Lomography Diana Camera Shutter Repair

[TotesMaGotes77]

a small gasket fell out from somewhere when i took the lens off and i have no idea where it came from. does anyone know where it's supposed to go? does it go on the aperture setting thing? or under it?

[Ericisamazing1920]

Fantastic video! Thank you for uploading! I enjoy watching videos uploaded by people who prepared for their videos and know what they are talking about, once again thank you for doing this!

[dejevi]

This is just great, but you can upload to video in HD, some details hard to see. Sorry for the English, translated via Google

[thriftshopjunkie1]

Thanks so much for making this viedo! i repaired my diana thanks to you :)

[covrace]

great video!! Unfortunately, I have an older diana f.

[themadscientest]

yo pleas pardon my lack of formality but im from jersey and yo is a formal greeting. i have a weird question about dianas, my old ass diana's shutter kind of opens a little before i trip it possably being a way to ruin film, would you know any solution?

[kaituba]

@themadscientest Is the shutter actually opening partly before you trip the shutter? The way to tell is, with no film in the camera, remove the camera back and point the camera at a light source. As you slowly press the shutter lever down (the shutter setting on N), looking into the camera, do you see a flutter of light before the flash of light that is the regular exposure? If you do, then you are getting some pre-exposure.

[kaituba]

@themadscientest ....The only way to see if this can be fixed, is to open the camera up, and observe the lens plate when you trip the shutter. If the shutter spring is bent, there is no solution. It may be that the spring is getting caught on some internal bit, and the offending lever or part can be bent out of the way.

[themadscientest]

@kaituba i dont have "shutter settings" i get a massive pre exposure and i dont have a fancy removable lens, i have an oldschool leaky diana f from the 60's the og diana not the +!

[kaituba]

@themadscientest I see, you have a classic, vintage original Diana! These are great, but very hard to repair.

[themadscientest]

ok, my long exp. (12-inf) on a vintage diana i just got isnt working. what do i do about it.

[kaituba]

@themadscientest I think you are referring to the focus setting, and not a shutter setting? When you say it isn't working, do you mean that the photos are not coming out as sharp as you would like? This is often the case with the original Diana cameras. The quality control in the manufacturing of these cameras was non-existent, so it is hard to predict whether or not the camera you get will have a good lens showing nice lo-fi characteristics, or if it will produce only out of focus images.

[themadscientest]

@kaituba iv realized my stupidity and i havent shot anything yet due to the cost of 120 and the fact that i cant buy the real flash bulbs (for that extra vintageness!) iv found out that the one i have dosent have time settings just focus and apiture. but thats no big deal. sadly i have no lense cap would you know what would fit.

[kaituba]

@themadscientest Flash bulbs can be found on ebay. Look for AG-1 bulbs. The unit uses 2 AA batteries, which can be accessed by turning the little plastic collar around the flash bulb socket about a quarter turn. When using the flash unit, be careful not to burn your fingers on the spent flash bulbs. There's a button on the unit that should release and eject the bulb. Lens caps? Sorry, not sure where you can find one, but I wouldn't worry about it. They usually get lost after a few weeks!

[themadscientest]

@kaituba im just gonna get the modern flash for my wallets sake. sadly it was vintage so its sad not to have the cap!

[kaituba]

@themadscientest Unfortunately, the new electronic Diana F+ flash won't fit on the older vintage Diana F. The holes are not the same size.

[themadscientest]

@kaituba ha! faithfull reproduction my ass the lomography company is lame! i guess im just gonna be kicking it oldschool with flashbulbs and 120 btw what caps do you know fit a diana like can i get one at a camera store?

[kaituba]

@themadscientest The camera store won't have a generic lens cap that will work, since most of them grip the filter threads of the lens, which the Diana does not have. I am not sure if there is an alternative.

Your best bet may be to email Lomography and see if they have an extra cap on hand. I've been able to get replacement mask inserts this way.

[themadscientest]

@kaituba thanks, ill check that out and see. but hay i did my first shoot today with my diana with no flash and black and white... i hope my multi exposures look good!

[lillianso15]

Ah, that sucks, but thank you for your help! Your videos are all so helpful :)

[lillianso15]

when I opened my lens the shutter release spring was just gone. is there anywhere I can buy a new one?

