Author Topic: New camera (Holga) advice? (Read 21150 times)

Emma · « **on:** January 04, 2013, 12:48:31 PM »

I have been admiring everyones Holga pictures for a while now, and have been looking to get one myself. Obviously there are Lomography's models, but I'm not sure if they are any good, especially for that price (which I can't really afford anyway). Then on Ebay, I saw this.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Holga-HT-25-120-135-Camera-TELE-Lens-120GCFN-120N-135bc-/370260668318?pt=UK_Film_Cameras&hash=item5635416f9e

It is SO cheap! Not knowing much about cameras, is this likely to be any good, or is it just too good to be true?

Thanks guys

charles binns · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2013, 01:04:57 PM »

The item is the lens and not the camera which is why it is so cheap.

I think it's brilliant you are investing in a Holga so good luck. Ebay is the best place to buy them in my experience. Go for a 120N (or 135BC if you want to stick to 35mm) which is the basic model and the most reasonably priced (about £20 if memory serves me correctly). Some models have flash but my experience is that the Holga flash is about as much use as a match in a hurricane so I wouldn't bother paying extra for it.

I'm old and bad tempered so I tend to stick to the plain black models. There are plenty of "pimped" models in garish colours if that is your thing but these cost more and I find them intensely irritating.

Good luck and you won't regret buying a Holga!!

Emma · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2013, 01:27:23 PM »

Oooooh that does explain it! I was thinking... Holga with tele lens for under £10.90? Yes, all the flashy colours and patterns are lovely but I'd rather something that looks like a camera, not a piece of Lego.

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2013, 01:27:38 PM »

I disagree about the flash - I'd even say it's half the fun.

Holga 120FN. Second hand, total cost £22, about two years back.

Emma · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2013, 01:32:14 PM »

The flash looks great in that

I meant all those bright coloured plastics, all shiny and glittery - 'flashy'. £22 is about what I'm hoping to pay, maybe less if I can get one secondhand.

Nigel · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2013, 01:46:53 PM »

Definitely get it from ebay. I've bought from this seller a couple of times and had good service: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/holgauniversal?_rdc=1

Personally I like the glass lens, which is the GN or GFN (with the flash). I love my Holga, stick some cheap 400iso film in and you can't go wrong!

SLVR · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2013, 02:16:48 PM »

stay away from lomography 400iso films. That's my reccomendation. Their paper doesnt seem to be light tight so the pattern on the paper backing transfers over to your film. Its usually fine if you expose your images properly, but i find with toy cameras you have to fiddle a bit with scanning to get a better exposure and these patterns come through. you can see arrows on the right side of the frame.

Untitled by nownownownow, on Flickr

Info Red · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2013, 02:26:19 PM »

I would also suggest the 120n or the 120 GN. For best Holga results I would suggest you remove the 6x6 or 6x4.5 mask from the interior, cover the exposed edges with gaffe tape, load up your 120 of choice and go have a ball! (This is why I don't like the models with flash built in - the mask inserts also are the way the batteries are held in place; if you remove the mask the batteries just roll around inside!) If you decide you want to shoot some 35mm in your 120N, here is a tutorial on how to make a really cheap, effective 35mm adapter:

http://www.squarefrog.co.uk/techniques/using-35mm-film.html

Squarefrog has lots of great tips on how best to get the most from your Holga. Check 'em out!

LT · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2013, 02:37:22 PM »

yes - ebay all the way. they are the same holgas but at a percentage of the price.

My advice, for what it's worth, is to go plastic lens, and as soon as you get it, do the close focus mod (google it, it's very easy), cover the red window between shots to avoid leaks, and spray the interior with matt black paint - you'll get more contrast that way.

Alan · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2013, 03:25:34 PM »

i have holga's - love them.

go for the plastic lens as leon mentions.

I have a few mods done to both of mine > http://www.filmwasters.com/forum/index.php?topic=5432.0

I also buy from HOLGA DIRECT > http://shop.holgadirect.com/

Enjoy !

HolgaJen · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2013, 06:24:28 PM »

Depending on where you live, shipping might be cheaper from certain stores vs. others. I have a few stores listed on my blog here http://holgajen.blogspot.ca/2010/01/online-holga-resources.html. Ebay is always good too if you find a good, trusted seller.

Francois · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2013, 07:55:38 PM »

Personally, I've heard bad things about the flash model. I don't know if it has been fixed but some people complained that the flash batteries would sometimes fall out of their holder. The thing is the holder is inside the film chamber. You end up with a flash that don't work and the shadow of batteries on every image.

I went for the good old 120N. I got a flash at a church charity sale for 50 cents.

Nigel · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2013, 08:25:08 PM »

Emma, don't listen to these boys - they know nothing

- go for the glass lens. Personally I won't bother with the flash, but that's up to you. The glass lens you need.

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2013, 08:26:13 PM »

You're right, Francois, that is a risk. But with the FN you can tighten the battery grips, and of course make sure that your batteries are fresh before loading. An external flash is probably more reliable.

charles binns · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2013, 08:30:28 PM »

Quote from: Nigel on January 04, 2013, 08:25:08 PM

Emma, don't listen to these boys - they know nothing - go for the glass lens. Personally I won't bother with the flash, but that's up to you. The glass lens you need.

I have a glass lens and a plastic lens - they are both good and which ever one you choose won't disappoint. If you get a glass lens you can, of course, look down your nose at the cheap skates with a plastic lens. But if you have a plastic lens you have the street cred of knowing you are keepin' it real, innit!

LT · « **Reply #15 on:** January 04, 2013, 08:44:12 PM »

Glass + Holga = Oxymoron.

Francois · « **Reply #16 on:** January 04, 2013, 09:17:21 PM »

When talking plastic, it's go all the way or go home

gothamtomato · « **Reply #17 on:** January 04, 2013, 10:27:34 PM »

I'd suggest the plastic lens as well. If I'm not mistaken, if you get a glass lens you wouldn't be able to enter many of the toy camera competitions (if they specify plastic cameras).

Phil Bebbington · « **Reply #18 on:** January 04, 2013, 10:37:50 PM »

I'd say Plastic, Plastic, Plastic, Plastic

and if you find one with a really sweet lens - you can just take it with you if the body gets damaged. A lens for life!

Did I mention PLASTIC!

sapata · « **Reply #19 on:** January 05, 2013, 01:58:47 AM »

I second Nigel!

I've own my Holga since 2003 and I bought the glass lens model at the Photographer's Gallery. At the time I had already an original Diana which would give me a more softer effect so it was nice to be able to choose between plastic and glass lens ( if you're intending to buy a Diana consider that option...)

The flash is crap, buy a Holga with a hot shoe and get a cheap dedicated one, if breaks you just get another one...

astrobeck · « **Reply #20 on:** January 05, 2013, 04:52:10 PM »

I like the plastic lens ones...

I also like the bulb and tripod socket mods that Randy Smith at Holgamods does over the fiddly little switch that comes standard on Holgas.
If you do get the off the shelf Holga, just put some tape on that little switch so you won't accidentally shoot in bulb mode when you don't want to.

I love all my Holgas!

You can't go wrong!

Phil Bebbington · « **Reply #21 on:** January 05, 2013, 05:03:59 PM »

I got mine from Randy with all the mods and I love it - damn nice guy, too

Francois · « **Reply #22 on:** January 05, 2013, 05:18:46 PM »

You see Emma, no matter which one you choose whether it be glass or plastic, I think you'll find what you're looking for.
The glass lens models were always a bit less popular, so it gives the images a bit of "exclusivity". But this is still a Holga, so don't expect glass to be as flawless as on a Leica. Glass is easier to clean as it doesn't scratch as easily as plastic.

On the other hand, the plastic lenses are a bit softer when it comes to the final image. Also a bit more common. But they render contrasts very differently.

One won't put you with the "in" crowd anymore than the other. It always comes down to the fact that it's not the tool but what you make of it that counts.

LT · « **Reply #23 on:** January 05, 2013, 05:45:42 PM »

hands up who remembers when there was no such thing as a glass holga?

The glass holga was called the Woca when I were a lad. Back when life was simpler, and film was cheaper.

Francois · « **Reply #24 on:** January 05, 2013, 06:22:14 PM »

Present!

sapata · « **Reply #25 on:** January 06, 2013, 01:32:05 AM »

Glass x plastic: a test showing the diference.
http://www.holgarama.com/glass-vs-plastic/

Late Developer · « **Reply #26 on:** January 06, 2013, 01:40:37 AM »

I've spent years avoiding buying a Holga believing that they are an abomination. I bought a 120N a week or two back and have posted some photos on FW already. As Filmwasters could be dubbed "the pursuit of imperfection", they fit right in.

Frankly, I'm amazed I haven't binned it - as it is to optical quality what Gok Wan is to cage fighting. However, I'm quite warming to it as the output, though oddly coloured, soft and generally a bit wonky, is genuinely interesting.

Buy one. They're fun(ny).

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #27 on:** January 06, 2013, 02:58:32 PM »

Another classic Filmwasters thread.

Poor Emma.....there's nothing like a bunch of wildly differing opinions to help make up your mind, is there?

FWIW, I'd go plastic on the lens, anywhere cheap for the purchase (i.e. not from Lomography), and with or without flash depending purely on whether you think you'd be using it on nights out and the like. I have an old 120SF model (or is it 120FS??) which is the basic model with plastic lens and flash from about 10 years ago. I used the flash a lot to start with because I took the camera to gigs to snap photos of bands. In social situations the flash did tend to be a bit overpowering though, so tissue paper taped over it was a necessity. I'm not sure the presence of a flash unit hampered the "quality of image" when I wasn't using it though, so unless you're only ever going to take photos outdoors, a model with the flash onboard is probably going to be more useful.

