company making film for it or people adapt newer film packs to it (read-up on internet).
First thing is to see if the contacts are clean and then to check the battery voltage in the film pack.
You could have battery contacts (in the camera) that need cleaning. Clean contacts with a pencil eraser, scotchbrite or very fine sandpaper.
Try looking online for voltage information. It might be helpful if you can check that.

It is possible that the batteries are dead (they might be faulty or too old) even when they are out of the package, though unlikely. Try another set of batteries, and if these don't work, you'll probably have to send it for a checkup.