Product ReviewsLomography Diana F+ Medium Format Film Camera Body Only

Fun camera, but learn about film and exposure first.

The Diana is a classic plastic lens camera that has been produced for many years. It's simplicity and delightful photo results have made it a popular camera to own for those who like Lomography and plastic cameras.

Eventually, Lomography took this camera and improved it just enough to make it modern but keeping the original feel.

Features include:
- Removable lens for using alternative glass and different focal length lenses.
- Zone focusing
- Three aperture settings, Sunny (f/16) and Partly Cloudy (f/11) and Cloudy or f/11. (or f/22, f/16, f/11 possibly, depending on quality of the unit.)
- One shutter speed of approx 1/60th-1/100th of a second. This varies from camera to camera. I find most tend to run near to 1/100, which makes it easy to use this as a Sunny f/16 camera.
- Flash mount (non-standard)

The big things that got added to make it stand out from the classic Diana and all of it's clones are the removable lens and the flash adapter. Plus with the lens off the camera, it also offers a pinhole aperture. It also has masks for 6x6 and 4.5x4.5 shots as well.

If you think you can just grab this, load it with film and shoot, you will probably end up with some less then wonderful results. You'll want to learn the basics of photography, the Sunny f/16 rule and what speed films work best for your area and it's weather.

But the results are totally worth it.

And, there are instant backs, 35mm backs and other lenses to use with it. I personally think this is a camera everyone who shoots film should own and know how to use.Read full review...

Cute and fun

While I'm not normally a fan of film cameras, I couldn't ignore the siren's song of lomography. It promised to be so great--weird, unexpected aberrations and over-saturated colors sounded really fun. Plus there's a nice element of mystery to film photography that you just don't get with digital cameras.

For this, the Diana Mini mostly fits the bill. I didn't notice a lot the trademark vignetting or saturation, but my photos did have hints of that dreamy, lomographic look you'll get from this type of "toy" camera. The lens cap is pretty easy to lose, but I guess this can be easily fixed by drilling a small hole into the cap, tying a string through, then attaching to one side. Still, it would have been nice for the makers to do that themselves, especially with a plastic lens to care for.

My main issues with this camera may not actually be with the Diana itself.

As for development: it uses regular 35mm film, but developing the diptych photos (a cool feature for those of us who want as many exposures as possible) is really difficult. I think I scared the hell out of a photo technician. I've got an entire roll of photos that still need to go off to a pro photo lab so they can be hand-scanned.

Even the regular square format can be hard to deal with, given that most photo machines will scoot the image over to one side, thus cropping it by a millimeter or two. Better to specify that you need the image to be centered in the frame.

The camera itself performs poorly in low-light, but I didn't expect much out of it. After the first, ruined roll, I resigned myself to using the Bulb setting on all of my photos, and the results were much better. While it's billed as a great camera for carrying with you everywhere to shoot lots of photos, I think its poor low-light sensitivity is a big limitation, especially for people who don't feel comfortable shooting longer exposures (anything from 1/60 to 1/3 of a second, in my estimation) without a tripod.Read full review...

an easy, simple legendary camera

I've decided to go back to films. Photos are part of my life, but digital can't complete the "point & flick" as fast as The Diana can. Diana is a robust, simple, an anjoyable camera.I will add one more camera but costing lot lot more to my "ready-to-shoot-pack" cause the Diana make 'surprising' photos, and a surprise is a surprise, bad or good(often good actually).
This camera is making your life dreamy, and add a photo album back in your life. Honestly, you know you can print or have quality print with digitals but do you? Do you make photo-albums for, you, for your travels, for your kids. Unfortunately, i live in a small island far away from all countries, and the developments here or by mail ways are expensive.Read full review...

Plastic Fantastic

I love lomography cameras, Diana F+ being my absolute favorite. Currently building a collection of these cameras, simply because I adore not only how cute they are, but their ability to bring something different to the table every time. I also get complimented on these cameras every time I bring one out with me- which works in my favor because I can easily get away with street portraits. Learn about exposure first, and you'll be set.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: ckim04

Lo-fi, reverse technology goodness!

For quite a short while now, I've been eying the awesome, lo-fi pics snapped by this remake of a cheap "toy" camera from the '60s. The whole "Lomo" philosophy of shooting random, impromptu photos is... there is no philosophy! Don't think, just shoot. Don't look at the big picture, just make a picture of what's in front of you. And these cameras, with all of their inconsistencies and unpredictability, really make it interesting and fun. From the "dreamy" plastic lens, to the old-school manual adjustments, to the delightful ratcheting winding knob, it's just low tech fun.

I'm loading my first roll up tonight, so it'll be ready to snap away on a little mini-road trip tomorrow. I can't wait to see what comes out...

See this camera, lots of photos taken by it, and more at www.lomography.com.Read full review...

Fantastic Camera!

I have recently decided to get back into photography and this is a great camera to get back into it with...I used a friends and had to have my own.I have had nothin but the best time with this camera! I chose the snowcat cause of the design and the look of it.That is one great thing about the Diana F+ there are other cases to choose from and I will be lookin into gettin more as time goes on. I also recommend getting the 35mm back when u make this purchase,its cost effective when you buy both and u will be ready to shoot all types of film.Have fun and enjoi this camera as much as I have!Read full review...

Looove the diana

A friend of mine who does photography loves this camera and taught me how to use it. It's simple and easy to use even for people who know nothing about photography. I love the "half photo" feature because you get so much more out of one roll if film and it's easy to take some really artsy pics. I definitely recomend this camera for anyone who just enjoys taking pictures.Read full review...

Great camera for capturing your life!

How glad I am with the remake of this splendid sixties toy camera! Yes, it is a toy camera, so use it as a toy: play with it. Play, play, play!!! Don't stop until you drop.

Try exposing slide film and have it cross-processed. The Lomo effect will be great! Learn to use the flash! You will benefit greatly from it. And please, read the manual. The camera is very easy to use and very forgiving, but reading the manual helps to get the best out of the Diana.

Yes, I play with it all the time. Using it as a toy to capture my life, but I have also used it professionally on commissioned work. No, not for slick packshot of perfume bottles. But it works great for those snappy shots of people.Read full review...

The lomo Diana f+

I love instant photos. Todays digital cameras that I am now so used to involve wires, up loading, installing, and finally printing (on a printer you usually have to buy extra). The Lomo Diana f+ is different. Its truely instant. And the photo quality is deifferent too. I'm not saying its gonna produce the clearest shots you've ever taken, or indeed be easy to set up, but the end result is truely beautiful.
I'm no expert at lomography or any art form, but with this camera I felt even as a complete beginner I could get some very good and interesting results.
This camera has definitely sparked an interest in photography for me.Read full review...

Lomo Diana F+ 35mm Film Camera

I love this camera. First off it takes great pictures, is small so it's easy to transport. and on top of it all it's super duper cute. i also got a the f+ flash which looks great with the camera and allows for great pictures to be taken in any lighting situation. i bring it with me everywhere i go.Read full review...