diana + plastic camera

[emmsy71]

i have just bought this camera. every picture i have taken in sunlight is very dark. any ideas on what im doing wrong??

cheers

 

[Mike Kennedy]

What film are you using?

 

[Pinholemaster]

Use a 400 ISO film.

 

[Vaughn]

Does it have the 3 f/stop settings? Use the one for cloudy days -- that is wide open. I have gotten good results with 100 ASA films on sunny days...but the negs were a little thin (but usable) with the out-of-date Tech Pan. Vaughn

Editted...Whoops, do you mean the negatives are very dark (over-exposed)? If that is the case, then use the f/stop setting marked with Mr. Sun...and use 100 speed, or even Efke 50 or 25 ASA films.

 

[gandolfi]

common problem...
(if the prints are dark - not the negs..)

in my youth I asked my mother how many tea spoons of coffee to get a can of coffee..

she answered: "8 - and then the one for God..."

in my experience, you have to overdevelop the negstives a bit (one for God), except if you are using the camera out in bright sun light...

 

[emmsy71]

thank you. what is the best film to use??

 

[Stock Dektol]

I assume that you have the 120 format Holga/Diana. I would use one of Ilford's films for black and white.
HP5 ISO 400 or FP4 would probably be best.

 

[Jon Shiu]

Tri-X is very good with Diana camera!

Jon

 

[pgomena]

Ilford XP2 would be a good choice as well.

Peter Gomena

 

[Mark Fisher]

Tri-x and adjust development as needed. My experience is that in bright sun, I develop as shot. If it is overcast, develop N+1.5. If inside, switch to Ilford 3200 and develop for 1600. I am a bit puzzled about you having dark images if you were shooting in bright sun with 400 film (dark negs I'd understand).

 

[Silverhead]

If you're shooting in bright daylight, you can safely use a 200 ISO film, or even 125 on a good day...I've used FP4, Plus-X, Fuji Pro 160 and Foma 200 in my Diana with no problems in the sunshine. The aperture switch really does give it a little more flexibility than the Holga, much as I love the latter. I imagine that you've had yours stopped down to the minimum setting.

 

[Vaughn]

Holga's lenses are too sharp...

Do all Diana Cameras come with the 3 f/stop settings?

Vaughn

 

[Silverhead]

The current ones made by Lomo do.

 

[Jon Shiu]

The Diana+ in addition has an ~f/160 pinhole setting (and removable lens). Come to think of it, that may be the cause of very dark pictures.

Jon

 

[msdemanche]

Has anyone considered the fact that the shutter might be slow? My diana is notorious for over exposed negs. I am sure it is the shutter just not moving at the (please correct me, if somone knows for sure) 60th that is the standard. I use this to my advantage, but not well as I would like.
Michel