Jeroen Wenting
(K=25317) - Comment Date 1/26/2004
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That's what I am thinking too, and have been for considerable time.
My main barrier at the moment is my lack of a scanner that can handle MF negatives and slides. Getting one of those would add so much to the cost of what I consider a plaything that I've so far deferred it (I might compromise and get a flatbed and scan prints instead, but then I'd have to have prints made all the time again, something I've been free of for several years now).
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Betsy Hern
(K=12872) - Comment Date 1/26/2004
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I'd highly recommend getting one. For under $20 you get what is basically a disposable medium format camera. For many, it's the only affordable medium format camera they may ever own. For the ones who fall in love, it might push them into purchasing a real medium format camera. Yeah, they're toys but in my book that equates to fun! There are those that espouse elevating any holga shot to "art" simply because of the anti-establishment plastic box that is the camera. But, there are good and bad holga shots, just like there are good and bad shots taken with any camera. You know a good one when you see it. Heck, if you have a creative eye you can take a picture with anything. I just ran across directions for a pinhole camera made from an oatmeal box. The size of the negs are wonderful and many one-hour photo labs still develop and print 6 x 6 's. It is nice to be able to scan the negs. A cheap flatbed with transparency adapter will work. Holgas produce photos with dark edges and a dreamy tunnel-like quality and it's impossible to predict how each photo will turn out. I like not knowing until I see the neg. When holgarizing it is best to center the main subject, counter to one of the main rules of photography. I like breaking rules. They're great for multiple images -- just click, then click again without advancing the film. Yeah, holga photography is arbitrary art, sometimes hip, sometimes just lousy, but always fun.
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Chris Lauritzen
(K=14949) - Comment Date 1/27/2004
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Get one, they are fun to play with!
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Jeroen Wenting
(K=25317) - Comment Date 1/28/2004
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For some reason the price difference between the US and Europe is even bigger with Holgas. They sell for ?60 here, not $20 (at least the only known source in Europe demands ?60) which is currently about $75...
To be fair you do get a free roll of film and a set of batteries for that, but still the difference is huge.
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Betsy Hern
(K=12872) - Comment Date 1/28/2004
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How about this place?
http://www.holga.net/product_info.php/name/Holga_120_S_Camera/cPath/3_27/products_id/1
Seems to be around 30 Euro and available for shipping all over Europe.
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Jeroen Wenting
(K=25317) - Comment Date 1/30/2004
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Cheers, bookmarked that site.
Currently too many expenses to get toys, but should be fun (maybe later this year).
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Tara Gullett
(K=1678) - Comment Date 2/14/2004
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I am still new to photography and I am starting with medium format..My 2nd choice was to get a Holga. I have fun with this "Toy" camera..but keep in mind there are a few modifications you must make after purchasing it. I wasn't aware of them .. until my film slef-advanced. I made the modifications and now everything is working great. I only wish now .. I had a little more of a light leak. For modification info. see: www.argonauta.com/html/holga modifications.html, or also a great toy camera site: Toycamera.com and most importently!!! Have fun!!! : )
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Lewis Walsh
(K=66) - Comment Date 3/4/2004
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Holga's are a LOT of fun and very simple to use, which for me at least means I think about the picture, rather than the settings. I got the 120SF model with built-in flash which does extend the range of use.
The company behind the Holga also make a Woca which is identical but for a glass lense, as opposed to the Holga's plastic lense. Woca's usually go for roughly the same price as the Holga's. I suggest you look on ebay, as new ones are always up for sale.
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Andreas Wolkerstorfer
(K=5090) - Comment Date 3/8/2004
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plastic fantastic but I wouldnt say its a cheap way taking photos - my Holga wants a roll or two every week :) - you can see some results here and more on www.wolkerstorfer.at - btw the newest edition from lomography.com comes with foam to avoid light leaks loading and unloading the film. Another idea is: the Holga is a good mediumformat camera for modification into a PinHolga, you get a nice wide angle pocket pinhole camera ...
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Carol Kelly
(K=18) - Comment Date 3/14/2004
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Holgas are fun....need I say more?? I have heard that the ones with a flash are a hassel cause the batteries always fall out, I use mine with a flash i bought at a thrift store and have had good results. It makes fun double exposures. I have 2.
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Andreas Wolkerstorfer
(K=5090) - Comment Date 3/14/2004
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@ Carol: whats about posting your results here? Would like to see them! And: Holga (you mean the Holga 120SF) works without batteries, too:) - and if you modify the frame instead of pulling it out they dont fall out.
Another thing I would like to know: does anyone know the technical background for the difference between sunny (f-11) and cloudy (f-8) if there is any?
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Betsy Hern
(K=12872) - Comment Date 3/14/2004
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Hmmm, I've heard that the Holga had a a fixed shutter speed of (about) 1/100th of a second and a fixed aperture of f/5.6 (sort of), no matter the setting.
I found this great cutaway of a Holga at:
http://www.frontiernet.net/~moe/TOYPAGES/holgamain.html
And my favorite, for galleries (they're talking of producing a toy camera coffee table book:
http://toycamera.com/
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This space for rent.
(K=313) - Comment Date 3/14/2004
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For Holga mods go to: http://www.holgamods.com/
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Andreas Wolkerstorfer
(K=5090) - Comment Date 3/15/2004
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yes, there is no difference, sunny and cloudy is the same - Randy Smith (holgamods) modifies them to f-8 and f-11 (info on his website) but I never saw such a modified thing and never saw results with this camera info. I think, people who love the Holga make their own modifications, its part of the Holgabusiness similar to pinholing.
As there are many links to Holga subjects (thanks, Betsy), maybe one more: www.digitalsucks.com
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Christopher Singleton
(K=19) - Comment Date 3/29/2004
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The Holga is a lot of fun. I have 3 of them (no flash) and usually carry 2 in addition to my Mamiya 7. Be sure to tape the seams (I use acid free black masking tape) or you're bound to have light leaks.
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Tim Courlas
(K=486) - Comment Date 3/30/2004
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The greatest thing about shooting with a Holga is how freeing it is. If you tend to be an uptight perfectionist shooter, a Holga can loosen you up...it did me.
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