Who Develops Disposable Cameras?

Getting your film disposable camera developed isn’t as easy as it used to be. Finding a lab that can develop disposable cameras is getting difficult as some labs don’t want to be bothered with the extra work it takes to process them. This post is list of all of the labs that can help you get your disposable camera developed!

There are no reviews here, just a list with links! If you’d like to read more about getting your disposable cameras developed, check out our other blog post, Where do I get Disposable Cameras Developed?

Disposable Camera Developing - Mail-in Labs

Lab	Website	Location	Price Per Camera
Shutter Junkies	https://www.shutterjunkies.org	Quinlan, Tx	$9.00
The Dark Room	https://thedarkroom.com/	San Clementa, CA	$16.00
MPix	https://www.mpix.com	Pittsburg, KS	$13.95
Process One	https://processonephoto.com/	Overland Park, KS	$4.99 (Scans Not Included)

Disposable Camera Developing - Local Labs

Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens still develop film and can develop disposable cameras. These stores have a developing price based on the number of exposures. The table listed below has the prices for developing the standard 27 exposure disposable camera. These prices include prints and most times a CD with your photos on them. I just hope you still have access to a CD drive!

Walmart	https://www.walmart.fom	$10.96
CVS	https://www.cvs.com	$14.99
Walgreens	https://www.walgreens.com	$15.99

Beyond these big store chains, larger cities almost always have a photo lab or two. Simply search for “Photo Labs Near Me”. Since disposable cameras all just contain a roll of 35mm film, any photo lab can develop them. We definitely recommend supporting mail-in labs and local business before sending your film to one of the big stores. We’ve heard reports of really bad customer service and lost film from Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS.

Don’t Let Those Cameras Sit Around!

No matter where you take them to be developed, don’t let your disposable cameras sit around. Film degrades over time and not getting your disposable camera developed can cause your images to have decreased quality.

It's time for a Disposable Camera Summer 2023

Summer is just around the corner and it's time to start making plans for fun with family and friends in the sun, the waves, the forests, the hills, the highways and wherever else the warm summer breeze might take you. While making your plans, its time to start thinking about which disposable camera or simple-use camera you want to pack in your suitcase!

How to pick a disposable camera for Summer

No matter what your summer plans are, there’s a disposable camera that’s perfect for you! When considering which camera is going to work best, it’s a good idea to keep the main thing that affects all cameras and film in mind - LIGHT! A day at the beach filled with lots of sunshine from above and reflecting off of the sand and waves requires a much different camera than if you’re hiking through the woods or heading off to summer camp. Knowing a few details about each of the cameras that are out there will help you make the right choice. So here’s a list of the disposable cameras currently available and our recommendations on how they can best be used to save your summer memories!

Kodak Funsaver Disposable Camera

The Kodak Funsaver is a great summer camera. This camera comes loaded with ISO 800 film, which means its more sensitive to light that some of the other cameras out there. This camera is easy to hold on to and super simple to use. It’s generally a square, but has some curves that help your gripe the camera. The only problem is that these curves add to the bulk of the camera and make it difficult to fit into some pockets.

This camera works great outdoors and indoors (with the flash). In sunlight, you can capture big scenes of mountains, groups of friends, activities, busy streets, and whatever you can fit in the frame. The Kodak film inside produces vibrant colors and relatively good sharpness considering its plastic lens. You do have to be careful of really bright places, like snow covered mountains or fields or light colored sandy beaches. Many of our customers overexpose their images in these situations and end up with super grainy beach shots with distorted colors from over exposure.

Indoors and in shady spaces, you’ll be relying upon the flash and your ability to take pics will be limited to subjects within 1 to 3 meters (3 to 9 feet). Outside of that range, images will be too dark or too bright. At a concert or in a large event at night, you can possible get a good shot of the stage, if it’s well lit, but if you’re sitting way back in the cheap seats, you won’t get much detail.

Kodak Funsaver Disposable Cameras are great for

• Summer Camps

• Hiking

• Camping

• Parks and picnics

• Outdoor and Indoor Parties

• Kids events

• Outdoor Weddings and indoor receptions

Kodak Funsavers will work at

• Indoor concerts

• Night events

Kodak Funsavers do not work well at/in

• Bright beaches during daylight

• Snow covered ground or mountains during daylight

• Large indoor or night concert venues

• Dark rooms without the flash

Kodak HD Powerflash Disposable Camera

The Kodak HD Powerflash is another great summer camera. This camera comes loaded with ISO 800 film also, so much of what we said about the Kodak Funsaver also applies.. This camera is easy to hold on to and super simple to use. The Kodak HD Powerflash has a thinner profile and more square shape, meaning that it fits better in pockets and purses. While it doesn’t fit as nicely in the hand as the Funsaver, the HD Powerflash is still easy to hold on to even while moving or running.

