HOLGA or DIANA
Out of context: Reply #6
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- funkage0
I'd personally prefer a Holga — admittedly, the 'Diana' name seems a little girly for me. Anyway, whichever you're getting, please DO NOT buy from the lomography shop. They're way overpriced. Look around on ebay, local lomography communities which have forums that sell second-hand.
If you've got a good deal, a second-hand camera is almost as good as a new one.
The difference between the two? This was taken off photo.net:
"Differences: Diana images are smaller - they occupy less space on the negatives. Holga pix use the 'normal' area of a 120/220 frame.Diana lenses are probably less sharp than the Holga. But there is a good deal of variation from sample to sample with the Diana, and less so with Holga. Diana images probably have more of a transition from the sharper center to the very unsharp outer edges.
There are many variants on the Diana. You can probably find 20 or so different versions of that camera, with all manner of names, from Windsor to SunPet. Most were direct imitations of the Diana, design/construction-wise, but some looked quite different, although they all claim the same cheap plastic lens.
I wouldn't venture to guess which is more "reliable." Holgas seem to be built a bit sturdier, but i had a shutter on one stop functioning. I haven't used my Diana for more than one roll, so that's a "moo" comparison. Diana's sell for more money because they're not in production. Also, since the results do vary even from Diana to Diana, many people who actively use these things like to try different samples to find the one that gives the effect sought. Mine vignettes quite severely, which i would like, but it does it significantly more in ONE corner, instead of evenly in all four.... If i had the energy, i might try another sample, but i've kinda given up on those toy cams. Some people love the unpredictability, but i kinda need to know that i can achieve a desired result when called upon, and then REPEAT that result in other situations. Holgas and Dianas and such are for folks with a more 'free personality,' i suppose.... "