Topic: My Holgas Have Arrived!

[gothamtomato]

I bought a regular Holga & a PinHolga, and they just arrived today.  I'll be taking them out for a spin on Friday (with some HP5).

Any tips from any Holga users here? (Especially focusing and exposure tips). They didn't have any instructions, but I get the impression there is a lot of bracketing and guessing involved. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

[kuru]

You'll probably want to tape the bulb mode switch, they have a habit of switching over on you. I tend to just leave mine focused on infinity.

[moominsean]

aim, focus, shoot!

[Ed Wenn]

Back when I seemed to have a little more time in my life I wrote down some random thoughts on how best to use a Holga when a few friends had bought them and were asking for tips. I have't re-read it for a couple of years so it's probably super pompous, but for what it's worth go to http://edandjacqui.my-expressions.com/archives/423_1098788039/94362 and dive in. There may be a pointer or two. Bear in mind that I have a Holga 120SF with no modifictaions other than the square mask which I did myself so expect no tips on any of the newer features.

[Francois]

I get the impression there is a lot of bracketing and guessing involved. I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Strangely, I never bracket when I use mine!
It would be hard to do since mine has the regular aperture (unless you got yours from Holgamods) the sun/shade button does nothing

Aperture is about f/13 (between f/11 and f/16)
Speed is about 1/100 ... very variable.

[formica]

i'm not sure about the holgamod holgas, but something to remember is that what you see in viewfinder is not what your camera sees. the camera sees much wider.  i'd say just shoot a few rolls and see what you get out of it and how it reacts to different lighting situations to see how much light you may or may not need(or when you need to use b). there's a nice comprehensive site on the holga here that is worth taking a look at.

                 william

[LT]

william - I've just edited the link in your post as the code was slightly wrong making the link not work.  I havent changed any wording etc

L

[eddie]

 I nearly always use the Holga in good light, even strong sunlight when we get some. I have had very little success in subdued light. Exposures are generally accurate , I use Fuji Neopan 400 developed in Rodinal, I prefer the Neopan as you can see the numbers on the back of the film easier than Ilford Hp5.   If you have a good tripod you can do "B" exposures without a cable release, I have made 30 second using this method. Enjoy.

[cmdrray]

I've been using a lot of Fuji 800 Z in my Holga CFN lately...great if you're working in a place with
extremely variable weather like we have here in Portland, Oregon. Double, even triple exposures
are great fun with these, too. Enjoy!

[RandomHamster]

Just to back up what Kuru said, tape up that B switch or it will move! Either that or use it, great for slightly 'fuzzy' shots when used with a steady hand!

[gregor]

to reduce potential light leaks (if you don't want them), put a piece of gaffer's over the counter window, and fold over a small piece to make a "pull tab" to pull the tape back and view the window when advancing frames.  The recent 120N models are relatively light leak free except this window. 

Additionally you may want to make similar tabs to place on the right and left hinges that secure the back, as the back can easily come off, especially if you are using a neck strap.  Other than that, shoot a few rolls to get used to how the Holga frames your subject.

Have fun...

[///rin]

yup, secure the back with velcro or tape.  this way it won't fall off!

i shoot in all kinds of light and worry about the printing later.  i print my own work in the darkroom and use black and white film, so it's very forgiving.  i just don't like to pass up a shot because the light isn't exact.  but sometimes that means up to 5 minute exposures when printing, which kinda sucks.  but i do what i need to do...

all holgas are a little different, so i would just go shoot a bit with it to see how it behaves and then mark them so you can tell them apart (if you have more than one of the same kind).  this way if you want a certain type of light leak you can just go for that camera.