Another one for the pile... by hmgphotos

Another one for the pile...

I picked up a brand new in box vintage Banner camera today. Spending money I don't have... but I have a soft spot for toy 120 cameras! And oh boy, this is toyish! Nothing like a Banner camera to make a Holga feel like it's a D3x... seriously, the Holga just over all seems like a professional camera body compared to the Banner.

I loaded up some of my cheesy Shanghai film and taped the heck out of the seams because this thing screams "I'll leak light!" I'll have to play around with it one of these days when I have a chance. What is nice is the red frame window is MUCH brighter than my Lubitel's, so I can actually see the frame markings on the crappy Shanghai backing paper. So maybe I will have a chance to use up all that crappy film, since it's not getting along with the Lubitel very well.

Taken with a Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens
OMG! It's a Diana rip-off! Totally awesome find! (Where did you get it?) Your viewfinder may not be accurate, just an FYI! My Diana F+'s viewfinder made me cut everyone's head off on the first roll I ran through it at my Halloween party a couple years ago!
January 16th, 2011  
@sylphy I got it from the local camera shop that is clearing out all their retail stuff. He posted in FB he had one of these, so I went down and took a look.
January 16th, 2011  
Hey speaking of crappy film, I have heard romours of people processing Cata as B&W... did you have a roll left... would you try it?
January 17th, 2011  
Siiiiiiiick! I have a Banner as well, only I don't have a proper back for it. I've been trying some of the other diana backs I have, but none seem to fit. Let us know how you like it!

PS - those red counter windows, do you have any suggestions on how to replace it?
January 17th, 2011  
@crappysailor RE: red counter windows: Look for something that is transparent red acrylic and try super-gluing it in place on the inside of the camera back. It's worth a try! Things that might be transparent red acrylic: office supplies, like organizer trays, or cheap dollar kitchen serving plates... I'd cut it with a dremmel tool.
January 17th, 2011  
@sylphy - great idea! I was checking to see if anyone had changed/replaced on before. I have a few toy cams that need some fixing and I don't want to go chopping any up if I don't have too!

Which reminds me...if either of you know a good site that shows how to replace shutter springs on toy cams, I have to perform surgery on a Fujipet.
January 17th, 2011  
@icywarm I didn't have any rolls left, but I did hear that you could do it. I'm not about to buy more to try it, though. Koda days are over! Money better spent on Velvia, LOL!

@crappysailor I know squarefrog has info about Holgas, but not sure about other cameras. I can't imagine they're all that different, though.
January 17th, 2011  
@crappysailor I guess I should have added a disclaimer saying that I hadn't actually done that before, but that is what I plan on doing when I build my 120 film pinhole camera! Also try http://www.holgamods.com/ I'm sure if you google how to replace the shutter spring you can find some good info. Good luck!
January 17th, 2011  
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