1000 film speed disposable cameras

September 7, 2006 4:55 PM

I just bought some disposable Fuji Quicksnap disposable cameras with 1000 speed film and flash. Had no idea you could get disposable cameras with 1000 speed film. Am taking some on vacation with me in addition to my digital camera. What kinds of situations would you use this camera for or shots would you try to take? I will be going up the coast. Thank you everyone.
posted by philad to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (8 answers total)

Low light situations (evening or indoors with no flash), or some kind of arty shot where you want extreme grain for a pointilist kind of look. You are best off trying to use them indoors or at night, but be prepared for very grainy results.
posted by Joh at 4:59 PM on September 7, 2006

Maybe if you plan to do some spelunking and you don't want to risk taking your digital camera ... ??
posted by yqxnflld at 5:09 PM on September 7, 2006

Low light, long distance flash and fast motion. If the camera is depending on exposure latitude rather than accurate metering you might find that full sun, highly reflective scenes get blown out high lights.

If you're aiming for extreme grain I think you are going to be sorely disappointed by a modern, properly exposed and developed, 1000iso film.
posted by Mitheral at 5:27 PM on September 7, 2006

The higher the film speed, the less ambient light is needed. I'd ignore the flash and just go snapping all over places where a flash is usually required. (I loathe flashes, so I'd... really enjoy having a stash of ISO1000 film.)
posted by cmyk at 5:28 PM on September 7, 2006

Modern emulsions at 1000 iso aren't going to be very grainy. What they will be, however, is very contrasty. Be careful taking pictures in extreme sunlight—find the nearest tree if you're taking portraits, if you're taking "I was here" pictures, try and get them either at dawn or dusk. Walking around a city at dawn is a wonderful experience anyway, and they'll be less crowds in your shots.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:35 PM on September 7, 2006

If you'll be flying, make sure you don't send them through the X-Ray machine, or you might damage the film.
posted by Sibrax at 9:35 PM on September 7, 2006

As someone who's developed a lot of single-use cameras (I worked as a photo lab tech until a week or two ago) and has seen the results, I'd advise you to ignore cmyk's advice above. ISO 1000 might be plenty fast for a half-decent SLR, but single-use cameras (even decent ones like Fuji's) have slow lenses. Don't try forgoing the flash in any conditions except for sunlight, and don't try using the flash on any subject past 12 feet or so.

I'd really just advise using the single-use camera in situations where you wouldn't want to take the digital (like, say, going out on a boat).
posted by neckro23 at 9:55 PM on September 7, 2006

Response by poster: Was hoping for grain or interesting effects at night - wanted to be creative - we'll see!
posted by philad at 9:56 AM on September 8, 2006