Q. I am buying a Holga camera from http://shop.lightleaks.org/collections/holgas I am a newbie to Holga's and I was wondering if the cameras come with their own slide or if I have to buy that separately? I will most likely order the Holga 120N which is the 3rd camera down from the top. Thanks.
Answer
The Holga 120N cameras do not have interchangeable film backs, and does not need a dark slide. This camera uses 120 film, which can be difficult to work with because it is harder to find and harder to find a lab to process it.
If you are new to film photography, you should consider starting with a lo-fi 35mm camera.
Why?
1. Lower cost of film. You get more frames per roll, and if you are a beginner, the way to get good at shooting with film, is to shoot lots of it. I find that when beginners use 120 film, it's higher costs and higher cost of processing keeps them from shooting because they are very much aware of how much each shot costs.
2. Easier to find. 35mm film is much easier to find than the 120 film used in the Holga 120 cameras. I see it in the drugstores, as well as few grocery stores (although that is becoming a much rarer experience).
3. Easier to get processed. Most drugstores and large big box stores like Target or Walmart still have 1-hour labs, but only for 35mm film. You will have to find a local lab to process your 120 film, or send it out.
4. Lower cost of processing. It cheaper to get your 35mm film processed. If you skip the prints and just get the roll processed and put on CD, you can cut the cost down even more. Tip: If you want prints, then you only pay for the ones that came out. This keeps the cost of processing down.
Take a look at one of these 35mm cameras:
Holga 135 or 135BC
Similar cheap lens and operation as the Holga 120 cameras. 1 aperture setting (yes, the camera has 2 settings, but they are identical), 2 shutter settings, N (1/100 sec) and B (Bulb setting) tripod mount, cable release socket If you want the corner vignetting like on the larger format camera, get the Holga 135BC.
Sample photos: http://www.flickr.com/groups/holga135bc/
Superheadz Black Slim Devil
This is a clone based on the popular vintage Vivitar Ultra Wide and Slim. It has no exposure controls and no flash option, but with it's wider than normal lens (22mm) it is capable of taking some outstanding photos.
Sample photos: There really isn't a good Flickr group for these cameras yet, so the sample photos are from the Vivitar UWS http://www.flickr.com/groups/57074580@N00/
The Diana Mini
Lomography took the Diana camera, and shrunk it down to 35mm format. The Mini, while it lacks the interchangeable lenses of the full sized Lomography Diana+, is still a feature packed camera (at least compared to the Holga and Black Slim Devil). The frame format is unusual. They stuck with the square format of the Diana camera, but it is centered on a standard 35mm frame. The reason for floating the square on the 35mm frame is that be using a standard 35mm format, most 1-hour labs will be able to more easily deal with making scans or prints, since they are set up for regular 35mm film. You can also set the camera to half-frame 35mm, which is 2 vertical 24mm x 17mm images. This translates to 2 images on a standard 35mm frame. Currently a favorite of mine, it lives in my camera bag so it is handy where ever I go. 2 aperture settings, 2 shutter settings, N (1/100 sec) and B (Bulb setting) tripod mount, cable release socket This camera is unusual in that it offers square format,24x24mm on a standard 35mm frame (24x36mm). It also offers a half frame option, 17x24mm frames (it doubles the number of exposures you get on a roll of film)
Diana Mini sample photos: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1232275@N22/
The Diana Mini is nice, but I find that unless I am working close and with a flash, the images tend to be on the softer focus side, to the point of being blurry. You might want to consider the sharper lens of the Superheadz Slim cameras (Black Slim Devil, White Slim Angel or other variant, all the same camera in diff colors). Take a careful look at the sample photos on Flickr to help you make a decision.
I have Out of the Box Videos posted on my youtube channel:
Superheadz Black Slim Devil: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwBJYQvEDrU
Holga 135BC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMHCqJ-Cgd4
Diana Mini: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20ItiDptbBA
Whichever camera you choose, remember that the point of lo-fi photography is to have fun and don't sweat the details!
