Disposable Camera + Salt Water

[J.M.Towers]

Kayaking on near a beach recently put a 35mm disposable camera in the ocean for about 15 minutes. Will the pictures develop?

[Cross-X]

Maybe.

Sorry, that's the best prediction I can make.

[J.M.Towers]

It floated and seemed to be sealed. The area right around the crank/film advance axle is what makes me curious.

[byf43]

Several years ago, we vacationed in Florida.

My son had a 35mm disposable camera and took some very good underwater pics with it. (About 15' underwater.)
The camera did say something about 'waterproof' or 'water-resistant', though.

I wouldn't wait very long to get your pics developed.

[Nicky D]

My wife and I have used underwater cameras for snorkeling in Aruba and other islands in the Caribbean. The pictures came out pretty decent for a disposable camera.

[Cooper]

How important are the pictures?

If they are very important, find someone with their own darkroom. This will be tough, because it's color negative film, and almost no one does that at home these days.

If they are mildly important, go to a professional photo lab and tell them the situation. They may not be able to help you, because they might fear corruption of their chemistry from the salt water.

Otherwise, take them to a one-hour lab RIGHT NOW. Time is your enemy. They will most likely be fine.

[misskitty5077]

Otherwise, take them to a one-hour lab RIGHT NOW. Time is your enemy. They will most likely be fine.

I agree the sooner you get the film developed, the better. Salt can be used as a developer so the longer you wait, the worse your odds are.

Don't shoot/wind the rest of the roll. Get it to a lab yesterday.

On the other hand, it may be just fine when it is developed. If so, we all want to know the brand and specs on this little disposable gizmo :supergrin:

[Glock Bob]

Kodak actually makes an underwater disposable camera.

http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/shop_product_detail.jsp?filterBy=&skuId=251157&productId=251157&navAction=jump&navCount=3

[Ol Timer]

Although I've never used one in the ocean, I've used Kodak one time waterproof cameras in chlorinated swimming pools and hot spring mineral pools with no harmful results.

[JimBianchi]

I used the Kodak waterproof disposable camers while free driving in Hawaii. Worked great and went threw 10 camera total in four dives. loved them!

The regular one I used once on a canoe trip and had some problems with camera getting wet. One camera was ruined, others were OK.

The waterproof ones solved the problem.