Apparently Holgas come with a bulb setting these days, so you could take still lifes indoors without flash (if you have a tripod or equivalent), but other than that, they are kind of useless indoors unless you use really fast film (and then some).

Also, hark at all the lo-fi monkeys discussing the finer details of a decidedly non-fine-and-that's-the-point-isn't-it camera

With or without flash won't make much of a difference to your photos.

Thinking about it, you already have a Coronet Commander which - one you cut the mask out - is basically a WAY cooler version of the Holga (this is an actual FACT based on FACT and REALITY and the law of obscurity equalling coolness

), so get a Holga with a flash because the Commander doesn't have one.

charles binns · « **Reply #28 on:** January 06, 2013, 03:33:09 PM »

Emma

The main thing is that, which ever one you decide to buy, make sure it's black!!

Francois · « **Reply #29 on:** January 06, 2013, 03:50:27 PM »

And what about the 35mm BC model?

If we're going to make this a thorough discussion, we can't forget this one!

Urban Hafner · « **Reply #30 on:** January 06, 2013, 04:05:41 PM »

Quote from: Ed Wenn on January 06, 2013, 02:58:32 PM

Thinking about it, you already have a Coronet Commander which - one you cut the mask out - is basically a WAY cooler version of the Holga (this is an actual FACT based on FACT and REALITY and the law of obscurity equalling coolness ), so get a Holga with a flash because the Commander doesn't have one.

I must agree with Ed here

No way the Holga can compete with the CC ... unless it's the one with the waist level finder from Randy Smith.

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #31 on:** January 06, 2013, 05:53:20 PM »

And a stylish matching bungee or elastic band to make sure the back doesn't fall off.

charles binns · « **Reply #32 on:** January 06, 2013, 06:53:38 PM »

Quote from: Francois on January 06, 2013, 03:50:27 PM

And what about the 35mm BC model?

If we're going to make this a thorough discussion, we can't forget this one!

Francois - I did recommend the 135 BC in my first post. I like it alot but the holga is really about 120 format. So anyone who dips their toe in the wild and wonderful world of the Holga should (IMHO) start with a 120 model, be it glass or plastic.

DonkeyDave · « **Reply #33 on:** January 06, 2013, 07:09:42 PM »

I've got a glass and a plastic one (actually they aren't mine but belong to the kids and get 'borrowed')

they both have their quirks, the plastic one is more dreamy, and the glass one does that sharp/then go wobbly at the edge thing

this thread has been very useful for me, currently performing surgery on the kitchen table....

sapata · « **Reply #34 on:** January 06, 2013, 10:26:50 PM »

Quote from: Ed Wenn on January 06, 2013, 02:58:32 PM

Thinking about it, you already have a Coronet Commander which - one you cut the mask out - is basically a WAY cooler version of the Holga (this is an actual FACT based on FACT and REALITY and the law of obscurity equalling coolness )

In fact, I think the Holga is the ugliest and the most uncool camera I own!

jojonas~ · « **Reply #35 on:** January 07, 2013, 10:28:14 AM »

Quote from: Leon on January 04, 2013, 02:37:22 PM

and spray the interior with matt black paint - you'll get more contrast that way.

that might be a mod worth doing! I like when it gets contrasty~

a question to those that have one, what do you use your cloudy/sunny switch for?
I poped a red filter on mine a few years back:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonasfx/3640759549#

LT · « **Reply #36 on:** January 07, 2013, 10:55:23 AM »

Quote from: jojonas~ on January 07, 2013, 10:28:14 AM

a question to those that have one, what do you use your cloudy/sunny switch for?

I leave it be - dont touch it, leave it on cloudy. I do take the plastic ring out of the lens to widen the max aperture though - more dreamy blurrage lies in that direction.

jojonas~ · « **Reply #37 on:** January 07, 2013, 02:36:59 PM »

Quote from: Leon on January 07, 2013, 10:55:23 AM

I do take the plastic ring out of the lens to widen the max aperture though - more dreamy blurrage lies in that direction.

Ideally, I'd want another lens that I can mod for that purpose

on that note, anyone got an extra?

SLVR · « **Reply #38 on:** January 07, 2013, 03:37:34 PM »

Are you guys talking new holgas or old holgas? My new 120N has an actual working aperture from cloudy to sunny.

I'll have to post some images of my modded holga.

Ive got a 46-52mm stepring pressed into the lens, flocked interior with plastidip, removed mask and used straws for new guides as to not scratch the film, and added a spirit level hotshoe cover. Right now i've got a roll of delta 3200 in the camera and i plan on shooting the whole roll with a red filter. Should be interesting.

