First Holga came in today!!!

[boobbbers]

I just got my first holga today. I was so excited!!! Untill I opened the package and held it in my hands. Then I realised I payed $30 for it and it didnt even come with a take up spool. I hope the pictures make up for it. Ima take a fiew rolls and hope I dont ruin the film since i have to rewind it manualy. Wish me luck! Ill put a fiew pictures when i get the chance.

[pesphoto]

Welcome to RFF,look forward to seeing your pics...gonna hold you to it ya know......

[boobbbers]

i cant believe this thing came with a hot-shoe and a TRIPOD MOUNT but not takeup spool =(.

[rich815]

There is no "official" take-up spool for the camera, it uses the spool from any used 120 roll. Any decent camera store that develops 120 will have them, likely for free.

And BTW, you do not rewind 120 film....only if you modify and use the Holga for 35mm do you have to rewind it.

[mtbbrian]

Where did you get it from anyway?
They typically come with a spool when new, but as others have mentioned they are gotten easily and usually for no additional cost from a lab that processes 120 film.
Have fun and Good Luck!
Brian

[boobbbers]

Originally Posted by mtbbrian

Where did you get it from anyway?
They typically come with a spool when new, but as others have mentioned they are gotten easily and usually for no additional cost from a lab that processes 120 film.
Have fun and Good Luck!
Brian

Got it from the seller Adroama on Amazon.com. It came with 2 inserts. One for 12 exposure and one for 16 yet no takeup spool. I thought i would have to buy one because i didnt know exactly how 120 film worked, but the guy at Canoga Camera was kind enough to give me one and enlighten me on the subject.

Ill get pictures up as soon as i figure out how to turn scaned negatives into proper pictures. If anybody can tell me how to do it properly or point me in the right direction, i would really apreciate it.

[landsknechte]

I'd imagine that there's a bit of the famous Holga quality control in action here.

[Niall Bell]

I've got some Holgas- all bought new. These are medium format cameras, none came with a take up spool, and neither did my Mamiya 6 nor my Hass.

Use the left-over spool from a used 120 film. Wen film is used, it has wound to right side, remove and seal. Transfer now empty spool from left to the right and load new film.

Or, use a 35mm film in which case you will need to cobble together a take up spool and somehow rewind at end.

[kuzano]

As mentioned before, get a take-up spool at most any processing lab. The takeup is the same spool as the film is wound on originally.

120 film winds off the film spool, all the way on to the take-up spool. The 120 film even has a lickem tab on the back end to seal the roll shut until you take it to the processor. Then the spool that is left on the camera becomes the new take-up when you move it to the other side of the camera.

You say there are two settings and/or film masks for 12 and 16 exposures. That means you can shoot square 6X6cm and rectangular 6X4.5. There must be a setting on the camera for changing the format, OR perhaps the Holga has two ruby windows in which you read the numbers as you advance the film. That's the way it was done before advanced film counting and double prevention.

The take-up spool is not a real issue, as they are plentiful and would be the same for all 120. If worst comes to worst, (and it shouldn't come to this) buy an old roll of 120 expired film and strip the film off (blow the roll) to get a spool.

I don't really advocate that, as I mostly shoot expired film bought cheap off eBay and find my results have been fortunately exceptional. Find an eBay seller who sell a ton of expired film, indicates that it's been kept refrigerated, and has a couple of thousand feed backs at 100% positive. That person is not lying if they have made 2000 people happy with their product. There's a lot of old film out there waiting to be exposed and developed. And it's very reasonably priced. Usually half or less than current date film. Of course, I am not relying on my shooting for income, so I can take the risk on an occasional roll that's got color shift. And if you are shooting B/W, I have never seen the difference between expired and current date film.

And if you're using a Holga, you're after kinky results anyway.

[rich815]

Originally Posted by kuzano

And if you're using a Holga, you're after kinky results anyway.

Whoa-ho! Just what do you think he plans to take with his Holga anyway???!!!

[kuzano]

Oops... I meant kinky in the sense of distorted and out of focus in spots sense of the word.

Not kinky in the erotic sense of the word. Although, if Holgas were used in fashion and erotic photography, or perhaps even porn, it might not get so boring so fast.

[Ducky]

I use my Holga over most of my others. I like the unpredictability of the limited viewfinder and plastic lens.

[bhop73]

Mine and my ex's both had takeup spools in the box. When I got it I didn't know a thing about 120 film, it took a few minutes to figure out what to do once the film was done since it doesn't rewind like a 35mm camera. It's a fun camera, I don't use mine as much as I should.

[P.Negro]

Hello everybody.

I have a Diana clone (the co., great wall, made them in lost of brand names) but I don't think I've ever shot film in it. I'm lazy and lame!