The Kodak HD Powerflash works great outdoors as well as indoors. But the camera lives up to its name, Powerflash, providing a lot more illumination in dark places. Bars, wedding receptions, dorm rooms, camp bunks, worship events, and many other generally darker places can benefit from the built-in flash that comes on the Kodak HD Powerflash.

But just like the Kodak Funsaver, this camera can also be easily overexposed. Bright sunny beaches, sunny snowy days, and taking selfies too close will result in some severely over exposed photos. We recommend these cameras to our wedding customers because of how well they perform in darker places, but when those wedding guests begin to take selfies with the camera too close, it can leave you looking at best washed-out and at worst, ghostly.

Kodak HD Powerflash Disposable Cameras are great for

• Summer Camps

• Hiking

• Camping

• Parks and picnics

• Outdoor and Indoor Parties

• Kids events

• Outdoor Weddings and indoor receptions

Kodak HD Powerflashes will work at

• Indoor and outdoor night concerts

• Night events

Kodak Funsavers do not work well at/in

• Bright beaches during daylight

• Snow covered ground or mountains during daylight

• Dark rooms without the flash

• Taking Selfies

Fujifilm Quicksnap Disposable Camera

Differing from the Kodak single-use cameras, the Fujifilm Quicksnap comes loaded with 400 ISO film, making it less sensitive to light. The Quicksnap comes with a flash that has a dedicated on and off rather than a flash charging button like the Kodak disposable cameras offer. Combined with his lower light sensitivity, the ability to leave the flash “on” will help prevent you from getting a totally dark image when you forgot to charge the flash.

The Fujifilm Quicksnap Disposable camera produces amazing images outdoors in sun and shade. From the baseball field to the city streets, this camera loves daylight and produces beautiful images. Where the camera begins to struggle is indoors and at night. As long as you use the flash, photos taken in small rooms still look great. In larger rooms, the flash begins to lose its ability to light the subject and the background. In big spaces or outdoors in night or low-light, the camera can still illuminate the subject as long as they are within 3 to 9 feet, but you’ll notice in your images that the backgrounds become mostly black as the flash is not able to produce enough light to make an image on the 400 speed film. We see this a lot in wedding receptions, backgrounds are almost always completely dark and unseeable. This isn’t necessarily bad, just a characteristic that you should keep in mind while shooting.

We see a lot of these cameras used on school trips, trips to Disney Land, and summer camps, where they work extremely well. Dark bunks and Epcot both look amazing on the Fujifilm Quicksnap! They are rugged and durable and very easy to use, perfect for kids doing a lot of outdoors events.

Fujifilm Quicksnap Cameras are great for

• Summer Camps

• Hiking

• Camping

• Parks and picnics

• Outdoor and Indoor Parties

• Kids events

• Outdoor Weddings and indoor receptions

• Bright beaches

• Snowy places

Fujifilm Quicksnap will work at

• Indoor concerts

• Camp Cabins

Fujifilm Quicksnap do not work well at/in

• Dark spaces

• Large indoor or night concert venues

• Dark rooms without the flash

Kodak Sport Waterproof Disposable Camera

Going for swim, or dive? Or just don’t want to ruin your disposable camera to get damaged by water? You will want to pick up a Kodak Sport Waterproof Underwater camera. These cameras work great for diving and snapping pics of corral reefs and tropical fish but also work just as well at the local waterpark or your own backyard pool.

The Kodak Sport Waterproof Disposable camera is a more bulky camera but is covered in an easy to grip and hold on to rubber coating. The film advance is a breeze to turn, even if you have wet fingers or are underwater. It probably won’t fit in a pocket, but it does come with a rubber wrist strap that will help you to hold on to your camera no matter where you take it!

The Kodak Sport Waterproof also comes loaded with 800 ISO film, which it needs because it does not come with a flash. That’s ok though, a flash just wouldn’t work underwater! These cameras take great photos on land, but are susceptible to the same over-exposure issues of the other Kodak disposable cameras. Underwater, they still need a ton of light to produce good images. Clear water also helps a lot. We develop a lot underwater cameras and the biggest mistake our customers make is that they go too deep while diving and lose light, to the point that their images become grainy with distorted colors. Murky or muddy waters also produce some very poor images. 800 ISO film works in some dark places, but light disperses through water very quickly, so if you’re diving deep or diving close to the beginning or end of the day, keep in mind you might not have enough light to produce an image.

