So, the other day I got it into my head that I wanted to mess around with some old-school photography stuff. I remembered those weird disc films from back in the 80s, you know, the ones that look like a flat circle? I was curious if I could even get those to work anymore. Turns out, it’s a bit of a journey!
First, I had to do some digging online. Apparently, Kodak was the big name behind disc film. They started selling it in 1982, but it’s not made anymore. The film is this flat disc, all tucked inside a plastic case. Each one of these discs, holds 15 photos, that’s all!

I started to find out who actually made these disc films, and found out that there were four primary manufacturers of them. But you know, that doesn’t really tell me if I can still use them today. But the main thing was to find a camera that could take this kind of film. That, right there, is a quest in itself. Luckily my friend found one for me.
Then, I went on a hunt for the film itself. I figured, even if I found some, it’s probably ancient and might not work. But hey, part of the fun is experimenting, right?
Finding a place to develop the film was another challenge. I mean, who even develops disc film these days? I had to ask around, check some specialty photography forums, and I finally found a place that said they could do it. It might cost a pretty penny, but for the sake of nostalgia, I was willing to give it a shot.
After all that, I finally got my hands on some old disc film and a camera that was supposed to work with it. The camera was a bit dusty, and the film was definitely past its expiration date. The camera’s light seal is bad, and I’m not sure if the film cartridge is used, but I didn’t know if I could fix it or if it was worth it.
Loading the film was tricky. The disc is pretty fragile, and you have to handle it carefully. I popped it into the camera, not really knowing what to expect.

I went around, snapping some pictures. It felt really weird, using this old technology. Each click of the shutter was a gamble. Would the picture turn out? Would the film even work? No idea.
Finally, I sent the film off to be developed. Waiting for the results was like waiting for Christmas morning as a kid. I was so curious to see what, if anything, would come of it. And then there is the issue of the negatives. I still have not figured out how to get them scanned, but that’s a problem for another day.
When the developed photos came back, I was actually surprised. Some of them actually turned out! They were grainy, a little blurry, and had a weird color to them, but they were there. It was like a little time capsule from the past.
So, to answer the question of whether disc film is still usable – kind of! It takes a lot of effort, some luck, and probably a bit of money, but it’s possible to get some pictures out of it. It’s definitely not practical, but it’s a fun little project if you’re into that sort of thing.
- Find a disc film camera. This is easier said than done, but they’re out there.
- Find disc film. Again, not easy, but you might get lucky online or at a specialty camera shop.
- Find a place to develop it. This is probably the hardest part.
- Don’t expect great results. If you get anything at all, consider yourself lucky.
But hey, at least you’ll get the satisfaction of using a format that a lot of people don’t even remember.

Final Thoughts
To wrap things up, diving into the world of disc film was a fun experience. Even though it wasn’t practical, the thrill of using something so old-fashioned was worth it. Sure, the quality was rough, but that’s part of the charm. If you’re into photography and like a challenge, give it a shot. You might be surprised at what you find.