The Diana camera lineup was manufactured from the 1960s thru the early 70s by Hong Kong's Great Wall Plastic Factory, during the then-British colony's heyday as a center for plastics manufacturing. Also available under literally dozens of other brandnames, Diana cameras were offered at extremely low cost - anywhere from well under a dollar, to perhaps three dollars for the most expensive models. Plagued by light leaks and offering only the most basic, imprecisely controlled of settings, Great Wall's cameras mostly used 120 film.

Images shot through the plastic lenses of a Diana camera exhibited vignetting aplenty, as well as aberrations, blurring, low contrast and unusual tonality - and yet as is often the case with such low-tech solutions, the very defects in quality that once saw the Dianas derided as toy cameras has since evolved into a large part of their attraction. Now lauded for images described as 'surreal' and 'dreamlike', the Diana cameras became sought-after by both amateurs and professionals alike. After decades out of production, Lomographische relaunched the series with newly updated - but as quirky as ever - Diana film camera designs a couple of years ago.

Nikon F55 and Canon EOS 10 film SLRs with Diana lenses attached. Photo provided by Lomographische AG

Now, the very same plastic lenses used on those Diana cameras can be mounted on modern film and digital SLRs from both Nikon and Canon - and all without the need to slap electrical tape along the body seams to prevent light ingress (unless as a true Lomography aficianado, the feel of tape under hand makes you more at home, of course!) ;-) Pixel peepers most definitely need not apply, but those with a collection of Diana lenses may find the idea appealing. Those unfamiliar with the original series, but looking to express their artistic side or take their photographic hobby in an entirely new direction may also find the idea of interest. After all, why spend time fiddling with "toy camera" filters on your digital SLR when you can get a similar - and perhaps even more surprising - effect right out of the box?

Nikon F mount (left) and Canon EF mount (right) adaptors for Diana F+ lenses. Photo provided by Lomographische AG

Much like the Diana cameras of long ago, the bar to entry is low indeed. The Diana SLR adaptor for either Canon or Nikon mount can be obtained alone for just $12 in the continental USA, while four different bundles including a choice of Diana F+-mount lens along with the adaptor range in price from $50 to $60. The lenses themselves can also be purchased separately for between $40 and $50 depending on the model. The four lenses on offer are a 20mm fisheye, a 38mm super-wide, a 55mm wide angle, and a 110mm telephoto. The 55mm lens can also function as a macro by sliding on an included close-up lens.

More details on the Diana F+ adaptors and lens lineup can be found on the Lomography blog.

Packaging for the Canon (left) and Nikon (right) Diana F+ lens adaptors. Photo provided by Lomographische AG