If you grew up in the 80s or 90s then you will know disposable cameras very well, and you’ve probably used one before. They were extremely popular back then because they were so accessible. No complicated settings were needed, and no expensive lenses were needed. You could just point and shoot.
These days, not a lot of people are familiar with disposable cameras. Many of us have a smartphone that is perfectly capable of taking good-quality photos whenever needed, so we don’t bother with any other cameras.
But, believe it or not, disposable cameras are still a thing and they are used by photographers and hobbyists alike during special events such as weddings, and some photographers even use them for underwater photography.
With all of that said, many people are still not clear as to how much it costs to develop photos from a disposable camera.
Join me as I take a look.
Table of Contents
How Much Does It Cost To Develop A Disposable Camera?
The cost of developing a disposable camera can be anything from $10 up to $49, but this will vary depending on the number of exposures, the number of prints that you require, and the finish that you require as well.
Exposures refer to the number of photos that you are looking to develop, and the number of prints refers to the number of copies you require of each photo.
It is worth noting that many processing centers will give you the option to have the photos printed in either a gloss or matt finish. A matt finish will cost significantly more than a gloss finish.
Let’s have a look at a typical cost breakdown that you can expect to get from your local processing center. Please note that these prices might vary depending on where you get your photos developed, and the prices below are for photos printed at the standard 4″x6″ size.
| 4″x6″ Size | 27 exposures | 36 exposures |
| Single Gloss Print | $0.40 per print | $0.38 per print |
| Double Gloss Print | $0.28 per print | $0.26 per print |
| Single Matt Print | $2 per print | $1.90 per print |
| Double Matt Print | $1.40 per print | $1.30 per print |
Cheapest Place To Develop Disposable Cameras
If you’re looking for the cheapest place to develop a disposable camera, then Walmart is your best option. They will get your disposable camera developed for $10.96 and you also get a CD with digital versions of your photos.
With that said, it is important to note that the scans you get from Walmart are not the best, and they will also not return your negatives. I personally get my disposable cameras developed at CVS because they will give you better quality scans and you only have to wait up to 10 days to get your photos back.
How Long Does It Take To Develop A Disposable Camera?
Now, your next question might be how long it takes to get a disposable camera developed. Well, this depends on how busy your local processing center is, but it normally takes anything from 7 to 10 working days to have the photos from a disposable camera developed.
How To Develop Photos From A Disposable Camera
Unfortunately, disposable cameras are not as popular as they used to be, so you won’t find a store that can develop photos on every corner.
Your best bet is to take your disposable camera to your local camera store and as them if they can develop the photos for you. Another good option to try is to go to any shop that takes ID or passport photos. I get my photos developed at a local shop that sells cameras, and they also take ID and passport photos.
How Many Photos Does A Disposable Camera Take?
Many of the disposable cameras that you can purchase from Amazon or Walmart will give you 24 to 27 exposures. You also get disposable cameras that offer you between 36 and 39 exposures, however, these aren’t as common.
And, if you don’t know this already, a disposable camera can only be used once. So, after you’ve taken 27 photos, it can’t be used to take any more photos.
Conclusion
And there you have it. Hopefully, you now have a better idea of how much it costs to develop photos from a disposable camera.
The cost will vary depending on the number of exposures, the number of prints, and the finish that you are looking for. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anything from $0.40 per photo, and a total of $10.80 to get a disposable camera with 27 exposures developed.
Your photos will usually get printed on a standard 4″x6″ size, and many processing centers will give you the option to choose from a matt or gloss finish. A matt finish will push the price up significantly, so rather go for a glossy finish if you are looking for a cheaper option.
I’m sure you will be very excited to get your disposable camera developed, but you should expect to wait for anything from 7 to 10 working days to get your photos back from your local processing center.
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