The Portland Metro Photographic News

by Tom Hubbard, PMPN, 11/18/2009

Two highly prized Toy Cameras

Consider these 2009 camera specifications?

• A genuine fixed focal length, plastic lens for true low-fidelity imagery
• Fixed Focal length: 38mm
  
• True zone focusing (with four distance settings)
• Two shutter speeds (1/125th and "B")
• Two aperture settings (f/8, f/11)
• Format: 120 film (color negative, slide or b&w)
• Body: Real plastic (8.65" x 7" x 3.75")
• Extras included: Standard tripod mount, lens cap, neckstrap
• Included Special Effects (automatically applied by the camera): light leaks, blurred images, vignetting, lens distortions

No I'm not toying with you.  These are among the most coveted features found in a very special class of "modern" film-based cameras that has inspired a cult-like following  -- Toy Cameras.

West Hollywood, November 2001, © Thomas Michael Alleman, all rights reserved

PMPN has published several stories about area workshops and gallery exhibits focused on Toy Cameras.  Blue Sky Gallery's October 2009 exhibit by Thomas Michael Alleman is one of many opportunites our photo community has had to experience this strange and fascinating medium.  The interest in exploring the creative potential of these less-than-perfect cameras in not unique to the Pacific Northwest.  As a result, the subject of Toy Cameras has been high on the list of stories that PMPN has been working on.

About the technology

Technology may be the wrong word to use when describing Toy Cameras.  These cameras share virtually the same specifications as the original Kodak Brownie -- except Eastman's Brownie may have been constructed to higher standards.  They were originally built with the same mass consumer market in mind.  Although several cameras qualify as Toy Cameras, the most popular of these are the Diana (originally introduced in Hong Kong in the 1960s), the Holga (making its debut in China in 1982) and the Lomo.  Various versions of these two cameras utilize either 135mm or 120mm traditional film.

It is guaranteed that owners of the Diana, Holga or Lomo will NOT achieve technically superior photographs.  But, then again, that is the point.  Owners of these cameras are not looking for image quality, but, instead, they seek the creative magic that only an imperfect photographic tool can reveal.  It is the unexpected results that attract and reward "Toy Camera" photographers.

Among the most noticeable and sought after effects inherent in toy cameras are:

• Soft images
  
• Vignetting
• Light leaks that streak the film
• Lens flare
• Motion blur
• Low contrast
  

The resurgance of interest in toy cameras has caused these manufacturers to expand their lines.  Today complete plastic camera kits are available.  The Diana F+ Deluxe Kit shown above includes every accessory a toy camera photographer can imagine -- and then some.

• The Diana camera
• Diana flash
• Hotshoe adaptor
• Cable release collar and cable release
• Diana 35mm back and 4 masks for 4 formats
• Viewfinder adapter
• Universal viewfinder
• Fisheye viewfinder
• Splitzer
• Diana F+ 20mm Fisheye lens
• Diana F+ 38mm Super-Wide lens
  

The price?  About $240.  Just add film, and you're good-to-go.  Prices for cameras-only start at about $60.  Sorry, no body-only option.

The Following

Anyone thinking about entering the realm of toy photography, can consider themselves to be in good company.  Many of today's professionals have strapped a toy camera around their necks to exploit its creative potential.  Over 1,400 pictures where entered in Manhattan's SOHO Photo's Krappy Kamera® Competition in 2007.  The exhibit filled SOHO Photo's upstairs gallery.  It's a toy camera photographer's heaven.  This year's Krappy Kamera® competition will be expanded to all international entries.  The 2009 deadline is December 30, 2009.

The category even has its own magazine, Light Leaks Magazine - Low Fidelity Photography.  The well-designed magazine features the best in current toy camera images, creative ideas and tips for enhancing the toy camera and pinhole photographic experience.

Type "toy camera" in the Google search box and dozens of sites will appear.  One that caught PMPN's eye is ToyCamera.com.  The site is packed with the works of toy camera artists, helpful articles and news of upcoming exhibits/competitions.

And, if you want credibility, National Public Radio ran a feature story on the toy camera phenomena and an interview with passionate toy camera photographer Theresa Manzanares.  Click here to hear the NPR broadcast.

The Purchase

When you're ready to dip your toes into toy camera photography, you won't have to go far to make your purchase.  Althought websites like Lomography.com specialize in toy cameras, they can be bought from area camera shops (another testimonial to their popularity).  Both new and used toy cameras can be found in many of our local family of camera shops.

Modern Digital Alternatives

There are ways of imitating some of the "toy camera" effects using DLSR cameras.  Some methods include:

• Coating a Sky or UV filter with Vasoline® -- leaving a center "hole" free of Vasoline®.  This techique is about as old as photography itself.  The effect is to leave the subject sharp while blurring the edges.
• Many special effects filters are available that are designed to create distorted effects.
  
• Drilling an extremely small hole in the center of the camera's body cap will make your DSLR into a pinhole camera.  The lens is removed and the lens cap installed to act as the "pinhole lens".
• Using digital imaging post-processing techniques.  Programs like Photoshop and the hundreds of plug-ins that are available allow for an infinite number of toy camera-like distortion effects.

Of all the digital alternatives PMPN has evaluated, the most faithful imitations of toy cameras are produced with products offered by Lensbaby.  By using Lensbaby's Composer in combination with accessories like the fisheye optic, soft focus optic, plastic lens optic and pinhole plate, nearly every toy camera attribute -- with the exception of light leaks -- can be realistically replicated.  Having exposure control, a histogram, a preview display and exposure compensation available on most DSLRs when using Lensbaby products makes experimenting easier.

Lensbaby image, ©Craig Strong, all rights reserved

But these are only toy camera alternatives.  None of these digital substitutes provide exactly the same photographic experience.  However, they do provide photographers with other options to explore the perfect world of photographic imperfection.

Toy cameras haven't gone away because photographers haven't stopped experimenting and finding creative uses for tools (old or new) that convey their vision.  That's reason enough to take toy cameras and low-fidelity photography seriously.

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PMPN member, Tom Kirkendall has become a toy camera afficiando.  His current toy camera project will be featured in PMPN later this week.  Tom's project is not only creative, but an exceptional example of the potential of toy cameras.