Serious Playthings
Toy cameras have become extremely popular in recent years. Many classics being retooled and re-released, such as theDiana andHolga. Along with new versions like theBlackbird, Fly and theLomo which have also become big sellers. I found this original vintageDiana above oneBay, where they can go for anywhere from $30 to $100 depending on condition.
Old chair shot with a vintage Diana
It is the dreamy quality of the plastic lens that seems to enamor users. My friend, photographerJean Allsop was the first to introduce me to them back when we were students. I found my firstDiana at aflea market in NYC a few years later.
Boondocks shot with vintage Diana
I just discovered thatLomography makes aDiana lens and anadapter ring for myCanon Digital SLR (they also make them forNikons). So I ordered my own and will post some images when I get it. I love the idea of being able to combine the look of a toy camera image with the ease of my digital.
I also have played withHolgas, a newer design which have always stayed in production. I used it to take the image below just outside ofNashville.
Check out the many toy camera groups onflickr like thisDiana group. Also there is theToycam Handbook for even further exploration.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 5:00AM
Reader Comments (16)
Oh wow! I just love the images of the Diana and Holga... ! I love the pics you took with them too but I
would seriously be interested in a print of the first two. They are so beautiful. Thanks for the entire post, I always learn so much from you. I can not wait to see some of the images you take with that lens.
That camera is classic! I love it!
Lila Ferraro
I love this post! Beautiful and informative!
Beautiful post. I am blown away by your work.
I am looking at Diana's right now on ebay, can't make up my mind. Love your shots.
The pictures have kind of an eerie quality to them...love it!
I looooveee toy and vintage cameras. I don't know why, even with a ease of digital but I still love films and old toys. They could capture something magical that digital could not reproduce. The beauty of imperfection.
love the old cameras!
just found your blog through pugly pixel! i really love these. someday i hope to own some some of these treasures!
I love old cameras although I don't have one myself, but I love the look of them and of the pictures.
I have a DIANA MINI. It's seriously one of the best 35 mm cameras out there :)
aweeeesomeeee! :)
gotta get one at UO!
I have been thinking about getting old type cameras. I typically do not take too many pictures because I am super busy with school. I don't know if I should. Are they expensive to maintain?
AWESOME! i love the effect of Holga! :D
Wow the photos are amazing! I've been pondering over getting a diana or a holga over the past couple of years but I think the diana mini from lomography will probably be the best option for me as I'm not really sure about 120 film :/ I also have a canon ftb and a minolta x-300 because film is just awesome :)
Thanks for the heads up on beautiful coverings for our Kindles!