Disposable Cameras

[Brown]

I do not own a camera. I expect that I may want to take some photos at TAM2, however, and I am considering buying some disposable cameras.

I note that there are disposable conventional film cameras and disposable digital cameras. Can anyone list the advantages and drawbacks of each?

[Mercutio]

Some of the disposable film cameras will also send you the pics on a CD-ROM or post them temporarily on their site, giving you access. That way you get the best of both...

[Brown]

I noticed that "A Christmas Story" (which ran continuously on one of the Turner stations on December 25) was sponsored by Kodak, promoting its disposable digital cameras. Supposedly the Kodak camera gives you a set of prints (which I want) and a CD with photos on it (which wouldn't be bad, either).

I notice also that stores like Walgreens let you bring in your CDs and decide what digital pictures you want to turn into prints.

On the other hand, maybe a conventional film camera is cheaper...?

[Paladin]

Here's a story on disposable digital:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3091190.stm

Conventional film will give you better results. Just make sure your film doesn't get x-rayed at the airport.

[Michael Redman]

Originally posted by Ohrryp
Just make sure your film doesn't get x-rayed at the airport. Carry-on screening x-rays are OK, but unprocessed film in checked baggage will get fried.

There are film disposables being sold here as "digital" because after-processing digital scanning of the film is an included feature. From the article posted by Ohrryp, I don't see the real digitals being a worthwhile purchase, at this point. I haven't actually seen them here anyway.

From what I've seen, the disposables shoot as well as super cheap 35mm point-and-shoot cameras. I wouldn't buy a conventional film camera at this point unless I was going high-end for the purposes of artistic commercial photography. If you're only going to shoot 20 or 40 shots, a disposable or two will do just fine.

Have you considered springing for a cheap digital camera? (2-5 MP, 3x optical zoom, $150 to $300) You won't have to worry about the cost of film and processing (or getting your film fogged by x-rays). It should do fine for snapshots at TAM, posting stuff in the internet, sending by email, and even prints. And, if you decide in the future to get a more serious camera, it's always good to have a backup. I take my 35mm SLR kit with me traveling, but also carry a pocket sized 3MP digital, and on our last vacation we shot about 1/5 of our total pictures with the digital. It's such a useful tool, I would recommend one for everyone, even people with more serious photographic equipment.