Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need to Know About Using Disposable Cameras
Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need to Know About Using Disposable Cameras
Guides and Tips
Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need to Know About Using Disposable Cameras
One day, my friend suggested we have a photo competition during our short trip to China. Jeff and I went to Sim City in Mongkok to look for disposable cameras. After visiting a few stores, we decided against the waterproof option because we needed the ability to take indoor photos with a flash. We finally settled on a Kodak FunSaver disposable camera with flash, it equipped with ISO 800 colour negative film and a flash, offering a total of 39 exposures. But does this mean it’s a Kodak Portra 800?
The last time I used a disposable camera, it was a Fujifilm model that produced a cold, greenish tone—something Jeff wanted to avoid for this trip. During our adventure, I discovered several useful tips for using this Kodak ISO 800 colour disposable camera. The camera has roughly an f/8 lens, which means it’s relatively slow and requires sufficient light to properly expose the film. In simpler terms, bright sunlight equals good photos; overcast or cloudy conditions without flash usually result in less desirable outcomes.
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Distance
It’s tempting to get close-up shots of insects or to use the flash at a close range. However, the packaging advises maintaining a minimum distance of 1.2 to 3.5 metres— 1.2 metres is about an arm’s length—for optimal focus.
Flash or Not
Given the camera’s default ISO 800 film and f/8 aperture, you’ll capture good photos with enough sunlight. In less than sunny conditions, photos can turn out darker, as if you forgot to turn on the lights.
When to Use Flash:
- Outdoor sunny day: No flash needed
- Outdoor overcast: Use flash
- Indoor: Always use flash (unless there’s a very strong light source)
Holding Your Camera
Why is finger placement so important? You don’t want 39 shots obscured by something beige or nude on the side. Hold your camera with four fingers, using only your thumb and index finger to stabilise it. Trust me, Jeff ended up with 39 photos featuring the corner of his finger.
Winding the Film Before the Next Shot
To capture spontaneous moments effectively, always advance the film to the next frame beforehand. Otherwise, you won’t be able to press the shutter when it counts.
Checking the Flash
Hold down the flash button and wait for the red light to indicate that the flash is ready. If the light isn’t on, the flash won’t fire.
It’s normal for at least half of your photos to turn out black, white, or blurry. By following the tips above, you can increase your success rate. Don’t worry if you’re just seeing these tips now; there’s always a next time to capture the perfect shot. Consider trying a black and white disposable camera, as it tends to be more forgiving than colour negative film.
Later, we will select three or four of the best photos from our trip and let customers at the Bad Coffee Liquor Club vote for their favourite set. I will keep you updated on Instagram!
If you encounter any problems using a disposable camera, feel free to DM me on Instagram or send me an email. I’m happy to help!
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