For tips for lo-fi cameras, check out my website:
http://www.dianacamera.com/
For how-to videos for Holgas and Diana cameras, check out my youtube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/kaituba
The Holga 120N cameras do not have interchangeable film backs, and does not need a dark slide. This camera uses 120 film, which can be difficult to work with because it is harder to find and harder to find a lab to process it.
If you are new to film photography, you should consider starting with a lo-fi 35mm camera.
Why?
1. Lower cost of film. You get more frames per roll, and if you are a beginner, the way to get good at shooting with film, is to shoot lots of it. I find that when beginners use 120 film, it's higher costs and higher cost of processing keeps them from shooting because they are very much aware of how much each shot costs.
2. Easier to find. 35mm film is much easier to find than the 120 film used in the Holga 120 cameras. I see it in the drugstores, as well as few grocery stores (although that is becoming a much rarer experience).
3. Easier to get processed. Most drugstores and large big box stores like Target or Walmart still have 1-hour labs, but only for 35mm film. You will have to find a local lab to process your 120 film, or send it out.
4. Lower cost of processing. It cheaper to get your 35mm film processed. If you skip the prints and just get the roll processed and put on CD, you can cut the cost down even more. Tip: If you want prints, then you only pay for the ones that came out. This keeps the cost of processing down.
Take a look at one of these 35mm cameras:
Holga 135 or 135BC
Similar cheap lens and operation as the Holga 120 cameras. 1 aperture setting (yes, the camera has 2 settings, but they are identical), 2 shutter settings, N (1/100 sec) and B (Bulb setting) tripod mount, cable release socket If you want the corner vignetting like on the larger format camera, get the Holga 135BC.
Sample photos: http://www.flickr.com/groups/holga135bc/
Superheadz Black Slim Devil
This is a clone based on the popular vintage Vivitar Ultra Wide and Slim. It has no exposure controls and no flash option, but with it's wider than normal lens (22mm) it is capable of taking some outstanding photos.
Sample photos: There really isn't a good Flickr group for these cameras yet, so the sample photos are from the Vivitar UWS http://www.flickr.com/groups/57074580@N00/
The Diana Mini
Lomography took the Diana camera, and shrunk it down to 35mm format. The Mini, while it lacks the interchangeable lenses of the full sized Lomography Diana+, is still a feature packed camera (at least compared to the Holga and Black Slim Devil). The frame format is unusual. They stuck with the square format of the Diana camera, but it is centered on a standard 35mm frame. The reason for floating the square on the 35mm frame is that be using a standard 35mm format, most 1-hour labs will be able to more easily deal with making scans or prints, since they are set up for regular 35mm film. You can also set the camera to half-frame 35mm, which is 2 vertical 24mm x 17mm images. This translates to 2 images on a standard 35mm frame. Currently a favorite of mine, it lives in my camera bag so it is handy where ever I go. 2 aperture settings, 2 shutter settings, N (1/100 sec) and B (Bulb setting) tripod mount, cable release socket This camera is unusual in that it offers square format,24x24mm on a standard 35mm frame (24x36mm). It also offers a half frame option, 17x24mm frames (it doubles the number of exposures you get on a roll of film)
Diana Mini sample photos: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1232275@N22/
The Diana Mini is nice, but I find that unless I am working close and with a flash, the images tend to be on the softer focus side, to the point of being blurry. You might want to consider the sharper lens of the Superheadz Slim cameras (Black Slim Devil, White Slim Angel or other variant, all the same camera in diff colors). Take a careful look at the sample photos on Flickr to help you make a decision.
I have Out of the Box Videos posted on my youtube channel:
Superheadz Black Slim Devil: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwBJYQvEDrU
Holga 135BC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMHCqJ-Cgd4
Diana Mini: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20ItiDptbBA
Whichever camera you choose, remember that the point of lo-fi photography is to have fun and don't sweat the details!
