I Tested Every Repurposed Disposable Camera Lens So You Don’t Have To
Here’s what I found—and what I chose.
I’ve always chased that nostalgic, film-like look.
When I discovered you could recreate it with a repurposed disposable camera lens, I dove in.
I tested five options—DIY builds, hyped brands, everything. Here’s what worked, what didn’t, and why I chose Retropia’s Repurposed Disposable Lens.
James Symons
Photgrapher based in Dallas, Texas
Mon, 16 June 2025
Bosnia, Shot on the Reropia Lens.
AliExpress Retropia Knockoff – “Looks the same. Doesn’t feel the same.”
I’ll be honest. I bought a cheap one off AliExpress just to compare.
Build felt plasticky and loose.
Image quality wasn’t consistent — it looked more like a bad lens than a film lens.
No mount labeling, no returns, and the packaging was sketchy.
It technically worked. But it felt like a knockoff — and didn’t have the magic I was chasing.
Verdict: 💸 You get what you pay for. And not much else.
2. Making Your Own – “Fun project. Total time suck.”
Yes, you can DIY this. I did. And it was… educational.
You’ll need to tear apart a disposable film camera (if you can even find one).
You’ll probably need a 3D printer for the mount.
It takes time, tools, trial and error — and if you mess up, you’ve wasted both.
If you’re a maker and love building things, go for it. But if you just want to shoot dreamy photos — skip it.
Verdict: ⏳ Rewarding for the tech-savvy, but not worth the hassle for most.
3. Dispolens – “The handmade charm… comes with handmade problems.”
This lens is handmade, and the effect was definitely there. But a few things made it tough for me personally:
They only sell through Etsy, and they’re often out of stock
Because each one is handcrafted, there can be slight variations in build and fit
Shipping took a while — and at the highest price point, I was hoping for a something significantly better than the others in all aspects.
It’s a cool piece of gear, especially if you appreciate that artisanal feel. But if you’re after something ready-to-ship, consistent, and priced a bit more accessibly, there are smoother options.
Verdict: 🧵 Handcrafted and full of character — just on the more expensive side.
4. Pocketdispo – “Cool product, not-so-cool price tag.”
Pocketdispo was the first one I tried. Their branding is slick, and the lens definitely gives that iconic disposable vibe. But here's the catch:
It’s literally the same concept as Retropia (a repurposed lens from a disposable camera), but…
It’s more expensive, with no major functional difference.
Limited mount options.
No perks like free presets or 100 day returns.
If you're paying a premium, you’d expect something extra — but I didn’t really find that here.
Verdict: ✨ Delivers the look, but overpriced for what it is.
5. Retropia – “Best price. Best design. Best experience.”
This is where everything changed.
Retropia’s repurposed lens looks like a little Oreo on your camera (seriously — everyone asks me about it). But what really sold me:
Cheaper than Pocketdispo — with the same authentic film effect.
More lens mount options than any other brand I found.
Not handmade, which means every unit is consistent.
Trusted by actual creators I follow (and they’re using it, not just posting once for a check).
Comes with 51 free Lightroom presets that actually pair well with the lens.
100-day hassle-free return policy — which made it a no-brainer to try.
This was the first time everything felt thought through — like it wasn’t just about selling a gimmick, but actually building something photographers would love using.
Verdict: 🏆 All the retro vibes. None of the risk. Retropia nailed it. I took it on a holiday recently, and below are some of the shots edited with their free presets.
Final Thoughts: Why Retropia Wins
After trying every option out there — from overpriced brands to DIY hacks — I realized what I actually needed:
✔️ A lens that nailed the disposable film look
✔️ Solid, reliable build quality that felt safe on my camera
✔️ A price that didn’t feel like a rip-off
✔️ Thoughtful extras that made the entire shooting and editing experience better
✔️ 100 Day Hassle Free Returns
Retropia ticked every box.
Whether you’re just getting into vintage aesthetics or you’ve been chasing that flash-on-film energy for years — this is the one I’d recommend every time.
🎞 Ready to Capture That Disposable Film Look?
Get the Retropia lens today — and receive
🎁 51 Lightroom presets + 🔁 100-day return policy, absolutely free.
Retropia® Repurposed Disposable Film Camera Lens
Couldn't load pickup availability
Designed with precision and creativity, this innovative mount repurposes disposable camera lenses to deliver the nostalgic feel, tones, and textures of classic film, all while utilizing your digital camera.