Topic: Holga help, please

[hookstrapped]

I just got a Holga with a set of close-up lenses.  Though I've had many Dianas and know how to shoot them in terms of film speed and aperture setting and amount of sunlight/cloud cover, I don't know this for the Holga, so I thought I'd ask the Holga-heads here.

Now, I can shoot ASA 50 in my Diana in bright sunlight with the aperture wide open (cloudy sky icon), but from what I read about the Holga, its aperture at f11 and f13 is maybe 2-3 stops slower than the Diana wide open.  So, I figure I need at least ASA 160 film in bright sunlight...  Is that right?

Of course, I don't know how the shutter speeds compare between my Dianas and the Holga...

[astrobeck]

I love 160 in my Holgas and it's my favorite film right now.
I have also had good results with Ektar 100.
It's very bright where I live so I can easily get by with 100 speed.

For black and white, I think the best results (for me) are with 400 speed.

Every Holga is different though, so keep that in mind.
Even the shutter speeds vary between cameras, so your best bet is to waste some film and keep notes if you're the note taking sort and see what's best for your camera.

My newer Holga is about F/13, but my first Holga from the late 90's is about f/8 since I modified it and knocked out that small inner ring in that cone/pyramid shaped lens holder inside of it.

Good luck!  I'm anxious to see what you do with it!!!!     

[hookstrapped]

Thanks!

[Phil Bebbington]

I'm with Becky. I've shot 100 in bright sunshine, no problem.

[charles binns]

I shoot ASA 100 in sunshine as well as 160.  If on holiday somewhere like Egypt or Malta where the light is very bright you can also shoot ASA 50 with good results

[Francois]

Usually, close-up lenses don't need you to re-adjust the exposure for them.
If it was an extension tube, things would be very different.

So if there's a film you like to use in the Holga, just use the same stuff.

[Suzi Livingstone]

I stick to B&W 400 from late Autumn to early Spring, it seems to suit the London light the best.