Holga Vs. Diana (Medium Format Toy Camera Showdown)

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[@TheMulliganMovies]

I finally made the thumbnail!!!!

[@AwesomeCameras]

You really tied the thumbnail together on this one!

[@djtoman6875]

Something about the results makes the Diana seem more desirable, although personally I have done some of my favorite work on various Holgas. BTW, young people with overgrown beards remind me of Civil War officers forced to grow old way before their time.

[@1972myc]

Thank you for the great video. That's the reason I subscribed. Yes, the Diana has very sharp images compared to the Holga. I still chose the Holga because shooting with a toy camera is to get away from todays digital sharpness. When I started photography I remember shooting lots of sharp photos and thinking "There is nothing special about this photos" so i lost interest in photography. The Holga rekindled the fire. Now I am even thinking of setting up a dark room to develop my own photographs.

[@AwesomeCameras]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@zizizf]

That is an interesting perspective! Did you ever get back to digital photography, after using the holga?

[@1972myc]

Zizāzf Firschtakër , I have not gotten back into Digital photography, as an art. I only use my Digital SLR camera now for my Ebay business and as a learning tool so I can check if the picture settings would work (f-stop, shutter speed, ISO) before taking my picture with my Holga.

[@2Old4Toys]

1972myc yeah, shooting medium format slide film on my Holga camera and loving it so much, prompted me to get a Holga lens with a mount for my Canon DSLR, but only so I can use the DSLR as a metering tool to improve the hit rate nailing the exposure when shooting on the real Holga 🤣

[@antoniohernandezcaro126]

I agree with you

[@davidrothschild8913]

Personally I think the Diana is better for everyday use but the Holga really shines more in atmospheric light or low light using a tripod and black and white film.

[@46weegee]

The Holga seems to have character that embraces major design flaws; the Diana seems to have minor design flaws that obviate character (the Diana image quality is too close to good to have a discernable signature look like the Holga, but not sharp enough to be excellent). I prefer the Holga images.

[@joeltunnah]

This is true of the Lomo LC-A+ too. You can easily correct most of the lens flaws in Lightroom, and essentially get normal looking shots.

[@_Rapturous_]

I like the Diana personally.

[@StickPeopleAndPuff]

The Holga seemed to have more of a vintage feel with the vignette going on but I feel like the Diana captured more true to life colors

[@lolliolli]

Good comparison! Looks like the Holga images were overexposed when it was bright whereas the Diana images were underexposed when it got a bit darker.

[@son9257]

color on the holga looks so lovely, vintage and relax

[@Natalie-zi4di]

I have a Holga 35 and my photos look a lot closer to this Diana's images. It really does depend on your particular toy camera's quirks. I found that taping the back of my Holga gave me really sharp images, but removing a little of the tape allows for some interesting washes on the photos. Ultimately, that's the fun of a Holga. You get to customize it to make it your own.

[@AwesomeCameras]

Ya, I feel like there may have been a slight leak in our that fogged the film a bit...

[@1972myc]

The holga uses the full 6x6 cm negatives, while the Diana takes smaller negatives. Something to consider.

[@ivvodou8409]

Always enjoy y’alls videos , I just picked up the “ugliest camera “ according to a lot , Canon t50 at a thrift store for like 7$ , really enjoying it so far . Got y’all to thank for getting me back into thrift store hunting . and I enjoy the Diana but , idk still kind of like holga.

[@BasKorthuis]

I didn't like the vignette that appeared on most of the holga photo's. I think the Diana is the winner here.

[@thatwillstory]

Interesting! The Holga seems to be sharper with less chromatic aberration but its hazier with more vignetting. The Diana is not as sharp but has less vignetting. I shoot with a Holga and I have 2 vintage Dianas. I think the Holga is better for bnw photos and the Diana is better for color.

[@smytandeflor]

this is what I think

[@analogadventure3147]

I own a Diana, but always thought the Holga gave better (more normal) images. But it seems the Diana is the sharper and more contrasty of the two. Would appear to be different exposures though, am i right? Maybe the Holga is 2-3 stops brighter?

