The
story goes that while these cameras were available for sale, many
were given away as prizes at funfairs in the 1970's hence the 'toy'
title. It is also why they are so hard to find nowadays and fetch
a very high price on the toy camera collectable circuit. My particular
model is an old clone of a 'real' Diana. They were also sold using
other names, Banner, Arrow, Colorflash to name a few.
Due
to its extremely light, and surprisingly sturdy plastic construction,
I can and do take it everywhere I travel. The plastic lens gives
beautiful vignette exposures across the negative, resulting in dark
falloff in the corners, and an overall softness that evokes photographs
of an earlier era.
I
love full frame printing and the square format is getting rarer
and rarer of late, so I enjoy the unique qualities that I can only
achieve with this camera. I get great looks and reactions from people
when I use it. Especially from the 'sproing' noise the shutter makes
when pressed.
I
bought it for the pricely sum of $25 AUD (about $12 US, £8
GBP) at an Op Shop in Daylesford Victoria, complete with box, instructions
and flash (for which I sadly have no bulbs)
The
only place you will find these now are op shops, car boot sales,
fetes etc. You can get them from collectors through ebay.com, but
you will pay a hefty price for one.
So,
if you ever see one, don't hesitate - just buy it. Even if you don't
like photography, there are literally thousands of people who will
buy it from you (including myself).
If
you are lucky enough to find one, simply open the back, hold it
up the to light and press the trigger. You will see and hear if
the shutter still works, it has an unmistakeable sound. The shutter
can be pressed repeatedly without winding the film on, (creating
multiple exposures) but they all do that - its not broken.
