Diana, Holga, Lomo

wilf102 · Jul 21, 2010

Whats there difference between them?

AgX · Jul 23, 2010

Rick, what is a "35mm retro camera" ?

Vaughn · Jul 23, 2010

Diana cameras are for those who think that the Holgas are too sharp...

I bought mine for 75 cents at a thrift store -- I love it!

fiducio · Jul 23, 2010

Ah the love of my life, Diana, she got me into this whole mess I'm into now. She's particularly unpredictable, you don't know how she's going to make things turn out, and so darn lovable.

Out of a Diana (or one of her reincarnations), Holga, and an LC-A, I'd have to say that I would again and again pick that camera over any of the others.

gandolfi · Jul 23, 2010

Just be aware, that the new Diana F+, sold by Lomo, is NOT a "true" Diana.

In my opinion they are Holga's in disguise... The images done with this Diana, looks much more like a Holga image..

I once saw a commercial for Diana saying:

"HOLGA: Son of Diana"

I think the new Diana must be: "Diana F+: stepdaughter of HOLGA"....

Vaughn · Jul 23, 2010

Yes -- my Diana is an older one.

Ian Leake · Jul 24, 2010

gandolfi said:
Just be aware, that the new Diana F+, sold by Lomo, is NOT a "true" Diana.

I think there are two main differences:

The lenses are different and have a different look
The original Diana has a small image area on the negative. The Holga/Diana+ allows you to make a full 6x6 image, but if you do then you'll find that you're image area runs right to the edge of the film (which is a pain). You'll need to modify the camera if you want a more centred negative.

Ryan! · Jul 25, 2010

I have the Diana+ that Lomography makes (got it as a Christmas gift), and I can confirm that it does indeed take smaller negatives than a true 6x6. I haven't measured it, but it's probably around 4.5x4.5 or so. My Holga 120S (with the 645 mask ripped out), on the other hand, takes a huge negative that goes almost to the edges of the film. The Diana+ has some vignetting in the corners, which increases with longer exposures. The image also starts almost at the top edge of the negative (often overlapping the exposure numbers, depending on the film), with a ton of room at the bottom of the film.

Ian Leake · Jul 25, 2010

Ryan! said:
I have the Diana+ that Lomography makes (got it as a Christmas gift), and I can confirm that it does indeed take smaller negatives than a true 6x6. I haven't measured it, but it's probably around 4.5x4.5 or so.

Yes, I forgot about the mask thingy. With the Diana+ you have an internal mask. If you leave it in place then you get a small image, but if you take it out then you get a full 6x6 image.

Personally I prefer my Diana+ to the original Diana. Partly because it's an F so I can attach it to studio lights, and partly because with the mask taken out (plus some simple modifications) you can get a full size negative.

Ryan! · Jul 25, 2010

I'd just be happy if the lens didn't fall off my Diana+ every time I put it in my bag for more than 30 minutes.

I don't think I realized it came with a mask in there. I know I have a 645 mask laying around. I'll have to see about removing it when I finish the roll I have in there. Thanks for the tip!

Ian Leake · Jul 25, 2010

Ryan! said:
I'd just be happy if the lens didn't fall off my Diana+ every time I put it in my bag for more than 30 minutes.
!

Ah yes, don't fall for the "interchangeable lens" marketing. Once the plastic clips which hold the lens in place are worn, then you'll have to use tape to hold the d***ed thing on...

AgX · Jul 25, 2010

But I assume that's what toy-cameras are all about...

mhcfires · Jul 29, 2010

If I want an old camera with light leaks I can always use one of my old Kodak Brownie Boxes. I picked one up on ebay for a few bucks and it is great. I also use an old Brownie Hawkeye bakelite camera. It is made for 620 film, but I can use a 120 roll as long as the take up spool is a 620 spool. Really cool old camera. Mine was like new in the original box on ebay for $10.

vdonovan · Jul 29, 2010

I like my Diana+ a lot. It has a pinhole setting and it has a hotshoe, which I REALLY love.

jamesgignac · Aug 18, 2010

While I've never used a Diana I got my start into MF with a Holga (I have a couple of shots from those days in my apug gallery) and am very glad I got to use something like that for a while. It really does make you think differently about photography and they're a lot of fun to modify and tweak. They're also great cameras for parties; there were a few times when I would bring one out to some big, outdoor get-together and just pass the thing around (with some simple instructions taped to the back...with a hole for the window of course.) If you can find it the next day you'll be certain to have some interesting snaps to share.

Ryan! · Aug 22, 2010

Those Brownie Hawkeyes are great. I have one and it's a ton of fun to shoot with.

cmdurham · Sep 1, 2010

I love my Holga 120N. It's fun to work with and I really dig the light leaks. gorgeous simplicity.

nickrapak · Sep 1, 2010

I don't know how, but I found a Diana in my grandparents' basement, and it works like a real camera! No light leaks and the lens focuses (yes, there's some vignetting, but it can't be perfect.)

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

Colin Corneau · Sep 1, 2010

Check out some of the member images submitted in galleries here on APUG for a view of what Holgas, etc. can do.

One thing I've always been impressed by is something so simple and stripped down can nonetheless be really, really hard to truly master. An image submitted recently by jbridges, as well as some Holga images lithed and toned by fellow Ape Hugger thebanana are nothing short of sublime. I'd have to work pretty damn hard to even come close to that sort of thing.

Diana, Holga, Lomo

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