[@maxarosio]

Analog Adventure each Holga and Diana give different results. If you own 5 Holga's each one'll give you different results and that is the same for the Diana's

[@JChaytor86]

I tried my Diana with ISO100 film and wider apertures and my advice would be to use 400 like the guys do, they need a bit too much light otherwise. Great comparison video 👍

[@j.m.1108]

I love my Holga AND my Diana!

[@alexhills7442]

Shot a holga for years and love it, never used a Diana, the shots from the Diana are heaps crisper though. Might invest in one for my next camera. Keep it up guys love your videos.

[@lenscraftedlife]

6 year video, but here we are. I love my Diana, and in this video the Diana was the clear winner. However, each camera is so different due to build quality, and the holga can be modified pretty readily for some fun combos.

[@WittyDroog]

Both have their character and are great tools for different results but I am really shocked at how stark of a difference the Diana has given how similar in design the two are.

[@fatherchristmas2998]

I love the dreamy photograpths and beautiful music

[@AwesomeCameras]

Thanks so much!

[@LaShawnThorpe]

From this comparison, I like the Diana and I have had one for years but never really used it, so this makes me excited, as I am here because I need to find out how to use it and how its suppose to look, etc. Thank you for this.

[@drewharry88]

Im new to Medium format.. still much to learn but bought my first Holga 120N.. I love the black and whites it can take esp in low light.. Diana looks like its not getting as much light leaking into the camera which is what I hear all Holga owners mention, to gaffe tape it up but then again that light leakage is what makes some photos so cool! Just own both, lol!

[@ozzytorres7494]

Never shot any form of medium format but if I were to pick I’d go for the Diana. The Holga had this hazy feel to it that I personally dont like. Anyway, Yall did another good comparison video!!!🔥🔥🔥

[@davidgault1802]

I use both and both are very different but during recent snow we had Diana produced some very nice pictures off Tri X but on misty morning woodland pictures with its soft focus gets the thumbs up for me using same Tri X film , so for me i like them both .

[@albertogarcia1386]

Thanks for the video. I have both cameras and I love them both. I think the Diana+ has a sharper lens and more options with the aperture but the Holga has a much better loading film holder and the build quality it ia a bit better. Nice work

[@albertogarcia1386]

Thanks for the video. I have got the Dianan + and I love it, but loading the film in that camera it is a pain in the ass. Last time the film was moved a bit high and the photos where mostly cut on the top. Not good for framing the photos proplerly. I think if you are very careful you can get it done just fine. But that way of holding the film it not good at all, just with a bit of more plastic they could have solve that problem. Anyway, I enjoy shooting with it, medium format in light weight, love it.

[@Flying90]

Taping up the back of a Holga makes a huge difference too

[@JesusChristIsLord__]

The *particular* Diana you used has better optics than the Holga.

[@kawaiiberry95]

I have a Diana I’ve never used but was thinking of getting rid of it and picking up a holga... but now ima just keep the Diana. Thanks for the great vid! 👍🏽

[@AwesomeCameras]

Whaaat!? Get out and shoot that Diana!

[@jasono9358]

Just picked up a used Diana for cheap and shooting first roll now. I think your Diana was more contrasty than the holga but the holga had a sharper lens and less purple fringing. I think if you just made a few lightroom adjustments the holga would be better but out of camera I prefer the more contrasty Diana shots. But I've heard that each camera is kind of unique so it may not mean a thing in the end....

[@Narsuitus]

I have owned and used a Diana and a Holga, but did not own them at the same time. Therefore, I was never able to compare the cameras like you have in this video. Based on your images, I prefer the Diana. I owned the Diana first but sold it. Later I bought the Holga and still own it. The great images I was able to make from both cameras influenced me to start using higher quality medium format cameras. Today, I spend more time using my Mamiya RB67 than I do my Holga.

[@coastalartistlivingonislan8395]

I found your site because I was thinking of buying the Diana. Have shot the Holga for years. I think they both have their place depending on the look you are after. I like black and white Holga for the moody, in the woods, or at the beach type artsy stuff. I was really surprised on your video on how bright and contrast the Diana results were. I liked it better for color. Just different tools in my creative toolbox! Thanks for the educational video. My everyday shooters are XA2 and a 1950 TLR YMat. Looking for something for those trips downtown or to the brewery where I don't have to worry about breaking or losing my favorite vintage gear.

