Problems with crank on Holga 120n

[Oksprinks]

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.

 

[Oksprinks]

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]

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.

 

[Oksprinks]

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]

It's a Holga. "Creative opportunities" come at no extra charge.

 

[AgX]

To learn that the crank can be stuck and overcome only by brute force seems enough reason not to delete this thread.

 

[mooseontheloose]

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.

 

[awty]

Its worse when the knob comes off.
I fixed mine by cleaning and regluing.

 

[tezzasmall]

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.

Terry S

 

[mooseontheloose]

@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]

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]

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.