How I Repurposed Kodak Funsaver Disposable Camera Lens to Shoot Nostalgia

“A snapshot frozen in time.” That’s what I thought every time I held the vibrant yellow and black Kodak Funsaver disposable camera in my hands a few years ago. It was so much fun to use, and there was something magical about knowing you only had a limited number of shots to capture the best moments. But when I finally developed the film, I felt a rush of excitement only to be met with disappointment. Almost all my photos were either pitch black or grainy beyond recognition. The nostalgia of shooting was alive, but the results fell flat.

That’s when I decided to repurpose the lens and attach it to my Sony A6400. After watching several YouTube videos, I figured I could build a custom lens to capture that nostalgic feeling, all while enjoying the crisp quality of digital images.

Before diving in, you'll need the following:

1. Lens donor: A Kodak Funsaver disposable camera (or any similar disposable camera)
2. 3D printer: Or access to one, if you don’t have one at hand

You can find more details in my YouTube video, where I walk through the build process and showcase some of the pictures captured with this unique lens.

The disassembly process is pretty straightforward, but be careful. When taking apart the disposable camera, you want to make sure you don’t damage or scratch the plastic lens. Many of these cameras have two lens units held together by a small plastic part. If you drop any pieces or misassemble them, you might not get the desired result. These lenses follow a specific sequence, so make sure to keep track of everything carefully.

Once you have the lens removed, it’s time to measure the focus. This lens will become a fixed-focus lens for your camera, and the key is to get the distance just right. You’ll need to find the focus of the lens to ensure that when it’s mounted on your camera, the image doesn’t come out blurry.

Here’s how you can measure the focus:

1. Take a piece of paper and hold it behind the lens.
2. Point the lens toward a light source (like a lamp or window) and move the lens back and forth until the image on the paper is sharp.
3. Measure the distance between the lens and the paper when the image is clear.

This distance is the key data you’ll need. Design your 3D model to ensure the lens sits at that exact distance from the sensor of your camera.

Now, it’s time to print the custom lens holder. Using the measurements from the previous step, design and 3D print a lens mount that will hold the Kodak Funsaver lens in place. If you’re using a Sony E-mount camera like I am, I’ve shared a design that works well. I’ve also made a version for Nikon F-mount cameras, though I haven’t had a chance to test it myself.

Once you’ve printed the holder, attach the disposable camera lens to it. Check the fit by mounting it on your camera. The result should be a working lens, but if your photos come out blurry, you might need to adjust the distance between the lens and the camera sensor. That’s where the spacers come in.

Adjusting Focus:

If your images aren’t clear, try adjusting the distance between the lens and the sensor. Use spacers between the lens and the printed holder to reduce or increase the distance until you get a sharp focus. Keep adding spacers one by one until the images are clear. If they remain blurry even after adjusting, it might mean that the lens is too close to the sensor, and you need to move it further away.

Once you’ve made the necessary adjustments, it’s time to start shooting. The beauty of this project is that you’ll be capturing that same nostalgic, retro feel from the disposable camera lens, but with the digital clarity.

Here are some photos I captured with the repurposed lens, some taken by my friend @kura.haru. As you can see, the pictures have a unique, grainy quality, reminiscent of the old-school analog days. It’s like stepping back in time while still using modern technology.

Nostalgia has a funny way of mixing the past with the present. Every shot feels like a moment suspended in time. With this simple repurposed lens, I’ve brought that magic back into my photography. Each photo I take tells a story, evoking memories of simpler times, while still capturing crisp, modern-day clarity.