The disposable or single-use camera is a simple box camera sold with a roll of film installed, meant to be used once. Most use focus free lenses. Some are equipped with an integrated flash unit, and there are even water proof versions for underwater photography. Internally, the cameras use a 135 film or an APS cartridge. While some disposables contain an actual cartridge as used for loading normal, reusable cameras, others just have the film wound internally on an open spool. The whole camera is handed in for processing. Some of the cameras are recycled, i.e. refilled with film and resold. "Disposable" digital cameras are a recent innovation. These types of cameras forego film and use digital technology to take pictures, and the cameras are returned for processing in the same fashion as film cameras. In general the one-time-use camera represents a return to the business model pioneered by Kodak for their Brownie camera; they are particularly popular in situations where a reusable camera would be easily stolen or damaged, when one's regular camera is forgotten, or if one cannot afford a regular camera.

The disposable camera was invented jointly during the mid-1980s by Kodak and Fujifilm; Kodak's original Fling was originally based on 110 film but was eventually replaced by the FunSaver line with 35 mm film and APS film, while the Fuji Utsurun-Desu or QuickSnap line used 35 mm from the beginning.

In Japan, the Utsurun was released in 1986 for 1380 yen and became widely accepted. Traditionally, cameras had been quite expensive in Japan and were only used during special occasions, and typically only by the male of the household. As a result of the introduction of cheap, lightweight disposible cameras in Japan a cultural shift began, where parents and children were able to take photos, creating the "snap happy" racial stereotype that still persists today. Because of the immediate appeal, companies like Konica, Canon and Nikon soon produced their own models. To stay competitive, Fuji introduced advanced features to its original model such as panoramic photography, waterproofing and the inclusion of a flash. Some cameras even have a manual zoom feature which works by shifting two lenses in front of the shutter.

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@ItsMsDarcy I am a bad poodle mama. No digital photos. But am such a tech moron & only use disposable cameras :) Very old school. Hee.
SashaPoodle (Sasha) Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:24:30 -0000
@ItsMsDarcy I am a bad poodle mama. No digital photos. But am such a tech moron & only use disposable cameras :) Very old school. Hee.
Housemates arent allowed digital/disposable cameras, are they? ... Why not?
DomenicaM_95 (Domenica McBride) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:37:59 -0000
Housemates arent allowed digital/disposable cameras, are they? ... Why not?
just developed 3 old disposable cameras & found some pics the kids took, let's just say the lyin in bed talkin on the phone look is not cute
Rocknrealty (Nanette Labastida) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:08:30 -0000
just developed 3 old disposable cameras & found some pics the kids took, let's just say the lyin in bed talkin on the phone look is not cute
sooo hungry, need more quorn scotch eggs for a snack! but eee, tomorrow! gonna get a couple of disposable cameras first, good timezz
ruthhalle (Ruth Halle) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:43:55 -0000
sooo hungry, need more quorn scotch eggs for a snack! but eee, tomorrow! gonna get a couple of disposable cameras first, good timezz
going to develop and print disposable film cameras from sunset sounds tomorrow, can't wait to see what shots i got of Karren O from @YYYs
sigtography (sigrid photography) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:54:05 -0000
going to develop and print disposable film cameras from sunset sounds tomorrow, can't wait to see what shots i got of Karren O from @YYYs
@drugbuddy if its possible cuba carik those disposable film underwater cameras. a bit hard to find these days though.
sueannajoe (sueannajoe) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 07:53:14 -0000
@drugbuddy if its possible cuba carik those disposable film underwater cameras. a bit hard to find these days though.

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