Problems with crank on Holga 120n

Brentwood Kebab!

A
Brentwood Kebab!

  • 0
  • 0
  • 26
Summer Lady

A
Summer Lady

  • 0
  • 0
  • 31
DINO Acting Up !

A
DINO Acting Up !

  • 0
  • 0
  • 23
What Have They Seen?

A
What Have They Seen?

  • 0
  • 0
  • 32
Lady With Attitude !

A
Lady With Attitude !

  • 0
  • 0
  • 34

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
198,758
Messages
2,780,506
Members
99,700
Latest member
Harryyang
Recent bookmarks
0

Oksprinks

Member
Joined
May 1, 2020
Messages
3
Location
Uk
Format
Holga
Hi! I have a Holga 120n which I haven’t used for a while. I’ve just loaded some film and the crank seems to be stuck, I can’t get it to turn at all to advance the film. Does anyone have any tricks or suggestions? Is this a common problem? Thanks.
 
OP
OP

Oksprinks

Member
Joined
May 1, 2020
Messages
3
Location
Uk
Format
Holga
Hi again. I’ve managed to get it to work through some brute force. I can’t work out how to delete this thread though or close it? hopefully will be able to share some Holga pictures soon!
 

mooseontheloose

Moderator
Joined
Sep 20, 2007
Messages
4,110
Location
Kyoto, Japan
Format
Multi Format
Here at Photrio there really isn't the option to delete threads unless the moderators think it needs to go (or at your special request). However, no question is unimportant - it may be useful to someone else with the same issue. I often find that my Holgas will jam, especially at the end of the roll, I'm assuming because the paper gets caught somewhere. As you yourself have discovered, just using some extra force usually does the trick. That said, I have had papers tear, so will keep some extra washi tape (or something similar) on hand so that I can seal the roll properly, just in case.
 
OP
OP

Oksprinks

Member
Joined
May 1, 2020
Messages
3
Location
Uk
Format
Holga
Thank you! That makes sense to leave the question in case someone else has the same issue. Good to know I may experience problems at end of roll too.
 

Donald Qualls

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 19, 2005
Messages
12,293
Location
North Carolina
Format
Multi Format
It's a Holga. "Creative opportunities" come at no extra charge. :wink:
 

AgX

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2007
Messages
29,973
Location
Germany
Format
Multi Format
To learn that the crank can be stuck and overcome only by brute force seems enough reason not to delete this thread.
 

mooseontheloose

Moderator
Joined
Sep 20, 2007
Messages
4,110
Location
Kyoto, Japan
Format
Multi Format
Sometimes I find that also loosening the back a bit (such as undoing the clips) will relieve the pressure and the crank will start turning normally again. But I try to do that in a dark place or a changing bag if possible.
 

tezzasmall

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2013
Messages
1,132
Location
Southend on Sea Essex UK
Format
Plastic Cameras
Sometimes I find that also loosening the back a bit (such as undoing the clips) will relieve the pressure and the crank will start turning normally again. But I try to do that in a dark place or a changing bag if possible.
I had a totally different problem with one of the first Fuji Pro colour neg films, that I put through my first Holga. Basically, I was out in very bright sunshine, taking pictures locally, when the actual back fell off of the camera and onto the ground, midway through the film. I picked up the back and replaced it and carried on. When I got home I put two elastic bands onto the body to stop this happening again in the future, and still do it.

I eventually sent the film off to a pro lab to d+p the film, thinking that I might be lucky to get one or two okay exposures, on the part of the film that had still been on the original left hand unused part of the film.

Now imagine my surprise when I received the prints and negs back, for all of the negs and prints were absolutely fine! They were some of the best prints that I've had printed, with the film being the main reason, I feel. They were full of colour, a good contrast and that lovely bit of out of focus area around the central sharp area.

With these, they became part of a talk at my photo club of the time, when this experience became part of the talk. Secretly I think, a couple of members must have been impressed and went on to buy a Holga. :smile:

Terry S
 

mooseontheloose

Moderator
Joined
Sep 20, 2007
Messages
4,110
Location
Kyoto, Japan
Format
Multi Format
@tezzasmall I had a similar experience the first time I took my Holga out for a spin. I can't remember what I did with the film but I do think I developed it and that most of the photos turned out - I'll have to find the negs to see if that memory holds true. Since then I've always used gaffers tape to a) ensure that the back stays on and b) reduce/eliminate light leaks..
 

xya

Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2010
Messages
1,036
Location
Calais, Köln
Format
Multi Format
I have several holgas, 120 and panoramic. I have never had such issue, neither with the film advance, the crank or the back falling off. the only issue was "fat rolls", easily to avoid by gluing some foam into the film compartment.

in case of, I always have a changing bag to arrange things in the dark...
 

winger

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 13, 2005
Messages
3,975
Location
southwest PA
Format
Multi Format
Basically, I was out in very bright sunshine, taking pictures locally, when the actual back fell off of the camera and onto the ground, midway through the film. I picked up the back and replaced it and carried on. When I got home I put two elastic bands onto the body to stop this happening again in the future, and still do it.

I didn't have a back fall completely off, but one got pretty loose. I tape mine on with gaffer tape ever since that happened.
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom