Zike - Toy Cameras

Here are some of the toy cameras I use. This is not the complete representation of my equipment, but it more than likely represents the cameras I'm most fond of.

The Holga

She's Known To Toy Camera Aficionados As Fantastic
Plastic

This camera is built to be modified and messed with. So go ahead and buy a few.

You'll end up
doing
some strange things to
this camera.

A current import from China, you should have no problems finding this gal. If you want to get into plastics, this is the camera for you. It has almost none of the features a "serious" photographer looks for in a camera. It has two aperture settings: cloudy & sunny and focus is accomplished by selecting an icon on the lens that approximates the distance to your subject.

It seems to be the favorite of art students as well as art professors. Many people buy a few, as no two cameras will produce exactly the same results. At between $15 to $25 US, it is certainly a viable consideration.

Mommy, why does that man have rubber bands on his camera?

I use rubber bands to make sure that the back stays on the camera. The clips that are supposed to do the job aren't engineered quite right - Duh! The strap would normally be connected to these clips, but I would'nt risk it.

The Dories

Unsurpassed
Quality!

Lets Plenty of
Light In,
Not Only
Through The
Lens

You'll certainly draw stares when you walk around snapping pictures with the Dories. This is especially true if also have your flash attached.

The Dories was produced by the same people that brought us the glorious Diana - The Great Wall Plastic Factory of Kowloon, Hong Kong. I only own one Diana, and near as I can tell, the Dories is just about a copy of the Diana. I am sure that the Dories possesses a lens manufactured to the same stringent quality control as the Diana.

Not sure where you would find either of these cameras nowdays. Maybe check out the local garage sales. They are probably fetching a pretty premium as well.

In regards to comparing the Diana to the Dories, I received an email from Stephen Seko:

Contrary to what I originally believed, there is a LOT of difference between the two cameras! The Dories is made of a cheap (relatively speaking), rubbery plastic that feels very fragile in your hands. The Diana has a harder, plastic that doesn't feel as frail. Also, the shutter mechanism on the Diana is infinitely better, offering bulb and "i" (for instantaneous?) settings, as well as three aperture settings. MOST importantly, inside the Dories, there is a square cutout just in front of the film plane that forms the image. Check it out! It is cut in a very crude, ragged manner, which is reflected on your final image. The Diana on the other hand, has a more precise cut interior.

They look virtually identical when you compare photos of both cameras, but believe me, if you have the opportunity to obtain a Diana, seize it immediately. I shot several rolls through the Dories and was very discouraged with the results. One roll with the Diana brought back the enjoyment I originally discovered with the Holga.

Thanks Steve.

Lubitel 166 TLR

A true Russian Beauty

You may really need to shop around for this one, but it'll be worth it.

This baby is quite a beauty. Not at all what I would have expected for a camera that costs less than $40US. The British magazine Practical Photography gave it a 7 star rating out of a possible 10 in it's medium format category. Another "low priced" camera which rated a 7, cost 560 British Pounds!

Stick in a roll of 120 film and it can take both 6x6 and 6x4.5 format pictures.

Some purists would not actually put this camera in the "Toy" category, but it is primarily made of plastic. It is not a point and shoot variety of camera, and as such requires input on your behalf beyond composition. Focusing this camera can be difficult and will require patience, or you can go for a good estimate of your distance to the subject.

They are getting hard to come by. If you can get one jump on it.