[@AwesomeCameras]

Thanks for watching! Oh man! Love me an XA2! One of my all time faves! Have fun with your new Diana! ;)

[@KevinPatrickJr]

The framing on the Holga seemed better, but the color depth seemed better on the Diana. I've never shot on a Holga, but I run 35mm through a regular Diana pretty frequently. Neither camera is through-the-lens viewing, so I was surprised that the composition the Holga was as good as it was. Fun sidebar, yesterday I ran some 17 year old expired film through a 1953 Kodak Brownie Starlet. Fun little project. Thanks for the videos!

[@AwesomeCameras]

Yaya, most of out shots the subject was somewhat far away, so we didn't have to worry about the framing too much... and Yes! Love old cameras like that!

[@KevinPatrickJr]

AwesomeCameras here's my favorite shot from that Starlet: imgur.com/a/nXhpu

[@nathanjohansen7169]

Kevin Patrick Jr - That's a cool shot!

[@key2adventure]

As no two Holgas are the same, I think you could see almost the same difference between the Holgas as you realized between the Holga and the Diana. At least my Holgas are very different, but I still haven’t tried the Diana.

[@Verdoux007]

I guess a more accurate title would be "your Holga vs. your Diana", since all Holgas and Dianas give different end results.

[@AwesomeCameras]

Truw, very true

[@haselu2002]

Very nice video to help me how to choose one of them.

[@AwesomeCameras]

Or just buy both ;)

[@trsc32]

I have a Holga with some old Kodak E6 film inside. I’m not a fan of either but it’s fun to just shoot while not worrying about settings

[@Raychristofer]

Good job on this, yeah man feel free to do more vids with you skating in it. film and skateboards go hand in hand.

[@TreyPiepmeier]

The Diana looks like it has a better lens. It also seemed to have a slower shutter than the Holga. I preferred the look of the Diana way more. I've never shot with either.

[@materiagrezza9331]

I have not tried the Holga yet but I do have two Dianas (the second one was bought by mistake), and so far I have had hit and miss results, mainly because I'm experimenting every accessory that has existed for it. I do, however, plan to buy a Holga for the future, so that I can compare them better.

[@chickenjoymanok1]

Holga . Holga is more dreamy

[@AwesomeCameras]

It definitely has it's own distinct look :)

[@BlazingSerenade]

i have four diana cameras lol (A mr pink, two edelweiss one without the socket for the flash and the tenth anniversary) as well as two holgas (120 CFN and GCFN) I understand the struggle of loading the diana, the holga is MUCH EASIER to load

[@paulterl4563]

I love them both. Everyone of those can deliver different results. Have you tried an holga with glass lens? Or was this one? Ciao! Happy Holidays!!!❇🎵🎄

[@AwesomeCameras]

I have not tried the whole day with the Glass lens, I'll have to find one of those and give it a try

[@melonsoda123]

The vignette on the Holga was amazing!

[@btrdangerdan2010]

Cool photo of the queen Mary. I took a similar photo of the queen Mary with my Rolleicord v with Fuji Pro 400h a while back

[@nemolover711]

I think i like the look of the holga better! I've really been wanting one but they're a bit pricey for a toy camera!! 📷📷📷💸💸💸

[@orionfoote2890]

I would have preferred this kind of thing on a more overcast day with some interesting light but it’s still a good comparison video nonetheless - I’m about to get one soon but I’m in two minds about which one to go for - I kind of like that slightly washed out look of the Holga images but in many of these frames the Diana seems to have the better definition and contrast if that’s what you’re after - I’m leaning towards the Holga and keen to get some nice atmospheric b&w shots.

[@KiDTrEnToN]

I love the colors of the holga in this set of photos and like the contrast on the colors as well. But I really liked how deep the blacks were with the Diana. I would have really liked the holga to have gotten the same colors and contrast but just a little deeper of blacks and it would have been perfect. Though I also don’t like the vignetting around the corners.

[@johnwest7228]

if I'm shooting with a toy camera the Holga gives the results I would expect and am looking for- I have a holga lens for my dslr and enjoy playing around with it- great vid, look forward to more

[@bachirmessaouri4772]

Something that no one talked about (I think) is that the Holga pictures, for whatever reason, seem more well composed while the Diana's seem like cropped. But maybe it's just because I've seen the Holga pictures first and my brain records them as references. I don't know. I've also seen many pictures with the Holga that didn't have such a pronounced vignette. I'm pretty sure those cameras are all unique and 2 Holga's will five you 2 different results. And lastly, The Diana is so close to standard cameras in terms of sharpness that it feels like a bad camera. Holga is in a place where the brain (mine anyway) accepts its flaws like features. With Diana, they just feel like flaws because they are too close to good. If the photos are meant to be developed and printed as they are by a studio, then I would go for the Diana. But if I develop and print the pictures myself, then I think the Holga could provide the best results eventually, but they would require some work.

[@Oncewasgolden]

The Holga was less saturated but the crop of the Dianna made you miss a couple of shots. If you are going to scan and improve the Holga wins because there were no missed shots. If you are not going to scan and improve, the Dianna wins. So depends on what you plan on doing with them.

[@B3D5X]

This Diana smoked the Holga 120S. The glass lens Holgas are killer though. Sharp center, great contrast, but still with all the funky Holga-isms you’d expect.

[@AwesomeCameras]

I'll have to check out one of those glass lenses!

[@kadaver78]

I own a holga and I enjoy it, today I found a Diana F + a good will for 4 bucks looks pretty new I'm exited to tested I like you comparative video very educational, really love the images and contrast of the Diana thanks for this video.

[@crazyjoe1540]

actually very impressed with how sharp the holga is at portrait distance

[@l00kmore]

Have both and never tried them. Now I want to do it !

[@AwesomeCameras]

Oh man! Get on it! I expect a full report ;)

[@nazahamed5860]

both cameras are crap thats why i bought them both 😂 built quality, holga seems sturdier, diana f+ has that flexibility of exposures. i love cameras that have its own distinctive signature written all over them, holga and diana are those cameras. great video guys ❤

[@AwesomeCameras]

Thanks for watching! Happy shooting!

[@ackamack101]

Did you use either of the masks with the Diana, or did you go for the 12 frames without a mask?

[@basicforge]

It would be interesting to try the Holga version with the glass lens to see if it is any better.

[@AwesomeCameras]

I'd definitely like to try a glass lens holga...

[@zackallen6659]

Personally haven't had the chance to shoot with a medium format camera at all before, but on this one I gotta say I dig the Diana a lot! I feel the images looked a bit nicer with that one, but the Holga is still a very nice camera and takes really good pictures too! But on this one, gotta go with Diana!

[@CodyEwok]

Keep it up!!!!!!!!!! I really enjoy your videos!

[@AwesomeCameras]

Thanks so much Cody!

[@vimerveilles]

I'm a big lover of my little 35mm mini diana camera (i bring her everywhere).... but I'm pretty shocked at how much more I liked the surreal, dreamy and dreary effects holga had. ;A; i think i might like it a little too much. LOL

[@Narsuitus]

I no longer own the Diana and I no longer use my 6X6 Holga because I prefer to use other medium format cameras instead. I do, however, use my 6x9cm pinhole Holga camera and my 6x12cm wide-angle Holga camera because I do not have any other medium format cameras with similar features.

[@mossbanksy]

That looks like a hands down win to the Diana in my opinion.

[@ireneonly]

I like the diana more But i have seen really nice pics in black and white with holga

[@ESC1910]

I prefer the Diana for sure, sharper but still kinda a toy camera with a plastic lens

[@jennyjenjenifer1863]

Great idea

[@stefanoIXn]

For me, Holga wins; for the halo that leaves in the developed images :D

[@eladbari]

Boggles my mind that analong shooters love the sharp + contrasty (crushed blacks) look. Which are characteristics of digital photography. If its 120 film, then I prefer the holga. Try 35mm in a holga. Wonder how different the look/grain will be... :)

[@baronknox2309]

Thanks!! This is really helpful.

