Single Use Camera Users

[keithslater]

I need to vent a little about single use cameras. Now let me say I am glad that there are so many people using them, because they keep film and processing around. What I do not under stand is why they use them.

Examples:
My Step-Mother - I notice her using the nicest single use Kodak I have ever seen. It cost $11. She said she buys the good ones because they have better lenses. I guess she had a decent 35mm and it got sand in it. So now she buys a couple of these a month.
My Mother-In-Law - She has a digital camera and a decent 35mm with zoom. She only uses disposables.
My Sister - Only uses disposables and a Polaroid. I offered her a couple decent point and shoots, not interested.

What I do not understand is you can buy a half way decent point and shoot camera for like $12 at Wal-mart. They have all sorts. Most even come with batteries and film. Then you could buy all the cheap film you want for a buck a roll. Even if you bought better film say 2 bucks a roll its so much more inexpensive. Also every rummage sale I have gone to this year has Auto focus Minoltas, Fujis, and Pentax's for a buck. I try to tell them all this (nicely) and they look at me like I'm crazy. The funniest thing about the whole deal is they have all had regular 35mm's at one time or another. So its not like they can't load the film.

Ok, I'm done now. Maybe I am crazy for caring. Do any of you know people like this?

PS At the grocery store today I seen a Kodak disposable with zoom! :bang:

 

[XAos]

Disposable zoom is just mind boggling to me, but I guess they've gotten it cheap enough to sell. I carry cheap P&S cameras where most sane people would carry a disposable, because the optics are a known quantity (if you do some digging). The Stylus Epic survived being drowned with a fire hose (literally, 2.5" hose at 50 psi, the SE was in my back pocket. Viewfinder was a little fogged but it has dried out, though it did not survive the subsequent drop). I didn't have a lot in that SE but I'm having trouble finding another one at that price, so I'm STILL bummed.

 

[bmattock]

These people are the reason that digital cameras will kill film. The market rules - even when the market has got a collective head full of old sweat socks instead of brains.

Capitalism doesn't know from 'best'. Capitalism knows from 'most'.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[kiev4a]

You don't have to load 'em, fiddle with exposure or focus, or unload 'em. You just take in out of the package, shoot and hand the entire camera to the photo lab.
We're a lazy society.

 

[bmattock]

I'm really odd. I reload them.🙂

That's not the only reason you're odd.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[derevaun]

Even worse are the people who reload and reuse single use cameras. Oh wait, I do that 😀

 

[bmattock]

Bill,

I'll watch for you on the 'bay.🙂

Point taken!

Bill

 

[foon]

i reload them too
but just because mine has a 17mm lens on it
it's fun to use something that wide every once in a while 😀

 

[Duncan Ross]

I like the idea of disposable cameras; they take the confusion out of picture taking for many people by removing the worry of choosing. They also seem to be excellent 'stunt cameras' and get used by people who wouldn't like to break or lose their proper one (usually while drunk). They are undeniably popular and anything that encourages ordinary people to go out and take pictures is a great thing in my opinion.

There is only one issue with them that bothers me. I have a cheap soviet 'cosmic 35' camera that cost about £3, which is about the going rate for them. The lens must have only cost a kopek or two yet it takes surprisingly clean sharp and contrasty pictures. If a cosmic can take pictures like that why can't a disposable?

 

[Duncan Ross]

i reload them too
but just because mine has a 17mm lens on it
it's fun to use something that wide every once in a while 😀

You might like to try a Lomo Fisheye camera! They are only cheap and have a 10mm glass lens. Great fun!

 

[dmr]

I think the best use ever for single-use cameras is for wedding candids. Just put one of them one each table of the reception. Then as people get good and, uh, relaxed, some will actually use them. 🙂 Then at the end, take those that haven't walked away or aren't too badly smashed to the lab. I've seen some great (and hilarious) shots from these.

 

[Kin Lau]

Might be because so many of these AF p&s 35mm's take $10- batteries.

Waterproof/weatherproof might help.

Of course, you could always put them on a guilt trip about adding to our landfills since none of the labs recycle these cameras.

 

[Elmer Fishpaw]

If something comes up and I forgot to bring my camera, the disposables are available everywhere. I a party spontaneously happens I can run to a CVS, Kinneys or a supermarket and pretty much anywhere there's a town, you're back in 5 minutes. Another is if you don't want to damage a regular camera. The digital disposables Ritz and CVS sell are pretty good too! I wish Konica still sold that Ultra wide disposable with the 17mm lens.

 

[TPPhotog]

I think they are really fun and don't forget you can even get ones that shoot b&w 😉 They should have cult status like a Holga 😀

 

[doubs43]

They should have cult status like a Holga 😀

HEY! I know my girl has been around, but cult status? I'll have to talk to Holga about that! Am I the last to know? 😕

Walker

 

[JoeFriday]

here's one for ya.. currently going for $10 with 2 hours left.. it's exactly like mine, and mine is awesome

http://cgi.ebay.com/Olympus-Stylus-...oryZ3333QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or here's one going for $25 in 'excellent condition'

http://cgi.ebay.com/Olympus-Stylus-...oryZ3333QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I personally bought mine brand spanking new for $30 a year ago

Disposable zoom is just mind boggling to me, but I guess they've gotten it cheap enough to sell. I carry cheap P&S cameras where most sane people would carry a disposable, because the optics are a known quantity (if you do some digging). The Stylus Epic survived being drowned with a fire hose (literally, 2.5" hose at 50 psi, the SE was in my back pocket. Viewfinder was a little fogged but it has dried out, though it did not survive the subsequent drop). I didn't have a lot in that SE but I'm having trouble finding another one at that price, so I'm STILL bummed.

 

[physiognomy]

Hi,

How long does exposed film last in these 'disposable' cameras? (I will never look at these 'one-timers' the same again!)... I just found one that I lost after a trip to Costa Rica in 2002.... Any chance the pictures might still be salvaged?

Peter

 

[TPPhotog]

HEY! I know my girl has been around, but cult status? I'll have to talk to Holga about that! Am I the last to know? 😕

Walker

As a gentleman I promise not to tell everyone so that honor is maintained 😉

 

[Byuphoto]

We're a lazy society.
My sentiments exactly. The stone age, bronze age, iron age, industrial age and the disposable age. What is next?

 

[TPPhotog]

How about the gullible age? The masses will believe the politicians, marketing and media without question. Oooops we are already at that stage 🙁