Aberystwyth University student Gregory Dash has created a new digital version of the classic Diana camera. Despite looking like a classic film camera, the digital Diana houses a 1/3” CMOS sensor and can take pictures of up to 12 megapixels. It also has a plastic lens, replicating the look of photos taken on the original camera but with the benefit of digital features including built it photo filters, and some manual controls. “We’ve already developed a working prototype and just now need to raise the funds to cover the costs to purchase the materials for the cameras," Greg says. Cameras will cost £65 each, with production limited to 1000 units. The project is currently raising funds via Indiegogo.

Press Release

Digital Diana shoots digital Lomography

A new digital version of the classic Diana camera is going on sale 31st May, 6pm GMT. Only 1000 units of the camera will be produced by Cyclops Cameras who have had previous success with their Lo-fi fisheye camera that was funded via indiegogo.

This new project is also raising funds via Indiegogo: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-digital-diana-camera-project-cyclopscameras-com/x/2445724

Despite looking like a classic film camera, the digital Diana houses a 1/3” CMOS sensor and can take pictures of up to 12 megapixels .It also has a plastic lens, replicating the look of photos taken on the original camera but with the benefit of digital features including built it photo filters, and some manual controls including white balance and ISO adjustments.

Greg from Cyclops Cameras said: “Our first project was very successful and I was able to ship out my Little Cyclops camera to people all over the world. It’s amazing seeing some of the photos people manage to take with the camera (better than I ever could!) and I’ve put a space on the website that links into our Flickr group to share some of these photos.

“I’m now hoping that this new project will repeat this success, and again we’re only making 1000 cameras to make sure we can guarantee quality and make sure I can get the cameras out to early backers by Christmas. This camera is great fun – I’ve took it recently on a trip to Machu Picchu, and I can’t wait to see what photos people take with it!”

Greg’s last camera was called the 'Little Cyclops' and was a tiny fisheye camera that made news headlines on all major national and international outlets including on CNN, MASHABLE, and BBC; and his work has been featured in Photography Monthly Magazine (May 2013). MSNBC also recently listed Greg as one of the UK's youngest and most successful entrepreneurs. He’s currently working in Aberystwyth University and with colleagues has set up Cyclops Cameras to make some fun toy cameras, building on their love of photography. “Thanks to the success of the first project, the amount I need to get this new camera off the ground is greatly reduced”, added Greg.

“We’ve already developed a working prototype and just now need to raise the funds to cover the costs to purchase the materials for the cameras. We’re going to be looking to crowdfund the costs again.” In order to raise the costs to cover production, Cyclops Cameras are hoping to raise £13,500. Details of the camera will be going online at 6pm this Saturday on the group’s facebook page (www.facebook.com/fisheyedigicam) and website (www.cyclopscameras.com).

Cameras will cost £65 each (but there will be a lim ited number for a lower price) and for backers in the UK there is an option to pic k up your camera from a launch party in London.

Camera stats:

- 1:1 replica of the classic Diana camera
- 1/3" CMOS Sensor
- Plastic Lens equivalent to taking a picture on 35mm film, replicating the look of the classic camera
- LCD Screen: 1.8inch 120 x 160 resolution
- Control is via buttons on the back of the camera
- Manual Adjustments: ISO, White Balance, and in camera effects
- Authentic shutter sounds when pressing the shutter button - recorded from an original camera
- Limited edition to 1000 cameras (I only produce cameras in small batches)
- Packaging designed by UK artist Elysia Chua
Video intro: http://youtu.be/MmM-byNbqjg

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