On a full-frame DSLR, this 75mm lens makes a great portrait lens, and compared to the standard plastic Diana lens, is super sharp and focuses to within 1 meter. But even better is how it breathes new life into the Diana F+ 120 film camera. Unlike the Holga HL-N, this lens is made primarily for the Diana F+ film camera, with the added plus that it can be used with an SLR with a simple adapter.
However, on a full-frame DSLR the adapter/lens combination makes for a compact setup, with the f/11 aperture being part of the adapter itself. But I can’t help but think how cool it would be if the adapter had the aperture “turret” that the Diana camera does. Looks like mod potential to me!
Compared to the single-element Holga lens, the Diana is brighter and much sharper, though a little more difficult to focus.
What prevents this from being the ideal walk-around lens is its long length. But the thing about shooting at 75mm on a full-frame DSLR is that you quickly get used to its clean, undistorted perspective. You can be a comfortable distance from your subject; the scale of nearby objects doesn’t fall grossly out of proportion; the angle of view is most flattering for portraits and figurature. It grows on you. As long as you’ve got room to foot-zoom, you’re good to go.
Because this lens is capable of such sharp focus, you’ll find yourself wanting to focus it like any other lens. And with a DSLR, you can certainly do that. But, the Diana lens beckons to be used as a zone focus lens, and its front focus encourages that. No worries, it works equally well either way. I see a Holga/Diana glass lens shootout in the future.
Here are some samples:
Here are some samples:
No comments:
Post a Comment