In an effort to stay on trend (while always seeming to fall behind), I wanted to find a way to give my photos the "disposable camera" look without actually buying a bunch of disposable cameras and developing film.
In my search, I came across two methods: one, use the flash on your regular camera and download Adobe Lightroom presets that mimic the disposable camera look, or two, simply use a disposable camera. I did not like these options.
Since Instagram stalks me, it was only a few short days before I saw a video on my "for you" page, promoting a company, called DispoStudio, that takes recycled disposable cameras, removes the lens, and 3-D prints them into DSLR and mirrorless camera lens covers. I immediately bought the one compatible with my Sony a6300. The real test was seeing if a lens alone would produce the same disposable look without needing the rest of the camera—and it seemed to pass the test. An affordable, quality option crossed my desk thanks to the power of invasive tracking and stealing my data.
The real test was seeing if a lens alone would produce the same disposable look without needing the rest of the camera.
Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, CaliforniaGuy Fleming Trail, Torrey Pines, San Diego, California
The photos had the exact somewhat-hazy, somewhat-grainy, high-contrast look I was looking for. To purchase your very own Dispo Lens, head to their Etsy store, DispoStudio, and choose the model that fits your camera body.
Since I purchased mine a year ago, they've released variations of the lens, such as the "Swiss Army Lens," which allows you to do the 3-D Wiggle Effect by including three different perspectives.
At around $100 per lens, it's not exactly the cheapest option, but if you consider the cost of continually buying disposable cameras and then paying for film development, it's definitely an investment worth-while. Not to mention, you'd be reducing waste and giving old disposable cameras a new life.
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