4 Responses

1. Pooky

   January 26th, 2010 at 9:53 pm

   Problems with that sort of camera is that they’re not made well–and purposely so. They’re practically held together by a piece of tape (my niece’s at least). Photos come out blurry and such, and many think that is "cool".

   If you want to learn photography, get a film camera–one that is under your control, i.e. fully adjustable. A "Lomo" is a toy, and you can’t do much (to it).

   And 120 film that it uses is expensive. You can’t take it to a one-hour store to get it developed either.
   References :
   to Liz: She said she wants to LEARN photography..

2. Liz

   January 26th, 2010 at 10:32 pm

   Lomography cameras have made a huge comeback because although yes, they aren’t made well for practical photography, people like to use them for artistic purposes as the results are varied and interesting. (I use them and the images are never blurry, usually the exposure and coloring is what changes….)

   I suggest you get one that uses 35mm film as you are much more likely to find somewhere that develops that film verses 120mm. The Diana Fs use 120 (you can purchase a pricey adapter if you wish).

   I find that the best place that offers them is http://usa.shop.lomography.com

   good luck!
   References :

3. fhotoace

   January 26th, 2010 at 11:22 pm

   For this question, we will assume you already know photography and just want to learn the unique techniques that make the LOMO so famous

   Buy the least expensive LOMO camera you can find.

   Here is a link to some under $50

   http://www.freestylephoto.biz/c2202-Pinhole-and-Fun-Cameras-Medium-Format

   As long has you have enough experience exposing film and can figure out which ISO film you need for various lighting conditions and determine without a meter the camera settings you need to use.
   References :
   Profotog

4. kaiy2k

   January 26th, 2010 at 11:30 pm

   The Diana F+ is an excellent camera, but it uses 120 film.

   The Diana+ is a flexible camera, with a nice range of controls for a lo-fi camera (3 f-stops + Pinhole aperture). The Diana+ also has the ability to change lenses. Currently, Lomography offers 4 additional lens.

   The other grandaddy of lo-fi cameras is the Holga 120. The Holga 120 is a very solidly built camera, and while not being as flexible, is still a very capable camera. It will take photos that equal that of the Diana.

   Which should you get? I usually like to recommend the Holga 120N or 120FN for beginners, but lately, I’ve been leaning towards the 35mm lo-fi cameras for beginners. Why? They are cheaper and simpler cameras. If you get one of these cameras, it keeps the cost of exploring lo-fi photography on the cheaper side. You won’t get quite the same look with the 35mm film, but it is so much easier to learn with and it’s lower cost of camera and film will help you figure out if this works for you. If it turns out that lo-fi camera photography is your passion, then you can explore getting the larger format 120 cameras.

   Take a look at one of these 35mm cameras:

   Holga 135 or 135BC
   Supplier: http://freestylephoto.biz or http://bhphotovideo.com for about $46.
   Similar cheap lens and operation as the Holga 120 cameras.
   1 aperture setting (yes, the camera has 2 settings, but they are identical), 2 shutter settings, N (1/100 sec) and B (Bulb setting)
   tripod mount, cable release socket
   If you want the corner vignetting like on the larger format camera, get the Holga 135BC.

   Sample photos:
   http://www.flickr.com/groups/holga135bc/

   Superheadz Black Slim Devil
   Supplier: http://www.fourcornerstore.com/ or http://freestylephoto.biz for about $30.

   This is a clone based on the popular vintage Vivitar Ultra Wide and Slim. It has no exposure controls and no flash option, but with it’s wider than normal lens (22mm) it is capable of taking some outstanding photos.
   Sample photos:
   There really isn’t a good Flickr group for these cameras yet, so the sample photos are from the Vivitar UWS
   http://www.flickr.com/groups/57074580@N00/

   The Diana Mini
   Supplier: Lomography.com for about $60

   Lomography took the Diana camera, and shrunk it down to 35mm format. The Mini, while it lacks the interchangeable lenses of the full sized Lomography Diana+, is still a feature packed camera (at least compared to the Holga and Black Slim Devil). The frame format is unusual. They stuck with the square format of the Diana camera, but it is centered on a standard 35mm frame. The reason for floating the square on the 35mm frame is that be using a standard 35mm format, most 1-hour labs will be able to more easily deal with making scans or prints, since they are set up for regular 35mm film. You can also set the camera to half-frame 35mm, which is 2 vertical 24mm x 17mm images. This translates to 2 images on a standard 35mm frame. Currently a favorite of mine, it lives in my camera bag so it is handy where ever I go.

   2 aperture settings, 2 shutter settings, N (1/100 sec) and B (Bulb setting)
   tripod mount, cable release socket
   This camera is unusual in that it offers square format,24×24mm on a standard 35mm frame (24×36mm). It also offers a half frame option, 17×24mm frames (it doubles the number of exposures you get on a roll of film)

   Whichever camera you choose, remember that the point of lo-fi photography is to have fun and don’t sweat the details!

   For Holga tips, check out this website:
   http://goholga.com/

   Then there’s my own website:
   http://www.dianacamera.com/

   I have lots of tips, tricks and photos taken with plastic cameras.

   For how-to videos for Holgas and Diana cameras, check out my youtube channel:
   http://www.youtube.com/kaituba
   References :
   http://www.dianacamera.com/

   http://www.youtube.com/kaituba

Leave a Comment

Name

Mail (will not be published)

Website

Please note: Comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment.