mixed feelings about holga

jp498 · Feb 26, 2014

And for a stupid reason. I can't remember to take the lens cap off. I'm used to SLRs, TLRs (where the lens cap covers both pieces of glass), Large format. Nothing I've ever owned has worked solely by the separate viewfinder like the Holga 120N. I usually shoot both a Rolleiflex and Holga with different aesthetics in mind for a given composition, so I'm not without good photos, just sometimes without good soft photos. I've done enough nice photos with the Holga to want to keep it.

If this most recent roll comes out blank, I'm halfway ready to smash the camera to little bits for therapy and as a mental reminder of this failure on my part.

Or if I'm feeling sane, I'll do like I've done with many cameras and just put a UV filter or lens hood on it and leave the lens cap in the drawer at home. Honestly I don't use lenscaps on most of my lenses and would see black if I did.

Tom1956 · Feb 26, 2014

Why do people fool with these junk cult-following cameras?

removed account4 · Feb 26, 2014

Tom1956 said:
Why do people fool with these junk cult-following cameras?

cause they are fun, and that is what photography seems to be about to some people ...
one could say nearly every camera made has a cult folloeing ...
and to be honest i have seen more interesting and beautiful photographs made with " these junk cult-following cameras " than thousand dollar leicas, or 2400$ schneider art xxl lenses or hassys.
i cant zone focus ... i stopped using mine

Truzi · Feb 26, 2014

You could try cutting a disk of plastic and glue it to the lens cap. Make the disk large enough to obscure the viewfinder when the cap is on. You could instead put a strip of plastic on the cap, but would have to remember to position it correctly.

Dr Croubie · Feb 26, 2014

Or just leave the lenscap off permanently. What going to happen, the lens'll get scratched? How could you tell?

At least my Bessa RFs have ttl metering so I can tell if it's on, my only other non-slr is an Agat 18k, never got the lenscap on that either (worst that happens there is the shutter fires in a pocket/bag, the lenscap is meant to cover the shutter button too)

Xmas · Feb 26, 2014

My lubitel was a cult camera before Holga...

The lens is ok if you use a hood and flock or baffle the interior the photos not much different from Rolli or blad...

The FSU could a copied the Mamiya TLR film run and made it a real camera.

Richard S. (rich815) · Feb 26, 2014

Leave the lens cap off all the time.

winger · Feb 26, 2014

First thing I did when I got my second Holga was toss the cap in a drawer. If I scratch the lens, I doubt I'd notice. I have managed to drop it and mess up the shutter, however, and it doesn't always fire - which really ticks me off 'cause the vignetting and leaks on this one are just right.
I do have some problems guessing at where the focus point is going to be, though. I tend to leave it near infinity and hope for the best.

Poisson Du Jour · Feb 26, 2014

Failing to take the lens cap off is not the Holga's fault...
My lab specialist printer has produced strikingly atmospheric B&W images from a cute puffin blue 120 Holga that have been printed to more than a metre square to canvas and b-framed. Sure, not Hassy quality, but shows what can be done in creative hands and he came up trumps.

Poisson Du Jour · Feb 26, 2014

Tom1956 said:
Why do people fool with these junk cult-following cameras?

Because they're not junk.
Would you call a pinhole camera a "junk cult following camera"??
The two types of camera could not be more dissimilar, yet they do produce similar images on film!

snapguy · Feb 26, 2014

Game plan

You could glue a coffee stir stick to the lens cap so it would remind you to take the cap off. You could tape a note next to your viewfinder stating "take the lens hood off, dummy." Perhaps there is an app for this problem on your mobile whatzitt. Perhaps you might want to think about taking more time before you deploy your Holga. Some people think taking more time, being more deliberate, is one of the joys of film. Or just live with it. You get to be a good cameraman by making all of the mistakes, and learning. I have many prize-winning photos on the dark slide of many a Speed Graphic and the lens cap on my old Leica 3f. If you do scratch the lens on the Holga you might ENJOY the effect.

mooseontheloose · Feb 26, 2014

I own 5 Holgas, I've thrown away the lens cap for all of them. The lens is recessed enough anyway to avoid most scratches, the only thing is that it collects a lot more dust. If you insist on keeping the cap, I'd do what others suggest and put something in front of the viewfinder to remind you to take the cap off.

