Diana+ or Holga, Which one to purchase?

Question

So, i'm confused on whether or not to get the Diana+ or a Holga camera. They both use 120 film, but which one's better (in producing beautifully vintage pictures.)

I looked on Urban Outfitters and saw both the cameras at around the same price. I was wondering this because i want one for me and my boyfriend for christmas presents :). I was wondering where i could get different models?

I have a big rebel xsi myself, but i just love the pictures film cameras produce and was wondering if someone could give me examples of pictures. My boyfriend said he doesn't really like lomography.... and wants 'normal' looking vintage pictures. I didn't see what was wrong, i guess he doesn't like the rounded look. In the sense of film, i live in canada and was wondering where to get the film produced. What i really am asking is: are there better plastic filmed cameras that i can purchase, what's the comparison between Diana+ and Holga, what exactly is lomography and what's the deal with film?

Please help. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

GATEWAY has given you a very good answer. PLEASE do NOT judge film photography on a Holga or Diana. Now, that does NOT mean you can't get some GREAT results with this type of camera. You just have to learn to "see" in a different way. These cameras do not give sharp, accurately composed and exposed photos. They CAN, however, be used to capture and create a mood that is totally unique to the viewer. I have had one of my Holga photos published in Light Leaks magazine, and have had displays in art galleries and have sold several Holga photos, as large as 24 x 24 inches.



In my opinion, you should never use color film with these cameras. Use a black and white film with an ISO rating of 400. Ilford XP2 is a very good film.



Don't go out trying to take photos of flowers and such. Look for the "grunge", the "grit", the "decay" of life. Seek out the hard realities and things in the world that are not always "pretty". This is what the Holga and Diana do such a good job at presenting.



You also have the ability to do multiple exposures on each frame with these cameras. This opens up a whole new world of creative and artistic possibilities if you just open your mind to it and think out in advance what you want to create.



You will probably have to send your film out for processing. I order my film from B-H out of New York. You can purchase film mailers from A&I at time of ordering the film. My favorite lab though is Chromatics in Nashville, Tn.



Here are some of my Holga shots since you asked to see some examples. Take a look and you will see you can actually do some really great work with these cameras, but, it IS work. The camera does NOTHING to help you. YOU have to have a good understanding of photographic principles to get results. It is photography in one of it's most basic, stripped down forms.



http://www.lightanon.com/-/lightanon/gallery.asp?cat=92459



steve

Answer 2

I have a comparison of the DIana+ and Holga on my website:

http://dianacamera.com/archives/50



The DianaF+ has a flash, so that the main difference between the two cameras is that the DianaF+ is a little more flexible, but at a price.



The DianaF+ will cost $100US, while you can get a Holga 120N for $25US.



Photo quality is very similar with the 2 cameras:



Holga

http://www.flickr.com/groups/86881528@N0...



Diana+ and F+:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/diana_plus/



If you are new to film photography, my recommendation is to get a Holga. The lower cost will allow you to experiment with plastic camera photography without having to spend lots of money. If it turns out that you love working with the Holga, and want the flexibility of the Diana+, then you can spend the extra money knowing what that it is well worth it.



Holga:

Freestyle Photo Supply

http://freestylephoto.biz/

$25, but without the pretty box and book.



At Lomography.com:

Diana+ - $50



DianaF+ - $100



120 film takes a little work to find a lab that can process it for you. If this seems like too much trouble, you might consider the 35mm Holga 135BC. While I prefer the large square negative I get from my Dianas and Holgas, 35mm film is easier and cheaper to deal with. You can find a local 1-hour lab that can process and print the film for you, and in many cases, scan the film negatives in for you so they can be used digitally to upload.



Lomography? It's just a way of classifying toy camera photography. The folks over at Lomography have been hugely successful making toy camera photography into something of a phenomena, but I dislike the term as being too limiting. I'm a photographer who uses some low-tech plastic cameras along with other cameras.



Film? Film is beautiful. It has a dynamic range that can be matched by very expensive digital cameras, but for a few bucks a roll and cheap plastic camera, can be yours. You don't have to use low tech cameras to get beautiful images. It only requires a good eye and feel for composition.



You can find lots of great Holga tips at these websites:

http://www.squarefrog.co.uk/

http://goholga.com/



Then there's my own website:

http://www.dianacamera.com/



I have lots of tips, tricks and photos taken with both the Diana and Holga.



I also have several how to videos for both the Diana+ and Holga posted at youtube.com:

http://www.youtube.com/user/kaituba



Good luck!!

Answer 3

First of all, don't confuse "lomography" with REAL film photography.



"Lomography" cameras like the Holga and Diana, are considered toy cameras and they're made almost entirely out of plastic. They are known to have problems with light leaks, and soft focus and color fringing because of the poor quality plastic lens. Some people like those defects to get special effects in their pictures. But you just need to understand that it's because of a DEFECT in the camera, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the film.



A REAL film camera will take super sharp, clear pictures. I use completely manual film cameras with black and white film. I love taking landscape photos, and I also develop my own film. The pictures do indeed turn out beautiful. But I use REAL, all-metal antique film cameras that have completely manual shutter speed and aperture controls. So if you're seriously interested in film photography, then you need to get a better camera than a toy lomography camera.



I'm sure Holga and Diana cameras are fun. And that's fine if you're just playing around having fun with different effects. But if you're seriously interested in film photography, then you need a REAL film camera. 120 film can capture pictures with AMAZING detail...much better than 35mm film or a digital camera. Get a medium format camera, like a folding camera or a TLR (Twin Lens Reflex). I would recommend a vintage camera, like a Yashica A or Graflex 22, or a folding camera like the Zeiss Ikon Nettar. You can sometimes find them on eBay in good condition for fairly cheap.



Film can take incredibly, sharp, very detailed pictures. And it's beautiful for B&W landscape photos. But you need a REAL film camera, with good optics. Holga and Diana cameras are toys.



EDIT:

kaiy2k, you're recommending a Holga camera to someone who is NEW to using film. SIGH...this is exactly the kind of thing I'm worried about.

Answer 4

if you go to the lomography website and look at the products they show examples of photographs taken with the cameras on the product pages.

http://shop.lomography.com/shop/

go to each products microsite to see picture examples



honestly they're both pretty similar. if he doesn't like the look of the holga maybe just find him a camera he does like? check out the other lomographic cameras. they're not all like the holga there's a good chances are there will be one that has the look he likes. as far as film, just about any place will develop 35 mm film but for 120 you're going to have to search for a place that deals with professional photographers.