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Diana Camera Returns, Preorders Now Available
The legendary Diana camera is finally re-entering production after a 35 year absence. Unica Home is currently taking pre-orders for the popular toy cameras and hopes to start shipping them later this month.
I’m far from being old enough to properly get excited about the “return” of this, but I’m intrigued. I like what I’ve seen from the images shown so far, and I like the idea of using a previously rare camera instead of some $20 lomo I can buy at 7-11.
If you aren’t enough of a lomography nerd to know about the Diana or why I think it’s cool, that’s okay. I still like you, just not as much. Here’s a quick blurb from the product page:
Originally produced by the great wall plastic factory in Hong Kong in the 1960’s the Diana has become a cult classic, known for producing soft and dreamy images due to light leakage. Given away by Reader’s Digest as a freebie, the Diana has been out of production for almost 35 years.
A light, inexpensive medium (120 film) format camera, the ‘new’ Diana has 4 f-stops and comes with a booklet, camera strap and lens cover. An additional change is that the camera has a removable lens, allowing for pinhole camera action!
At $50, this sounds like a pretty awesome toy. I’m flat broke at the moment, due a number of other shiny toys recently purchased, but I will probably be picking one of these up sometime in the near future. I need to broaden my horizons beyond my DSLR and lomo cameras are a bit more affordable than professional medium format cameras.
Would you consider purchasing a Diana Camera? Why or why not?
Brian Auer Said,
October 12, 2007 @ 8:57 pm
You know… I would, but I have a fear of film. I wish there was a digital equivalent of this or the Lomo. My kid’s Fisher-Price camera comes pretty close, but the sensor is too itty-bitty. I’d love to see somebody do a hack on one of these cameras to Frankenstein it together with maybe an old P&S or something. I’ve seen a hack for a Lecia M8, but that’s not really cheap to do.
So if I weren’t so scared of film, I’d be all over this.
Brian Auer Said,
October 12, 2007 @ 9:07 pm
Ooh, I forgot about this. have you seen the Meg and Jack Holgas?
the_wolf_brigade Said,
October 13, 2007 @ 6:07 am
“Inexpensive medium”? 120 roll film costs a mint to get developed and purchase over here (Australia). I always sigh when I see the cheap-to-purchase cameras that take this film as “toy cameras” because for me it wouldn’t be a toy but a serious purchase due to the processing costs - (All prices in AUS$) $14 to buy the film, $12 to develop the negs, then $2 per printed image. If I want it on CD then there is an extra $14 for the CD, then $2 per image. And my local camera shop only sells Fuji 160 ASA colour. I haven’t found anywhere except ebay where I can get Black and White.
I actually own a Rollieflex 2.8 and an Ensign Selfix which take this type of film, though because of the processing costs, they don’t get used much.
But, in answer to your original question, yes I’d love to buy one! I think they have a bit more uniqueness about them than a Holga. Kind of like the LC-A’s I guess. Mention the name Holga and everyone knows what you’re talking about. Mention a Diana (or a LC-A) and only a few people will get it, but with those few you share a secret connection brought about by the love of film and cult cameras…
laanba Said,
October 14, 2007 @ 7:24 am
As soon as I find an extra $50 I’ll buy it.
Brian, don’t be afraid! I was totally afraid a few months ago, but with the help of some film friends I bought a Holga and I love it. However as the_wolf_brigade points out, it is expensive. I’ve only run three rolls through in that time. I don’t see the film cameras as a means to replace my Rebel XT, but as something fun to do every once in a while.
Ryan Said,
October 16, 2007 @ 1:29 am
Hi. Found your site via Flickr.
I recently bought the Lomo’s new Diana cam. Arrived last week. Looks decent and plastic-y enough. No idea what the images are like yet, but I’m hoping they turn out well enough. I’ve had fairly good luck with the Holga and LCA cams from Lomo.
Matt Said,
November 2, 2007 @ 3:17 am
Being able to develop and print off my own negatives certainly helps alleviate some of the costs. I’m just curious as to how this camera differs from the Holga? They both seem to have similar effects with the photos they produce.
Jay D Said,
January 2, 2008 @ 10:27 pm
The original was my first camera, while I was a kid growing up in India. Iclear;y remember that it costed 12 Rupees (about 50 cents in today’s exchange rate or about $1.25 in that day’s exchange rate). It leaked light, the lenses were wildly variable in quality etc, but the thrill of owning the first camera was great!
Emily Said,
May 9, 2008 @ 3:34 am
I realize I’m showing up woefully late to the party, but I wandered in here via Google and had to comment when I realized that the_wolf_brigade’s comment seemed to be based on a misreading of the original post.
No one is saying that 120 film is an “inexpensive medium.” It isn’t. The original post was saying that the Diana is an “inexpensive medium-format camera.” A typical medium-format camera (in other words, one that shoots 120 film) will set you back several thousand dollars. The Diana is 50 bucks, which makes it pretty inexpensive by comparison.
The original post was worded a bit awkwardly and could certainly be a little confusing for those unfamiliar with the term “medium-format.”
George L Smyth Said,
May 9, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
$50 is about two and a half Holgas, so no thanks.
the_wolf_brigade Said,
” … (All prices in AUS$) $14 to buy the film, $12 to develop the negs, … ”
Huh? It should cost less than $3 for a roll of 120 film (http://tinyurl.com/4sxze8), and process your own film for much less than $1 for the chemistry (no darkroom required, just get in a closet at night to put the film in the cannister).
Cheers -
george
Emily Said,
May 9, 2008 @ 3:46 pm
Prices locally (I’m in Tulsa) are about $4 to $6 a roll for the film and $3 to $5 for processing, plus 69 cents apiece for prints. I deal with a small mom-and-pop photo lab that understands about Holgas and doesn’t print anything that’s too dark or too light to see. The cheapest I’ve gotten out of there was about $7 the other day (only four usable images on the roll); the highest was around $10, as I recall.
I could get by cheaper if I bought film online and processed it myself, but I’d rather spend a few more dollars and support the little guy. There aren’t too many of those great old indie photo labs left, and if my Holga habit will help keep one alive, I’m fine with that.