DS wants disposable cameras for his birthday - when did we go backwards?

[waltzingparrot]

DS19 has given me his birthday list. He would like a pack of disposable cameras. Single use camera - chuck it in the bin.

He's from the generation that's had recycling and sustainability taught in every year from reception to Y11 probably beyond.

I used these in the 1970s because I don't think we knew any better then. Why have these made a comeback? Why are they acceptable? Why do we allow them to be sold?

It's clearly not all about education is it?

I'm not buying them btw.

For full disclosure, he has a mobile with a really good quality camera.

They are hundreds of excellent reviews for them, so I presume they are widely sold.

Have you asked him why he wants them?

It's retro, isn't it? I mean you could get him a normal camera (second hand) with a film, I think the novelty is not being able to see the photos until you send them off to be developed.

I assume it's because of the anologue "effect"? Hard to reproduce that with filters etc, and when you do it's not authentic.

That's the artist in me speaking... maybe he just wants to take pics without a digital trail...

They very convenient, don,t have to worry about the battery going dead because you forgot to charge. can take to beach with out worrying that the sand will ruin your camera.(well it might but it,s a lot cheaper to replace a disposable.) And photoes generally reasonable.

I agree - totally backwards thinking!

If he’s after film pics, you can still get films and lovely film cameras. Look at Lomo ones for that plasticky/retro feel.

I have a Polaroid type camera, kids are fascinated by it, they are not used to photos they can actually hold.

Like this analoguewonderland.co.uk/products/lomography-35mm-simple-use-camera-lomochrome-metropolis?variant=31900750446652&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2018-11-06&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=CjwKCAjwltH3BRB6EiwAhj0IUNMqcCbYcmMdvheOKRd0n3fmqpDBqeMvpNr-jsbr-WRN0rPIjXbXhRoC5fcQAvD_BwE

I’d consider getting him either a Polaroid or decent quality analogue camera.
Ask him why it needs to be disposable? Nothing wrong with an old fashioned camera though.

As a compromise you could consider getting him a non-digital 35mm film camera. Have a look on eBay, lots available on there. Still a bit more waste than a digital format (mainly the packaging from the films) but much better than disposable cameras which I agree are incredibly wasteful.

How odd. But then again, my nephews were fascinated with DMs typewriter. But they couldn't get their heads around the lack of a delete key....

I suppose it depends why he wants it. If he wants to dabble in film photography, that Lomo one looks good and costs about the same as a couple of disposable ones.

Maybe when he's spent a fiver or whatever it is (I suspect a lot more these days?) of his pocket money on having the film developed to get only a couple of decent prints and a lot of dross, the novelty will wear off?

Why does he want them? Half the images the come out of them are utter shite!

If he wants the analogue effect he'd be far off with an old film camera, loads of great ones to be found on eBay. Or else a Diana camera is interesting, or a Polaroid and no learning how to use an SLR really, if he doesn't fancy it.

Polaroids and lomo are good fun watching film develop. Why dont you google and check these out. They are not throwaway cameras.

Something more precious about the physicality, intentionality and limitations of these retro stuff

Is it for a party? Back when I got married it used to be the thing to have a disposable camera on each table at the reception.

If he wants to shoot film then i'd steer him towards the Lomography film cameras rather than using a disposable. I can recommend both their fisheye camera and the sprocket rocket.

Thanks all. I will of course ask him why and debate single use plastic when he comes back.

I think I was just shocked to see something deliberately brought back in a single use, disposable way. Why does it need to be marketed as disposable. Looks sturdy enough in the pictures to at least reuse and put another film in.

Something more precious about the physicality, intentionality and limitations of these retro stuff

@Bowchicawow

Yes but I wonder if that is because most of the original photos were family, etc and meant to be shared amongst small circles or professional and artistic (Bresson et al) who knew how to create atmosphere. (and its a variety of moods and atmosphere that is missing in the Insta age - everything has to be bright and 'youthful'.

so, its the content they are actually drawn to rather than the tool.