My new Toy

jgredline · 03-06-2010, 04:23 PM

I have been following a few threads in other forums and I came to discover that these cams have quite the cult following. This is actually my second one. While Dropping off the film at the pro shop, I picked this one up. The charm is that you really don't know what you will get. Double exposers, light leaks, warped sides, etc. All plastic including the lenses...

Has anyone here ever used one?

stevebrot · 03-06-2010, 05:09 PM

OOOO...Ahhhhh...a camo Holga with genuine "Optical Lens". The 60/8 is a classic to be sure! As for me, here is the cam of my dreams:

Fisheye / Overview

Steve

Clicker · 03-06-2010, 05:19 PM

Ben's studio standard i believe

you might like Lomo also.

pingflood · 03-07-2010, 08:07 AM

I have one, and it's fun to play with. Once you've used it for a while though you know what you're getting out of it and can use the effect to your advantage rather than being "surprised" by the results.

I now prefer my "digital Holga" though.

er1kksen · 03-07-2010, 09:59 AM

In my highschool's photo class there was a unit where we just worked with holgas (pinholes too, at one point). It was fun.

Just make sure you don't pay $90 for one at "Urban Outfitters," a horrifically trendy hipster fashion store...

fractal · 03-07-2010, 09:27 PM

Originally posted by pingflood

Once you've used it for a while though you know what you're getting out of it and can use the effect to your advantage rather than being "surprised" by the results.

What is the effect to be taken advantage of exactly?

Any sample shots Javier?

Arjay Bee · 03-08-2010, 03:50 AM

Google 'Lomo photography' on the net and you get the idea

Cosmo · 03-08-2010, 04:57 AM

Originally posted by fractal

What is the effect to be taken advantage of exactly?

Any sample shots Javier?

You've clearly never seen holga shots.

I have one and love it, but I lost the lens cap last Friday in a night club.

pingflood · 03-08-2010, 06:04 AM

Originally posted by fractal

What is the effect to be taken advantage of exactly?

Any sample shots Javier?

You're limited to one exposure setting (there's an "aperture switch" but on most Holgas it does nothing), and the plastic lens introduces large amounts of optical flaws that give the resulting shot a certain look.

ptempel · 03-08-2010, 07:21 AM

Yes, I have used and like the Holga. Some common mods were to:
- Cut (or dremmel) the film plane mask to go from 6x4.5 to 6x6 cm.
- Spray paint the inside of the camera flat black (reduce light bouncing). Use a piece of tape to cover the hole to the lens before starting.
- Fix the f-stop lever. I think this can be done by gluing a nut (or washer) to the lever with the right size hole.
- Use a piece of black tape over the red window and only lift it to advance the frame.
- Use a rubber band around the body to secure the back (prevent it from opening).
- Use a piece of scotch tape on the inside film plane surface (one on each side). This fixed the film scratches I got when advancing the frame.
One of my favorite film and dev combos for this camera was Ilford Delta 3200 with PMK. This will get you 800 ISO with some nice negatives. So I could shoot in overcast light and shadow without a problem. 320-400 ISO is better for bright or partly cloudy days. I also bought a pinhole holga from this place:
holga
They also have other mods including the plastic holga lens on a Pentax body cap. Looks interesting and should not be too difficult to make one yourself. I have some old shots with the holga here:
Rockefeller Skating Rink: Photo by Photographer Philippe Tempel - photo.net
Guardian of the City: Photo by Photographer Philippe Tempel - photo.net
Have fun with your new camera. ;-) One of my favorite holga photographers is Craig Sterling:
Italy | CRAIG STERLING PHOTOGRAPHY
Most of his shots in Venice, Italy with slight vignetting were done with a holga. Amazing what kind if images you can get out of a few plastic parts...

pingflood · 03-08-2010, 07:31 AM

As an alternative to fixing the aperture lever, I wonder if you couldn't stick a piece of red filter gel on it and have a switchable filter that would also let you drop the exposure a bit -- e.g. a red filter would get you 2-3 stops so you could use faster film and still shoot in bright light when needed without blowing it out entirely. Similar result to an aperture change but you'd also get the filter effect.

ptempel · 03-08-2010, 08:21 AM

Originally posted by pingflood

As an alternative to fixing the aperture lever, I wonder if you couldn't stick a piece of red filter gel on it and have a switchable filter that would also let you drop the exposure a bit -- e.g. a red filter would get you 2-3 stops so you could use faster film and still shoot in bright light when needed without blowing it out entirely. Similar result to an aperture change but you'd also get the filter effect.

Yeah, you can throw a gel filter in there. But maybe you would want it to be a neutral density gel so it doesn't influence the colors. I'd still opt to fix the f-stop lever and try screwing on a 46mm to 49mm step up ring to the front of the lens. If the step up ring works, then you have the flexibility for 49mm filters and rubber hoods. Here's a page that talks about the filter options:

Holga Techniques: Using Filters

er1kksen · 03-08-2010, 08:50 AM

As opposed to dremeling the film plane mask, you could check into the interchangeable film plane masks that come with most holgas... a friend of mine recently bought a holga which came with both a 6x4.5 and 6x6 mask which you just pop in and out of the back. I don't know if older holgas have that capacity but if it's recent enough to be in camo... idk.

wlank · 03-08-2010, 11:39 AM

Originally posted by Clicker

Ben's studio standard i believe

03-06-2010, 04:23 PM	#1
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	My new Toy I have been following a few threads in other forums and I came to discover that these cams have quite the cult following. This is actually my second one. While Dropping off the film at the pro shop, I picked this one up. The charm is that you really don't know what you will get. Double exposers, light leaks, warped sides, etc. All plastic including the lenses... Has anyone here ever used one?

03-06-2010, 05:09 PM	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	OOOO...Ahhhhh...a camo Holga with genuine "Optical Lens". The 60/8 is a classic to be sure! As for me, here is the cam of my dreams: Fisheye / Overview Steve

03-08-2010, 11:39 AM	#14
wlank Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Santa Teresa, New Mexico Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,130	Originally posted by Clicker Ben's studio standard i believe you might like Lomo also. I heard Ben was using this one now. Made by Fuji, you know. Attached Images

03-08-2010, 09:17 PM	#15
dugrant153 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,059	Originally posted by wlank I heard Ben was using this one now. Made by Fuji, you know. That camera is FULL FRAME!!!111

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03-06-2010, 05:19 PM	#3
Clicker Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,241	Ben's studio standard i believe you might like Lomo also.

03-07-2010, 08:07 AM	#4
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,169	I have one, and it's fun to play with. Once you've used it for a while though you know what you're getting out of it and can use the effect to your advantage rather than being "surprised" by the results. I now prefer my "digital Holga" though.

03-07-2010, 09:59 AM	#5
er1kksen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Forestville, NY Photos: Albums Posts: 1,801	In my highschool's photo class there was a unit where we just worked with holgas (pinholes too, at one point). It was fun. Just make sure you don't pay $90 for one at "Urban Outfitters," a horrifically trendy hipster fashion store...

03-07-2010, 09:27 PM	#6
fractal Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,547	Originally posted by pingflood Once you've used it for a while though you know what you're getting out of it and can use the effect to your advantage rather than being "surprised" by the results. What is the effect to be taken advantage of exactly? Any sample shots Javier?

03-08-2010, 03:50 AM	#7
Arjay Bee Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Horn Island, Torres Straits, Q Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,715	Google 'Lomo photography' on the net and you get the idea

03-08-2010, 04:57 AM	#8
Cosmo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 488	Originally posted by fractal What is the effect to be taken advantage of exactly? Any sample shots Javier? You've clearly never seen holga shots. I have one and love it, but I lost the lens cap last Friday in a night club.

03-08-2010, 06:04 AM	#9
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,169	Originally posted by fractal What is the effect to be taken advantage of exactly? Any sample shots Javier? You're limited to one exposure setting (there's an "aperture switch" but on most Holgas it does nothing), and the plastic lens introduces large amounts of optical flaws that give the resulting shot a certain look.

03-08-2010, 07:21 AM	#10
ptempel Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bloomfield, NJ Posts: 32	Yes, I have used and like the Holga. Some common mods were to: - Cut (or dremmel) the film plane mask to go from 6x4.5 to 6x6 cm. - Spray paint the inside of the camera flat black (reduce light bouncing). Use a piece of tape to cover the hole to the lens before starting. - Fix the f-stop lever. I think this can be done by gluing a nut (or washer) to the lever with the right size hole. - Use a piece of black tape over the red window and only lift it to advance the frame. - Use a rubber band around the body to secure the back (prevent it from opening). - Use a piece of scotch tape on the inside film plane surface (one on each side). This fixed the film scratches I got when advancing the frame. One of my favorite film and dev combos for this camera was Ilford Delta 3200 with PMK. This will get you 800 ISO with some nice negatives. So I could shoot in overcast light and shadow without a problem. 320-400 ISO is better for bright or partly cloudy days. I also bought a pinhole holga from this place: holga They also have other mods including the plastic holga lens on a Pentax body cap. Looks interesting and should not be too difficult to make one yourself. I have some old shots with the holga here: Rockefeller Skating Rink: Photo by Photographer Philippe Tempel - photo.net Guardian of the City: Photo by Photographer Philippe Tempel - photo.net Have fun with your new camera. ;-) One of my favorite holga photographers is Craig Sterling: Italy \| CRAIG STERLING PHOTOGRAPHY Most of his shots in Venice, Italy with slight vignetting were done with a holga. Amazing what kind if images you can get out of a few plastic parts...

03-08-2010, 07:31 AM	#11
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,169	As an alternative to fixing the aperture lever, I wonder if you couldn't stick a piece of red filter gel on it and have a switchable filter that would also let you drop the exposure a bit -- e.g. a red filter would get you 2-3 stops so you could use faster film and still shoot in bright light when needed without blowing it out entirely. Similar result to an aperture change but you'd also get the filter effect.

03-08-2010, 08:21 AM	#12
ptempel Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bloomfield, NJ Posts: 32	Originally posted by pingflood As an alternative to fixing the aperture lever, I wonder if you couldn't stick a piece of red filter gel on it and have a switchable filter that would also let you drop the exposure a bit -- e.g. a red filter would get you 2-3 stops so you could use faster film and still shoot in bright light when needed without blowing it out entirely. Similar result to an aperture change but you'd also get the filter effect. Yeah, you can throw a gel filter in there. But maybe you would want it to be a neutral density gel so it doesn't influence the colors. I'd still opt to fix the f-stop lever and try screwing on a 46mm to 49mm step up ring to the front of the lens. If the step up ring works, then you have the flexibility for 49mm filters and rubber hoods. Here's a page that talks about the filter options: Holga Techniques: Using Filters

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03-08-2010, 08:50 AM	#13
er1kksen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Forestville, NY Photos: Albums Posts: 1,801	As opposed to dremeling the film plane mask, you could check into the interchangeable film plane masks that come with most holgas... a friend of mine recently bought a holga which came with both a 6x4.5 and 6x6 mask which you just pop in and out of the back. I don't know if older holgas have that capacity but if it's recent enough to be in camo... idk.