Holga Foam Light Seals

Has anyone added foam seals to their Holga? I’m not sure of the thickness, and I’ve read that the self-adhesive ones are difficult because the slots on the back are so narrow.

I’ve been using gaffer tape, but would prefer seals. Thanks.

John

I thought one of the "draws" of Holga's WERE the light leaks.

A cheap solution is using opaque tape on the OUTSIDE -- after you figure out where the offensive leaks are -- but it looks like you tried that and don't like it.

There are thin, sticky-on-one-side, black, foam sheets that you can buy -- in various thicknesses -- but depending on your camera, they may be more expensive than the camera, and not that easy to apply.

Another idea is that there are lots on inexpensive cameras with "Holga" lenses that DON'T leak -- and often have more features. True, they lack that snappy cache of HOLGA, but life is full of tough decisions.

Only one of my Holga's leaks. I just use electrician's tape instead of foam seal. Easier to tape than to make seals

On my camera, the grooves are about 2 mm deep, but the flanges which fit there are also about 2 mm. So rather than foam, I'd be more inclined to use paint.

If the camera's body parts around the leak are not matte black, painting them would be a good idea, but you need to be careful. A lot of paints don't stick well to plastic, and you certainly don't want chips of paint falling into the film chamber!!!

Like Andrew, I have two of them. One leaks and one doesn't. I just keep the one that leaks in a camera bag and only take it out of the bag when I'm ready to use it. Seems to work for me most of the time.

I use opaque tape (blue painters tape) also and make sure I cover the metal clasps thoroughly as it seems like it would be easy for those to get bumped and the whole back plate could come off. I also cover the square red window where you see which frame you are on with a separate piece of tape. I peel the tape here off temporarily when taking the shot and advancing the film. I still get an occasional light leak every now and then, but that is ok. Those can be cool shots also, but I don't want them every time.

JohnWolf said:

Has anyone added foam seals to their Holga? I’m not sure of the thickness, and I’ve read that the self-adhesive ones are difficult because the slots on the back are so narrow.

I’ve been using gaffer tape, but would prefer seals. Thanks.

John

Click to expand...

That’s an oxymoron

JohnWolf said:

I’ve been using gaffer tape, but would prefer seals. Thanks.

John

Click to expand...

I would do both. this is the way I tamed my Dianas light leaks.

I tend to think if you put a strip of electrical tape over the catch at each end it serves two purposes, one to stop the catch sliding down, two that it pulls the two parts of the camera together more tightly and helps stop leaks..