Fixcinater · Feb 27, 2014

Maybe tie a string glued to the cap, around the shutter release where you will feel it, and automatically remind yourself each time you go to press the button.

jcoldslabs · Feb 27, 2014

I've picked up all of my Holgas second-hand and none came with a cap. I didn't even know they were available. Needless to say I've never had your problem.

Jonathan

illumiquest · Feb 27, 2014

I had no idea Holgas had lens caps.

MDR · Feb 27, 2014

One man's junk is another man's treasure. It also amazes me how much hate is being spewed by some people towards Holga cameras. It's almost like their manhood is being threatened by this poor plastic thing. A Holga in the right hand can create some of the most beautiful photographs in the photographic world. The Lomo don't think shoot approach is BS but the camera is great and one of my favs and I do have a choice between several state of the art super sharp lenses and modern cameras and still prefer the Holga a lot of the time.

Regarding the lens cap, throw it away I carry my Holga in a plastic bag and take it out for shooting no cap necessary.

Newt_on_Swings · Feb 27, 2014

illumiquest said:
I had no idea Holgas had lens caps.

Haha! I thought the same thing. =]

gone · Feb 27, 2014

Take a little piece of red tape and stick it on the lens cap where it protrudes out into the line of sight in the viewfinder. When you look through the viewfinder, it will stick out like a sore thumb, and you'll take the cap off. But the best solution is to ditch the cap completely. I never use one, just a filter and a hood. W/ a Holga plastic lens, a hood will be sufficient :}

If your lens is recessed as others say, then you don't need anything, other than a shirt to wear so that you can clean the lens now and again with it.

MDR · Feb 27, 2014

Great idea thank you for the tip this should work with high cost RF cameras as well.

bvy · Feb 27, 2014

Keeping a lens cap on a Holga is like keeping a cover on a Chevette. I'm sure there are other good analogies, but I haven't consumed enough coffee yet to conceive them.

For me, a bigger problem is the normal/bulb setting. Nothing like shooting a good frame, frames, or an entire roll, only to turn the camera upside down and see that you left it on the bulb setting. The shutter sound (nor the tactile feedback) gives no indication of what setting it's on.

bsdunek · Feb 27, 2014

Seeing as I started with photography in the late 40's, I'm used to cameras with lens caps, dark slides, etc. As has been said, if I could develop my dark slide I'd have some great photos.
As for focus, just think 3, 6, 9, 12+. That's about the mid range of the symbols, and close enough for government work.
I love both my 6X9 Mamya photos and my Holga photos - different but both good used properly. My two Holgas are 120S models, so I don't have to worry about bulb setting, because they didn't have it. Got them a few years ago for $8 & $6 off eBay. I've modified the shutters so they mask on closing, and covered the holes at the top of the chamber. I use 6X6 inserts for most work, and have a full set of filters and holders. Just a lot of fun.

horacekenneth · Feb 27, 2014

Tom1956 said:
Why do people fool with these junk cult-following cameras?

Let me just point you back to the OP:

I've done enough nice photos with the Holga to want to keep it.

darkosaric · Feb 27, 2014

horacekenneth said:
Let me just point you back to the OP:
> I've done enough nice photos with the Holga to want to keep it.

For me this is the most important factor in decision which camera and/or lens to keep. Not negative size, price, brand ...

markbarendt · Feb 27, 2014

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:
Leave the lens cap off all the time.

Yep, I actually disposed of my cap.

nsurit · Feb 27, 2014

Put it in the recycle bin on trash day. I'm talking about the cap not the camera. Once that is done, enjoy your freedon from worry or find something else to fill the void. Bill Barber

mixed feelings about holga

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