Disposable cameras are still trending as a lot of teenagers called ‘millennials’ still obsessed with a disposable camera. They commonly used it to either get it to develop or digital to post it on their social media platform. Disposable and film cameras are can both give a nostalgic vibe to your photos. Since most of the camera has become reliant on digital technology, I know finding where and how to those photos in physical form might seem like a challenge for you. Don’t worry as there are still simple and easy ways on how to get disposable cameras developed.
What Is a Disposable Camera?
Let me first discuss what is a disposable camera before we discuss how to get disposable cameras developed.
The disposable camera which also refers to as a single-use camera means it is used for a single roll of film. Like any other type of camera, a disposable camera also has the same basic parts as other film-based cameras, such as shutter and lens. The difference between a disposable camera and other cameras is you have to discard the disposable camera’s housing when you process its film. It is also has a more simple interface and fewer features when compared to a reusable camera.
How to Develop Disposable Camera
Did you know that you can develop a color film on your own? You can do it if you have all the equipment needed and understand the development process. Developing a film from a disposable camera has almost the same as the film from the other camera. Same with the other film camera, developing a film from a disposable camera is easier if you have a dark room.
Remember that when you are developing a film, you should be careful is getting out of the film. Make sure that the film won’t be exposed in the process. Here are the easy and simple steps on how to get disposable cameras developed.
Step 1
If this is your first time, the first step you should do when learning how to get disposable cameras developed is to remove the outside cardboard and paper casing from the disposable camera using a pair of sharp scissors.
Step 2
You should unscrew or unclasps the screws or clasps that are holding your camera. You can also use a paper clip to pry open the camera body if you find it difficult to pop if you use the first option.
Step 3
Place our camera inside a developing bag, or you can set up your tools in your darkroom. Start from the point forward, your camera and its film cannot be exposed to any light.
Step 4
Open your camera and then clip the film from the inside spool. Insert the straight edge into the film reel and wind the film onto the reel.
Step 5
Put the loaded reel of film into your developing tank. Place the lid on the tank and turn on the lights.
Processing the Disposable Camera’s Film
After performing all the five steps above, you can now proceed in processing your disposable camera’s film. This stage is also crucial and needs to be extra careful. Here are the steps to process the film.
Step 1
Put the loaded reel of film into your developing tank. Place the lid on the tank and turn on the lights.
Step 2
Fill the developing tank with water to pre-wash the film Soak it for about two minutes and then pour out the water.
Step 3
Put the developer solution and remove the bubbles. Agitate according to the recommended length of time. In developing a film, timing is critical.
Step 4
Put the developer solution back into its container, so that you can use it again in the future. Fill the tank with a stop solution and then do the stop bath. Do not forget to shake the solution in the developing tank and then empty it. You should repeat the stop bath process twice.
Step 5
Pour the fixer solution inside the tank and agitate briskly every 10 seconds for about five to ten minutes. Put contents back into the storage container and rinse the film.
Step 6
Unscrew the lid and start the washing process. The disposable camera’s film can now be exposed to light. Put water to the tank and swish for about 20 seconds, and then empty it in the sink. Repeat this step for 10 minutes.
Step 7
Add a half-inch of wetting agent to the developing tank. Slowly fill it with water until the reel of film is completely submerged in the mixture. Tap the tank to burns unwanted bubbles and soak it for about 30 seconds.
Step 8
Empty the developing tank, and then take out the reel of film. Start unraveling the reel and hang the film to let it dry in dust and dirt-free environment for at least four hours.
Step 9
The last step is to cut dry the film using your scissors into a manageable negative. Store them in a paper or plastic sleeve.
Conclusion
Using a disposable camera is not a new phenomenon and the same as the use of a film camera. Howeyver, this thing has been hard to find. Fortunately, you can learn how to get disposable cameras developed by yourself as long as you have the equipment to develop the film. Here’s how to learn more about disposable cameras.