Best Disposable Cameras For Great Outdoor Adventures

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Today, we can now use our smartphones and digital cameras to take unlimited photos. But no matter how convenient this is, the latest technology can’t still replace old, disposable cameras when it comes to producing candid and vintage pictures. And the thrill of not knowing what you shot until the pictures arrive is something most of us would choose any day.

In this article, find out why disposable cameras are gaining popularity despite the availability of advanced camera phones and digital cameras. Also, get to know some of the best disposable cameras that you can use during travel or a casual fun out! 

What is a Disposable Camera? How to Use it?

As the name suggests, a disposable camera is intended for single use. Most disposable cameras come with either a black-and-white or colored film that can take up to 27 shots. Using it is simple; you only have to look through the viewfinder and press the button. Every time you take a shot, you have to manually turn the winding gear on top of the camera to advance the film because, unlike reusable film cameras, disposable cameras don’t have an auto-wind function. After using all the shots, you may bring them to a photo lab to develop the photos. The camera will then be discarded.

Why Buy a Disposable Camera? 

Digital cameras are superior to traditional disposable cameras. You can take photos with almost accurate colors, control the light within the camera to avoid bright, overexposed pictures, and share or upload photos in just a couple of minutes! Despite the numerous advantages digital cameras can offer, some people still prefer using a disposable camera because:

It’s Affordable and Convenient

The average cost of a disposable film camera ranges from $13 to $22. This is much more affordable than a regular digital camera that costs around $190. Since these single-use cameras are inexpensive, you don’t have to worry about dropping them off during a trip. If you break them by accident, you can still take the film and get the pictures developed.

Disposable cameras are also made up of light, plastic components, so they are easy to carry around. Moreover, they have a small body so they will fit nicely in your pocket! This is why many people love bringing disposable cameras during a hike or trek.

It Creates a Feeling of Excitement

You can take as many pictures as you want, and you can view your shots through a built-in LCD screen with a digital camera. Although convenient, this removes the fun and excitement of taking photos. You focus too much on getting the perfect shot, instead of enjoying capturing every moment. 

Meanwhile, disposable cameras only have a limited number of shots, so you try to save them for special moments. This creates a feeling of excitement and anticipation. They say there’s beauty in faults, and with a disposable camera, every captured moment could be a beautiful disaster as you can’t preview or delete photos. It gives you something to look forward to after your trip. 

It’s a Great Keepsake

Disposable cameras can’t produce clear, realistic images, unlike digital cameras. But it’s the imperfections of the photos that make them special. Plus, it’s a great keepsake as you can get the film developed and compile the results on a photo album. 

Best Disposable Cameras

1. [Fujifilm] QuickSnap Disposable Camera

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You don’t need a professional camera to take good photos. Sometimes, a simple disposable camera is enough if you know how to use it properly. Moreover, despite the lack of advanced features, disposable cameras such as the Fujifilm QuickSnap can produce sharp, vibrant photos, thanks to its preloaded film.

This single-use camera uses a Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400 film with an ISO speed of 400. In film photography, ISO refers to the film’s sensitivity to light, so the lower the ISO, the less likely your images will appear overexposed under daylight. ISO 400 is considered low as the common ISO range is 100 to 6400.

2. [KODAK] Fun Saver Single Use Camera

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One downside of using a disposable camera is it doesn’t work well in low light conditions. If you try to take a picture at night, expect a washed-out, grayish photo. Fortunately, you can still use a disposable camera at night or in a dark room by using flash. 

The KODAK Fun-Saver Single-Use Camera has a built-in flash and 800 ISO negative film. Having a high ISO and flash allow it to capture sharp images in a dark environment. Just keep in mind to take photos 5 to 10 feet away from your subject to avoid an overly dark, underexposed photo. Don’t also use flash if you are shooting at a mirror, glass, or any reflective surface because this will make the photos look overexposed.

3. [KODAK] Underwater Disposable Camera

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You can purchase a digital underwater camera, but this costs around $150 to $400! It would be impractical to invest in such expensive equipment if you will only use it on a quick pool trip. Might as well use your phone and buy a clear pouch case to save money. Although it could work, the plastic pouch distorts the image underwater, so the photo looks blurred. A better solution would be to use a disposable camera. 

The Kodak MAX Water & Sports Camera has a waterproof case, so it’s great for underwater photoshoots. When taking photos underwater, we recommend making the subject dive deep into the pool and take a shot at the shallow end. This way, you will capture the subject with the beautiful reflection of sunlight on the pool floor.

