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Aperture & shutterspeed of new Holga 120N?


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<p>I borrowed a Holga 120SF from a friend. It was an old one where indeed the aperture switch did nothing. When using a lightmeter I noticed his was around f/8 and 1/100sec.<br>

After playing around with it, I decided to buy a new one for myself. I bought the 120N because in the future I would like to experiment with off shoe flashes and even some studio work.<br />I notice mine does have a working aperture for sure. I can clearly see a smaller hole being placed in front of the larger one when I set the switch to sunny.<br />When browsing and searching the web I get contradicting messages on what the aperture value now actually is. I read f/11 and f/8. I read f/13.3 and even f/22.<br>

The same issue for the shutterspeed, I'm reading from 1/100 to 1/250sec.<br>

My manual says 1/125s and f/8-f/11 but who knows...<br>

I don't like to waste film just to test this, although I'm getting the feeling that will be the only way...<br />Any of you guys have some thoughts on this?</p>

 

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<p>I'm not sure you want to hear my thoughts, but having used a few Holgas and other similar cameras in the past, you choose a film with an ASA rating that puts you in the ballpark with the approximate 1/100 and f/8 under the light conditions you are going to encounter, and hope for the best... with benefit of negative film's latitude. It's a close enough is good enough kind of camera, and having the element of chance enter into it is part of the attraction. Because of this, if it's for "serious" photography, you make sure you have an appropriate or interesting subject, rather than expecting anything having to do with photo.net style image quality. </p>

<p>As for that little arm with the smaller aperture, look to see if it actually centres when it's used, because most I've seen don't, or it's too loose to stay there. I used to remove mine entirely, use fast enough film, and control light with a filter instead.</p>

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<p>Thanks Pierre.<br>

<br />I was thinking about Kodak Portra 400 for the 'usual' stuff but I also have some Kodak Pro Gold 100 I would like to use.<br>

<br />In studio the shutterspeed is less important and the difference of f/8 to f13 or so is no big issue. But I'd like to try out some strobist shooting where ambient light mathers a lot for me when used with strobes. When I'm assuming 1/100 f/8 and actually shooting 1/250 f/13 for example, I would be miscaclulating 2 to 3 stops, ratio ambient/flash will be a huge difference to what I had in mind.<br>

As for the arm. Seems to be holding in place. Shot both aperture settings with my iPhone and Holga in bulb: http://xposed.be/FTP/Faan/foto%201.JPG & http://xposed.be/FTP/Faan/foto%202.JPG</p>

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<p>The specifications for the camera on the B&H Photo site are 1/100th shutter speed; and f/8.0 and 11 for cloudy/sunny apertures. Obviously, the Holga isn't a precision instrument, and I'm sure there's shutter speed variance from camera to camera.</p>

<p>I've been using Fuji NPZ 120 (ISO 800) film. The 800 speed is a little more forgiving on cloudy days, the film scans well and it looks good when converted to black and white.</p>

<p> </p><div>00ZO1O-401639684.jpg.45612e36994051a33525d069c4040e41.jpg</div>

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<p>I've tried my friends Holga with Fuji color NPS 160 from 1997 (compensated 0,5stop for that) and Kodak Portra 400 (new). Results here: http://www.focaldesign.be/v2/tag/holga/<br>

Each of those I metered 1/100 f/8(-ish).<br>

I've tested the shutterspeed of my new bought one and it measures around 1/125. The aperture I hope is also f/8 & f/11 as the manual says. I'll notice shortly as I have an experimental shoot planned this Saturday...</p>

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