[@AwesomeCameras]

Glad we could help! Thanks for watching!

[@paulkane2391]

Not really impressed with either camera, but the film gave some pretty great results. I think the Diana had better color saturation, but the shots were not framed very well - maybe some sort of issue with parallax or something. The images with the Holga seemed washed out and old/lifeless. Anyway, I'd look for the film before I'd look for either camera. Great video, though.

[@AwesomeCameras]

Thanks for watching! Agree on the film! Portra 400 is one of my faves!

[@cltfc_lucha]

I have used the Holga, haven’t used the Diana but have debated buying one for 💩 and giggles. Regardless I know they will both be fun cameras tonown and use with my daughter!

[@AwesomeCameras]

either of them are definitely great options to get the young ones interested in film!!

[@sorayaruiz8652]

I want to buy one toy camera. That is why I am here. after see the pics I really want to buy Diana!

[@AwesomeCameras]

Glad we could help you decide what to buy :)

[@francisco7021]

I don't like diana/holga cameras, but awesome video!

[@AwesomeCameras]

Thanks for watching, and we appreciate your honesty ;)

[@stuarthayes8477]

The Diana looks a little sharper and the colours came out better

[@k0ba_]

I think I like the Diana has it over the holga the images looked a lot nicer and crisp and nicer contrast

[@madihahzaki8739]

for the outcomes, I really love Diana.

[@user-tf9rm5qb9b]

Omg are you from Long Beach??

[@AwesomeCameras]

Orange County at the moment. Ventura before that...

[@rjltrevisan]

I have and love them both, but I have a preferance for the Holga.

[@AwesomeCameras]

Ive always been a Holga guy myself...

[@lr662]

This was a great vid! Notifications turned on!

[@AwesomeCameras]

Much appreciated! ❤️❤️

[@lorenlloyd182]

So is Portra 400 everyone's go to film in a Holga?

[@rahulmustang45]

title of the music please???

[@gemshiddenhistories6575]

It seems like the Diana is framing everything too low. When compared to how the same image as framed in the Holga. The Diana looks to be much higher contrast.

[@rileymccarthy9528]

I like the Diana photos better, more contrast.

[@Dahrenhorst]

I think I'd rather buy an old camera from the 50s or 60s of last century for half the price of a Diana. At least as much fun, some real workmanship in your hands, obviously a much better lens, and avoiding to just add to the world's plastic garbage supply.

[@Fafadp0504]

Thanks for this video ,,

[@AwesomeCameras]

youre welcome! thanks for watching!!

[@ClassicalRips]

The Holga pictures seem underexposed by a stop or two

[@Traveljournalist]

I love your videos

[@eduardochew3881]

Which aperture setting (sun, part cloud, or cloud) was used on the Diana?

[@materiagrezza9331]

From the contrast on the pictures, I think it was halfway closed ("clouded" option).

[@SunnyBear]

Holga is dreaaaamy

[@AwesomeCameras]

Oh yeaaa, always lived the holgas

[@theluckystreet]

Holga!!!!1❤❤❤❤

[@janjericsantos]

Yoo new video alert!!

[@paulterl4563]

but the single eye is an illuminatti symbol! sorry... P.X.: BTW resubscribed.

[@OlDoinyo]

It looks as though the Holga has much worse lens flare as well as a possibly too-small image circle.

[@hooterwah00]

the diana looked way better i just got a classic D hoping to shoot this weeked

[@sbcinema]

The Diana was more convincing, but still terribly bad ;+)

[@mikesaliba8920]

I'm starting to think there must be a big difference between a vintage Diana and the new ones

[@AwesomeCameras]

might be a good topic for another video!!

[@Tax_The_Devs]

Definitely agree. Having shot both, I pick up the vintage 151 every time now.

[@sj_leee4995]

looks better then those cancerous instagram posts from 12 year olds with dog filters

[@Agounet]

The Diana is far ahead. It has a better acutance. The vignetting is less pronounced. The colors are less washed out. Overall, the rendering is better.

[@isav3246]

Huum I like the Diana