[kaituba]

@lillianso15 I wrote Lomography and asked, because I had a damaged spring. Unfortunately, they don't sell replacements. You can sell your broken camera on eBay, or save it for spare parts if you get a new Diana. The parts people are looking for are the lens, the bottom plate of the film spool holder, the back.

[hamsandwhich25]

Its as though its been glued down to the front bit so even after unscrewing, i can't lift it off. Is there anything i can do?

[kaituba]

@hamsandwhich25 Use the edge of a single blade razor or a utility knife and gently work in into the space between the plate and the camera. Work along the edge to loosen it up and it will come off.

[slurpyduck]

Can you do another shutter repair for the Diana Mini? Thanks before. All your videos are very helpful. :]

[kaituba]

@slurpyduck What sort of repair are you looking for?

[slurpyduck]

@kaituba The Mini's shutter doesn't seem to be working. When I open the back, I could see light coming in through the lens even when the shutter's not pressed. The lens just stayed partially open. I tried pushing the shutter multiple times, and sometimes the lens will close. But then, it got stuck again. Please help!

[kaituba]

@slurpyduck please email me. I need to ask you a few questions. Go to dianacameraDOTcom and click on the contact link.in the right column. Thx!

[MethedoneKitty]

thanku! saved me!

[deadkrusty6]

If this happen to a diana mini it could be repair the same way or at least have any chance to repair???

[zone7camera]

Great video

[zone7camera]

Great video

[megustatupijama]

i can't take out the cover plate :(

please help meee!

[kaituba]

@megustatupijama If the cover plate is stuck, even after removing all the screws, you need to take a utility knife or single edges razor blade and gently insert it between the cover plate and the lens base barrel and pry gently. Carefully work the blade around the edge. It should loosen up.

[megustatupijama]

@kaituba i'm having a problem to remove the cover plate...i took out all the screws but it doesn't work like in the video, and i'm afraid i could break my camera :(

please help me!

[175myles]

I think my last poo is more complicated than this.

[amnesia303]

Hello Kai,

I have the same problem with a classic Diana not the Lomo one. Do you think it is possible to repair it ? Did you already repair one ?

Thank you very much ;)

[kaituba]

@amnesia303 I have repaired an ailing vintage Diana, but it isn't as easy because the camera isn't built for easy disassembly like the Lomography version. The lens assembly is glued to the camera body and must be pried apart. If you try this, go slow and gently so as not to break anything.

[amnesia303]

@kaituba Thank you very much for the advices Kai. ;)

[bucketofdinos]

heyyyyy! i have this problem with my diana+, the photos i take are ALL blurry, in fact some were so bad the lady at the photo shop didnt develop them. Whats wrong with my cam? am i using the wrong film? Thankq so much!:>

[thewombats95]

Hi I have recently bought a Diana+ dreamer and was wondering if anyone could possibly help. I am having trouble taking the cover to see the shutter works, I unscrew all the screws but then the cover will not budge at all, i was wondering if anybody can help, thank you

[Njansen]

@thewombats95 Same here, I have two DIana F+, and both of them are glued down pretty well. I was able to pry one of them open, it's held down with cyanoacrylate (super glue), which was placed down as a bead around the entire circumference. Start prying by the N/B slot and then work counter-clockwise towards the shutter and finally to the aperture slot, with a small flathead jeweler's screwdriver. Be careful and good luck.

[thewombats95]

Hi I was just wondering if someone could possibly help me. I bought the diana+ dreamer and I can unscrew all the screws but can't remove the cover plate to the shutter works at all, i was wondering why this could be, I haven't applied alot of force just in case I break something, please help, thank you.

[gulliegreenday]

Thanks for the video, i had to repair something else on my shutter(bottle of lemonade exploded in my bag, so everything was sticky) but this video shows perfectly how to put the shutter back together.

[UFOSPACE1999]

what the hell is this lil plastic camera, Yeah i want to see u replace a shutter on Nikon or Canon high end camera.

[kmgflip]

This is awesome. My shutter has come unsprung twice and I have fixed it myself. I would have given up on my Diana long ago without this video. Thank you!

[jamesacalderwood]

Im excited for mines coming in the post!! Watched all your vids. Thanks alot for taking the time to make such informative videos. The 35mm tip was great. Cant wait to try it out!

james

[JamieFarr2006]

Kai, I'm eternally grateful to you. Thanks to your will to share and to the clarity of your video, I got my Diana back.

