Diana camera back in production?

bmattock

bmattock

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the new toy is going for 50 dollars.
the originals can be found in flea markets and garage sales for 3 to 5 dollars.
 
Yes they've been back in production for a couple of months now or so (as I recall). ANY film camera that makes a comeback is welcome news for sure -- even one as eccentric as this!
 
Yes and no would be a better answer.
I mean yes it's a Diana, but it's only a reporoduction.
There are some distint differences, the new one can switch to a pin hole camera, where the original would didn't.
I have heard some say that the lens characteristics aren't the same as the original Diana too.

Brian
 
Yes, I can well imagine that level of crappiness would be hard to reproduce on purpose - but perhaps it is crappy in a new and exciting different way! Anyway, I guess I'd only go a couple sawbucks on the thing, tops. As far as seeing them in thrift shops - sadly no. I have frequented many such shops looking for old audio gear - I see many Time-Life 35mm cameras, and lots of gummy Polaroid Swingers, but no Dianas or their cousins.
 
Another definition of toy camera is one you want to give your kids to get them started in photography. I agree that in any case they should be cheap, i.e. not expensive. I probably paid close to $100 last year for a Pentax 110 setup, which I gave my son as a "spy camera" after seeing one in the newish Spy Museum in Washington DC. But I'm thinking one of these Diana's would be a cool next step.
 
The Holgas are probably quite similar to this Diana, and only $30US. The Holgas rarely leak, and the lens is often much better than the old Diana.

I see images from a collection of 8 recent Holgas of various versions- I lend them out to students all the time. They're no Diana, but quite fun and sorta crappy in their own way.
 
Toy cameras are great fun... if you are into this kind of low level technology. 🙂

I'm more inclined to digital and thus(?) got me a Minox Leica M3. Really. 🙂
http://shardsofphotography.blogspot.com/search?q=Minox+Leica+M3

Now I'm thinking I could even better have spent the 250+ euro on a Barbie doll set with Barbie camera, or one of them bog, luvvable digital baby toy cameras you see in the toy store these days. Hey, it'll be crap, just like the Holga or Diana. 🙂
 
RML said:
Toy cameras are great fun... if you are into this kind of low level technology. 🙂

I'm more inclined to digital and thus(?) got me a Minox Leica M3. Really. 🙂
http://shardsofphotography.blogspot.com/search?q=Minox+Leica+M3

Now I'm thinking I could even better have spent the 250+ euro on a Barbie doll set with Barbie camera, or one of them bog, luvvable digital baby toy cameras you see in the toy store these days. Hey, it'll be crap, just like the Holga or Diana. 🙂
Click to expand...

I'm sorry to hear that. I had seen this camera - and the not-really Rollieflex as well, and thought they were neat - but out of my price range entirely. Well, thank you for taking one for the team - and yes, that camera is cute.
 
bmattock said:
Thank you. We'll see how long I can hold my bitterness at bay.
Click to expand...

You're doing great, Bill.

And don't forget, beer is bitter too. 🙂
 
I agree with sepia, if you really want to try a toy camera, you can get a Holga with a hot shoe for about $25, and one with a built in flash for $36. It's a fun little camera, and it got me back into film photography.
 
I never left the film photography, and I had a Diana when they were new. Just memories is all - I really don't want a Holga, I want a Diana. But not for $50. Sadly.
 
I got my Diana camera back in 1979, I found her on a park bench, kinda muddy but nothing that a garden hose and a clean rag could not fix.
they do give a dreamy look to the photographs.
that low tech plastic lens is very sweet.
 
xayraa33 said:
I got my Diana camera back in 1979, I found her on a park bench, kinda muddy but nothing that a garden hose and a clean rag could not fix.
they do give a dreamy look to the photographs.
that low tech plastic lens is very sweet.
Click to expand...

What a serendipitous way to find such a serendipitous camera!
😀
Brian
 
Perhaps some 0000 steel wool on the Holga lens and then some blue paint?

Just kidding- I know what you mean. I love my Diana, layers of tape residue and all. That lens is what they are all about, and that's what the Holgas can't touch.
 
Save most of that 250 euro and look here:
http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=3339792
😀 I should note the seller will ship only to US and Canada. I'll help out with that if you need me to.
Rob
RML said:
Now I'm thinking I could even better have spent the 250+ euro on a Barbie doll set with Barbie camera, or one of them bog, luvvable digital baby toy cameras you see in the toy store these days. Hey, it'll be crap, just like the Holga or Diana. 🙂
Click to expand...
 
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