Verified answer

$99 for this??

I don't want to bash it, but the plastic that is used to made this thing can't be worth more than $5.

Get a real camera. If you want to do film, then get a Nikon FM10. If you want to get a used one, then get Nikon FM or FM2. It will last you years. A LOMO will fall apart in your hands and you'll have to tape it back together..

-where can i develop pictures produced by the LOMO camera?

any place that develops film

-what's the cost to develop the pictures?

not much, under $5 at most places

-what kind of film does it take?

110

-is it the best idea to buy a camera like this, or should i buy digital?

seems like a digital would work best for you

i had a diana and the film was hard to find where i live

The Diana is a very different proposition to any standard digital camera. It's un-predictable and produces photos with spcefic characteristics.

To in anyway reproduce the effects of a Diana on a digital you are looking at using a LenBaby, with the plastic lens adapter. Without adding a compatible camera this is going to cost around four times the price of a single Diana, though it is more flexible.

One of the main things you are going to have to figure out, is whether or not you have the patience and temperment to work with a film camera. Working with film, there is no instant feedback from a LCD screen, and you won't be able to delete your mistakes and forget about them. It also costs to buy film ($3-8 a roll, depending on what type you buy), and it costs to get your film processed.(depends on where)

If you want to try the LOMO thing, you should also consider the Holga. While a bit more basic than it's more modern sibling, the Diana+, it takes photos that are just as nice, and is much more reasonably priced when you buy from a photo supply house, like BH Photo video.(online)

The Diana+ is a more flexible camera, having more controls (3 f-stops + Pinhole aperture vs 1 aperture). The Diana+ also has the ability to change lenses. Currently, Lomography offers 4 additional lens.

The Holga, on the other hand, is a very solidly built camera, and while not being as flexible, is still a very capable camera. It will take photos that equal that of the Diana.

Which should you get? I usually like to recommend the Holga 120N or 120FN for beginners.

Why? It's a cheaper and simpler camera to learn with. If you get this camera it keeps the cost of exploring toy camera photography on the cheap side. If it turns out that toy camera photography is your passion, then you can explore getting the Diana+.

Let's look at the cost:

Holga 120N - $28 (no flash, but with a hotshoe)

Holga 120FN - $35 (built-in flash)

Diana+ - $50 (no flash, no hotshoe)

DianaF+ - $100 (comes with electronic flash attachment and hotshoe accessory)

Sample Photos:

Holga

http://www.flickr.com/groups/86881528@N00/

Diana+ DIanaF+

http://www.flickr.com/groups/diana_plus/

On top of that, 120 film is a little more difficult to deal with than 35mm film, since there are fewer labs that can process it. Ask around at your local Walmart, Costco or other 1-hour labs. While they may not be able to process the film on site, many of these labs will send the film out to be processed for you.

The next option is to find a local pro-lab. These are labs that specifically cater to professional photographers and will be able to process your film on site. As you might imagine, it can be a little pricey.

Another film processing option is to send out the film to be processed. Check out these processors, they both offer processing by mail:

http://www.dwaynesphoto.com/

http://www.swanphotolabs.com/swan08/index.php

Then the best of all option, process the film yourself. BW film processing and even color processing are not too difficult to learn and also not very expensive to get into.

If you think that 120 film is too much trouble, you can try a 35mm camera, like the Holga 135BC. While I find that something gets lost in the smaller negative and rectangular format, it might work for you.

The Holga 120N or 120CFN (120 format) or the 35mm Holga 135BC can be found at Freestyle Photo supply:

http://freestylephoto.biz/

The Diana+ cameras can be found at some stores like Urban Outfitters, or online at http://lomography.com/

Whichever camera you choose, remember that the point of lo-fi photography is to have fun and don't sweat the details!

For Holga tips, check out these websites:

http://www.squarefrog.co.uk/

http://goholga.com/

Then there's my own website:

http://www.dianacamera.com/

I have lots of tips, tricks and photos taken with plastic cameras.

For how-to videos for Holgas and Diana cameras, check out my youtube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/kaituba