Are disposal cameras any good?

Thats all I take on trips every since I left my $600 camera in a Las Vegas taxi. I've had no problems with any of my disposable cameras--I"ve purchased ones with flash, no flash, wide format, underwater so I can take them in the ocean with me. Of couse what you see in the viewfinder is what you get meaning you can't push a button and get close ups you have to actually move up yourself. Of course I used my regular camera when I'm touring in a helicopter over Hawaii or if I wanted to get closer shots of the Golden Gate bridge or the Effile (spelling) tower. I have such confidence in disposables that I took one to my brothers wedding and got great shots. Go ahead give them a try.

Jeffy, thank you for your advice! I would want to take pictures of my friends plus if we go to Charleston I would imagine I would want to take some photos there. I would like something that could be used for daytime and also inside at night.

What type of disposable camera would you suggest I buy?

We always take a few disposable cameras as back-up to our digital and 35mm cameras. Sometimes we get better shots with them than the real cameras - but that is usually user-related. We actually have some great panaramic views of Grand Canyon! And if it is convenient we get them developed while we are away to avoid the camera-at-security annoyances.

We buy Kodak or Fuji - usually a little cheaper. Pick with flash - you can turn it on or off - or just daylight. Buy them at destination so you don't need to worry about them thru x-rays. The only time we bring them with us is when we are goping someplace more remote or where they will cost 3 times as much.

gail, thank you for all your information. Just tonight I wondered if I should just wait until I get to Atlanta to buy a disposable camera, so I will.

The camera I have is not only wonderful it is very sentimental to me (as silly as that sounds) and I always seem to be the one pulled aside for extra security checks at the airport (I say with a big sigh) which means that I don't always have a good eye on my carryon. I have gotten so the last year or so I haven't even taken my camera with me but this trip I want to take photos. That is what got me thinking about a disposal camera.

Between your post and jeffy's I will not worry about using a disposable (GADS, I just noticed that I typed this wrong on the title of my thread - sorry - and thanks to both of you for understanding my question )

I hate to be the one to play devils advocate here, but I don't think there is any comparison between the pictures I take with a disposable and my "real" camera. The pictures always seem dull-colored and the subjetcs appear too far away, no matter how close I am. However, I don't like taking my nice camera on trips, either. I have compromised by buying a pocket-sized digital camera to take on vacations (nothing fancy, just a regular old point and shoot digital). It's smaller and easier to tote around, and I can see if my pictures turn out well immediately after taking them.

A few years ago we went to New Orleans and from there flew to Florida to see John Glenn be shot into space for the second time. I took a disposable camera and sent the photos through the mail to a film house to be developed. Point being, the pictures got lost, but the family that received them by mistake took the time to find us and sent the pictures with a note saying it looked like we had had a fun vacation and the pictures turned out great. I thought that was quite a compliment for a little ol' disposable camera. I've also learned that if you are sending the film out to be developed to have the envelope ready and mail the camera before you leave - one less thing to pack and you're ahead on development time.

I have used the disposables, and you get what you pay for. Never had a problem with them at all, but they take the basic pictures. I give them to my kids for holiday gifts, too. When going on a boat, I buy a waterproof disposable instead of taking my camera.

On the other hand, perhaps purchasing a basic 35mm camera for traveling might be the thing to do. I have a little Olympus and love it.

I have been using disposable cameras for years now (Europe, Mexico, etc.) and think they are fantastic. Nothing more valuable then one shot roll of film to worry about, they don't take much room packing (when you are done you can bust the camera apart and remove the roll of film), drop it over the side of the vaporetto or off the Eiffle Tower... no big loss.

I have used regular daylight ones, ones with flash, encased for underwater, and a favorite for use in Europe the panoramic! I have both bought them at home and/or picked them up once I arrived.

My caution is you need to be a good photographer to get good results with a disposable. Take time to frame up the shot, get in close to the subject so it fills the frame, watch your lighting.

