Lens and focal length: approximately 31mm, plastic single meniscus type projecting an image onto curved film—via a curved film gate. Color and contrast are actually quite good considering how tiny and cheap the lens is. Depending on how you plan to use your disposable camera, a built-in flash can be important. Most single-use cameras come loaded with ISO 400 or ISO 800 film combined with a preset aperture and shutter speed that should ensure well-exposed outdoor images. If you want to take pictures indoors or in the evening, however, you’ll need a camera with a flash. It doesn’t stop there — the Lomochrome Purple features three swinging color gels that can be positioned over the flash to manipulate its output. Furthermore, the camera is fitted with a 31mm f/9 lens, which is anywhere from 1/3 to 2/3 of a stop faster than many other disposable camera lenses.

However, Ilford Imaging does produce two very inexpensive cameras, one of which is the Ilfocolor Rapid Retro Single Use Camera. This cheap, disposable camera is loaded with the only color negative film ever produced under the “Ilford” name. The film is rated at ISO 400, and with a fixed focus 31mm f/11 lens and 1/125s shutter speed, the camera (like all disposables) is best used in good light, though it does feature a decent quality flash with a 15-second recycle time. Contemporary disposable cameras aren't just cheap plastic – manufacturers have stepped up their game, and the little shooters are much more resilient than they used to be. They aren't even as wasteful as you might think: single-use cameras are eminently recyclable, and many of the firms that produce them, like Kodak and Fujifilm, will break them down to reuse the parts in another batch rather than throwing them away. Since Disposable Cameras have been so hard to come by this year we are limiting these to 10 cameras per customer for now. That way more people can get their hands on them.

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The lens of the FunSaver is also exceptional by disposable camera standards. The 30mm f/10 lens found in the FunSaver features two aspherical plastic elements, which helps it achieve a sharpness uncommon in disposables. The lens’ center sharpness is good, while the aberrations and vignetting that occur (quite rampantly) in the corners give a pleasant, casual character akin to those loved by Lomography weirdos. While the images it makes won’t hold a candle to any high falootin’ glass or multi-element lens, the FunSaver delivers a considerably better image than should be expected, even beating some of the cheapest fixed-focus, non-disposable point-and-shoots.

All disposables cameras range in capability, quality, and purposes. Even though they’re a straightforward way to take pictures, there are a few things to keep in mind. ISO Single-use cameras take photos using negatives, which are loaded into the camera and then exposed to light when you snap a photo. Then, once you develop the negatives, your photo will resemble the original photographed scene. Test editor and photography enthusiast Matt Crisara also tells us that while Polaroids and instant cameras develop images within seconds, disposables are simply traditional 35-millimeter cameras that you can’t reload with new rolls of film.The disposable camera is the ultimate tool for casual photography. It’s made for non-photographers, vacationers, first-time film shooters, and even experienced shooters looking to simplify their kit. But what’s really remarkable about the disposable camera in the digital age, is its enduring popularity – one can still find a disposable camera in nearly any drug store. The most common of these disposables (at least in the United States) is the Kodak FunSaver, which also happens to be the camera that introduced me to photography. The film is already loaded, all you do is advance the film via thumb wheel until it won’t turn anymore, then simple look through the viewfinder and take a snap. If you want to use the flash, just push the button on the front of the camera until the red dot on the top turns red, which means the flash is ready. The red flash ready light is on top and to the left of the viewfinder. The additive type shot counter is dead center, and the oval gray button on the right actuates the shutter.