Getting to Know the Holga 120N - Load film and learn the camera with image examples!
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- Опубліковано 12 гру 2020
- The Holga 120N is an extremely fun camera to use! Let's take a look at some of the features and how to properly load film into the camera. Image examples are provided in the video and please drop any questions and comments in the section below.
Thank you to / s.robichaux for providing some excellent examples of Holga images.
Check out my IG to see more images: / civilward - Фільми й анімація
I accidentally clicked 120 film instead of 35 mm so i decided to just get this camera on a whim and you made it so easy to load the film and explained everything super well thank you so much!! i adore the photos i see online taken by this camera so i'm excited to shoot!! :D
You’re very welcome! Glad you enjoyed the video! It’s a wonderful camera and I hope you get some fantastic images :)
I literally did the same thing. Accidentally bought 120, figured getting a Holga would be easier than returning the film...and now I'm here HAHAHAHAHA
sameee... i thought I got the 35mm Kodak Portra 160, I even googled if I can use 120 film to my 35mm camera (newbie here). so I decided to buy from the same store again the most fun 120 camera and that I can afford 😅. I’m glad I now have a Holga, I got the GCFN and I enjoyed the long exposures and multi shots a lot
did exactly the same. very helpful video thank you :)
Same thing wtf lol
I bought a 120N on a whim a couple years ago as my introduction to medium format film. I ended up getting some of my favorite pictures from it. They really have a dreamy ethereal quality that no other camera can match. I don't like them for every situation, but they're still pretty cool and worth a try.
There's nothing better than finding a camera that can give you the pictures that you've dreamed about.
Thank you for the content! Humanity is still out there!!! All the best, and even better shots
I just busted out my old Holga from highschool and this video got me so excited to shoot again
I am so happy to hear that! Please let me know how your shots turn out!
I bought this camera a few months ago and just got the film for it and this video was so helpful I can’t wait to shoot with it!!
I am so happy to hear that! Have a great time and let me know how your images turn out :)
I’ve been wanting to get into film photography and I’m taking a mountain trip this week and figured it’d be the perfect time! Thank you so much for this video, I feel SO much more prepared to go out and shoot now!
This means the world to me. I hope you have a blast! Happy shooting!
My Holga arrives today and I'm so glad I found this video. Thanks, it's super helpful! - Ralph
Thank you for your video. I've been eyeing the Holga 120. You're passionate just talking about it, which makes this video extra special.
That really means a lot, thank you.
Thank you so much for this video! Your support and message really made me excited to shoot! Especially your message about embrasing the photos (:
Brand new to film and Just got one of these for Christmas - thank you for making such a straight forward video!
So happy that you liked the video, thank you!
You are so helpful! Also loved the bit about how photos aren’t meant to be crisp. Thank you.
Thank you for the comment! Glad you enjoyed the video!
This was so helpful! I just got mine :) can't wait to get started!
So happy to hear that it was able to help! Let me know how your photos turn out!
Great video. Thank you. I’m a painter that shoots amateur 35mm for reference and have been considering a cheap way to get into more medium format style film, since a neighbor of mine offered my a literal truckload of old stock 120 film from the 70s. A lot of what has been said about this camera is pretty off putting to me (“cheap”, “toy”, etc) since I am more about the work than the gear... so it was great to hear a balanced, objective review of it. There’s a lot here that almost appeals more to me than a Yashica or a Pentax
Thank you so much for the comment! Expired film is extremely exciting but there are some tricks to use it properly. You'll get some wonderful results though, especially in a Holga! Would love to see some images after you've shot with it too!
A huge thank you from Brazil!
Woo! So glad you found it helpful!
Gaff tape is amazing and have so much more uses that you can imagine. I had a photography teacher that used to work for Playboy in my country and he said that in his time (way before photoshop) they used gaff tape in some parts of the model to "fix" things like making the skin more uniform or perk something up
That is fascinating! I had never heard of gaff tape used like that before. It's one of those things where I always have some on me and could never leave the house without it.
Thank you so much! Both the video and your outlook extremely helpful :)
Appreciate you saying that! Thank you!
Dude I’m just starting to use film and this is an awesome tutorial!! I’m so excited to use it
That is so great to hear! Happy it could help, let me know how it turns out for you :)
Thank you!Just got a Holga with flash,very helpful!
Let me know how you like it!
Great video, really loved the simple walk-through. Ordered this camera to arrive tomorrow and going to follow this again when I open it up!
Thank you so much! Looking forward to seeing some images!
Hey there, how did your experience with this camera go? I am visiting Hamburg soon and looking to buy a sweet camera to take with me...
