Holgamods.com modified Holga

jstraw · Jan 20, 2007

I've been getting familiar with my modified Holga (and Holgography in general) and I'm very pleased with it.

I'm getting to the point where I can set exposures pretty reliably with it's two apertures and one shutter speed. I tested the shutter and it's a bit inconsistant but it's actually, on average, closer to 1/90th sec than 1/100th.

I make use of the cable release a lot. The urinal picture in my gallery required *32* shutter releases.

I haven't had occaision to use the bulb feature yet.

I'm finding the most challenging aspect of the camera to be focusing. I intend to do some controlled tests so I know at just what distance each of the focus icons actually represent.

I removed the metal clips, forgoing a neck strap. I wanted to do a velcro seal for both security and control of light leaks. I did a variation of the velcro mod that I found online and used self-adhesive velcro on the body...using the hook side. For the loop side I bought non-adhesive velcro from a fabric store.

Jim Chinn · Jan 20, 2007

Oh, Oh. Some holgaphiles will say you are cheating by eliminating the light leaks. Personally I like the Holga for the soft edges-sharp center plastic lens, vignetting at 6x6 and unpredictability of the exposure. I also eliminate extraneous light leaks. They seem novel at first, but after a few rolls of film, you tend to get tired of the same overexposed white spot(s) or streak(s) on every single print you make.

Antje · Jan 20, 2007

You intend do to controlled test shots?!?!? Blasphemy!

Actually, I taped my Holga a lot to get rid of the light leaks. I even eliminated most of them! Mine has huge vignetting, but that's about what I was hoping for. The bulb feature is great, btw! I do night shots a lot at the moment and am getting pretty good at guessing. It's fun, isn't it.

Antje

Fintan · Jan 20, 2007

Did you modify it yourself or buy from holgamods.com?

I'm thinking of buying one of them:confused:

jstraw · Jan 20, 2007

Fintan said:
Did you modify it yourself or buy from holgamods.com?

I'm thinking of buying one of them:confused:

What was the title of this thread again?

Jim Chinn · Jan 20, 2007

If you are slightly handy you can do the mods yourself. Buy a pair. I have one that is basically stock except for eliminating the light leaks. The other I enlarged the aperture, removed the lens stop screw so I can focus a little closer to objects, and modified the film mask to use for 6x6 exposures and keep the film relatively flat. Relative is a good word to use when discussing toy cameras.

Antje · Jan 20, 2007

Fintan said:
Did you modify it yourself or buy from holgamods.com?

I'm thinking of buying one of them:confused:

Randy is great to deal with, I bought one of him. It got stuck in customs because they couldn't believe it was that cheap - I had to fax them a couple of documents to prove it's not a "real" camera. Wasn't his fault, he had provided the necessary information, he just had done too good a job.

Antje

mtbbrian · Jan 22, 2007

I would recommend Randy wholeheartly, he does a great job and is great to work with.
I buy all of my Holgas from him.
Brian

PatTrent · Jan 23, 2007

I'm thinking of getting a Holga again. I used to have two of them, unmodified, and neither had serious light leaks. I had so much fun with them that my 4x5 and Hasselblad were rotting on the shelf, so after I while I tossed the Holgas--yes, I know, scandalous!

Now I can't decide whether to get a modified or straight Holga. I don't mind some minor light leaks (so I'll tape the two holes near the top of the inside) and put some kind of flap over the exposure counter. But as to the rest--I don't know. Closer focusing and a better bulb and tripod hole might be useful, but wouldn't get used that much. Mostly I used the Holgas for outdoor shots.

I'm trying to get an idea of how many of you have mod's and whether you would bother to do that again.

Pat

Antje · Jan 23, 2007

I really like the bulb mode of my modified Holga. For that alone I'd do that again. Randy promises not to tamper with the light leaks, and trust me, he doesn't. Mine leaked like hell. It's also nice to have two slightly different, actually working apertures.

Antje

mtbbrian · Jan 23, 2007

Antje said:
It's also nice to have two slightly different, actually working apertures.

Antje

This was the biggest reason I first bought a Holga from Randy, over the years though I remain a customer because he does great work and is just a nice guy.
Brian

joshverd · Jan 23, 2007

The different apertures are nice. As far as bulb mode and a tripod mount, those are standard on the newer Holga (Holga 120N and later) models. I was reluctant to get one, because they may end up making it better, which of course, is worse. But the lens and light leaks appear unaltered. Also they put in foam to hold the spools tight, and made it a tighter fit on the bottom, so you dont have to shim up the spool anymore.

I don't have a holgamod. Are they worth the extra expense for the few extra features?

PatTrent · Jan 23, 2007

joshverd said:
I was reluctant to get one, because they may end up making it better, which of course, is worse.

That's a "Holgistic" statement if I ever read one!

mtbbrian · Jan 24, 2007

joshverd said:
I don't have a holgamod. Are they worth the extra expense for the few extra features?

I think so.
I would probably do some of the mods myself, the flocking and the apeture mod, but Randy does it so well, it's just easier to buy from him.
The price of the mods, just the basic ones, are worth the time and effort it would have taken me to do it.
Brian

PatTrent · Jan 24, 2007

Well, that settles it, then. When I get my Holga (birthday coming up soon ), I'll get one from Randy and have him do the basic modifications.

I think I'll also try some of Freestyle's house brand of color film in the Holga. Always used black and white in the old Holga's, but some "off color" might be fun (gels, "incorrect" light source, etc.), and the Arista film is cheap enough to experiment with for that purpose.

mtbbrian · Jan 24, 2007

PatTrent said:
Well, that settles it, then. When I get my Holga (birthday coming up soon ), I'll get one from Randy and have him do the basic modifications.

I think I'll also try some of Freestyle's house brand of color film in the Holga. Always used black and white in the old Holga's, but some "off color" might be fun (gels, "incorrect" light source, etc.), and the Arista film is cheap enough to experiment with for that purpose.

Sounds like a great plan!
I prefer the Kodak 400 Portra VC, but cheap is good too!
I look forward to seeing some of your photographs.
Brian

Antje · Jan 24, 2007

mtbbrian said:
Sounds like a great plan!
I prefer the Kodak 400 Portra VC, but cheap is good too!
I look forward to seeing some of your photographs.
Brian

Funny, I'm shooting Portra 400 VC, too. That is, I bought four packs of Portra 800 off Ebay because it's winter, but the 400 is my favourite Holga film. The more vibrant, the better.

Actually, the 800 I have now might be more in the spirit of Holga: The rolls I have are TOTALLY dated. I'm thinking if Holga and real brand film, then it MUST be at least one year past expiration date!

Antje

Holgamods.com modified Holga

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