[bllueskull]

Yo Kai do you know any shops in the USA that sell 120mm film or develop it in-store?

thanks

from,

Bllueskull

[kaituba]

freestyle photo supply or bhphotovideo sells film and have some of the best prices online. Processing? Check your local photo supply store and see if they have any recommendations.

[deadkrusty6]

@kaituba If this happen to a diana mini it could be repair the same way or at least have any chance to repair???

[71mmuussttaanngg]

i would use the diana + or the diana f+ but the holga is good too if i was u i would buy the diana + or diana f+

[71mmuussttaanngg]

you are grate kai thank you

[woochankonabe]

hi, am thinkin to get toy lomo camera.

Would u pls recommend me between Holga and Diana+? well and 20mm or 35mm? I dont like too "perfect" pics, I mean like a digital one. help me please!!! ; )

[kaituba]

I like to recommend the Holga for first time film users. It's simpler to operate (fewer controls) and lower cost makes it ideal starter camera.

[woochankonabe]

yea, I'll try the holga first!

Thanks for ur reply. : )

[redjacketkid1408]

Hey... One Question. Is it possible to replace the lens with a fish eye lens? I got a Diana+ and a Holga. Which camera is best with it?

[kaituba]

The Holga has 2 different accessory Fish-eye lens attachment. There's a $25 option, and a $70 option. The more expensive option gets you a wider angle fish-eye. I have the $25 attachment and like it very much.

The Diana+ cameras have an interchangeable fisheye lens. It runs about $50. I haven't tried this one out yet, but suspect it would be fine.

[redjacketkid1408]

are they sold separately? Or it comes with the whole package?

thanks for this video anyway... Now I know what to do when the same happens to my camera.

[jordymoone]

hey, do you know if it is possible to buy a new cover, as the four arms that hold the lens have broken & my lens doesnt fit as it used to.. a little advice where i could get hold of one would be great!! thanks.. jordy

[kaituba]

Hello. I wish I could tell you I knew where you could get a hold of a replacement, but as far as I know, Lomography currently does not offer replacement parts for the Diana+ or DianaF+ cameras. I asked them once about a replacement lens, but they told me they don't sell parts. Please contact Lomography and inquire about replacement parts. I am hoping that if they get enough interest, they will offer parts for their cameras.

[Solid2710]

helppp... i just bought my dianaa.. hohoho... im so happy... but i cannot removee the lenss... same like KUNTAxKINTE.. it's okay to force it the lens??

[kaituba]

Turn it very firmly.

[Solid2710]

yeayyy... finally i can remove the lenss.. pheww.. yeah u right, after this frustated part to open the lens, now i can open the lens easier.. ^^ thxx...

[KUNTAxKINTE]

why is it so difficult to remove the lens on my diana+ dreamer?

[kaituba]

What part are you having difficulty with? Removing the optical part of the lens, or unscrewing and removing the cover plate to the shutter works?

[KUNTAxKINTE]

just the removable part, to achieve a pinhole show

[kaituba]

The first time you twist the lens to remove it, it takes a little bit of extra force. After that, it will be a lot easier.

When you apply the twisting force, remember that you want to apply the twist for a short duration, because you only need to move the lens 1 cm or about 1/2 inch.

[KUNTAxKINTE]

thanks.[=

[daftks]

Kai, many thanks for the video tutorial! I began to panic a little when I realised that I wasted almost 2 rolls of 120~!!!!

[kaituba]

Hi. Where is the paper tearing? On the sides? If so, this is probably due to the film spool not being centered with the hole on the spool holder. The film spool is misaligned and the paper is tearing because it is getting pulled at an angle. Make sure to wind a few inches onto the take-up spool before putting the camera back on. Give the film spool on the left a little turn to give the paper between the spools a little slack. This will help the tension from pulling the spool out of alignment.

[1306am]

Hei Kai! thanks!! that was so helpful now im ready to take great pictures! by the way you have really good ones in your site! thank you again and see you around

[1306am]

Kai! thank you so much for uploading this video it was very helpful, my brand new diana had this problem,i have a question, i'm very new to the world of medium format, and everytime i load the film to the diana, everytime i rotate the wheel it tears up and after 2 or 3 times that i repair it with tape it works but i dont know if im doing anything wrong, im aware about your other video and i think im doing the same process, thank you!