*runs into thread, whuffles Orange Swan, scampers out*

After spending God knows how much money on film *and* photo development for the several anime cons I went to between 2000 and 2002, and then sucking it up to buy a digital camera (can't remember how much it was; that's how long ago it was) and then taking SO MANY MORE PHOTOS at the very next con I went to, I can't--in good faith--recommend film cameras to anyone anymore.

I can't figure out half of what people are talking about with digital cameras, which made selecting one impossible. So, I waited until a rich friend traded up, and he gave me his old one. This probably won't work for you in 4 days. Is there any way you could borrow a digital camera from somebody? Otherwise, I'd go with the disposable.

That saddens me you can't buy film for your camera anymore. It takes me back to the days I when I was married to a photographer and the fridge was always full of film.

[spanks Specklet as she passes]

I heard digital cameras eat batteries at such a rate the savings from not having to buy film are pretty negligible.

Not really, since rechargable batteries are pretty much de rigeur these days.

You're much better off getting a second-hand digital camera than trying to buy something new in that price range, IMO. Friends, Craigslist, eBay, etc. I had a friend who was in a very similar situation with you that I sold one of my old digitals to, on the cheap. Not sure what you can get within a four-day window though -- borrowing is your best bet on such short notice.

My MeFi Junior Detective's instincts tell me that you may have actually purchased a Kodak Disc system back in the day, OS. For under $20, you can purchase a "disposable" camera, which you shoot, and drop off to be developed. (The entire unit is taken, as it's a container of film with a flash unit and a brownie-style, fixed-focus lens.) These can actually be decent, and you can buy them just about anywhere.

As far as digital units are concerned, you'll need to spend more than a hundred for decent results. This is due to the limits of the CCD imaging chip within the electronics, as well as the quality of the flash and lens.

*slaps forehead*

You already mentioned the disposable, OS. My Bad.

Why can't you find film anymore? What kind of film is it?

110. They don't make it anymore, Black's told me.

My old camera looked almost exactly like this. Laugh if you like, but I bet you'll never get 20 good years out of any of your fancy dancy digitals.

It's still out there. You may have to search around to find a developer.

Orange Swan, I used to work in photo labs. 110 really, really sucks as far as quality is concerned. You're lucky that the film fates are setting you free from it. If you don't feel like spending a little bit of dough on a used digital camera (which, to me, makes the most sense), you can by digital disposables. But really, why buy something you can only use once, when for a little bit more you get something that will last you a while?

For the most part fixed focus 35mm cameras in the C$20-30 range are the same quality wise. Something like this Olympus from London Drugs will work well (and get you 3-4X better pictures than your 110).

I'd
1) buy this camera or it's equivelent from whatever store is close;
2) immediately take a roll of flash and outdoor pictures;
3) get the pictures developed at a 1 hr place (london drugs would be good :) )and then
4) examine the results.

If you like what you see and the camera is comforatable to use then great. Otherwise take the camera back and choose a different sub $40 35mm camera. Rinse, Lather, Repeat until you find something that is easy to use and take an acceptable picture.

For the most part fixed focus 35mm cameras in the C$20-30 range are the same quality wise. Something like this Olympus from London Drugs will work well (and get you 3-4X better pictures than your 110).

I'd
1) buy this camera or it's equivelent from whatever store is close;
2) immediately take a roll of flash and outdoor pictures;
3) get the pictures developed at a 1 hr place (london drugs would be good :) )and then
4) examine the results.

If you like what you see and the camera is comfortable for you to use then great. Otherwise take the camera back and choose a different sub $40 35mm camera. Rinse, Lather, Repeat, until you find something that is easy to use and takes an acceptable to you picture.

The test roll you shot isn't wasted as you should do that with any new camera whether you are spending $10 or $10,000 before photographing something as personally unique as a wedding.

Ok, so that first post did work.

I probably will go down to Henry's next month (or the month after as I'm really over budget these days) and see what they have in the way of used digital cameras. Meanwhile I'll just have to figure out a way to get something for my niece's wedding and my hiking trip to Tobermory in two weeks. Maybe if I try Wal-Mart they'll have some old film kicking around. Or it's borrow or get a disposable.

I like disposables. I take them hiking and camping a lot 'cause I don't particularly want to risk a mucho dinero camera in the bush, nor do I want the weight of carrying a big camera bag (+ tripod).

Sure they're expensive if you plan to shoot more than a roll, but for what Orange Swan wants to do, they're pretty much ideal. I've had many a great shot with the Kodak disposables. The Fuji's are nice too.

If you're seriously committed to film for now, look for a basic point-and-shoot 35mm camera. You should be able to find plenty of used ones in the sub$50 range, especially on eBay. If you're OK with an SLR, this Pentax K1000 will last longer than you if you keep it in good shape.

Quit whining and buy a Nikon D50.

$50 is way cheap for a new digital camera these days, though. You're definetly better of buying a used one.