I have a set hanging on my wall that you'd love, LoveItaly. Taken with the panoramic in Venice, then scanned, color enhanced, enlarged and framed. People love 'em. And often ask what kind of camera I used ~LOL!

p.s. I have not noticed any difference in quality between the brands - Kodak, Fuji or the no-name ones.

One thing I forgot to mention is that the disposables are NOT "SLR": what you see in the viewfinder will be off a degree from what the camera will shoot. Therefore, be sure to give yourself extra space around your subject so you don't cut off anything you want.

A few basic "facts of life" about using disposable cameras:
1. Sure you can get good results, but taken in total, in no way will the results compare with a decent camera. And that includes a decent point-and-shoot.
2. One of the previous posters is correct about what you see in the viewfinder not matching the actual picture you get.
3. They are fine for bright sunny weather (i.e., an ASA 100 kind of day). Forget it on a dark, cloudy day. Nighttime? Closeup flash shots are about all you can expect!
I can't understand why anyone would spend the money on a camera and then be afraid to take it on vacation!
PS: Suze, do you really dump your trash in the Grand Canal or off the Eiffel Tower? And, you wonder why American tourists are not universally loved?

Again, thank you everyone. I will use a disposable camera this trip. All your information is a big help for sure. Beentheretwice, thanks for the info about leaving some space around the object I want to photograph. I didn't know that either.

Suze, your Venitian photo sounds beautiful. What a good idea. You have me thinking. I have one photo I took in Venice years ago that is breathtaking too. Perhaps I should think about doing what you did. Lovely idea.

About my photography skills. Some photos are so so but others have been terrific. Took a photo of three of my handsome grandsons recently and the photo came out breathtaking. It even amazed me. Their parents are framing their copy and putting in on display.
Think the photo turned out so well as they worked with me to get the in the spot I thought would be good for light and background. My casual photos never do justice to anyone.

I have purchased disposables for my kids on trips. They each get one camera and can take the alloted number of pictures as a special memory for themselves.

Someone told me to put an address sticker on the outside of the camera. If it is lost, it may find its way home. When it's developed, the developer will be sure to put it in the correct envelope. I did it for camp for one of the kids which proved useful especially since a lot of parents sent disposable cameras with their kids to camp.

My feelings about disposables are you can buy an inexpensive point and shoot film camera for not much more than 1 disposable.

I too, purchased a small (as compared to my SLR) digital camera that I can throw in my purse when we travel, although I take both cameras on major vacations.

I have used disposable underwater cameras when we've done beach vacations.

FYI
these cameras are NOT disposable!
they are actually recycled.

an unfortunate misnomer for an earth-friendly product...

I think disposables are great for small children and in a pinch. However it seems that it would be worth it to buy an inexpensive camera (digital or not) as the cost of buying disposables trip after trip is going to be more than it is worth. Plus you do get more features/flexibility with even a lower end 35mm or digital.

What are you saving your "special" camera for? If you can't take your favorite camera on a vacation, what's the point? I cherish our pictures and want to produce the best that I can. Worst case is that it gets stolen...that's what insurance is for. After it's not your child.

Disposables are not in the same league. I have experimented and the only time I use one now is if it a specialty situation like underwater.

Howard, when I read what Suze said about dropping your camera off of a vaporetto or the Eiffel Tower, I assumed she meant accidentally dropping it.

Thank you KT!

HowardR- oh for goodness sakes, of course I do not throw trash ANYwhere, EVER!!! TWO separate thoughts:

#1- you can break the roll of film out and not have to carry the "camera" body home only the film

#2 if you lost your grip of the camera in stormy seas, you're only out $7 and one roll of film... not thousands of dollars or loss of a sentimental possession.

I will try to be more clear in the future so as not to encourage people to throw garbage off the Eiffel Tower... sheez!!!

<And, you wonder why American tourists are not universally loved?>

I am still speechless over this one.

When this terrible accident happens Howard, I will run immediately all the way down the Tower and pick up the camera from the grass at the bottom, or jump overboard and swim the canal. OK?

