Difference between revisions of "Diana"
m (rm camera still prod cat, used more correct cat on LSI's diana plus and mini.) |
(→Alphabetical List of Diana Types (Clones): + model numbers, names) |
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* Anny | * Anny | ||
* Altic | * Altic | ||
| − | * Arrow | + | * Arrow (No. W20A) |
* Arrow Flash | * Arrow Flash | ||
* Asiana | * Asiana | ||
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* Chase | * Chase | ||
* Clicker | * Clicker | ||
| + | * Codeg | ||
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| − | |||
* Colorflash Deluxe | * Colorflash Deluxe | ||
* Debonair | * Debonair | ||
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* Diana+ / [[Diana Plus]] | * Diana+ / [[Diana Plus]] | ||
* [[Diana De Luxe]] | * [[Diana De Luxe]] | ||
| − | * Diana F | + | * Diana F (No. 162A) |
* Diana F+ | * Diana F+ | ||
* [[Diana Mini]] | * [[Diana Mini]] | ||
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* Dories | * Dories | ||
* Eikow | * Eikow | ||
| − | * Flocon RF 222 | + | * Flocon (RF 222) |
* Future Scientist Flash | * Future Scientist Flash | ||
| + | * Gray Line | ||
| | | | ||
| − | |||
* Harrow | * Harrow | ||
| + | * Harrow Deluxe (No. 809) | ||
* Hi-Flash | * Hi-Flash | ||
* Hong Meow | * Hong Meow | ||
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* Raleigh | * Raleigh | ||
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| − | * Rand | + | * Rand (No. 111) |
* Reader's Digest | * Reader's Digest | ||
* Reliance | * Reliance | ||
| − | * Rosko | + | * Rosko (No. 202) |
* Rover | * Rover | ||
* Samtoy | * Samtoy | ||
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* Shakey's | * Shakey's | ||
* Sinomax | * Sinomax | ||
| + | * Snappy | ||
* Stellar | * Stellar | ||
* Stellar Flash | * Stellar Flash | ||
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* Valiant | * Valiant | ||
* Windsor | * Windsor | ||
| + | * Windsor-F | ||
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* Zip | * Zip | ||
Revision as of 04:35, 12 September 2013
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| image by Rolf F. (Image rights) |
The Diana camera is a so-called "toy camera" that originated in the 1960s, produced by the Great Wall Plastic Co. in Hong Kong[1]. Production continued through the 1970s but ceased sometime thereafter.
The camera was produced under many names for different markets; some photographers may use the term "Diana" generically to mean any of the related Hong Kong models. Some were sold as premiums or promotional items (there is a Readers Digest version, for example). Most Dianas use 120 film but some versions of the camera take 620 film.
The lens is a simple plastic meniscus, giving noticeable corner blur, vignetting, and pincushion distortion in the resulting photographs. Light leaks are a possibility due to the flimsy back latch design; many users put black tape over the seams to make the cameras light-tight. Most Diana types expose a 4cm x 4cm image (less than the full height of the film), so a 120 roll will give you 16 frames. Focusing is done by twisting the lens to 3 zones, 4-6ft, 6-12ft, or 12ft to infinity. There are several variations in top-plate and lens-barrel style; some have fake light-meter windows and a few have flash sync.
The classic Diana type shows " NO. 151 MADE IN HONG KONG" on the lever releasing the back. A variant using different plastic molds has an "hourglass" shaped panel behind the lens, and this version typically has a slightly wider lens coverage.
Along with the Holga (whose lens covers a wider view), the dreamlike optical qualities of the Diana became sought after by self-proclaimed "Lo-Fi" photographers. But Diana & clone cameras had rather brittle and flimsy construction; and their supply was finite. Thus eBay auctions for original models would sometimes reach improbable prices. Finally in 2007, Lomography issued a nostalgic replica of the Diana, called the Diana Plus. This was followed by a replica of the flash-capable Diana F, called the Diana F+.
Alphabetical List of Diana Types (Clones)
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Notes
- ↑ At least one Diana-type camera has been observed with the name "Artlite Industrial Company" on its packaging.
Image by Christopher Benson on Flickr.
Links
- Diana User manual from Butkus Orphan Cameras
- Diana F+ Clones from Lomography.com
- The Diana page by Allan Dietrich, with many Diana name variations
- Picture of the Banner Deluxe (Diana clone)
- dianacamera.com Site with photos, tips and How-to videos.
- Diana and clones at www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
 Stellar by Jeff Rawdon (Image rights) |
 Windsor by Kenneth Dwain Harrelson (Image rights) |
 Harrow by Dave Dunne (Image rights) | ||||
 Reader's Digest By Hartacnut (Image rights) |
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 Arrow by Jeff Rawdon (Image rights) |
 Mark L by Boxy Brown's Bling (Image rights) | ||||
 Zip Instant Load by Boxy Brown's Bling (Image rights) |
 Lomography Diana+ by Dave Dunne (Image rights) |
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