The Kodak name has long been synonymous with cameras, picture taking and photo developing. Leaders in the game, their products carry a high quality standard, money back guarantee and the best customer service department I’ve ever had the pleasure to deal with. It’s no surprise that they are my first choice when picking out disposable, or one time use, cameras.

Now, some people [I used to be one of them] feel that disposable cameras are a waste of money. Well, here is what convinced me to leave my $200.00 canon camera at home unless I need to take professional shots at a wedding, graduation or family event. We took a trip to Sea World when we first moved to the United States. Nothing major, just me and the kids and my trusty Canon camera. I snapped away, clicking like a tourist in a foreign land. Rolls and rolls later we decided to venture over to the dolphin tank. Now, we have dolphins and nurse sharks in your cove all the time – they look innocent – they don’t splash much. Maybe these dolphins have an attitude since they are in a confined area 99 % of the time – I’m just not sure. To make a long story even longer – I got soaked – and about 15 seconds after I got my ice bath I reached around to my camera case [duh – unzipped] and realized that all my snapping was for naught. Yes, that was the day I was reborn into the world of disposable cameras.

The Kodak Max Flash is one of the better disposable cameras I’ve used. Claiming a stronger flash for better photos at night, it’s the perfect one time use camera for sporting events, concerts or a night on the town. They are also a great way to get your children interested in photography. You would be surprised what kids find interesting, give them a camera next time you go to the zoo or park and tell them to take pictures of whatever they want. Most of the time I end up with pictures of ice cream carts, fast food restaurants and toy stores.

The Basics

The Kodak Max Flash comes packaged in a foil over wrap. While it isn’t printed anywhere on the wrapper, there is a “secret” benefit to this – it’s waterproof! While I don’t recommend dunking this in the pool, it’s great if you get caught in a rain shower or attacked by offspring sporting water guns.

The camera has 27 exposures. This is something that has always puzzled me. Why 27? One of the customer service representatives said that there are 27 exposures to suggest a better value over the standard 35mm rolls of film. Whatever the factor, it does cost a little more to develop the disposable cameras since there are a few extra frames to print.

The flash is very easy to use. When you are ready to take a picture simply press the flash button on the front of the camera, when you do this you might hear a slight high pitch screech, this is normal. Within a few seconds the orange light [located on the back of the camera near the eyepiece] will flicker on and remain steady. You are now ready to take your picture. The flash alert light goes out automatically after a few minutes of taking your picture so don’t worry about turning it off.

Taking the picture is so simple even a child can do it. Look through the viewfinder, line up your target and click. Advance the film using the thumbwheel on the right side and you are ready to go. When you open the camera you will need to advance the film until it clicks on to the first frame.

On the top of the camera you have a small window that allows you to see the number of exposures remaining on the roll. It is a little difficult to read – try tilting it until you can see the numbers clearly.

While this disposable camera does come with the flash feature - you do not have to use it in order to take a picture.

The Pictures

While it carries the Kodak name please don’t think you’ll be getting high grade, professional quality prints from this camera. You will, however, get pictures that are clear, sharp and in focus. Kodak still hasn’t found a way to eliminate misplaced thumbs from getting in the picture so if you are one of these offenders – please beware. :]

You can’t take extreme close up’s with any disposable camera. That’s just a fact of life when dealing with the one-time cameras. The best range is 4 feet to 10 feet even though the camera claims up to 14 feet with clarity. The Kodak Max Flash is perfect for action shots and sporting events. The film on this camera is E.I. 400 so you are pretty much guaranteed to catch you kid kicking the soccer ball into the goal every time.

Most people don’t realize that you can have your film developed in any size, not just the standard 3 x 5 format. I do all mine in 3 x 5 since it’s cheaper – then I pick the ones I want printed in 5 x 7 and get reprints. Make sure you check the appropriate box when developing disposable film, remember – it’s 27 exposures.

I’ve used the Kodak Max Flash with great success taking the following type of situations; post concert parties, night shots on the beach, at Halloween when Trick-or-Treaters are running amuck, camping and on-the-spot shots of the kids.

I’d highly suggest this camera to anyone who is “photo-obsessed” and loudly proclaims, “I wish I had a camera”. The basic cost is about $6.50 however they are more expensive at drug stores, 24-hour mini-mart establishments and on-site vendors [like at the zoo or sporting event]. Don’t leave any camera in a car if it is going to be exposed to extreme temperatures, it will ruin the film.


As always.. thanks for reading.. ^V^ Freak ^V^

Helpful Hint: When you drop off your pictures to be developed ask if you have to pay for pictures that don’t take or are blank. After years of paying for these pictures I was informed by a clerk that I didn’t have to pay for any of the pictures I didn’t want or like. I pulled out seven pictures that didn’t develop correctly and he took those photos off the total price of developing.


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): $5.99