Holga - ways to hold shutter button down for long exp.?

jay moussy · Nov 17, 2021

How do you Holga folks, in pinhole or normal mode, hold shutter for long exposures, short of using the cable release add-on?

Speaking of cable release, I am thinking of epoxying a block on camera body with a threaded hole to anchor the business end of the cable. Better idea?

radiant · Nov 17, 2021

Cover the lens, push shutter down and put something in between the shutter button and frame.

I hotglued cable release directly on the camera. Really ugly but works

jay moussy · Nov 17, 2021

vedostuu said:
I hotglued cable release directly on the camera. Really ugly but works

Do you have a picture of the set-up?
It would save me some trial and error. I am concerned about the amount of travel it takes to fully activate the lever.

AgX · Nov 17, 2021

jay moussy said:
Speaking of cable release, I am thinking of epoxying a block on camera body with a threaded hole to anchor the business end of the cable. Better idea?

Just my first thought when reading the title of your thread.

jwd722 · Nov 17, 2021

holgamods.com has a slide-on cable release adapter for less than $30. I have one on mine and it works great.

radiant · Nov 17, 2021

jay moussy said:
Do you have a picture of the set-up?
It would save me some trial and error. I am concerned about the amount of travel it takes to fully activate the lever.

Nothing to write home about

I've glued the cable so that the amount of travel is quite minimal. You can adjust the amount by "preloading" the lever.

Molli · Nov 17, 2021

Chopstick

Donald Qualls · Nov 17, 2021

jwd722 said:
holgamods.com has a slide-on cable release adapter for less than $30. I have one on mine and it works great.

Or if you have (access to) a 3D printer, you can download a file to print one yourself.

lecarp · Nov 17, 2021

You could go the classic Holga route Duct Tape!

Andrew O'Neill · Nov 17, 2021

For my 120N, I stick the square end of a disposable chopstick in the slot. Fits perfectly. Then I remove the lens cap for the exposure.

macfred · Nov 17, 2021

Molli said:
View attachment 291304 View attachment 291306 View attachment 291307 Chopstick

Amazing !!

BobD · Nov 17, 2021

Chopstick wins

John Phive · Nov 17, 2021

Late to the party, but I found a shutter release adapter on thingiverse.com (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4759644) and had the guys at the shop 3D print one of these for me. Got the adapter a few days afterward. Crudely done as I wasn't too particular about how it was prints just that I got it before a deadline. One must use a tripod mount to keep this adapter in place. The only issue I encountered was locating the cable. I purchase three differant cable via Amazon and all of them failed. I had to spend $90.00 bucks for a German made cable and I've not looked back since.

also, take notice of the generic slotted filter adapter. it uses a 52mm lens ring which fits snuggly over the Holga lens. Something to consider for all those who are thinking about using filter with their camera. Once everything was in place we ventured to parts unknown for our yearly fall travel. used up 7 rolls of film and I'm currently waiting for a few of these roll to be developed.

jay moussy · Nov 17, 2021

BobD said:
Chopstick wins

How smooth is the release?
Body motion?

How about a barrel bolt, miniature version of this barrel bolt:

jwd722 · Nov 17, 2021

The holgamods adapter.
I also attached a cable holder thingy that I sourced from my "junk" drawer aka the garage. Besides holding the cable securely 'out of the way' it also allows me to release the shutter with my thumb while placing two fingers on top of the camera (not that I normally do...but I can).

Jeremy Mudd · Nov 23, 2021

I have both the Holgamods cable release adapter and also the original one from Holga. The Holgamods one is an updated, stronger design than the original that is less prone to snapping at the bottom. The original cracks after a while due to being thin there and the tension from the release ends up cracking it. I have two of them that I've glued an extra piece of plastic there after they've snapped.

The only thing I don't like about the Holgamods cable release is the need to glue that extra little piece onto the shutter lever. Most of the time I don't care about permanently modifying a Holga, but I want to keep my original (working) Holga 120 Pan in original condition - so that one gets the Holga version of the release.

Jeremy

gone · Nov 23, 2021

Duct tape and wire, they hold the world together.

John Phive · Jan 3, 2022

Just wanted to say that if you're doing a cheap mode by sticking a nail in the shutter leaver.. you're still not gaining the full effect and you must touch the camera while doing this. One needs to using cable adapter that mounts to the camera but one needs to stand away from the camera when the cable is actuated. Now one can hold the plunger or twist the tightening screw when doing this. For me, so far 20 sec exposure has bene enough I have 4 more rolls to inspect once the lab is finished with them. Just remember if you want a still shot, best set up for a long exposure on a tripod and a long cable releases. A quick plunge then a slow release as not to disturb the camera.

ciniframe · Jan 3, 2022

Agree with post #2. For long exposure on any rig where I think touching it will cause shake I use the ‘hat trick’ method. That is cover the lens (without touching the camera), fix shutter open, count to three and remove cover. Reverse to close shutter and end exposure. Works okay if wind ain’t blowing too hard.

Holga - ways to hold shutter button down for long exp.?

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Holga - ways to hold shutter button down for long exp.?

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