The Lomography Diana Baby 110 is a very late camera for 110 pocket film* (see below). It was released in the 2010's when Lomography re-introduced 110 film.
*
110 film was introduced by Kodak in 1972. The film sits in a cartridge,
like Kodak's earlier 126 film, but is much smaller. A frame is 13mm ×
17mm, has one perforation per image to control film advance and 24
frames per cartridge (12 were also available). The film is protected by
a backing paper like 120 film. The frame number is visible through a
window at the back of the cartridge. The basic film is ordinary 16mm
film which was already on the market, so it could be processed in
existing machines. The small picture size made very small, pocketable
cameras possible.
Kodak introduced with its 110 film a line of
Kodak Pocket Instamatic cameras which were followed by
cameras from other manufacturers. Most cameras were cheap
point-and-shoot, but very sophisticated models were also made. Small
digital cameras made 110 film obsolete. Bit by bit manufacturers stopped making 110 format film (Fujifilm in 2009), but in 2012 (and 2019) Lomography made a large batch of 110 film, followed by other firms.
The
camera is a simple entry model. It has a plastic body, but it features 2 interchangeable lenses. Its main features are:
24mm and 12mm F8 interchangeable fixed focus plastic lenses, 24mm min. focus 1m, 12mm min focus 0.4m Shutter 1/100s, B Size 80x50x65, Weight 75 gr. with film cartridge and 12mm lens PC flash socket
The
whole set, camera, manual, 2 lenses, cap and 110 film unit.
Camera
with 12mm lens. Shutter button next to the lens. The shutter button is
unusually thight when the film back is attached. It releases the film
advance mechanically. So you don't waste photos by advancing film
without haveng taken a photo.
Bottom. Slider for shutter setting, N=1/100 and B. Slider to detach the back. Top
view. PC flash socket.
Camera
back. Viewer.
Size comparison. It's realy tiny.
Camera with 24mm lens.
If you want to detach the back, you have to push the slider against its
spring and get the 2 parts separated. You may have to introduce a
fingernail into the seam and force a bit.
The back detached. This back has no technical function, it's only there to look cute.
The film back. It looks like a part made from a 110 micro camera.
Film back attached to the camera.
Seen from the back. The cartridge is held by the transparent piece of plastic which is hinged.
Ready to receive the cartridge. Obviously they adapted a standard film plane to their square format.
Cartridge inserted. The camera looks less elegant than with the fake back.
Ready to go out.
Seen from the front.
Seen from the back.
Seen from top.
And from the bottom.
Lens in detached position. You have to turn it clockwise to lock.
Lens locked. Turn anti-clockwise to release. On my camera it's
extremely thight, you need a pipe wrench (and a piece of cloth) to
unlock.
This
camera is very easy to use and very light.
It has no
manual settings except N or B shutter. You only have to frame. After taking
a picture, you have to turn the wheel for film advance. There is no shutter
cocking, so multiple exposure is possible. Putting a film is easy as well,
you drop the film into the compartment, lock it, advance to the first frame and that's it.
It's
a simple point and shoot camera
with no settings. No focussing, no aperture choice and only one shutter
speed. So you have to choose your film according to the weather, 100 or
200 ISO for sunny weather and ISO 400 for dull weather. You better use
flash for interiors. It wastes film as it only makes square photos
without giving you more exposures. The most interesting thing about
this camera is its 12mm lens. As far as I know there is no other 110
camera that wide. The finder is made for the 12mm lens. There is a tiny
frame to indicate the 24mm framing, but it's nearly unusuable, it's
just a guess. As nearly all Lomo stuff this is just a fun camera.
Some
gereral words about Lomography and their service: There is a 2-year
warranty, at least in Europe. My personal experience with their service
is good so far. As most of their cameras are made of (cheap) plastic,
there is no repair, they just exchange your defective camera. You have
to send it in to their Vienna firm at your expenses, which is not cheap
if you are not based in Austria, but they try to compensate by adding
film or so to the return. You absolutely need a proof of purchase,
there was heavy abuse by fraudulent customers they told me. So if you
buy second hand or your camera is gift, be sure to put your hands on
the proof of purchase. After the 2-years warranty period it's over.
They will try to help for the expensive not-so-plastic cameras like the
LC series, but for the rest there is no repair. Keep this in mind for
the prices you pay for older gear.
