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Diana camera, 1960

 Item
Identifier: 2008-027-1-22-8

Scope and Contents

Plastic camera; 120 film; negative size: 4 x 4 cm.

Dates

  • Creation: 1960

Creator

Access

This material is open for research use by any registered reader.

Biographical / Historical

The Diana camera is a so-called "toy camera" that originated in the 1960s, produced by the Great Wall Plastic Co. in Hong Kong. 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.

Great Wall also produced the Diana-F ("No. 162") for flash photography. It is like the standard model but with two sync contacts on top and it was supplied with an attachable, Diana-like flash. This flash uses AG-1 flashbulbs and was powered by two AA batteries.

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 and 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+.

Extent

1 item (1 camera) : plastic ; 8 X 9 X 12 cm

Language of Materials

English

Repository Details

Part of the The University of Tulsa, McFarlin Library, Department of Special Collections & University Archives Repository

Contact:
McFarlin Library
University of Tulsa
2933 E. 6th St
Tulsa 74104-3123 USA
(918) 631-2496