Kodak Sport Waterproof Cameras are great for

• Swimming Pools

• Rafting

• Canoeing

• Water gun fights

• Water parks

• Rainy days

Kodak Sport Waterproof Cameras will work at

• Daylight events

• Camping

• Hiking

Kodak Sport Waterproof Cameras do not work well at/in

• Dark spaces

• Night events

• Shade

• Murky water

• Early or late diving events

Fujifilm Waterproof Disposable Camera

The Fujifilm Waterproof Disposable camera works almost identically to the Kodak Waterproof camera. Unlike the Fujifilm Quicksnap, this underwater camera comes with 800 ISO film, giving it additional range since there is no flash installed on this camera. But just like the Kodak version, there are many limitations.

In our lab, the Fujiflm and Kodak waterproof cameras perform almost identically. Both are great cameras and availability might be the only determining factor for you when it comes to selecting which camera will work best for you.

FujiFilm Waterproof Cameras are great for

• Swimming Pools

• Rafting

• Canoeing

• Water gun fights

• Water parks

• Rainy days

FujiFilm Sport Waterproof Cameras will work at

• Daylight events

• Camping

• Hiking

FujiFilmSport Waterproof Cameras do not work well at/in

• Dark spaces

• Night events

• Shade

• Murky water

• Early or late diving events

Conclusion

Summer brings with it so many fun activities and events. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be taking pictures while you're making memories! While camera phones are the standard today, they may not be the best option for your summer activities. Disposable cameras are rugged and durable, don’t need to be recharged, don’t have delicate glass screens, and don’t cost you a monthly cellular connection fee. And whether it’s for you or your kids, disposable cameras have that cool vintage vibe that will help to make your summer memorable. Make a disposable camera a part of your summer plans and you’ll be able to enjoy your memories of summer on 35mm film forever!

Make sure you think about the light! That’s the biggest issues we see customers struggle with. They get the wrong camera for the situation and never have enough light to make their images look good. By getting the right disposable camera, you’ll make sure your images all turn out great!

The art of analog: how disposable cameras are changing the photography game

In a world where digital cameras and smartphones reign supreme, disposable cameras may seem like a relic from the past. However, these simple point-and-shoot cameras are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, as more and more photographers are discovering the unique charm and creativity that film photography can offer.

The art of analog photography is all about embracing the imperfections and unexpected results that film can provide. Unlike digital photography, which allows for instant reviewing and editing of photos, film photography requires a certain level of patience and trust in the process. The anticipation of waiting for the film to be developed and the surprise of seeing the final images can be incredibly rewarding.

Disposable cameras, in particular, offer a fun and accessible way to get into film photography. Without the investment of a pricey film camera, anyone can pick up a disposable camera and start experimenting with the medium. The simplicity of the cameras also allows for a more carefree, spontaneous approach to photography.

But it's not only enthusiasts and hobbyist that are being drawn to the simplicity and nostalgia of disposable camera, professional photographers also are turning to disposable cameras as a way to add a new perspective to their work. Some of them use them as a tool to inspire a more intuitive and less planned way of working, whilst others use them as a form of self-imposed constraints when working on a project or for their personal work. It's the challenge of getting the perfect shot with just 27 or 39 shots that drives them to try new things and to see the world from a new angle.

Disposable cameras are also a great choice for events such as weddings, parties, and travel. Not only do they add a unique and nostalgic touch to the final photographs, but they can also encourage guests to be more engaged and participatory in the event. Plus, disposable cameras can be a fun and creative party favor or travel souvenir.

In conclusion, disposable cameras are a refreshing change from the digital norm, and they're a great way to explore the art of analog photography. With their simplicity and unexpected results, disposable cameras are sure to inspire creativity and bring a new perspective to your photography. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, it's worth giving disposable cameras a try and see how they can change your photography game.

Film Photography as a Hobby

There are millions of people who enjoy photography. From casual photos of friends and family to more serious and stylistic photos taken just to try to communicate something deep and meaningful and every photo in between, photography is a beloved hobby with several easy and affordable entry points from simple point-and-shoot digitals to Instax to Polaroid. But while digital photography is an easy and convenient hobby to pick-up, is film photography something a hobbyist could into without much cost or a steep learning curve?

Can I Shoot Film as a Hobby?

Absolutely! You do not need to be a professional to be a film photographer. 35mm film is still available in stores like Wal-Mart, Target, CVS, and Walgreens. Rolls of 35mm film come in color negative, black and white negative, and color positive or slide film. Film rolls also come in 24, 27, and 36 exposures (the count of photos you can take on a roll) as well as a variety of ISO’s for taking photos in different lighting. Prices range from $4.19 per roll to $23.95 for high end professional and specialty films. You can check prices on 35mm film at Amazon by going here!

Most individuals avoid film photography because they are inexperienced with the equipment, unfamiliar with how to process their film, and unsure of what film to buy. But a little bit of advice can help you get started and can having you shooting your first roll of film in no time!

What Kind of Film Camera Should I Buy?