@@liam7854 great experience, would highly recommend! Make sure you bring tape for the camera, I brought it to Chicago and didn't tape and had quite a bit of light leak on the top and bottom, I personally don't mind but they didn't turn out as nice as my first roll when I was very careful about all of that. Shoot on sunny days if possible too
@@ashleyrichardson8971 Thanks Ashley! 🙏
Thank you for sharing this!
Happy to! Glad you enjoyed it
Awesome video!! Just got my first holga
Thank you so much! Hope you enjoy it, let me know if you have any questions. It's an amazing little camera.
Thank you this helped a lot !!
You’re a really well spoken dude
Really appreciate you saying that, thank you!
Rediscovered this in my garage and found it corroded. I cleaned it up significantly and broke a spring thinking all was lost.
Seeing this video inspired me to give it a go, find a spool, and be a patron to a camera shop. Feeling wary about the finished film left in it from years ago but also excited to see what may…develop 😉
Thank you for the inspiration and info!
So happy to hear this! There's no telling if that film will work or not but you might get some really wonderful images, please let me know how it turns out. Happy shooting!
@@HamiltonWard it still works! Huzzah! It’s an expensive hobby, though. But nice to bring at outdoor events
I love the concept of this camera because I don't think it was designed to be perfect. Yes it's going to have light leaks but I think that's part of the artistic beauty of this camera. I like your recommendation of taking out the thing inside in order to get the vignetting. I'm going to do that when my camera comes. Thanks for this!
Thank you for watching and I'm glad this video helped. Also glad that you understand that the "flaws" of this camera are actually what make it so wonderful :)
Thank you for this video
Really appreciate you saying that!
Helpful!! would love a walk through with flash on this camera !! :)
Me gusta tu punto de vista. Creo también que hay que experimentar y plasmar lo que ven nuestros ojos. Gracias. Voy a tirar un carrete con la Holga de un amigo y probaré. Saludos..... I like your point of view. I also believe that we have to experiment and capture what our eyes see. Thanks. I'm going to roll a reel with a friend's Holga and give it a try. Greetings
Glad you enjoyed the video! Let me know how experimenting with the Holga goes. It's such a fun camera to shoot with!
I have 2 Holgas they are great fun cheap to buy if you never shot one give them a go it photographic enjoyment
I can't tell you how many times I pass by the 1!!!
very helpful!!!!! thank you!!
So glad to hear this has been helpful! Happy shooting!
thank you!
Extending the gaff tape over the latches also prevents accidental opening.
I bought a Holga at a garage sale for $1.00. I'm looking forward to playing with it. I forget how to use film!
Great price for a great camera!
Great video! The Holgas are interesting cameras and I appreciate how affordable they are making film for those new to it. My only concern is given how plastic everything is in these, they won't be around for very long. I'd imagine given the nature of plastic, it'll degrade and eventually break, rendering them unusable. That would be a huge shame for those looking to hand down their camera to future budding photographers. I actually love the design but the quality of the plastic and moulding puts me off I'm afraid! Still, amazing tutorial for those who dig this camera! Fair play!
That's an interesting thought about how these cameras will behave over the years. I've had mine for 8ish years now and it still works just as well as when I first got it. A lot of cameras will break down or degrade over the years unless they are taken care of properly, just take a stroll through some of these ebay listings to see what I mean. Another way to look at it is that there aren't as many moving parts to break down in this camera. You're less likely to run into an issue. Still though, it is something to consider as I don't know how they'll be in 20+ years but I still shoot with mine after 8 and it still works beautifully.
Thanks for watching and for your insight!
This was so helpful! I have no idea how to use film outside of Polaroids and this camera was given to my boyfriend while out celebrating Halloween by a complete stranger and he then gave it to me.
I somehow managed to load my film upside down though and am wondering if that will screw anything up? Also because of that I also started at 2, not 1.
I’m excited to putz around with this thing and perhaps the mistakes I make along the way will help me learn!
Thanks again!!!
So glad you enjoyed the video! What a wonderful way to get a camera. Please let me know how those shots turned out! Not sure what you mean by upside down but it's possible that you're shooting on the filmback side as opposed to the emulsion side which would mean that you're not capturing any images HOWEVER finish up the roll and see what you get! it's a great camera to have fun and learn on!
I have two Holgas. I noticed that on one, the sun icon has to be showing for the f11 aperture to be activated. On the other, the cloud icon has to be showing to activate f11. It may not matter much in any event, but don’t rely on the camera markings!
I hadn't heard of that before but a great tip, thank you for sharing!
@@HamiltonWard Out of curiosity, which is “correct”? Should you be able to see the sun icon for f11 or not. I’m confused.
@@jonmnelson f8 on cloud and f11 on the sunny would be correct.
@@HamiltonWard But should the cloud be covered (for f8) or showing? (If that makes sense.) My two cameras have me wondering which is right.