Hi Suze, I knew exactly what you meant! My late DH dropped his fantastic camera over the side of our boat. Bye, bye camera. I guess it had a nice trip from the CA Delta, down the Carquinez Straight, through SF Bay and is know enjoying the Pacific Ocean. Or it is sleeping with the fishes in the bottom of the Delta.

And yes, my camera is sentimental to me. Guess who gave it to me? Thanks for understanding.

Howard.....Apologize to all Americans for that imbecilic comment. Or, apologize for the stupidity of not recognizing the sarcasm.

LoveI

Seeing that the camera has that type of sentimental value, why not put it on a shelf and never use it...that's what I would do.

But do yourself a favor and go buy a "real" camera for your needs.

LoveItaly: I, too, have been using the Kodak (but more often Fuji) cameras for some time now and always marvel at the good quality of the photos. Remember, these are 35mm cameras, just one use as opposed to a permanent camera that you may not want to travel with. I question how someone who pans their use really knows of the quality. Anyway, here is a tip - once you are finished with your camera, stop into a photo shop. They can process an index for you so that your film is not ruined before returning home should you not want to have the film processed. The camera is recycled and you only have the index and negatives to pack. Once home you can have the negatives processed.

babs001 - Be careful with nomenclature. What you're suggesting is to have the film "processed", and wait until getting home to have the pictures "printed".

You cannot take the film out and not have them processed, unless you keep them in a light-sealed bag, which is not what you're suggesting.

---

As for the general discussion. Good photographers can get good pictures with the cheapest disposable, but bad photographers cannot get good pictures with the best equipment.

But having said that, there are real limitations what one can do with a "disposable". You can't control exposure, so in difficult situations like back-lit subjects, a composition with lots of white (snow) or black, etc, you can't get proper exposure. You're relying on the wide exposure lattitude of modern print film (especially 400 speed ones) to hope things are more-or-less printable.

Or, the flash is usually pretty weak, and there's no long-exposure mode; so at night, the only thing that will show up is subject that's close to the camera and within flash range. Forget dark backgrounds.

And there's no zoom, so one has to adjust the distance between you and the subject manually - i.e. walking. Your subject needs to be close enough to you, or else you'll need a magnifying glass to find them; and if you have a tall/wide background (like the Big Ben or other building/structure), both you and your subject needs to move away from the background. If only you move, then your subjects are too small; if none move, you can't get the whole building, etc...

These cameras also don't focus. They use a relatively small aperture to keep most stuff in focus. But that means subjects that are close can't be very sharp.

Those are the main limitations for a disposable camera. And like others have said, what you see in the viewfinder is not exactly what you get. Especially for close-up objects. But this is not limited to disposable. Any point-and-shoot will have the same problem.

I also agree that proper point-and-shoot cameras are so cheap these days. For example, the Konica-Minolta Zoom 60 Date has zoom, auto-focus, and date-printing. For <$50.

Even SLRs are pretty cheap now. A Canon Rebel GII with a 35-80 zoom lens is only about $180.

Hi Babs, thank you so much for this info. I will do that for sure. Great idea. I have never used a disposal (or whatever the proper word is) before so I sure appreciate all the good advice.

Rkkwan, while I was typing this response I just saw your post. Thank you for all your information. Now I am thinking that probably buying a camera like you suggested would be a sensible way to go so I have it for travels. I appreciate all the tech details you took the time to tell me. I am sure many others here will appreciate it also.

Now about you Placeu2. I don't know what part of my post you do NOT understand. I DO use my camera, thank you very much. I use it a lot. I just DONOT want to take it through airports anymore due to it almost getting stolen on my last trip.

Is that alright with you? Geez, I appreciate all thoughts on the subject but when I make a suggestion to someone asking for opinions I don't get all sarcastic with them if they decide to listen to posters that have a different idea then I do.

<You cannot take the film out and not have them processed, unless you keep them in a light-sealed bag, which is not what you're suggesting.>

I take the film roll out of the disposable camera, but it is still in the normal plastic casing, & carry that only home to be developed.

I use a digital camera, and have gotten really spoiled with looking at the picture before it gets developed.

