Toy cameras are inexpensive devices that are usually made of plastic. Though they produce low quality, defective images, they are fully functional and are not actually playthings. These items started to gain popularity in the 1960s when the Diana model was introduced. These days, they have become uncommon as more consumers prefer digital units over those that still make use of film. Although they are no longer in widespread use, there are still people who prefer to utilise them and employ their defects to create artistic effects. Here are some of the popular units that continue to captivate camera collectors and artists today:
The Diana was manufactured in Hong Kong in the 1960s and it has the reputation for starting people’s fascination with these devices. Its lens was made of plastic, which rendered odd colors and blurry images. The original has been out of production for twenty-five years but Lomography, a company that specialises in various types of photographic equipment, is selling replicas today.
Another popular product is the Holga, which was introduced in the 1980s. Like the Diana, its body and lens were also made of plastic, and it was prone to light leaks that produced overexposed pictures. It became a favourite of customers because it was so cheap and convenient to use. Today, original Holga cameras are still available for auction usually in websites.
Finally, the Oktomat is a multi-lens camera that can take eight small frames in one print, allowing a user to capture a series of images that look like a short movie. It is still being manufactured today and it can be bought in brick-and-mortar shops as well as online.