Sometimes you just want to say “sod all those DSLRs, give me something simple: an antiquated, decadent beauty of a camera”.
Getting back to basics then, the Diana F+ by Lomography costs around £70, is made completely of plastic and is beautifully alluring due to its sharp retro design and ability to capture wonderful and dreamy images on 120 film.
In the 1960’s, the Diana camera was a cult icon and it’s daughter, the Diana F+ is being billed as a faithful reproduction with slightly better genes.
The twist appears to be that you can take pinhole photos, panoramic images and night shots. It also comes with a flash and a couple of coloured gel filters.
Right, we all know the drawbacks of such a device in a digital world means I can’t slap them straight up on the computer and ‘tag’ all my friends. But sometimes the chic of a camera with such a rich cult look, feel and status is enough to seal the deal. Plus don’t we sometimes hark back for the days when people can’t immediately check your latest snap and enact power of veto over it?
So this camera will not instantly display my photos and, yes, I will have to wait to get my prints developed, but I sometimes hanker for a slower world and the excitement of opening up an envelope of developed prints and seeing what I’ve actually snapped. Once again, sod this world of instant gratification.
Love it or hate it, there is something undeniably charming about this little snapper. For more information, visit the official Lomography site.