Holga Branded Film @ Freestyle

Cromlech · Nov 10, 2010

Paul Sorensen said:
I wonder if this is good marketing for Foma. I wouldn't want my film advertised as having "The image quality, grain structure, contrast and spectral sensitivity are all perfectly suited for the surrealistic effects the Holga camera is known for."

Also, since the classic Holga uses 120, why is this film only in 35mm? Strange.

For whatever crazy reason, the "Holga" cameras have a 35mm adapter made for them.. i guess to keep as many interested as possible.

I'm actually half tempted to use a 35mm roll of "holga" film in my pentax K1000 for kicks...

cmacd123 · Nov 11, 2010

McFortner said:
You forgot the "digital" filters and the "digital" batteries! :/

Michael

Hey, I have a Digital filter on my Canon 7N. And I think I have a set of batteries for "digital Applications" in it considering it has a small computer to run the autofocus.

cmacd123 · Nov 12, 2010

cmacd123 said:
Interestingly it is a private brand of FS distribution of California. Have not see the developing time recommendation yet.

Spent a few minutes on the web answering my own questions. FS distribution is the US distributer for HOLGA brand Cameras so of course they want their own brand film! And the freestyle site gives the same time for HC110-B, D76 and Rodinal 1:50 for all of EDU Ultra 400, Fomapan Action 400 and Holga 400.

More when my glacia research yields more info.

fschifano · Nov 12, 2010

When you develop the film, and it has a blue tinted (more cyan looking to me actually) support, you'll know that it is re-badged Foma. Might even have the word "ULTRA" on the rebate.

cmacd123 · Nov 18, 2010

HI fschifano (and others)
Just took the first roll of the Holga 400 down to put in the negative page. Developed it along with some Foma 400 as it shows the same time on Freestyles web site. It looks identical to the FOMA, the only difference is the edge print says " PAN" rather than "FOMAPAN" or "ULTRA". It also was in one of those C-41 Cassettes with the bar code of 013993 that were used for Ferrania Colur Negative film. (I guess that Ferrania Gave Foma a deal when Ferrania Discontinued making film.

While I was searching for the development time, I see that there exist developing recommendations for HOLGA 100, 200 and 400 film, all identical to the EDU.ULTRA and FOMA times. I could see where the wholesale division might be able to sell a camera store HOLGA brand film a lot easier than something that is slanted for "Student Use"

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Nov 18, 2010

My room is full of smell due to contionously smoking 4 pipes which will impregnate any film and give a Holga effect

5stringdeath · Nov 19, 2010

Is it any sillier than a "Rollei" branded film that is overpriced?

traveller · Nov 20, 2010

Do my Holgas selfdestruct after some time when I use cheap TriX?

The prices for film in the lomography shop are ridiculous but we are old enough to compare prices.

What I like is the Dead Link Removed of their new shop in Berlin

Jerevan · Nov 20, 2010

Now we are all waiting for the Velox car and the Ektalure sofa and where's the Bugatti film, really? The great Lomographic Swindle goes ever on...

5stringdeath · Nov 20, 2010

traveller said:
What I like is the Dead Link Removed of their new shop in Berlin

At least it looks like clipart

desertrat · Nov 20, 2010

Several years ago, there was a bad batch of foma 120 film sold as Arista EDU Ultra 100. The emulsion number was 09256:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Now let's say, just as pure idle speculation, that QC at Foma discovered another bad emulsion batch before it left the factory. They have some choices:

a. Sell it and hope the outcry from angry customers doesn't get too bad.

b. Throw it away

c. Raise the price and rebadge it as Holga film. The emulsion flaws would be another added artsy artifact of Holgography.

Am I being too cynical?

C A Sugg · Nov 20, 2010

I tried to palm off a batch of 12 year expired TX as "film for holgas" at a yard sale -- no takers.

fschifano · Nov 20, 2010

Jerevan said:
Now we are all waiting for the Velox car and the Ektalure sofa and where's the Bugatti film, really? The great Lomographic Swindle goes ever on...

OK, I agree that it's a swindle, but so what of it? What they're doing is not illegal, and the consumers of this stuff are just plain don't know any better. You know better, I know better, and the people who didn't know any better before reading this thread, now do. The company selling this film at inflated prices is just exploiting a market that exists. Buying this stuff is a fashion statement for some people. Whether or not you agree with it is immaterial, and I can almost guarantee that if you had the opportunity to cash in on a scheme like this, you would. There's nothing immoral about it. No one is forcing these people to buy the stuff. They want it and that's that. It's capitalism. Would you rather some other form of economy? Think about it. I think not.

Jerevan · Nov 20, 2010

Frank, I agree with you, it's capitalism and I would probably cash in if I found a scheme to bring in the sort of cash the Lomographers do. Or Apple for that matter - selling less for more.

I am torn: I cringe when people (knowingly or not) buy expensive stuff that they can get around the corner for less - wanting them to understand that there are options - and the fact that it's a free market and it's only you (or me) that are responsible for the choices made.

For me personally, there's some sort of DIY attitude and creativity that gets lost for me when you can buy a whole life-style package without even getting close to dumpster diving. And I have a hard time with the re-branding - it's like graveyard robbery. But a good capitalistic endeavour if it pans out right.

wotalegend · Nov 20, 2010

Paul Sorensen said:
Also, since the classic Holga uses 120, why is this film only in 35mm? Strange.

The ad in the Freestyle catalogue says that it is available in 120 also.

mesh · Nov 20, 2010

I bought some from Freestyle last week. It was the cheapest 120 B&W available at the time, and I want to re-spool it for 620 to use in a couple of box brownies. Forgot to ask dev times but from the comments here I assume I will base it on Foma 400 times.

fschifano · Nov 20, 2010

Hey Jerevan, I've got to be the biggest dumpster diver out there. I'm always amazed at what good stuff people will just throw out. But I stopped cringing about people who foolishly spend money on stuff that they can get for a lot less around the corner. If they want to spend their money that way, there's nothing you, I, or anyone else can do about it. I'm too old and have too many other things I want to do to spend time worrying about that sort of thing.

33dollars · Nov 20, 2010

Lots of things get re-badged. If its made in the EU & sells well, that's all good. Holga could of just of easily had it made for them in China.
If the price was right. Holga just wants to expand like any company.

Jerevan · Nov 20, 2010

fschifano said:
Hey Jerevan, I've got to be the biggest dumpster diver out there. I'm always amazed at what good stuff people will just throw out. But I stopped cringing about people who foolishly spend money on stuff that they can get for a lot less around the corner.

Well, Frank, I am slowly coming to that conclusion too. Each to their own, and my time is limited. I need to make the best out of that time and space, to the best of my abilities. And if people want to miss out on a good dumpster dive, so be it!

Holga Branded Film @ Freestyle

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