Difference between revisions of "Diana"
m (changed Hartacnut readers digest to cwpool) |
(→Alphabetical List of Diana Types (Clones): + a few more model names) |
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* Acme | * Acme | ||
+ | * Acme Flash | ||
+ | * Altic | ||
* Anny | * Anny | ||
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* Arrow (No. W20A) | * Arrow (No. W20A) | ||
* Arrow Flash | * Arrow Flash | ||
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* Dionne F2 | * Dionne F2 | ||
* Dories | * Dories | ||
+ | * Edco | ||
* Eikow | * Eikow | ||
* Flocon (RF 222) | * Flocon (RF 222) | ||
* Future Scientist Flash | * Future Scientist Flash | ||
+ | * Globe | ||
* Gray Line | * Gray Line | ||
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* Hong Meow | * Hong Meow | ||
* Justen | * Justen | ||
+ | * Knips | ||
* Lina | * Lina | ||
+ | * Lina F | ||
* Lina S | * Lina S | ||
* Mark L | * Mark L | ||
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* Merit | * Merit | ||
* Mirage | * Mirage | ||
+ | * Northamerican | ||
* Panax | * Panax | ||
* Photon 120 | * Photon 120 | ||
* Pioneer | * Pioneer | ||
* Pokey | * Pokey | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | * Quelle | ||
* Raleigh | * Raleigh | ||
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* Rand (No. 111) | * Rand (No. 111) | ||
* Reader's Digest | * Reader's Digest | ||
− | * Reliance | + | * Reliance (Model 711) |
* Rosko (No. 202) | * Rosko (No. 202) | ||
* Rover | * Rover | ||
* Samtoy | * Samtoy | ||
+ | * Sarco-flex (No. 9605) | ||
* See | * See | ||
* Shakey's | * Shakey's | ||
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* Stellar Flash | * Stellar Flash | ||
* Tina | * Tina | ||
− | * Traceflex | + | * Traceflex (No. 707) |
* Tru-View | * Tru-View | ||
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* Valiant | * Valiant | ||
* Windsor | * Windsor | ||
* Windsor-F | * Windsor-F | ||
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* Zip | * Zip | ||
* Zodiac | * Zodiac |
Revision as of 06:50, 20 September 2013
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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