DonkeyDave · « **Reply #39 on:** January 07, 2013, 04:03:21 PM »

I'm getting scratched negs on my 120N - so would be interested to see what you've done

why do people remove the masks? The bit underneath looks really sharp and scratchy.

Francois · « **Reply #40 on:** January 07, 2013, 04:48:36 PM »

Removing the mask makes the film less flat and increases the dreaminess of the images and vignetting.

Erik · « **Reply #41 on:** January 07, 2013, 05:04:33 PM »

re: flash or no -- gee, I'd recommend getting two Holgas, a basic model and one with a flash. Part of the fun is having different options for different situations.

I took the flash model out camping a while back and got the below photo with only the flash, a lantern, and a subject who was trying to drink in peace. -- Of course, shot with very cheap b/w, uncropped, and scanned badly.

LT · « **Reply #42 on:** January 07, 2013, 05:23:45 PM »

erik - you need to have the link to a .jpg file for it to show as a picture. As it stands, your link points to a .html file

Erik · « **Reply #43 on:** January 07, 2013, 05:37:25 PM »

Quote from: Leon on January 07, 2013, 05:23:45 PM

erik - you need to have the link to a .jpg file for it to show as a picture. As it stands, your link points to a .html file

Thanks Leon - edited above!

SLVR · « **Reply #44 on:** January 07, 2013, 05:50:41 PM »

Quote from: DonkeyDave on January 07, 2013, 04:03:21 PM

I'm getting scratched negs on my 120N - so would be interested to see what you've done

why do people remove the masks? The bit underneath looks really sharp and scratchy.

Here's exactly what i did!

Go Holga: Straw Hack For Holga Camera

Emma · « **Reply #45 on:** January 07, 2013, 07:46:02 PM »

Oh my. I feel a bit guilty for bringing up what is clearly such a divisive topic!

About the Coronet Commander/Holga thing: I love my CC so much, but it is a bit... not good. When I compare the photos that I take to Urban's or Ed's photos, mine are very unfocused. Looking at my shots it seems to only 'almost-focus' on things that are EXACTLY 2 metres away, and sometimes everything is blurry. I've also grown rather fond of the oddly-shaped mask (and the guys who enlarged my last colour roll were very accomodating, after the long discussion about what-on-God's-good-earth-do-we-do-with-this!)
I'm thinking glass lens, as from Sapata's very helpful link it would seem to be a little sharper. Either that, or get a 35... Oh, indecision!

SLVR · « **Reply #46 on:** January 07, 2013, 09:10:12 PM »

120N!!

charles binns · « **Reply #47 on:** January 07, 2013, 09:29:52 PM »

Quote from: Emma on January 07, 2013, 07:46:02 PM

Oh my. I feel a bit guilty for bringing up what is clearly such a divisive topic!

About the Coronet Commander/Holga thing: I love my CC so much, but it is a bit... not good. When I compare the photos that I take to Urban's or Ed's photos, mine are very unfocused. Looking at my shots it seems to only 'almost-focus' on things that are EXACTLY 2 metres away, and sometimes everything is blurry. I've also grown rather fond of the oddly-shaped mask (and the guys who enlarged my last colour roll were very accomodating, after the long discussion about what-on-God's-good-earth-do-we-do-with-this!)
I'm thinking glass lens, as from Sapata's very helpful link it would seem to be a little sharper. Either that, or get a 35... Oh, indecision!

Get one of each!!! You will eventually anyway!

Francois · « **Reply #48 on:** January 07, 2013, 10:53:37 PM »

Indecision is probably the bad part of photography.

You could always do like I do: go for what can be found at a cheap price!

If you choose the 35mm, just make sure it's the BC version as you'll be disappointed by the regular version.
The 120N or 120G (formerly the Woca) are equally good in my view.

The good thing with Holgas is that no two are the same yet they all start with the same design.

Quote from: Emma on January 07, 2013, 07:46:02 PM

Oh my. I feel a bit guilty for bringing up what is clearly such a divisive topic!

This is actually not a divisive topic. Think of it the same way as you think about chocolate cake. Some like it with vanilla icing. Others with dark chocolate shavings. Others like with custard while I like mine with cherries. But in the end, we all love chocolate cake!

The Holga is exactly the same thing... though it doesn't like being baked too much

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #49 on:** January 07, 2013, 11:52:06 PM »

Emma....this is all good, healthy banter and - to be honest - I'm not sure we've ever really been here before on Filmwasters (i.e. and in depth discussion of Holgas). A number of us who haunt this forum originally met many years ago now on a different forum where there was a LOT of discussion about Holgas, so this thread makes me feel 10 years younger

Author Topic: New camera (Holga) advice? (Read 21150 times)

astrobeck