Topic: Mono film with greatest latitude?

[Pitxu]

I've never really had any problems with exposure though recently I've started using a Holga and as you know, it only has two apertures and one shutter speed (not counting "B").

I only have the one Holga right now, though I've ordered a second and thought of using the two, each loaded with a different speed film.

I could also load a superfast film and use filters when it's sunny.

What do you guys do with cameras with limited exposure adjustment?


Thanks.

[Sorry, image deleted during forum software upgrade. Please re-upload if so inclined.]

[Skorj]

What do you guys do with cameras with limited exposure adjustment?

Well... not being a purist myself. For my Holga and Fujipet, I use XP2 Super or TCN400 as a second. At least four stops of latitude, and just the right feel for toy camera work most times.
 
Others may have other stories of pushing and pulling in the conventional wet work... Skj.


Modern Tokio. Fujipet. TCN400.

[Nigel]

Hi I mainly use colour in my Holga, if I can get it Kodak Portra 400VC really works for me.
I have used HP5 and XP2 with good results (none available to post I'm afraid).

I always use 400 film and add a 2 x ND filter on the very brightest of days, but my lens is very slow so it's not often required. It is worth doing the apeture conversion, so you get two working apetures. Shown here : http://www.squarefrog.co.uk/holga-hacks-aperturemod.html

Good luck with it.

[HolgaJen]

I tend to use 400 speed as well most of the time - I like Kodak 400CN and Ilford HP5 for black and white.  I also love Fuji Velvia 100 for colour but it needs to be used on bright sunny days.

And if you're stuck in a low light situation, put it on "B", keep a steady hand and hope for the best! (I did this at the zoo recently and it worked fairly well).

[Pitxu]

Thanks to all for your help.

I no longer have a decent C-41 service around here, so I'll be sticking with conventional black and white films.

@Nigel. I checked that link, but I can confirm the the latest Holgas (at least mine) are assembled correctly with two working apertures, ~f8 and f11. (And not a hint of a light leak anywhere!)



Thanks again.



[Sorry, image deleted during forum software upgrade. Please re-upload if so inclined.]

[LT]

my mantra - for mono at least - for a holga is do the wider aperture mod which will nicely over expose a 400 film in most daylight conditions, then use a good compensating development technique (Stand development/highly dilute developer/ tan and stain etc etc) to tame any extreme highlights.

I've only ever used the old holgas so I dont know if you can mod the newer range to a wider aperture (e.g. snap away the plastic ring directly behind the lens) ... anyone else know? It was the first thing I did with my holga.

[moominsean]

i use 100 film 95 percent of the time in my toy cameras...

[beck]

Is latitude the opposite of longitude? Please, if you ever see me hitching for a ride, just pass me up. For the recker, I have only used 400 speed in all of my cameras....even if it didn't allow for it. The unconventional oven is always burning over here. Carry on...

[CarlRadford]

Thanks to all for your help.

I no longer have a decent C-41 service around here, so I'll be sticking with conventional black and white films.

@Nigel. I checked that link, but I can confirm the the latest Holgas (at least mine) are assembled correctly with two working apertures, ~f8 and f11. (And not a hint of a light leak anywhere!)



Thanks again.

Great portrait!

[cpierce]

conventional wisdom is 400 iso for the Halgo but I have a twist on use for my applications.  I use an orange and polarized filter for sunny and high light conditions and then I take the filter(s) off for low light applications. My film of choice is Ilford Delta 3200.  I like the grain and it handles nice.



[Sorry, image deleted during forum software upgrade. Please re-upload if so inclined.]

[sapata]

I've never really had any problems with exposure though recently I've started using a Holga and as you know, it only has two apertures and one shutter speed (not counting "B").

I only have the one Holga right now, though I've ordered a second and thought of using the two, each loaded with a different speed film.

I could also load a superfast film and use filters when it's sunny.

What do you guys do with cameras with limited exposure adjustment?

Thanks.

Has your Holga got the mod for the two settings ? If you bought your Holga without the mod, the settings (sunny and cloudy) are useless. I had some problems before and I just did the aperture mod myself, it was quite easy... just google "Holga aprture modifications" and you'll get quite a lot on the subject.

[Pitxu]

Has your Holga got the mod for the two settings ? If you bought your Holga without the mod, the settings (sunny and cloudy) are useless. I had some problems before and I just did the aperture mod myself, it was quite easy... just google "Holga aprture modifications" and you'll get quite a lot on the subject.

I mentioned above, I have a recent model with the two apertures working correctly, straight out of the box.

[otto k]

I'll chime in with 400 in my Holgas (for outdoor work).  It usually does the job.  Indoors I'll use whatever as I'm mostly using bulb mode or just press the shutter the number of needed times to build the exposure I want.