Talked my cousin into a Holga

sf · 02-15-2006

I talked my cousin into a Holga 120n for his trip to Amsterdam.

It's actually his first ever film camera.

He has no meter, and is shooting 400 ISO B&W.

What should I tell him about metering (About judging the light conditions, considering that he has 1 shutterspeed and aperture), etc?

pvdhaar · 02-15-2006

Wow, that's sophisticated! Metering for a Holga

When you're stuck with 1/100 at f8, there's only one thing you can do with a meter. That is compare the metered value with 1/100@f8 and see whether you're still within the exposure latitude of the film.

That said, the light meter always seems to read 1/125@f8 for 400 ISO during the day here in the cities. Your friend should do fine with his setup.

lubitel · 02-15-2006

Wow, congratulations on talking your cousing into this!!!

There is no metering for Holga, just shooting. When the sun shines, the pictures come out great. when the sun doesnt shine, they still come out anyway. 400 film is perfect.

by the way, I read that f8 on Holga is not really f8 anyway, more like 9 to 10.

T_om · 02-15-2006

Your cousin might end up hating you... or loving you, all depends.

You CAN 'open up' the Holga about a stop or maybe a bit less.

Take the lens apart and remove the metal fixed aperture. You can either be sophisticated about it and re-drill it, or take the more traditional route and just toss it in the trash. I tossed mine in the trash. I had to as I bent it all up prying it out. No problem.

This lets in a bit more light while at the same time softening the edges of the frame even more than the usual Holga softness.

The cuz will also have to take a bit of Blu-Tac and stop up the holes in the upper part of the body when the frame holder is cut away to allow 6x6 frames.

You HAVE to shoot 6x6 with a Holga. Your Holga Operators Permit will be revoked if you leave that 4.5x6 plastic frame intact.

Tom

JoeFriday · 02-15-2006

I assume your cousin has someplace to get 120 film processed? it's a bit odd to start someone out with medium format, but there's nothing wrong with that!

there are a few procedures to do to get the Holga ready for the finality of loading film in it.. it's not hard to find info online.. there's the light leaks problem that T_om mentioned.. and covering up the red window on the back is a good idea (but in a way that you can still view through it when advancing the film.. and you absolutely must convert it to 6x6 format.. and don't forget to change the setting on that red window to show the correct frame numbers

make sure your cousin is familiar with the process of loading and unloading the film.. it's not quite the same as 135 film.. and with only 12 exposures, he'll be doing it a lot

RML · 02-15-2006

Don't forget to show him which side of the 120 film goes towards the lens, and which side not.

ERV · 02-15-2006

I've taken my Holgas on trips and although it's a fun camera, there are a couple of things that make working with it easier.
First, do a google of 'holga modifications' and you find a wealth of info on improving it.
The only one that is absolutely essential is taping the red window since it is a source of light leaks. The others depend on how much time you want to spend on it.
I have three Holgas (hey, for 16. each, why not?) and have done a wide range of mods to them, from completely taping them with Gaffers tape (or not), flocking the insides with black matte paint, adding another f stop, close focusing, etc.

Another suggestion to consider is to buy a second Holga and a large film changing bag.
Its a lot easier to start the day with two Holgas loaded with film (24 exposures) and one one is done, pull the second (or third, which is why I have 3) out and keep moving on.
Changing film can be a slow and needs to be done in a dark room, closet or film bag.
When the 2 or 3 cameras are finished I usually take a break, have a cafe or beer, and change film in all three cameras.
Of couse, you can work with one camera, however 12 exposures can go pretty quickly. I also take my film to my local 1 hour shop. They do a decent job and its only a Holga, anyway.
Have fun, they are great cameras!

RML · 02-15-2006

On my blog there's an article about _my mod'd Holga_.

wrenhunter · 02-15-2006

Don't forget, guys, that this is a 120N, the newer model. It already includes the 6x6 mask. And mine, at least, seems less leakier than the old model.

egpj · 02-15-2006

A Holga without light leaks. Now where is the fun in that?

Poptart · 02-15-2006

I talked my cousin into experimentation. But that's another story.

sf · 02-15-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvdhaar

Wow, that's sophisticated! Metering for a Holga

When you're stuck with 1/100 at f8, there's only one thing you can do with a meter. That is compare the metered value with 1/100@f8 and see whether you're still within the exposure latitude of the film.

That said, the light meter always seems to read 1/125@f8 for 400 ISO during the day here in the cities. Your friend should do fine with his setup.

Yeah, That is what I meant. I want to explain to him how he should choose his situations. Obviously, he won't be able to shoot in very low light, or in very bright light. I suppose the simplest question is, how do you explain to a digital user how to use a Holga with 400 ISO B&W film? DO I tell him, "just wait till the middle of the day, and you'll be fine" or what? I was going to send him a light meter so he could check the light before deciding to blow a roll. You know what I mean?

Thanks to everyone for the input.

XAos · 02-15-2006

Make him up a little chart. If the kitty's eyes are shut, it's too bright. If the kitty's eye's are open but they're tiny little slits. It's ok to take pictures. If the kitty's eyes are wide open, it's too dark.

wrenhunter · 02-15-2006

I'm asking myself the same thing after the first roll. Maybe I should buy an older one?

Quote:

Originally Posted by egpj

A Holga without light leaks. Now where is the fun in that?

derevaun · 02-15-2006

A pretty good rule of thumb is to just take pictures in or of outdoor lighting. With print film and a sense of humor, you can take almost any picture at f8-100 or f2.8-30.

But the Holga's aperture is fixed at around f/16 due to the ring attached to the lens. Some people glue it on the sliding aperture arm in order to have 2 actual apertures.

RML · 02-16-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poptart

I talked my cousin into experimentation. But that's another story.

Sex, drugs or Rock 'n' Roll? Wait! Don't tell! I don't think I wanna hear it, really.

lubitel · 02-16-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by shutterflower

DO I tell him, "just wait till the middle of the day, and you'll be fine" or what? I was going to send him a light meter so he could check the light before deciding to blow a roll. You know what I mean?

As long as its light outside Sunny or even cloudy, you can get decent results with 400 film in it. Just tell him not too shoot when its getting dark and basta. and use that sunny and cloudy setting

And make sure the camera is not set to B setting (the newer 120N has that)

this was taken on a cloudy day, towards evening.
http://www.yevglad.com/photo/holga/holga_78.html