Why do you like Holga?

[jphotos]

I like mine for pretty similar reasons to those already posted. The look of the print, the (sometimes) unpredictable nature of them. You can seal the light leaks differently every time and the same camera will give you a different look. It's inexpensiveness in light of drops or bumps is irrelevant to me as i'm a tad too careful with my equipment regardless.

It's just a fun camera to shoot with. When you just want to fart around and not worry about f-stops but have some unique snapshots of something, there's little better.

 

[viridari]

I don't yet have one but I will either have one on Christmas morning, or I'll have it the next business day after Christmas (it's on my list, just waiting to see whether I get it as a gift or not before buying one).

Most MF cameras take such gorgeous photos that I suppose I want to mess with a camera that adds "character" to images in unpredictable ways. I also think it would be amazing fun to do one of my model shoots but with a Holga and all of my strobist gear. So everything is top notch, but with a crappy camera. If it turns out well, I can use it as fodder for those online debated with the d***tal fanboys to point out you don't need $5,000 worth of camera to take a decent photograph. If it doesn't turn out well, it's my own private shame.

I've seen too many accidental masterpieces from these cameras, though, to write them off without giving them a good try.

 

[Poohblah]

I don't care too much for the imperfections that everybody likes.

Instead, I like the Holga because it's simple to use, has a wide-angle lens, is light, and is relatively small (when compared to lugging around a 35mm system with several lenses, tripod, filters... ugh). Plus, the 6x6 format is so much better for contact prints than those squinty 35mm doodads

 

[Jon Shiu]

I like it because it is cheap and light and can make surprises.

Jon

 

[dwdmguy]

I like it for two reasons.
1. All I have to think about is the picture I'd like to make. Just the Frame man, just the frame.
2. I don't run to the computer and have to buy all the little add on's, lenses, all the issues that give me G.A.S.

 

[tac]

I have to weigh in with the 'I Don't' crowd, but then, I've never used one, so who cares what I think?

 

[Vaughn]

I prefer my Diana...75 cents at the thrift store.

It was fun to use it at my boys' soccer games..and a lot easier than my 8x10. Vaughn

 

[Sirius Glass]

I do not!

I work to make my photographs look good. Why bother with a Holga?

Steve

 

[nsurit]

"Good", is in the eye of the beholder. "Good" cameras do not mean the resulting images will be "Good." Same goes for "Bad" cameras. I own some from both camps and choose the tool which best fits the image I am trying to create. If one understand how a camera works they can make some cheap cameras sing. Bill Barber

 

[Poohblah]

I have been shooting a lot with my Holga lately. my success ratio is lower than with a 35mm SLR but boy do I love it when I get a good negative or two out of the Holga

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Good or bad is such a limited way of looking at toy cameras with lenses that don't conform to the standards of more expensive solutions. Good or bad is entirely a personal opinion, it would make more sense to describe just what about the camera/lens that isn't desirable. That could actually be helpful to those that are curious.
Both Holga and Diana cameras are wonderful in that they remove a lot of barriers. Whether you know much about using a light meter or not, in 'automatic' mode you get roughly 1/100s at f/11 or so. You can't adjust it, so you don't have to worry about it. One less thing! Focusing is not very critical due to the slightly wide angle design and small aperture. All you really have to worry about is content and composition. It's very refreshing to use, and takes photography back to its simplest elements and you can focus on the single most important thing - subject matter, and making it interesting. That to me is a VERY GOOD aspect of the Holga, or the Diana, or that newfangled 35mm TLR from Japan, etc...
And as far as the results go, I have some negatives that I consider just as successful as my best done with my Hasselblad, and they print just as nicely. All that for $20 or so. What's not to like?
I suppose if you're allergic to light fall-off and completely unsharp corners there's little that can be done about liking it. But in my own, very personal opinion, if you rate how good a camera is simply by resolution / sharpness / perfection - you're missing the point. It ain't about the camera, but rather about your own skill in using your camera. Look at some of the work Jon Shiu has done with toy cameras. To me they're not much different from his other photographs as far as being creations that peak my interest and make my heart pound faster when I see them.

Any camera can be 'good'.

 

[Mr_Rocketkiller]

I like the Holga because the intangibles it brings to image making. As an engineer, I find I can get too wrapped up in the mechanics of photography and not exercise the creative side of my personality. My short term goal was to focus on creativity and visualization first, and then worry about exposure. The Holga, or any other "toy" camera, obviously helps with this.

 

[S.F. Sorrow]

I just simply have the most fun when shooting my Holga. It's fast and fun to bang out a roll of 120.

 

[vdonovan]

Both Holga fans and non-fans in the San Francisco Bay Area might want to go check out the 2nd Annual Juried Plastic Camera show at the Rayko Photography Center. I am not a Holga user but I helped hang the show this year and I was blown away by the creativity of the work. The show opens this Thursday and runs for a month.

More info:
Dead Link Removed

 

[Pete H]

I don't either, but when I want something a bit different (and also unpredictable) I use a pinhole camera.

 

[ishutteratthethought]

I tend to agree with Thomas, price, name etc in does not matter when a person views a particular image she or he likes. I personally love the images produced by these Holgas here on APUG.
I have seen some of the most beautiful images created from "cheap" cameras. Check out Giacomo Brunelli's images. Just fabulous images from this fella and all shot on a Miranda he got from his dad. see his photo's here: [http://www.giacomobrunelli.com/

These are stunning images.
Steve

 

[EASmithV]

I'd like it better if the name didn't remind me of a fat German woman.