The Lomography Sprocket Rocket - 35mm Panorama Camera

I received my Sprocket Rocket camera from Lomography last week. I am currently shooting a couple of rolls of film. It's an interesting camera, and I'm looking forward to seeing what it can do. The specs on this camera are:

30mm Wide angle lens

2 apertures: Sunny - f/16 and Cloudy - f/10.8

2 shutter settings: 1/100sec and Bulb

Focus: zone, with settings for .6m to 1m and 1m-infinity

Uses 35mm film. The negatives are double wide, so you will get 18 exposures on a 36-exp roll, and 12 exposures on a 24 exposure roll. (image size is 24mm x 72mm)

You can shoot with or with out image in the sprocket hole area of the film.

A special non-racheted film advance system, so you can wind BACKWARDS as well as forwards. This means you can back up on a roll to create some interesting double or multiple exposure images.

Hotshoe for flash

tripod socket.

It can shoot with or without exposed sprockets, via a removable mask.

Things to keep in mind.

While it shoots with standard 35mm film, the negatives are extra wide, so most labs will be able to process the film, but won't be able to scan or make prints. You will have to scan them in yourself, or send them out to a lab that will work with it.

I haven't tried them yet, but thedarkroom.com works with most types of lo-fi camera film, including 120 film and 35mm film from DIY Holga120 and the Sprocket Rocket.

The Lomography Diana Instant Back

This is an adapter to use Fujifilm's Instax Mini film with the Lomography Diana +, F+ and Diana F+ clone cameras. It won't work with vintage Diana cameras or Holga.

The prints are 8.6cm x 5.4th with an image size of 6.2cm x 4.6 cm.

Out of the Box , Installation and Loading videos are on the way.

Lo-Fi Holiday Gift Guide: 10 Gift ideas for the plastic camera photographer!

Wondering what to get your lo-fi photographer? Here are a few of my favorite accessories and gift ideas.

1. The Ultrapod Mini tripod

This is a mini tripod that will easily stow anywhere without taking up too much room. It also has a handy velcro strap to attach to a railing or post for when you need a higher vantage point.

Cost: $15

Supplier:rei.com (http://www.rei.com/product/777249)

If you need something that will also handle your DSLR, check out the slightly larger Ultrapod II.

2. Holga Camera Diagram Placemats

For a truly unusual gift for the unusual photographer, take a look at these hand drawn diagrams of the Holga printed on cloth placemats.

supplier: http://papernstitch.com/product/holga-camera-diagram-placemats

cost: $25

3. A Fine Art Holga print from Holgajen

For any photographer, it's inspiring to hang really beautiful work on your walls. Run on over to Etsy.com and check out HolgaJen's work.

Supplier: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HolgaJen

Cost: Varies: $15-$50

4. Lomo Camera Keychains

These cute little keychains come in 4 flavors: the Diana+, Lubitel+, Fisheye2 or the Lomo LC-A+.

Supplier: http://lomography.com

Cost: $7

5. The Superheadz Black Slim Devil

Based on the popular 35mm Vivitar Ultra Wide and Slim, this little camera can create some interesting photos. With it's wider than average 22mm lens, it has nice vignetting on the corners of it's images. It's a real bargain at $30.

Suppliers:

Fourcorners Store - http://www.fourcornerstore.com/collections/frontpage/products/black-slim-devil

Freestyle Photo Supply Store - http://www.freestylephoto.biz/30242-Black-Slim-Devil-Ultra-Wide-Angle-22mm-35mm-Camera?cat_id=2201

Cost: $30

6. Fingerless gloves

It's wintertime, and if you spend anytime shooting outdoors, you know how hard it is to adjust the settings on your camera and wind the film without having to take your gloves on and off. Fingerless gloves are a great solution.

There are several different varieties. Fingerless, fingerless with mittenlike finger covering. Check them out at:

Target.com -

JCPenney.com

Cost: $15-$30

7. Magnetic Photo Rope

A fun way of displaying all those photos you have squirreled away in boxes under your bed! From the folks at Photojojo, one of my favorite photo websites. While you are over there, check them out and sign up. They have lots of good photo tips and projects.

Supplier: Photo Jojo http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/magnetic-photo-rope

Cost: $12

8. Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity Book

The toy camera book by photographer Michelle Bates is a wonderful resource for all toy camera enthusiasts.

Supplier: Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Cameras-Creativity-Michelle-Bates/dp/0240808401/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258880176&sr=8-1

Cost: $20

9. Holga Skins

This is a cool way to really make the Holga stand out from the crowd. There are 3 different skins you can buy to dress up your Holga. Chestnut, White Porcelain and Snake Skin.

Supplier: Freestyle Photo Supply: http://www.freestylephoto.biz/644472-Holga-Skin-Chestnut

Cost: $20

10. Film Changing Bag

This is another accessory that you don't realize how useful it is until you need one. When you get a film jam or need to unload your DIY 35mm film solution from your 120 film camera, you need a film changing bag. This one from Freestyle Photo Supply is especially nice because it is big, which gives you more room to maneuver in.

Cost: $22

Supplier: Freestyle Photo Supply - http://www.freestylephoto.biz/322730-Arista-Changing-Bag-27-in.-x-30-in.

Video: Double and Multiple Exposures with the Lomography Diana Mini

I show the basics of shooting multiple exposures with the Lomography Diana Mini.

The New Lomography Diana Mini

Lomography has announced the Diana Mini, a 35mm version of the classic Diana F camera.

It offers 2 different negative options. It will shoot 1/2 frame 35mm (72 exposures on a 36 exposure roll), or a square image on a standard 35mm negative (36 exposures on a 36 exposure roll). This may seem wasteful, but makes perfect sense when you consider that if you take this to a 1-hour photo lab, they will be easily able to process and print your images with no modifications to their equipment.

The Lomography website claims the ability to switch formats mid-roll, but doing so might confuse the lab equipment and technicians.

The camera does not have interchangeable lenses like it's big sister, the Diana F+, but it does have the flash sockets and will take a Diana F+ flash or flash plug. The flash is not included in the starter kit, but you get the flash plug to mount your own flash unit.

I've put one on order and we will have an Out of the Box video posted as soon as I can.

Specs (from the Lomography website)
http://microsites.lomography.com/dianamini/

Square and rectangular half-frame formats at the flick of a switch
Takes all types of 35mm film
Shoots up to 72 shots per film on half-frame mode
Shoots up to 36 shots per film on square mode
Requires standard 35mm film development
Ultra-compact and pocket-sized
Multiple exposure functionality
‘B’ mode for long exposures
Cable release attachment – a Diana first!
Sunny and cloudy exposure settings
Tripod mount
Diana Flash Plug (Diana Flash available separately)
Overlap frames across photos for endless abstract panoramas
Compatible with the stunning Diana Flash