I lost my first digital camera ($600) on our flight to Chicago last year, and ended up buying a disposable for the weekend. I am ashamed to admit that I still have it, undeveloped.

I've gotten spoiled with the instant technology.

Love Italy, I totally understand
the "sentimental" component and I
feel you should do what is most
comfortable for you. I have used disposable cameras for underwater with good luck, I have a tiny Cannon
ELPH 35MM that fits in my purse
and Mr.R5 has an old fashioned
Nikon, mostly lugged for car trips.

Maybe we'll go digital, someday.

The "sentimental" camera stays at home
safe and sound.
Have a super trip!
R5

Hi razzledazzle, I know it is going to be a wonderful trip! And I too will get a digital but don't want to bother with that right now.

Hope you are having sunshine. We are! Have a good week.

LoveItaly, have a wonderful trip

Thank you seetheworld. I am going to Atlanta - if Mother Nature hasn't blown it away or drowned it by the time I get there.

I told my friend I will never again complain about N CA weather. The weather news yesterday sounded like parts of the SE of the US really got hit bad.

Thanks for your good thoughts.

Only a duck could love this weather (2 inches of rain today)...ugh! I hope Atlanta brings you blue skies and warm temps

Thank you seetheworld. I am going to talk to my friend at the end of the week because I have no idea to pack. Maybe wading boots, LOL.

No matter what the weather is I will have a wonderful time. And never having visited Atlanta it will be intersting to become acquainted with a city I have always heard so much about.

But I sure hope for all of you that you start getting some spring weather.
Not much to brag about in the Sacramento Valley either BTW.

Wow - This thread is a prime example of how the printed word can be misinterpreted. I read suze's comments about dropping cameras over the Eiffel Tower the same as Howard - that it was intentional. Nothing stated otherwise, and that's just how it read to me. Glad to know I was wrong!

I also read placeu's latest response as legitimate. S/he suggests that if you have a camera with deep sentimental value, save it as a treasure, rather than using it and risking losing/damaging it. Buy a "traveling" camera to have for vacations, but something better than a disposible. A sentimental camera (or any other item) is best kept safe at home. I never read it as a slam on you for choosing not to take your camera on this trip, but a legitimately understanding post. Who knows? Maybe I'm wrong again.

As a photographer, I'd turn my nose up at the disposable cameras due to the grainy results of the standard 800 ISO film they use.

HOWEVER, unless you're thinking of enlarging these photos for hanging, the disposable should suit you fine. The 800 ISO will actually help you in low lighting situations.

Just concentrate on having a great time and capturing some fond memories!

First of all, thanks jlm_mi for preserving my sanity!
kkraczek's comments point out why there's a difference of opinion on the subject. We serious photographers (whether amateurs or professionals) don't disdain the use of the throwaway cameras, but we do know the difference in the quality of the exposure of the photographs they produce when compared to their more expensive cousins.
Composition-wise, a good photographer will take a good picture regardless of the camera used; conversely, it'll make no difference how expensive a camera a bad photographer uses.
I can certainly understand having a sentimental attachment to an old camera. But to not take a camera on vacation simply because you're afraid of losing or damaging it makes no sense to me! Why did you buy it in the first place? And as for it falling into the ocean or off the Eiffel Tower....well, that's what camera straps were made for!
And, finally, the argument about film taking up space in your luggage. C'mon!

LoveItaly,

I sincerely meant that your camera should be cherished in the way that jlm interpreted my post. I meant no disrespect and in fact I appreciate the sentimentality of keepsakes such as these.

Sorry for not being clearer with that post. At any rate, have a good trip!

I'm still cracking up from yesterday with this crazy picture in my mind... me merrily tossing my disposable camera from high above off the Eiffel Tower!

Thanks for a good thread LoveItaly et al.

suze, sorry for misinterpreting your posting.....but, hell, as we both know, there are some posters on the forums who are capable of actually doing what you said in jest!

no problem Howard. I re-read my reply and see how it could have been easily misinterpreted. I am a big fan of disposable cameras and was too excited as I was composing (not very coherently) my post.