Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with holga

Holga Help?

bluefly — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:59:05 -0800

I received this Holga camera as an early birthday present. It uses 120 size film. Searching past questions on AskMefi suggests that it can be slightly hard to find a place to develop this type of film, and that it can be expensive unless you have your own photo scanner. Should I return it and get a 35 mm version? I am only a tourist taking pictures type person; I have no aspirations for even amateur status. I would only be using this camera for a hobby to have fun. I searched Flickr to see what pictures from this camera look like, and I think they look really cool -- even the blurry ones. When I search for pictures taken with the 35 mm Holga, they are decidedly less cool/weird. They just look like slightly soft pictures that I could take with my old little 35 mm camera that I already own.

My question is this: Is there selection bias going on, and are the pics taken by the medium format camera just taken by better photographers? Or does that camera/film size actually lend itself to more light leaks/vignetting/other stuff? If it's the latter, I'll just keep this one and find a friend with a scanner.

Thanks so much.

FrankenCamera!!

spicynuts — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:23:35 -0800

Need step by step instructions for a DIY Polgaroid (Holgaroid). I've seen these in stores for something like 250 to 300 bucks. Ludicrious. A Holgaroid or Polgaroid is simply a Holga plastic camera that has a Polaroid peel away film back jammed onto it. I have a 10 dollar Holga, and I have a Fuji back I paid like 60 bucks for. I can't imagine it should be that difficult to hack my own version of this thing. I can't find any on-line instructions. Anyone done this before? Can anyone point me to directions?

120 film processing in Montreal, Canada

exquisite_deluxe — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:36:02 -0800

Where can I develop 120mm colour film in Montreal, or by mail order to Canada? I'm thinking about purchasing a Holga camera, but I don't know anything about developing 120 film. My main concern is convenience, so I'm looking for a drop off location either downtown or easily accessible by metro. Popping an envelope in the mail would be even simpler, if there is a developing place that charges reasonable rates for Canada.

snappy situation

troika — Thu, 29 May 2008 11:50:19 -0800

Where can I get 120 film (for a Holga) in Washington, DC and Auckland, NZ? Is mail order my only option? Also, regading developing: is mail order my only option?

Some questions before I take the Holga plunge and become a total camera nerd.

thecjm — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 07:48:38 -0800

I'm about to get a Holga camera. But first I've got some questions about the different models and 120 film. I've had my eye on Holgas and Lomos for a while and am about to take the plunge and get a Holga camera. I've been doing some research online but most of the info I can find has to do with the issues inherent to the 120S model. The new model, the N series, is out and it supposedly fixes a lot of S's problems. But one answer I can't seem to find anywhere about the switch from the S to the N: Does the appeture switch that doesn't actually do anything on the S series actually work on the N series?
I'm looking at picking up either a 120N or a 120GN. Does anyone have an opinion about whether I should go with the glass lens on the GN or stick with the standard plastic N lens? I'm worried that the glass lens will be too "good" and not "Holga" enough.
Lastly, I've never worked with 120mm before. I live in Toronto, so finding film and processing won't be a problem. But what am I going to be paying for film and processing? It looks like $3-5 a roll for 120 film. That gets me 12-16 shots? What's a good price point for getting 120 film processed and developed?

developing 120 film in nyc?

missed — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 10:05:04 -0800

I'm about to get my first Holga camera and am wondering where I can get 120 film developed in NYC. I live near the Queens border and am mostly home-bound because I care for my grandmother. I'd like to find an affordable 120 film developer that can also put the prints on a cd (a la drugstore processing). Preferably located along the E train line in Manhattan, but any location in Manhattan will do. Any suggestions?

800 Speed Film

jasonspaceman — Thu, 12 May 2005 10:11:04 -0800

Can you use 800 speed film in a Holga? I will be in a bar this weekend watching a band I've been wanting to come to town. I would love to take pictures with my new Holga (with just the built in flash), but I am not sure which type of film I should use. Someone recommended 800 speed film because it is obviously going to be dark ... but the bar will have artificle/strobe lighting.

Or should I just stick with 400 speed film?