For tips for lo-fi cameras, check out my website:
http://www.dianacamera.com/
For how-to videos for Holgas and Diana cameras, check out my youtube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/kaituba
Beginner SLR Cameras?
Max
I'm I young photographer, and I'm now planning on moving, from my digital camera, to a fancier SLR camera. I don't know much (practically anything) about camera part lingo, so I'm having a hard time finding a camera with what I want in my camera. I was wondering if anyone knew of a camera that's cheap (200- 350ish, used o.k.) and has controls for ISO, exposure and that stuff, and comes with a macro lens and what ever other kind of lens I would need for basic picture taking. If you leave a link, it would be helpful.
Thanks! :)
Answer
Hi Max,
You are asking for a lot for your $$$ but I have found one possible solution for you from a reliable on line vendor. While not true DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera there is a new type of camera called E.V.I.L (Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens) that you may be able to afford. These are not DSLR models because they lack the "REFLEX" part of the viewing system but his allows them to be smaller, lighter and more affordable. I believe someone has already mentioned a Samsung model that fits in this category but the link is no longer valid and I would recommend looking at Olympus, Panasonic and Sony models anyway because they are better established in manufacturing this class of camera and have a wider selection of models and accessories.
Specifically you can get an Olympus E-PL1 refurbished model with lens for about $300 from Cameta Camera.
http://www.cameta.com/Olympus-Pen-E-PL1-Micro-4-3-Digital-Camera-14-42mm-Lens-Black-Black-Factory-Demo-52477.cfm
This is available as the camera only for about $300 or in a kit with case, memory card, card reader and other accessories for $350 (including photo recovery software which can prove to be worth the $50 if you ever have a problem with a memory card or accidentally delete photos or format a card that you still wanted to copy pictures from). These cameras come with a one year warranty.
I personally have purchased a couple of refurbished items from Cameta and and the equipment has always been in excellent condition and I never had any problems with them. My family has an E-PL1 that I bought for them to use and have as a "back up" to my DSLR. And I have been very pleased with the results from the camera.
Here is a link to a set of photos on Flickr the 10 photos in this set were made with the E-PL1, if that helps.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robs-photo-memory/sets/72157626263466331/
I will probably be adding a few more pictures to this set in the next day or two.
I hope that helps, good luck! Please feel free to email me if you need more information.
Hi Max,
You are asking for a lot for your $$$ but I have found one possible solution for you from a reliable on line vendor. While not true DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera there is a new type of camera called E.V.I.L (Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens) that you may be able to afford. These are not DSLR models because they lack the "REFLEX" part of the viewing system but his allows them to be smaller, lighter and more affordable. I believe someone has already mentioned a Samsung model that fits in this category but the link is no longer valid and I would recommend looking at Olympus, Panasonic and Sony models anyway because they are better established in manufacturing this class of camera and have a wider selection of models and accessories.
Specifically you can get an Olympus E-PL1 refurbished model with lens for about $300 from Cameta Camera.
http://www.cameta.com/Olympus-Pen-E-PL1-Micro-4-3-Digital-Camera-14-42mm-Lens-Black-Black-Factory-Demo-52477.cfm
This is available as the camera only for about $300 or in a kit with case, memory card, card reader and other accessories for $350 (including photo recovery software which can prove to be worth the $50 if you ever have a problem with a memory card or accidentally delete photos or format a card that you still wanted to copy pictures from). These cameras come with a one year warranty.
I personally have purchased a couple of refurbished items from Cameta and and the equipment has always been in excellent condition and I never had any problems with them. My family has an E-PL1 that I bought for them to use and have as a "back up" to my DSLR. And I have been very pleased with the results from the camera.
Here is a link to a set of photos on Flickr the 10 photos in this set were made with the E-PL1, if that helps.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robs-photo-memory/sets/72157626263466331/
I will probably be adding a few more pictures to this set in the next day or two.
I hope that helps, good luck! Please feel free to email me if you need more information.
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