The New Lomography Diana Mini

Lomography has announced the Diana Mini, a 35mm version of the classic Diana F camera.

It offers 2 different negative options. It will shoot 1/2 frame 35mm (72 exposures on a 36 exposure roll), or a square image on a standard 35mm negative (36 exposures on a 36 exposure roll). This may seem wasteful, but makes perfect sense when you consider that if you take this to a 1-hour photo lab, they will be easily able to process and print your images with no modifications to their equipment.

The Lomography website claims the ability to switch formats mid-roll, but doing so might confuse the lab equipment and technicians.

The camera does not have interchangeable lenses like it's big sister, the Diana F+, but it does have the flash sockets and will take a Diana F+ flash or flash plug. The flash is not included in the starter kit, but you get the flash plug to mount your own flash unit.

I've put one on order and we will have an Out of the Box video posted as soon as I can.

Specs (from the Lomography website)
http://microsites.lomography.com/dianamini/

Square and rectangular half-frame formats at the flick of a switch
Takes all types of 35mm film
Shoots up to 72 shots per film on half-frame mode
Shoots up to 36 shots per film on square mode
Requires standard 35mm film development
Ultra-compact and pocket-sized
Multiple exposure functionality
‘B’ mode for long exposures
Cable release attachment – a Diana first!
Sunny and cloudy exposure settings
Tripod mount
Diana Flash Plug (Diana Flash available separately)
Overlap frames across photos for endless abstract panoramas
Compatible with the stunning Diana Flash

New Video in the Works

It finally cooled down a little bit here in Seattle. The temperature has been running in the 90's this past week. It's still pretty hot, but the temp is going to be in the more bearable mid-80's. I went out to Gasworks Park yesterday and worked on a new video for the Diana+ pinhole. Unfortunately, I forgot to change out the video camera batteries and they died almost at the end. I might need to reshoot, but I may just leave it as is. The 120 film I shot in the Diana+ is at the lab, and I hope to include stills of the pinhole photos in the final video.

This photo was taken with my iPhone 3gs, and modified in camera, using a Lomo application.

Fremont Bridge

Fremont Bridge


Originally uploaded by kaiy

Early evening at the Adobe building in Fremont.

Vivitar Ultra Wide and Slim, on Fuji Pro 400 H.

Diana+ vs. Holga or Which camera should I buy?

There is a comprehensive comparison on the blog posted here:

http://www.dianacamera.com/blog/2007/12/18/holga-camera-vs-diana-camera.html

The Diana+ is a more flexible camera, having more controls (3 f-stops + Pinhole aperture vs 1 aperture). The Diana+ also has the albility to change lenses. Currently, Lomography offers 4 additional lens.

The Holga, on the other hand, is a very solidly built camera, and while not being as flexible, is still a very capable camera. It will take photos that equal that of the Diana.

Which should you get? I usually like to recommend the Holga 120N or 120FN for beginners.

Why? It's a cheaper and simpler camera to learn with. If you get this camera it keeps the cost of exploring toy camera photography on the cheap side. If it turns out that toy camera photography is your passion, then you can explore getting the Diana+.

Let's look at the cost:
Holga 120N - $28 (no flash, but with a hotshoe)
Holga 120FN - $35 (built-in flash)

Diana+ - $50 (no flash, no hotshoe)
DianaF+ - $100 (comes with electronic flash attachment and hotshoe accessory)

Sample Photos:
Holga
http://www.flickr.com/groups/86881528@N00/

Diana+ DIanaF+
http://www.flickr.com/groups/diana_plus/

One of the main things you are going to have to figure out, is whether or not you have the patience and temperment to work with a film camera. Working with film, there is no instant feedback from a LCD screen, and you won't be able to delete your mistakes and forget about them.

On top of that, 120 film is a little more difficult to deal with than 35mm film, since there are fewer labs that can process it. Ask around at your local Walmart, Costco or other 1-hour labs. While they may not be able to process the film on site, many of these labs will send the film out to be processed for you.

The next option is to find a local pro-lab. These are labs that specifically cater to professional photographers and will be able to process your film on site. As you might imagine, it can be a little pricey.

Another film processing option is to send out the film to be processed. Check out these processors, they both offer processing by mail:
http://www.dwaynesphoto.com/
http://www.swanphotolabs.com/swan08/index.php

Then the best of all option, process the film yourself. BW film processing and even color processing are not too difficult to learn and also not very expensive to get into.

If you think that 120 film is too much trouble, you can try a 35mm camera, like the Holga 135BC or the Superheadz Black Slim Devil or White Slim Angel.

The Holga 120N or 120CFN (120 format) or the 35mm Holga 135BC, or Superheadz Slim cameras can be found at Freestyle Photo supply:
http://freestylephoto.biz/

The Diana+ cameras can be found at some stores like Urban Outfitters, or online at http://lomography.com

Whichever camera you choose, remember that the point of lo-fi photography is to have fun and don't sweat the details!

Video: Out of the Box- Diana+ Fisheye Lens

We take a look at the Lomography Diana+ and Diana F+ Fisheye Lens.