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4. [Fujifilm] Quick Snap Waterproof Camera

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Planning to go snowboarding with your family? Bring this disposable camera with you! Unlike most digital cameras, the Fujifilm Quick Snap Camera doesn’t have delicate electronic parts. Plus, it has a waterproof camera housing for extra protection against moisture. It also doesn’t run on rechargeable batteries, so you don’t have to worry about bringing it in the snow. Rechargeable batteries on digital cameras tend to discharge faster in the cold. Thus, it’s not advisable to bring one on snowboarding and ski trips.

5. [Agfa] LeBox Ocean Disposable Camera

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It’s not every day you get to see the wonderful aquatic world. So, record and relive your underwater adventures by taking photos with the LeBox Ocean Disposable Camera. This single-use camera has a waterproof camera housing so you can take photos underwater without worries. It also has a sand-proof design, preventing the camera lens from getting scratched while you and your family are taking photos on the beach. With a scratch-free camera lens, you are less likely to get blurry photos!

6. [Ilford] XP2 Single Use Camera

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If you want to improve your photography skills, you should try shooting in black and white (B&W). You are no longer distracted by the colors, so you shift your focus to lighting the subject. It also trains your eye to look for interesting patterns and textures. 

For beginners, we recommend using the Ilford Single Use Camera. It is preloaded with an XP2 35mm Black and White Film that can produce sharp, high contrasting B&W photos. What’s more, it has a large viewfinder, so you don’t have to squint your eyes so much to take a picture. 

7. [Ilford] HP5 Plus Disposable Camera

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One reason why many people love black and white photography is that it adds mood to their photos. Without the distracting vibrant colors, you are drawn instantly to the subject’s emotions or the story that the photographer is trying to tell in his photos. If you want your photos to evoke emotions and look more dramatic, consider using this B&W disposable camera from Ilford. It is preloaded with an HP5 Plus B&W film that can capture fine details even in a dark environment. 

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8. [The Camera Depot] Wedding Disposable Camera

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You will probably be too busy on your wedding day to take any photos. One solution to this is to place a disposable camera on each table. You just have to hand them out during the reception to give guests something fun to do. It would also be a great idea to set up a mini photo booth with props to encourage guests to take photos with disposable cameras. 

For weddings, we recommend this Disposable Camera from The Camera Depot. It has a beautiful white rose design and a matching table tent, so you can also use it as an added table decor during the wedding reception.

How to Get Disposable Camera Pictures on Your Phone?

Although photos from a disposable film camera are meant to be developed and compiled in an album, we would still want to share these photos in our social media accounts. After all, we now live in a digital world, so we usually upload photos online for our friends and family to see. Luckily, you can easily get film photos on your phone and upload them online with these simple tips. 

Take a Photo with Your Phone

The fastest and easiest way is by taking a picture of it. You just have to lay the photo on a table, hover the smartphone on top of the photo, and snap a picture. It’s as simple as that. But instead of using the smartphone’s default camera app, use a CamScanner app for clear film photos. Just don’t forget to add a memory card to your phone and transfer the pictures there to save phone storage space. 

Go to a Photo Lab

A photo lab is where you can get your film photos developed. You can also ask them to provide you with a digital copy of your pictures saved on a flash drive or CD. You only have to connect the flash drive (or insert the CD) to your computer then you can download your photos and upload them online. 

Use a Scanner 

After getting your photos developed, you can use a scanner to create digital copies and resize film photos. You can use a negative scanner, but you should avoid using it, especially if you have no experience with such professional printing tools. They are also quite expensive, so they are not worth investing in if your only purpose is to share film photos online (unless, of course, if you are trying to build your photography portfolio). Luckily, there are many low-cost scanners from trusted brands that you can buy instead. 

Final Thoughts

Even though disposable cameras are outdated, many people still love using them today because of their simplicity and added quaint effect. Also, you won’t be overwhelmed by the many fancy camera settings that most digital cameras have today. The only thing you’ll have to think about is whether to use flash or not. 

Disposable cameras are great for capturing candid moments because you can’t delete photos once you’ve taken them already. And with only a limited number of shots, you pick the best moments to take a snap.

Despite so, it would still be great to have a digital camera on hand in case you accidentally break your disposable camera or it runs out of film. For digital cameras, consider choosing one from one of the trusted brands like Fujifilm.