Found Photography » Holga http://www.foundphotography.com Found Photography is where I document my camera experiments, share my photo adventures, and generally just talk about photography. Thanks for stopping by. - Adrian Hanft Thu, 12 May 2011 00:10:56 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Some Avoid the Holga, Others Embrace It http://www.foundphotography.com/2006/10/some-avoid-the-holga-others-embrace-it/ http://www.foundphotography.com/2006/10/some-avoid-the-holga-others-embrace-it/#comments Mon, 30 Oct 2006 04:38:55 +0000 admin http://www.foundphotography.com/2006/10/some-avoid-the-holga-others-embrace-it/ Who buys a Holga expecting results like a Hasselblad? If they do, they will be disappointed. Control over a camera isn’t always a good thing. Think about how many cameras are sold for hundreds and hundreds of dollars a piece – and the majority of the photos are garbage. Technically these “state of the art” cameras can produce perfectly exposed, perfectly in focus pictures. That doesn’t mean they are good photos, though. I think there is too much emphasis on camera gear by photographers. Learn the basics of photography and you can produce a great photo with anything from a Hasselblad to a pinhole camera. I like the Holga because it introduces an element of risk into my photography that sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. I happen to like not knowing what I am going to get because when I plan a photo out meticulously and obsess about getting the exposure right, I rarely am impressed with the results – no matter how technically perfect the image may be.

(Taken from a comment I left on a post on PhotoCritic.org encouraging people to avoid the Holga.)

Here are some of the auctions on Ebay for Holga cameras that you might be interested in:

Ilford HP5 plus - B/W - 220 film - 5/2003 - Holga?
US $16.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 15:54:35 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $19.99
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
Lot of Holga Film
US $5.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 16:39:40 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
JACK HOLGA FLASH CAMERA STARTER KIT BY LOMOGROPHY
US $20.50 (3 Bids)
End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:25:28 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
The White Stripes Holga - Limited Edition with Flash Ring
US $59.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 20:49:08 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
HOLGA 160 Flash Light 120 N GN 135BC TLR Camera 8 Color LC-A Hot Shoe adapter
US $20.99
End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 23:28:55 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $20.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list
HOLGA 120 GTLR Twin Lens Reflex Medium Format Film Blue Plastic Toy Camera LOMO
US $63.79
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 0:35:59 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $63.79
Buy it now | Add to watch list
HOLGA 120 GTLR Twin Lens Reflex Medium Format Film White Plastic Toy Camera LOMO
US $63.79
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 0:44:39 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $63.79
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Holga 120 S Medium Format Film Camera New in Box
US $20.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 3:53:33 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $25.99
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
LOMO HOLGA BLACK CAMERA CFN 120 MM FILM w FLASH DIANA LOMOGRAPHY
US $70.00
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 5:12:57 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $70.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Holga Polaroid Back With Holga 120sf Camera
US $59.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 6:34:22 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $80.00
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

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]]> http://www.foundphotography.com/2006/10/some-avoid-the-holga-others-embrace-it/feed/ 3 Holga Spool Tensioner http://www.foundphotography.com/2006/02/holga-spool-tensioner/ http://www.foundphotography.com/2006/02/holga-spool-tensioner/#comments Sun, 19 Feb 2006 21:47:54 +0000 admin http://www.foundphotography.com/2006/02/holga-spool-tensioner/ Sponge_Brush.jpg

One modification that I have never made to my Holga is a spool tensioner. It isn’t that I don’t need tension on the spool, it is just that I didn’t like any of the methods described online. The ones I have seen involve cutting and taping plastic strips or jamming cardboard under the spool. Not that my Holga is elegant, by any means, but I just want a cleaner solution. Yesterday it hit me when I saw a sponge brush in a box of tools. You can get them at Wal-Mart for $0.36. Your Holga probably came with a little bit of similar sponge glued underneath where the film goes. All you have to do is cut the sponge off the stick and put it in your Holga! Since the brush has a thin piece of plastic inside the sponge, it is perfect for a spool tensioner. I put the sponge on the left side of the film, but you could probably stick it on any side. The plastic prevents the sponge from getting pulled through with the film. No glue or tape or anything else required. I also use this for a spool tensioner on my Lego cameras with good results.

Ebay is a great place to shop for the Holga. Here’s what is on Ebay right now:

Ilford HP5 plus - B/W - 220 film - 5/2003 - Holga?
US $16.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 15:54:35 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $19.99
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
Lot of Holga Film
US $5.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 16:39:40 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
JACK HOLGA FLASH CAMERA STARTER KIT BY LOMOGROPHY
US $20.50 (3 Bids)
End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:25:28 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
The White Stripes Holga - Limited Edition with Flash Ring
US $59.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 20:49:08 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
HOLGA 160 Flash Light 120 N GN 135BC TLR Camera 8 Color LC-A Hot Shoe adapter
US $20.99
End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 23:28:55 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $20.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list
HOLGA 120 GTLR Twin Lens Reflex Medium Format Film Blue Plastic Toy Camera LOMO
US $63.79
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 0:35:59 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $63.79
Buy it now | Add to watch list
HOLGA 120 GTLR Twin Lens Reflex Medium Format Film White Plastic Toy Camera LOMO
US $63.79
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 0:44:39 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $63.79
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Holga 120 S Medium Format Film Camera New in Box
US $20.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 3:53:33 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $25.99
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
LOMO HOLGA BLACK CAMERA CFN 120 MM FILM w FLASH DIANA LOMOGRAPHY
US $70.00
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 5:12:57 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $70.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Holga Polaroid Back With Holga 120sf Camera
US $59.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 6:34:22 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $80.00
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Ebay Results Powered By AffiliateMarketer.info
]]> http://www.foundphotography.com/2006/02/holga-spool-tensioner/feed/ 3 Holga Double Exposures http://www.foundphotography.com/2005/07/holga-double-exposures/ http://www.foundphotography.com/2005/07/holga-double-exposures/#comments Mon, 04 Jul 2005 23:38:03 +0000 admin http://www.foundphotography.com/2005/07/holga-double-exposures/ WilcoBuildings2.jpgSwingers2.jpg2blWilco2.jpgRianFish2.jpg

Double Exposures are a fun and simple way to get artistic and abstract photos. I have been experimenting with taking double exposures with my Holga. It is easy to take multiple exposures with a Holga, you just don’t advance the film. The fun thing is you never know what you are going to get. There are a couple things you can do to improve your odds of getting a good image:

1. Try to find high contrast images. An overall gray exposure sandwiched on top of another gray exposure is going to be twice as muddy. High contrast images will give you stronger detail in the final negative.

2. The image from your second exposure will show up best in the dark areas of your first exposure. Think about how the light affects the film. For example, consider what would happen if you are shooting a scene of snow with a dark house in the middle for your first exposure. The light from the snow is going to burn out the film almost completely, so when you take your next exposure, no detail will appear in the snow. Since there isn’t any light coming from the house, the film will be unexposed there. This is where the image from the second exposure will appear.

3. Choose simpe subject matter Two exposures means twice as much information on the negative. That means there is a good chance you won’t know what you are looking at. If you choose simple subjects, you increase the chance of having a understandable final negative.

I hope these tips help some of you out. Remember to have fun with double exposures. Some times you will get good results and sometimes you won’t get anything. Take a bunch of photos to increase your chances of getting some good negatives.

Ebay is my favorite place to find deals on great old cameras. Here are the holga cameras on Ebay right now:

JACK HOLGA FLASH CAMERA STARTER KIT BY LOMOGROPHY
US $20.50 (3 Bids)
End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:25:28 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
HOLGA 160 Flash Light 120 N GN 135BC TLR Camera 8 Color LC-A Hot Shoe adapter
US $20.99
End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 23:28:55 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $20.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list
HOLGA 120 GTLR Twin Lens Reflex Medium Format Film Blue Plastic Toy Camera LOMO
US $63.79
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 0:35:59 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $63.79
Buy it now | Add to watch list
HOLGA 120 GTLR Twin Lens Reflex Medium Format Film White Plastic Toy Camera LOMO
US $63.79
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 0:44:39 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $63.79
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Holga 120 S Medium Format Film Camera New in Box
US $20.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 3:53:33 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $25.99
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
LOMO HOLGA BLACK CAMERA CFN 120 MM FILM w FLASH DIANA LOMOGRAPHY
US $70.00
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 5:12:57 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $70.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Holga Polaroid Back With Holga 120sf Camera
US $59.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 6:34:22 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $80.00
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
Holga 120 Medium Format Film Camera with Flash, 35 mm adapter & 1 roll of film
US $45.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 11:36:43 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $60.00
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
Lomography Holga Medium Format Camera Color Flash NEW
US $53.99
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 14:16:44 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $53.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Red Holga Camera 120 CFN PLUS Film
US $50.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 17:13:36 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $60.00
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Ebay Results Powered By AffiliateMarketer.info
]]> http://www.foundphotography.com/2005/07/holga-double-exposures/feed/ 2 Holga 120s http://www.foundphotography.com/2005/04/holga-120s/ http://www.foundphotography.com/2005/04/holga-120s/#comments Sat, 09 Apr 2005 12:13:53 +0000 admin http://www.foundphotography.com/2005/04/holga-120s/ holga120s.jpg

The Holga is a fun camera made almost entirely out of plastic. Even the lens is plastic, and its unpredictable characteristics make it ideal for artists that appreciate happy accidents. Besides being affordable (under $25) the Holga’s redeeming qualities are that it shoots medium format 120 film and can easily be modified. To view some of the photos I have taken with my Holga visit my Holga gallery.

The Holga is about as bare bones as possible. It has one shutter speed, one aperture, a focus ring, and a film advance knob. You can buy a flash version of the camera, but I don’t think it is worth it. The focus ring is marked with settings from close-up to infinity. It is a guess at best, but if you were going for accuracy, you probably wouldn’t be shooting with a Holga.

On the back of the camera is a red window that tells you what frame you are on. For those of us that grew up with 35mm film canisters, this may be a little foreign. Unlike 35mm, 120 film comes with a layer of paper on the back side of the film. It is printed with numbers that correspond with what frame you are on. The red window allows you to see the number, and the paper backing of the film prevents the light coming in from exposing the film. It isn’t perfect though, so you should cover the hole unless you are advancing the film. I use black electrical tape to cover the window.

Holga Modifications Because it is so affordable and has such simple components, the Holga is ideal for modification. Coming from the factory, the Holga only has one shutter speed, and one aperture. The cloudy/sunny switch only works if you take the lens apart and add a smaller aperture to the arm attatched to the switch.

The most popular modification is to convert the 6 x 4.5 shield into a 6 x 6 . You can simply remove the shield, but this will tend to leave the film loose. A permanent solution is to cut the plastic shield with an exacto knife.

The inside of the Holga is very reflective. In order to cut down on reflections, you can buy a can of Krylon Ultra Flat Black spray paint and paint the inside of the camera.

Another permanent modification is to convert the 200ish shutter speed into a bulb setting. In basic terms, that means that the shutter will remain open for as long as you hold the button down. The downside is that since their isn’t a tripod mount, it will be hard to avoid camera shake.

Most of these modifications are easier than they sound. There are many good tutorials online with detailed instructions.

Ebay is my favorite place to find deals on great old cameras. Here are the Holga cameras on Ebay right now:

JACK HOLGA FLASH CAMERA STARTER KIT BY LOMOGROPHY
US $20.50 (3 Bids)
End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:25:28 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
HOLGA 160 Flash Light 120 N GN 135BC TLR Camera 8 Color LC-A Hot Shoe adapter
US $20.99
End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 23:28:55 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $20.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list
HOLGA 120 GTLR Twin Lens Reflex Medium Format Film Blue Plastic Toy Camera LOMO
US $63.79
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 0:35:59 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $63.79
Buy it now | Add to watch list
HOLGA 120 GTLR Twin Lens Reflex Medium Format Film White Plastic Toy Camera LOMO
US $63.79
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 0:44:39 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $63.79
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Holga 120 S Medium Format Film Camera New in Box
US $20.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 3:53:33 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $25.99
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
LOMO HOLGA BLACK CAMERA CFN 120 MM FILM w FLASH DIANA LOMOGRAPHY
US $70.00
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 5:12:57 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $70.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Holga Polaroid Back With Holga 120sf Camera
US $59.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 6:34:22 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $80.00
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
Holga 120 Medium Format Film Camera with Flash, 35 mm adapter & 1 roll of film
US $45.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 11:36:43 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $60.00
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
Lomography Holga Medium Format Camera Color Flash NEW
US $53.99
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 14:16:44 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $53.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Red Holga Camera 120 CFN PLUS Film
US $50.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 17:13:36 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $60.00
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Ebay Results Powered By AffiliateMarketer.info
]]> http://www.foundphotography.com/2005/04/holga-120s/feed/ 2