In this era of smartphone photography, some people are amused and confused to discover that disposable cameras are still on the shelves of photographic stores. But in the last few years, single-use cameras have become a popular form of photography.
There are many types of disposable cameras available, so this blog post tells you everything you need to know about the different brands to make a good choice based on your needs.
Table of Contents
What is a Disposable Camera?
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Single-use cameras are lightweight, plastic housings that incorporate a wide-angle lens, shutter, viewfinder, flash, and film. Everything is kept as minimalistic as possible. There isn’t a choice of aperture, shutter speed, or focus point; it’s simply a matter of point-and-shoot.
What Type of Film is in a Disposable Camera?
Disposable cameras are pre-loaded with 35mm film. Some cameras use colour film, while others use black-and-white. Most have 27 frames of film, but some manufacturers also have single-use cameras loaded with 39 shots.
Who Uses Disposable Cameras?
For decades, disposable cameras have been used by children going to school camps, young people on vacation, and older generations who didn’t know how to use a digital camera or smartphone. They are still bought for these purposes, but there’s another reason why these cameras are in high demand in 2023: they are trendy!
Disposable cameras are a chic accessory for teenagers at music festivals and parties. Young adults love the retro vibe of analogue cameras, and they enjoy the novelty of the grainy results. There’s also a subculture of hobbyists that want the nostalgic, vintage effects of film photography.
Are Disposable Cameras Easy to Use?
Single-use cameras are easy to use because there is no loading and unloading of film to worry about. The user manually winds to the first frame when they are ready to snap a picture, and the camera locks the film in the correct position for the photo when it is wound far enough.
To avoid accidental double exposures, after a photo is taken, the shutter stays locked until the film is taken to the next frame. These cameras have a fixed shutter speed of 1/125 seconds with a focus range of 1.3m to infinity, so adjustments are unnecessary and impossible. The best results are obtained when there is bright and natural light on the subject. In dim light or when shooting indoors, always use the inbuilt flash.
What Happens When All Photos Are Used?
When all shots have been taken, the camera is left at a photo processing lab where the housing is broken apart to remove the film. The housing cannot be reused, but the photographic lab can send the camera’s shell and electronic parts to a recycling depot.
Pros of Disposable Cameras
- They are straightforward to use.
- Take them on an adventure-style vacation if you are worried about potential damage to an expensive camera or lens
- Some have underwater housings for use at the beach or in the snow
- They are light and compact, so they are ideal for capturing memories of outdoor sporting activities
Cons of Disposable Cameras
- Only 27 shots (occasionally 39) are available on any camera
- Compared to taking photos on a smartphone, they are expensive because the camera has to be purchased, and then there is the cost of processing the film
- If you don’t remember to use the flash indoors or in other low-light conditions, the shots lose definition and become murky
The Best Types of Disposable Cameras
| Kodak Daylight 800 Disposable Camera | Amazon |
| Kodak FunSaver | Amazon |
| Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof | Amazon |
| Kodak Professional 400TX Disposable Camera | Amazon |
| Ilford XP2 Super 400 ISO Single-Use Camera | Amazon |
| Ilford Ilfocolor Rapid Retro Edition Single-Use Camera | Amazon |
| Agfa Le Box 400 Flash | Amazon |
Kodak FunSaver
Kodak has been a market leader in the photographic industry for more than a century, so it’s not surprising that they know how to appeal to the mass market’s requirements for disposable cameras. This camera is a crowd-pleaser with its compact shape, curved body, and iconic Kodak color scheme. The flash becomes charged when the button on the front of the camera is held, and the flash fires when the shutter is pressed.
The maximum range of any disposable camera’s flash is approximately four meters, so keep within that distance for a well-exposed photo. The main advantage of this disposable camera is its 800 ISO film. When the subject is slightly beyond the reach of the flash, the greater sensitivity of this type of film helps to avoid underexposed shots. The 800-speed film handles low-light situations better than cameras filled with lower-speed film. It’s a good all-rounder for parties and for capturing memories of travel adventures.
Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof
Fuji makes a sensational colour film that is vibrant and sharp. Combined with a housing that can be taken to the beach, into the pool, and onto the snowfields, it creates a disposable camera that captures unique images. The Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof camera can shoot the type of underwater photos previously only possible with expensive, professional photographic equipment.
Of course, the quality of the photos is not the same as the results taken with professional gear, but for fun-filled memories of friends enjoying the surf and snow, it’s the perfect travel companion! This camera is loaded with 800 ISO 35mm film. It has an oversized film advance knob on the top of the plastic housing and a large lever-type shutter release on the front of the camera. When snorkelling or scuba diving, it can be taken to 35 feet underwater.
Kodak Professional 400TX Disposable Camera
For those who love retro images, why not go all the way with the classic tones of black-and-white photography? This camera has 27 shots of Tri-X 400 film, which is a popular black-and-white film with a definitive grain structure and strong contrast.
It’s a forgiving film that handles most lighting conditions. The Kodak Professional 400 TX single-use camera has a 30mm f/10 double aspheric lens element for sharper focus and less distortion. This is an actual black-and-white film, so it can be processed in a home darkroom. It is a sensational camera for those who want to experiment with elegant portraits and stylish wedding shots.
Ilford XP2 Super 400 ISO Single-Use Camera
This is another disposable camera using black-and-white film. Featuring Ilford’s famous XP2 film, it is processed through color chemistry (C-41) at any standard photo lab. Ilford has been associated with black-and-white film since the late 1800s, and when this XP2 camera is used in good lighting conditions, it produces dreamy monochrome photos with a fine grain.
It lacks some of the contrast typically associated with black-and-white film, but that can be enhanced in post-production. A plastic shell across the front of the camera offers extra protection to the lens. The Ilford XP2 Super 400 ISO single-use camera is popular for travel snaps and street photography.
Ilford Ilfocolor Rapid Retro Edition Single-Use Camera
While Ilford is synonymous with black-and-white film, it has also created a single-use camera that features the retro atmosphere of color images from a bygone era. It achieves this vintage look through a single-element lens that makes vignetting and softer focusing at the edges of the frame. The film has high saturation, warm tones, and rich contrast, which adds to the retro feel.
The weak point of this camera is its flash. It’s not as powerful as other cameras, so at night or in the shadows, the user has to be within two meters of the flash to provide adequate illumination for a well-exposed shot. The Rapid Retro Edition disposable camera is often found on tables at weddings or in the suitcases of people travelling to exotic lands.
Agfa Le Box 400 Flash
Agfa is known for making excellent films at affordable prices. It successfully extended this concept into the disposable camera market, producing a reliable camera with good results. When photographing outdoors in direct sunlight, the photos are well-exposed, the colors are nicely balanced, and it has a pleasant level of the natural grain. The flash has a quick recycle time for night shots. This single-use camera is found in the hands of teenagers at nightclubs, music festivals, and on road trips.
Kodak Daylight 800 Disposable Camera
At the bottom of the list is Kodak’s Daylight 800 disposable camera. There’s nothing wrong with the camera or the film, but it lands in the lowest spot because it doesn’t have a flash. That may not be a deal breaker for those who know they will only use the camera outdoors in sunny conditions, but if they want to take photos at night, this camera won’t be helpful.
As its name suggests, this camera is designed for daylight, but its 800-speed film will cope with dim conditions and shadows but not for shooting indoors or after sunset. This camera is loaded with 39 frames of film. Anyone doing extreme sports should carry a Kodak Daylight 800 single-use camera in their backpack to record their adventures.
Which One is Best?
All of these film cameras provide the visual quirks desired from analogue photography. All are cool accessories producing reminders of fun festivals and adventurous holidays. They are affordable and ideal for throwing into a handbag or jacket pocket.
When swimming, surfing, or snorkelling, the Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof camera must be added to a packing list. The best disposable camera for land-based photographers is the Kodak FunSaver. Its 800 ISO film and flash will cover all lighting situations.
Because of these factors and its portability, the Kodak FunSaver is the best single-use camera for parties, travel, weddings, and outdoor adventure activities. Regardless of their experience levels, photographers of all ages can have fun with a disposable camera. Buy one today and see for yourself!
