Diana, Holga, Lomo

[wilf102]

Whats there difference between them?

[AgX]

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

[Vaughn]

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]

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]

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]

Yes -- my Diana is an older one.

[Ian Leake]

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

I think there are two main differences:

1. The lenses are different and have a different look
2. 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!]

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]

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!]

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!