The Charm of Medium Format: Filmlog Manager Dahae Lee Shoots with the Diana F+

In this article, Dahye Lee of Lomography Korea's partner Filmlog shares her photos taken with the Diana F+ camera and LomoChrome Metropolis 120 film. She tells us about her experience with medium format photography, and the unique charms of the Diana F+.

The Diana F+ is one of Lomography's signature cameras, beloved by many photographers and artists for its classic design and unique shooting methods. Explore the diverse features of this medium format camera through the interview below and get inspired for new creative endeavors!

Hi, and welcome to Lomography Magazine! First, please introduce yourself.

Hi, I'm Dahye Lee, a showroom manager of the Filmlog Seoul flagship store. At Filmlog, we host various workshops on film cameras, black-and-white developing, and upcycled camera-making. We enjoy engaging with many people, sharing stories about film, and researching.

How was your experience using the Diana F+ ? What is it like compared to other medium format cameras?

I usually use a 6x9 format folding camera like the Zeiss Ikon. It captures long, rectangular images, perfect for shooting spacious landscapes from a long distance. This time, using the Diana F+, with its square format, I felt that subjects stood out more within the frame, creating a more focused feeling. There was a charm in filling the square canvas densely with images.

What is your favorite feature of the Diana F+?

The multiple exposure feature added another kind of fun to the shooting experience. Searching for the perfect image to overlay onto the first shot was an exciting adventure. Imagining the blend of the first shot with the following shots allowed for the creation of personalized compositions.

What do you predict for the future of 120 film?

Generally, 120 film is often perceived as unfamiliar, and medium format cameras have been labeled as to be used only by 'professionals' which made for a high barrier to entry. If people start to perceive medium format film as more approachable I don't think it will go extinct.

What advice would you give to people who want to try the Diana F+?

The Diana F+ is a camera with a lot of fun functions! Taking pictures with multiple exposures, bulb mode, pinhole, also flash! The camera itself isn't hard to operate so you can try out all these different functions.

Compared to 35 mm what do you like about the 120 film format?

I enjoy how the impression varies depending on the format size. I've had the experience of shooting the same landscape with both 35 mm and 120 film, and the shots taken with medium format film definitely gave a more overwhelming feeling.

Anything else you would like to add?

I believe Lomography's cameras serve as an invitation to photographers, stimulating and pushing them to make creative works in the analogue playground. Next time I'd like to try shooting using the pinhole mode of the Diana F+.

We would like to thank Dahye Lee for sharing her Diana F+ photography experience. Check out Filmlog's Instagram page for more photography and information.

written by hey_springtime on 2024-03-01 #gear #partners #medium-format #120 #diana-f #lomochrome-metropolis #lomography-partners