WHAT HOLGA MODEL TO BUY??

Hey guys, I'm new to this photography thing. So i don't really know much of the

high-tech language, or a lot about cameras. But I've seen shots taken with

Holga's and instantly knew i had to have one! I'm all for the experimenting with

different techniques and learning how to use one, so I'm not bothered if i get a

model for more advanced photographers or not. Whats the best model to buy? I

don't know the difference! Your input would be greatly appreciated!! :)

Emma,

 

Ever since Lomography started touting the Holga as the hip and trendy Art camera of the new century, the prices on what is essentially $0.30 of thermoplastic has skyrocketed. They tripled the current prices which brought it to about 100x its real value.

 

Since you are just starting out, I'd suggest a step backward in time and get a box camera. eBay has them for a pittance. They are every bit as simple to use as the Holga?even simpler in fact as most had no focusing. You can get a model that works with 120 film. You may get vignetting, light leaks etc?just like the Holga. You will probably get a larger negative to work with and a glass lens with good contrast and resolution?unlike the Holga. If you need more funkiness, you can reverse the lens (generally they just screw in) or use filters pretty easily. Best of all, you will be hipper and trendier than those poor suckers with a Holga. Go to junkstorecameras.com and follow the Box Camera 101 link for a great tutorial on how to load and shoot box cameras.

 

If you do go down the Holga route, the best model is--the cheapest.<div></div>

Yes, other kinds of cheap plastic cameras are now a little easier to find and buy in place of the often overpriced Holgas. If you are close to a college town, there may be a camera store there with some options.

 

If you do buy an old box or other old camera, however, first make sure the film that fits it is still available. A five-buck camera is no bargain if the only film for it is specially made at $15-20 a roll. For example, it is possible to load 120 film into some 620 cameras, but more commonly it is necessary to respool the film in total darkness onto the 620 reels. I'm guessing you wouldn't be wanting to mess with stuff like that.

Daniel Goodale-Porter is sharing his very good judgment and JDM von Weinberg emphasizes

the critical need for readily available inexpensive film.

 

I would follow their advice.

 

Johnny

BTW...

 

Daniel! Wonderful picture!

 

Johnny

I have an Ansco Shur Shot JR that I love to use. It has everything my Holga has plus some class.

I agree about not buying a Holga. There are so many better/cheaper alternatives. At any charity shop/thrift store, you can find inexpensive plastic point and shoots that give very similar effects for next to nothing.<div></div>

I prefer the glass lens model (120GN) myself. I don't think the prices have changed since I last bought a Holga (about a year ago). I've bought numerous Holgas from <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/XinHaicc-Store">this store</a> on eBay.

 

I'd have to disagree with the previous posts about not buying one. You'll end up wondering about the Holga eventually. Order one, they're a lot of fun to use. Then make sure to learn how to develop B&W film at home yourself, which makes it even more fun! You can see <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kentmercurio/sets/72157600146446254/">my Holga photos here</a>.

I didn't think i was going to get any replies! Thanks heaps for the valuable info everyone. A box camera sounds fun, thanks Daniel. And I hadn't even thought about choosing a camera with readily available inexpensive film, so thanks for sharing that! I've been to a few markets and have thought about getting a Olympus Pen, or Pentax K1000, because they're cheap, but i haven't considered the film, and i haven't even seen the pictures produced, does anyone know if they have the same vintage kind of look as holgas and other similar cameras? Btw, Kent and Daniel, brilliant photos!

From an Ansco Ready Flash cost at Goodwill $1.99

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=610419

Kodak Hawkeye Cost second hand store 99 cents

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=613547

Shur Shot Jr. price 2 bucks yard sale.

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=760306

 

Larry

Emma,

 

The Olympus and the Pentex both suffer from the worst sin imaginable, the sin of high quality. If you use these cameras, you will get tack sharp photos from their well designed optics. Reliable and robust film transport mechanisms will virtually eliminate double exposures and overlapping frames. Sophisticated exposure control systems will ensure perfectly exposed film. Worst of all is that you will have a full set of photographic controls giving you far too much flexibility.

 

All kidding aside, these are real cameras. Great fun to learn with and capable of creating some fine images. However, I'm thinking that they may be unsuitable for the images you want to create. The Toy camera sheik so popular these days is in part a rebellion against the expensive and complex chunks of metal the establishment uses to take pictures.

 

Lot of good advice in this thread. The only thing I'd might add is that you might like pinhole photography. This is the ultimate in rebellion as it for go's even the basics having a lens on the camera. You can buy one, but also can make one easily out of common everyday materials like a box or can or oatmeal cylinder. There is plenty of instructions on the internet. One of the nice hubs of pinhole photography is f295.org. Why don't you poke around some of the galleries there and see if you like the aesthetic. Could be the cheapest way to go.

I agree with Daniel, only I would add... if you are really THAT new to photography, you might seriously consider the K1000 which is by all means a REAL camera. You won't get the light leaks, the vignetting, the "dreamy" look of a Holga... but you will get the advantage of actually learning something about photography.

A K 1000 a bulk loader a few cassets and 100 feet of ISO 400 film a gallon of D-76 a gallon of fixer and a changing bag with a plastic tank and 2 reels. I use water for stop bath so don't yell at me : )

Don't forget what you had said in your original post. "I've seen shots taken with Holga's and instantly knew i had to have one!" You won't get the same kind of look and feel that the Holga produces from "real" cameras. IMHO, the Holga may not have the controls of traditional cameras, but nonetheless it will teach you how to "see" subjects which would look best taken with it and it will help you learn how to compose your shots as well.

 

Be aware that the Holga is a square, 6x6 medium format camera (though if you buy it new, it comes with a mask which allows you to shoot 6x4.5). From what I've glanced at in the messages above, most of the other cameras are not in this format. So I say, get the Holga since it's the one that really sparked your interest.

Agfa CLACK