The Darkroom Completes the Circle with a New, In-House Recyclable Camera

David Prochnow

Our resident “how-to” project editor, David Prochnow, lives on the Gulf Coast of the United States in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He brings his expertise at making our photography projects accessible to everyone, from a lengthy stint acting as the Contributing How-To Editor with Popular Science magazine. While you don’t have to actually build each of his projects, reading about these adventures will contribute to your continued overall appreciation of do-it-yourself photography. A collection of David’s best Popular Science projects can be found in the book, “The Big Book of Hacks,” Edited by Doug Cantor.

The Darkroom Cam - Single-Use Camera
The Darkroom Cam – Single-Use Camera is a new product from The Darkroom. (Photograph courtesy of The Darkroom)

In a world where smartphones can take 47 photos of your lunch before you can even pick up a fork, the disposable camera provides you with charming decision making, served with a side of retro vibes. This isn’t just a camera; it’s a commitment.

With a typical disposable camera featuring 27 exposures, fixed focus lens, and a flash that politely waits for permission, the photographer is essentially agreeing to take fewer photos and cherish the moment. In other words, it’s character building.

Front of The Darkroom Cam - Single-Use Camera
While this camera is similar to other disposables, The Darkroom offers a complete, full circle, cradle to grave recycling process. (Photograph courtesy of The Darkroom)

Embracing this ethos, The Darkroom is now offering their own branded disposable camera loaded with Kodak 400 color film, cleverly known as The Darkroom Cam – Single-Use Camera. This surprising product choice comes fresh on the heels of The Darkroom selling the Kodak Snapic A1 camera.

In an attempt to distinguish itself from the rest of the disposable camera market, The Darkroom Cam – Single-Use Camera offers two unique features. The first of these characteristics is built into the construction of the camera.

Back of The Darkroom Cam - Single-Use Camera
The camera will be recycled by The Darkroom. (Photograph courtesy of The Darkroom)

The Darkroom uses recycled camera bodies for building The Darkroom Cam – Single-Use Camera. Granted, this isn’t that remarkable, but the process is assembled in the USA. Additionally, the end-of-life, post-developed camera is recycled by The Darkroom. A recycled in, recycled out process.

A Habit Worth Developing

The second noteworthy feature about The Darkroom Cam – Single-Use Camera is that The Darkroom sweetens the deal by offering a postage-paid mail-in developing bag with the camera. You will have to pay for the film’s processing, however.

Mailer
No you can’t reload the The Darkroom Cam – Single-Use Camera with different film. (Photograph courtesy of The Darkroom)

In short, The Darkroom Cam – Single-Use Camera isn’t about perfection, or even market competition, for that matter, it’s about completing the camera/photography cycle: build, shoot, develop, recycle.

The Darkroom Cam – Single-Use Camera is assembled in the USA and priced at $15.99. Both recycled and recyclable, The Darkroom Cam – Single-Use Camera is recycled in – recycled out.

Enjoy.


Filed Under:

Tagged With:

Find this interesting? Share it with your friends!

David Prochnow

David Prochnow

Our resident “how-to” project editor, David Prochnow, lives on the Gulf Coast of the United States in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He brings his expertise at making our photography projects accessible to everyone, from a lengthy stint acting as the Contributing How-To Editor with Popular Science magazine. While you don’t have to actually build each of his projects, reading about these adventures will contribute to your continued overall appreciation of do-it-yourself photography. A collection of David’s best Popular Science projects can be found in the book, “The Big Book of Hacks,” Edited by Doug Cantor.

Join the Discussion

DIYP Comment Policy
Be nice, be on-topic, no personal information or flames.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *