Holga Manual Camera!!!!

whoatherechunk · #1 06-04-2009, 01:53 AM

I recently bought one and am about to experiment with it! Anyone else have one of these cheap jewels?

bongomania · #2 06-04-2009, 02:25 AM

When I saw the thread title I thought maybe it was the name of a Latina model/actress, so I clicked in. It's all in the pronunciation.

And being half asleep.

BurningSkies · #3 06-04-2009, 06:04 AM

I'm not a Holga fan, due to their photo quality. I prefer Diana-type toy cameras instead.

If you go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36878779@N02/sets/

You'll see some scans of a few. I have a number of cameras and often take a camera bag full of them out when I shoot. As they all are different (different lenses, different shutter speeds, different frame shape and size), they're all unique tools.

I buy mine cheap on ebay as many are mis-listed. Don't pay more than about 15 bucks for one, considering they were usually free or under a dollar new.

T-Bird · #4 06-04-2009, 06:51 AM

Hi.

Since in a different lifetime and with different interests, photography would've most likely been a major thing for me, I googled a bit.

http://www.kitch-en.co.uk/shop/lomo/lomo.html

Facinating, as Mr. Spock would most probably say.

Regards
Sam

rustynuts · #5 06-04-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

When I saw the thread title I thought maybe it was the name of a Latina model/actress, so I clicked in. It's all in the pronunciation.

And being half asleep.

Heh, I was about to post almost the exact same reply. Good thing I read a little further first.

warwick.hoy · #6 06-04-2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

Since in a different lifetime and with different interests, photography would've most likely been a major thing for me, I googled a bit.

http://www.kitch-en.co.uk/shop/lomo/lomo.html

Facinating, as Mr. Spock would most probably say.

Regards
Sam

I want those fisheyes.....

BurningSkies · #7 06-04-2009, 08:27 AM

I also have one of these:

Which uses 110 film and takes really bad pictures in so many ways...but its fun, if you can find a place that still will process 110. I'll post some of the stuff it does when I get a chance.

bongomania · #8 06-04-2009, 08:55 AM

Interesting! I had missed the "Lomography" phenomenon when it happened, so it's neat to see all the hindsight and controversy on the web now.

whoatherechunk · #9 06-04-2009, 10:18 PM

i bought one off lomography.com.....maybe i got ripped off ha. but it has a sweet four color flash....and i got a colored filter set. im gonna do a 35 mm film mod to it soon

BurningSkies · #10 06-05-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoatherechunk

i bought one off lomography.com.....maybe i got ripped off ha. but it has a sweet four color flash....and i got a colored filter set. im gonna do a 35 mm film mod to it soon

I'm sure that it will be a fine camera. I like the Dianas because their photoquality is a little more suspect, and they lead to some very cool results.

You should stick with 120 film format. It really is one of the best aspects of either type of 'toy' you choose. The large negatives are great for scanning at high resolution, and if you're printing, its waaaay better than 35mm. You can go bigger and get less grain and more clarity in your print. After using 120 in toys for a while, I've really been looking for a 'real' medium format camera.

popinfresh · #11 06-05-2009, 08:26 PM

I messed around with one back home, I really want to get a Holga and Diana whilst here.

jumbosilverette · #12 06-05-2009, 09:47 PM

I gotta Holga. Haven't shot it in a while though. I really need to set up the old enlarger in the kitchen and make some prints.

whoatherechunk · #13 06-06-2009, 01:33 AM

Anyone have good suggestions on good 120 film? And do you guys develop your own stuff? Do places like walgreenz even develop 120 format film.

warwick.hoy · #14 06-06-2009, 01:59 AM

I did a yellow page search there in El Paso...looks like you may be out of luck.

Medium and large format films are really only artistically viable anymore...most labs are moving to digital...because that is what the majority of consumer and commercial users are going too. Even though medium and large format is a dying art that's not to say that it can't be done...it just might have to be mailed somewhere ("outlab"). Walgreens and Walmart would probably do it...if they even know what 120 and 220 is.

If you have the room and the patience you could set yourself up a small B&W darkroom, but it would be an investment of time and resources.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Omega-Enlarger-B...lenotsupported

warwick.hoy · #15 06-06-2009, 02:03 AM

I had to do a search to jog the memory...To answer your first question...any medium format is probably going to be higher grade/Pro grade. I saw a lot of Kodak Portra come in when I was working in the photofinishing industry (before the digital boom). The Fuji Velvia is slide film.

warwick.hoy · #16 06-06-2009, 02:10 AM

Sorry...Triple post...That Fisheye is only $70....GAS

jumbosilverette · #17 06-06-2009, 02:24 AM

Freestyle Photographic Sales in Los Angeles has lots of 120 and even 620 film. Some of it is Ilford packaged under the Essex name (no relation to the basses) I think. Black and white seems to be preferred for plastic cameras and in that realm you really need the speed of something like Kodak's Tri-X, as the Holga lenses are a little slow.

whoatherechunk · #18 06-06-2009, 04:02 AM

well i did photography class in high school but sucked at developing pictures ha! i guess im gonna go back and ask my old teacher if she'll let me go back in!

warwick.hoy · #19 06-06-2009, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoatherechunk

well i did photography class in high school but sucked at developing pictures ha! i guess im gonna go back and ask my old teacher if she'll let me go back in!

I did B&W as a sophomore and my old teach let me come in and dink around from time to time.

I always shot Ilford XP2 so I didn't have to process. Not sure if there is a C-41 120 film out there.

+1 If the lenses are slow as jumbo mentioned the faster the better. I love the graininess of Kodak TMAX P3200. I don't know if it comes in medium format though.

BurningSkies · #20 06-06-2009, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoatherechunk

Anyone have good suggestions on good 120 film? And do you guys develop your own stuff? Do places like walgreenz even develop 120 format film.

For black and white I tend to use Ilford 400 speed. For color I really like Kodak Portra VC (Vivid Color). If you looked at some of my color Diana scans you'll see why.

For the most part, if you can stick with 400 speed for any of the toy cameras do. Also shoot with the ap. wide open to get the most light in your camera. As with all Holgas and Dianas, the shutter speed varies widely, the more light you get the better chances of getting something on film. 400 is good because it's a good leeway film...meaning no matter what you should be able to produce passible pictures.

On processing, check with your local area for photo shops, not supermarket/drugstore processing. Even in a small town like Syracuse, we have several places that will process. I process my own black and white, and have color done for me. I print my own B&W, and scan color. From there you can print yourself on your computer or you can have someone do prints for you.

Be careful though, since toys have different aspect ratios be prepared for shops to print your pictures poorly...my Diana cameras produce 4.2x4.2 negatives, yet shops want to print to 4x6 or 5x7...which means they'll murder your stuff by cropping it out.

* a quick note on processing...if you do it yourself or have a lab that cares, push your film a bit. I do it by a minute for my 400 speed B&W and it results in nice negatives.