This is a difficult question to answer because there are so many factors to consider. Availability, affordability, availability, automation, and ecosystem all need to be considered when it comes to purchasing a film camera. As you consider these factors, weigh them to see which factor is going to be the most limiting for you and you can start from there.

Availability,

There are very few film cameras in production today. Lomography.com still produces a few plastic ‘toy’ cameras. There are several ‘Simple’ use cameras out there as well. All of these are at the lowest end of the quality scale, but because they are new, might come with a higher price tag than some used models.

There are a lot of used cameras on the market out there. 35mm film cameras mostly just were put in the back of the closet and have been sitting. Locally, you can find them for sale on Facebook market place. In my experience, the selection is always limited, but its a great place to start! Ebay is also a great place to look. Ebay usually has a broader selection but you lose out on the ability to inspect the camera yourself before you buy.

Affordability

Let’s be honest, if you have money, you can spend it all on a camera. Setting a budget and sticking to that budget is important, after all, you don’t what spend all of your money on your camera and have nothing left over to buy and process your film! You can expect to spend anywhere from $20 to $200 for a good used 35mm film camera. If you’re just getting into film, get something cheaper. If you’re looking to make this something you do for a while, you may want to shoot for a middle of the road camera. Mainly, inspect the camera for functionality and features and consider what your budget is when buying.

Automation

Unlike modern cameras, a large number of film cameras a completely manual or only offer a few automatic features. You might find a shutter or aperture priority mode, but that may well be it. There are more automated 35mm cameras out there, but usually, their prices are higher because of the extra features. But, it doesn’t hurt to get a manual or almost completely manual camera. its a great way to experiment and learn. Combining the film with a manual camera will force you to think about every shot you take, which is a great discipline to develop while you are starting out. I have found that when I shoot with the more feature rich cameras I tend to think less about things like composition and letting and I get lower quality shots.

Ecosystem

Most cameras fall into an ecosystem of lenses and accessories. If you’re already a Canon shooter, then you should stick a canon SLR. If you’re already using Nikon, definitely stick to Nikon. If you don’t have anything, well then pick one and do a little research as to what other lenses are out there for the camera, does this camera have any cross compatibility with any other accessories or lenses, how durable are these cameras and how repairable are these cameras? Even as a hobbyist, when you buy a camera, you’re buying into an ecosystem.

What Kind of Film Should I Buy?

Kodak UltraMax 400 is a great beginner film!

To be honest with you, I’d go cheap at first. When I was first using film, sometimes I would forget how to do things and would accidentally expose an entire roll of film by opening the camera or forgetting to rewind. Once I forgot to release the film sprockets and I tried rewinding an entire roll with the sprocket lock still engaged. I shredded an entire roll of film. I really love the Kodak UltraMax 400 film for beginners. Its a great film, really inexpensive and produces good color results for a decent price. Its a great daylight film and works well in some shadows too. Inside photos with a flash also produce good results but expect a lot of light fall-off and darkness if objects or people are outside of the flashes power.

We’ve also got a great guide to the 3 Best Kodak Film for Beginners here - it has a lot of great information that could help you make a more informed decision!

Where can I get my Film Processed?

Processing is the hardest part, in my opinion. Locally, you can get your film processed at CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart, but they will not give you your negatives back. You definitely WANT your negatives back! They will give you prints and scans (usually lower resolution ones) but the negatives get trashed. If you’re local to us (East Dallas/East Texas), we can process your film for you! We offer drop-off and mail-in. Just click here to get the process started!

If you have the patience, you can mail your film into a place. There are several labs out there and most of them are amazing. Richard Photo Lab is a great place and has some amazing prices! The Dark Room is another great lab I’ve used and love their results. There are lots of other options out there, just jump on Google and find a lab that works for you!

Of course, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can always develop your own film at home. This requires quite a bit of equipment and some patience, but it is an option if this is a hobby you plan on keeping up with for a while.

Almost all labs will get you scans and/or prints and many offer online galleries which are great because you can view your photos as soon as they are processed, download them and share them all over the place!

Film Photography is a Great Hobby to Start!

Unlike digital photography, there’s more of a deliberate action with each press of the shutter button when you’re taking film. I don’t know if its the limited exposures, the cost, the time, or what but it forces you to think more about what you are shooting and in my opinion, always produces much better results! With the availability of so many great film cameras at really low prices and the convenience of companies like Amazon and B&H Photography, you can get any film you want delivered in just a few days if not sooner! If you’ve been hesitant to get in to film photography, now’s a great time to start AND we would be happy to help you or answer any questions you might have! We love film photography and in the 35mm film format, we’ve had some of the most fun you can have with a camera! Contact Us if you have any questions and lets get you shooting film asap!