You can take apart a disposable camera, fill it with new film and reuse it.
Disposable cameras really were the first consumer cameras. Kodak founder George Eastman released his first camera using flexible roll film in 1888. Just like a modern disposable camera, consumers used the Kodak camera to take photos, then sent the camera to Kodak, where engineers developed and printed the film. Kodak then loaded camera with fresh film and mailed it and prints back. The only difference today is that consumers do not get the camera back. You can dissect a disposable camera and, if you are careful, reload it with new film for reuse.
Instructions
1. Cut into the paper shell covering the disposable camera with hobby knife. Cut along either of the short ends. Some disposable cameras use a lot of glue to hold the brand-name-bearing paper in place, so carefully remove it. Scrub or peel off any torn pieces still sticking to the camera if you intend to use it again.
2. Remove the film. On most disposable cameras, a single cap covers the film chamber on one side of the camera body, usually at the bottom. If you have exposed film in the camera and you want to keep the photos, remove the film in a totally dark room or a film changing bag. Separate the two halves of the disposable camera with a flathead screwdriver. Most of these cameras have clips around the edges, so use the screwdriver to carefully disengage these. The two halves will come apart revealing the inner workings. Lift the front part of the viewfinder out of its holder.
3. Take the electronics module out. Use screwdriver to disengage this assembly. It usually will be at the bottom of the camera and will hold the battery. Do not to touch any of the exposed metal because it could shock you. Once removed, touch your screwdriver across the capacitor to discharge any electric stored there.
4. Disengage all the other parts, usually held in by clips rather than screws. These include the film advance wheel, the shutter button and various other plastic components. The film advance and shutter mechanism, although largely plastic, consists of many small parts, including plastic gears. Each of these typically just pulls apart.
5. Disassemble the power module. This is the most complex piece of the disposable camera, and the most dangerous because of the possibility of electric shock. It includes the circuit board that tells the flash when to go off in the middle. At the top, the electronic flash resides usually with the battery directly behind it. If you intend to use this assembly again, do not disassemble it unless you are confident you can reassemble it.
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