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I like to recommend 35mm lo-fi cameras instead of the 120 cameras because they are a little easier to work with, especially for beginners.

Why?

1. Lower cost of film. You get more frames per roll, and if you are a beginner, the way to get good at shooting with film, is to shoot lots of it. I find that when beginners use 120 film, it's higher costs and higher cost of processing keeps them from shooting because they are very much aware of how much each shot costs.

2. Easier to find. 35mm film is much easier to find than the 120 film used in the Holga 120 cameras. I see it in the drugstores, as well as few grocery stores (although that is becoming a much rarer experience).

3. Easier to get processed. Most drugstores and large big box stores like Target or Walmart still have 1-hour labs, but only for 35mm film. You will have to find a local lab to process your 120 film, or send it out.

4. Lower cost of processing. It cheaper to get your 35mm film processed. If you skip the prints and just get the roll processed and put on CD, you can cut the cost down even more. Tip: If you want prints, then you only pay for the ones that came out. This keeps the cost of processing down.

Take a look at one of these 35mm cameras:

Holga 135 or 135BC

Similar cheap lens and operation as the Holga 120 cameras. 1 aperture setting (yes, the camera has 2 settings, but they are identical), 2 shutter settings, N (1/100 sec) and B (Bulb setting) tripod mount, cable release socket If you want the corner vignetting like on the larger format camera, get the Holga 135BC.

Sample photos: http://www.flickr.com/groups/holga135bc/

Superheadz Black Slim Devil

This is a clone based on the popular vintage Vivitar Ultra Wide and Slim. It has no exposure controls and no flash option, but with it's wider than normal lens (22mm) it is capable of taking some outstanding photos.

Sample photos: There really isn't a good Flickr group for these cameras yet, so the sample photos are from the Vivitar UWS http://www.flickr.com/groups/57074580@N00/

I have Out of the Box Videos posted on my youtube channel:

Superheadz Black Slim Devil: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwBJYQvEDrU

Holga 135BC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMHCqJ-Cgd4

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

For tips for lo-fi cameras, check out my website:

http://www.dianacamera.com/

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

http://bit.ly/kPlaylists

" Do they work like DSLR's but less advanced? "...Way less advanced. No focusing of any kind, only 2 aperture settings BUT due to a manufacturing oversight, this switch has no effect on production cameras, and the actual aperture is around f/13, giving the Holga just one aperture AND one shutter speed - approximately 1/100th of a second.

"How does the film work?"...it use medium format 120 film. Most stores only carry 35mm film. You will need to buy 120 film from a local camera shop or online.

"how much does film/processing cost?"...It depends on where you have it processed at. Since it is 120 film, you will either need a pro lab in the local camera shop or mail it to a lab that can handle 120.

"Can you switch the lense?" Nope, it has a cheap plastic lens.

Remember, it costs about $1.25 to make a Holga/Diana/Lomo camera that is sold for $60-$100+

You do realize that a Holga camera is not a good camera in the traditional sense of the word?

It is a cheap, made in Hong-Kong toy that has a cult-like following by some, as it is so bad, it is felt that it does have an artistic element to it.

So, you drop an egg, and is splatters all over the floor. Most people will say - you made a mess. But some may say "hey, look at the unique egg-splat pattern you made.. that looks like art".

Now you know how a Holga camera works.

The Holga is a toy that sometimes works. 1000s of B-listers have been persuaded to say it is a cult camera.

You use it by putting a film in, taking pictures, having the film developed and printed, throwing your hands up in horror at the amount of money you've just realised you were cheated out of, sticking the Holga on eBay with all the unused film and hoping someone else falls for the same con you did.

haha

1. Ask here where to get 120 film

2. Look at it in puzzlement

3. debate if you should ask here or look on youtube

4. check youtube for a "how to load film" clip

5. point camera and press button

6. enjoy the waves of contentment that was over you now that you too are being trendy and creative

7. wonder what to do next

8. look at youtube again and discover that simply popping out the film would have killed it

9. start wondering whrere to get it processed

10. deliver it to a local store

11. discover that out of the 16 pictures only 6 show something and none look especially "vintage"

12. wonder if it's worth the $20 you've spend now.

If this is supposed to be a decent gift, then please don't buy a junk Holga camera. A toy with plastic lens. Also stay away from GE, Sanyo, Kodak and Vivitar. In your price range stay with name brands such as Canon, Fuji, Panasonic, Nikon and Olympus.