The Diana Mini is the younger sister of the Diana F+. And it’s freakin’ adorable.

Diana cameras are often mentioned in the same breath as Holga cameras. I’ve loved my Holga 135 BC since 2011 when I found it in an Urban Outfitters as a newlywed strolling in Savannah, GA. Based on my undying affection for my Holga, it was a pretty safe bet that I’d love a Diana as well. I finally decided to take the bait when a new edition was released in mint green, my signature color.

Like a Holga, the Diana Mini is a plastic ‘toy’ camera. And, also like a Holga, the Diana was originally produced in Hong Kong in the 1960s. The original Diana was made by Great Wall Plastic Company. It was made so cheaply that it could be used as a promotional giveaway, the kind of thing you might win as a prize at the fair or find emblazoned with the logo of your local pizza shop. It also made an excellent little “intro camera” for photography students, the kind that never planned to take more than one class.

The newer versions of the Diana (including the Mini and the F+) are made by Lomography, a company that specializes in somewhat quirky gear and lo-fi results.

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