Panax 120
The PANAX 120 is a thinly veiled Diana. A true toy camera from a toy company.
The Great Wall Plastic Factory of Hong Kong made a camera they called the Diana, starting in the early 1960s. During the production run, it was produced under a variety of names. Some may have been copies by other manufacturers. I have seen lists that show fifty or more names that they used. Many were used as promotional items or cheap giveaways.
This is a toy camera made by a toy company, sold or given away as a toy. The quality control is loose. You can expect light leaks, vignetting, and large variations in shutter speed. There are two shutter speeds: bulb and whatever. For f-stops, you get sun, part sun, and cloud. There are three focus options: 1) 4-6 feet, 2) 6-12 feet and 3) 12 feet to infinity. Mine is stuck on 12 to infinity so I can only assume the other two were functioning. (Better stuck on Infinity than 4 to 6.)
The film is 120 and it has a fixed square 4X4 exposure. That will give you sixteen shots per roll.
Around 2007, Lomography produced a copy they called the Diana+. This had a few updates, including the addition of a pinhole setting.
My Take:
This is a toy camera, deal with it. It feels even more like a toy than the Holga 120. In theory, it has more f-stop control than a Holga. In practice, it is a toy camera and all the controls are an approximation at best.
Should you get one? Yes. Should you get the Panax, the Diana, the Diana+, or the Holga? Again, Yes. Just get one. If you have never shot a toy camera you should. I find it liberating as a change of pace. My preference is the Holga but each is so quirky that you should just find one and play. Should you shoot your next wedding gig with a toy camera? Only if the couple are from Seattle or Portland and both hipsters. Then they may be up for it. Or you could sneak in a roll in addition to your regular shots. But to be safe, just go shoot one for your own enjoyment. Luckey, I don’t have to make a living with my photos. If I did, I’d have bigger problems than what camera I use.
Lens: Plastic
Film: Ilford Delta Pro 400 Expired