E-Mail This Article to a Friend Gone in a flash Dispose of the camera, keep the memories BY CHRISTINE JUNGE

As you cling tightly to the last days of summer, now’s your last chance to capture this year’s warm-weather wanderings on film. But what if you’d rather spend your money on a canoe trip on Cape Cod or some seats atop the Green Monster? Disposable cameras to the rescue. These cheap throwaways take decent photos and come loaded with film— all for prices that won’t leave you shot. Plus, you won’t be too upset if it plunges into the water when your friend rocks the boat, or onto the field after one too many beers.

CVS sells one of the least expensive varieties: its store-brand outdoor camera will cost you just $5.99 for 27 exposures. Spend another three bucks and you’ll get yourself a flash. If you’re a slave to brand names, you can go to the next level and grab a flash-equipped Kodak Max HQ ($10.99), which promises "the sharpest pictures of any one-time-use camera." The box claims the camera’s special Ektanar lens gives this product its oomph. Kodak (which seems to have cornered the market on disposables) also makes one with black-and-white film ($9.99), so you can be sure to get those artsy shots of sand and surf. Both are available at Walgreens.

In this day of ever-new technologies, even a piece of equipment designed for once-only use comes with optional bells and whistles. Take the Kodak Water and Sport ($14.99), at Walgreens. Plastic casing around the camera lets you take pics while you swim with the fishes, or, more likely if you’re summering in Boston this year, while you splash through the rain puddles.

Over at CVS, Kodak’s Advantix Switchable ($14.99) lets you pretend you’re a real photographer with real equipment; the push of a button allows you to go back and forth between taking regular four-by-six photos and panoramics. For the technologically inclined, Ritz Camera sells the Dakota Digital, which acts just like a normal digital camera, allowing you to preview and delete unsavory pictures, but for a much smaller price — just $10.99 for 25 shots (not including those you delete).

If you’re planning a farewell-to-summer fête and want to give disposable cameras to your guests, Ritz also sells a four-pack of floral-decorated cameras ($19.99). Each camera has only 15 exposures, but once your friends get a few drinks in them, do you really trust them with more than 15 shots?

Where to find it:

• CVS, various locations; www.cvs.com.

• Ritz Camera, various locations; www.ritzcamera.com.

• Walgreens, various locations; www.walgreens.com.