Hello, thank you so much your guidance. The video is much easier to understand and using it. But Holga 120n doesn’t need battery? I have one here with me, need to get it before taking some photos. Thank you 🙏
It does not need a battery at all. Everything is hand operated :)
Thank you!
Of course! Thanks for watching
@@HamiltonWard do you have a video how to develop b&w films?
@@andriykryvtsun6201 Just color right now but I'll probably be doing black and white early in the new year!
I just bought a holga 120n & 120s. I need help with getting the film reel (8:22) that you mentioned. Also, thanks for the video, I have a great understanding now (:
Send me a DM of your address. I have a few left!
Thank you so much for this! I didnt understand the part where you spoke about getting a 2 because you went past 1 - I cant see any numbers on mine, is there something wrong please? thank you
Thanks for sharing this, what kind of tape do you use to tape the camera from light leaks?
I use gaff or gaffer tape. It's pricey for tape but well worth it imo.
Well done.
Has anybody tried to pimp ones Holga by inserting strands of black wool into the light seals?
Most of your light leaks in the right of your pictures seem to come from the shutter release button.
A very construction problem are the metal slides to open the camera. In order to prevent them rushing down and opening the camera accidentally, I put some plasticine or putty into the angular opening between slider and camera.
If your thinking of getting a 46-49mm setup ring don't get discouraged trying to thread the thing. Some say it can be forced but I couldn't on mine. Save yourself a headache and use black electrical tape :) I got mine threaded just a tad so it was straight and then taped the thing carefully. It's straight and it works. Oh, and don't forget to buy a cheap 49mm lens cap. You can get one for like $5-10 on Amazon.
Awesome tip on the lens cap!
So when the number is in the middle of the red window is it ready to shoot or is it the like sun things
The only thing I don’t understand is the exposure slot in the back of 12 and 16. It comes with two adapters for different sizes right? if you don’t use the adapters then how many shots do you get?
12
So if i'm using bulb mode, I just have to hold the shooter for as long as I need?
Any tips on where I can find an empty spool for a Holga 120? (what you talk about in minute 7:53 of your video)
Thanks for the comment! You can find some on amazon by looking up "120 film spool." I ran out of my extras because so many people reached out for one :)
Hey! So everytime you snap a picture, you have to peep in that red glass to slide to the next number on your film?
Yes but make sure to keep it covered when you're not peeping into it. Well, it's personal preference actually. How much light leak do you want? You tweak your individual camera to allow as much or less of light as you prefer. Each camera will react differently too and it's really about getting to know your own personal one.
To avoid all that taping put some black cotton yarn into the channel on the camera back. It makes a tighter fit and catches any light leaks and you only have to do it once.
do you have a picture of how this might look? I'm curious :) thank you!
@@googjen Sorry no. Just get a size of black cotton yarn that will press fit snugly into the channel on the camera back.
Do you think electrical tape would work the same? I took photography in high school and I wanna say we used electrical tape for pinhole and holga but that was a little while ago.
I've never used electrical tape but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Only thing I would be worried about is getting it off the plastic of the camera so I would do a test piece on the body to see how it interacts.
Thank you! I'm literally a 100%beginner. I read that this is a 60mm camera lens, does that mean I have to use 35mm film? I don't even understand the words I'm using so apologies if this is a nonsense question haha 😅😁
Welcome to the channel, beginners are always welcome and please feel free to ask any questions. This particular camera uses 120 film and not 35mm. It doesn’t have to do with the camera lens but the camera body itself. You can have a 60mm lens on a 120 film camera or a 35mm camera or a digital camera. There’s a lot that goes into shooting film but honestly the best way to learn is to just go out there and shoot and have some fun. Kodak portra 400 is a great film to start with.
@@HamiltonWard ahhh I see! Thanks very much for that :)
thanks, but i wanna ask how can i get the photos?
What happens after? How do you roll back the film on the original roll?
You just keep winding and it rolls itself onto the reel on the right side of the camera. As you're advancing the film it's rolling onto the 2nd roll that you have in the camera.
So... If I keep the plastic frame it prevents the vignetting, right?
Yes it should help that. I’ve actually never shot a Holga with it on but theoretically that should keep it from vignetting.
I'm not seeing a clear number on mine as I'm winding the film... does that mean I have to keep winding? I'm afraid of winding it too much and messing it up.
Mine is missing the part at 7:40, where can I get one of those?
dumb question, why not tape up before finishing winding to photo #1? Obvviously, leave that small port open to see the number.. Any magic involved there that I'm missing?
Not a dumb question at all. I actually didn't even realize I did that so it's basically a habit I picked up from film school. If I'm not out in bright sunlight though it's not a huge issue, but you could totally tape up before advancing.
Hi Hamilton,
I'm planning on doing some multiple exposures on my holga. Can I rewind the film after finishing shooting and then shoot again or I just have the option of shoot twice then advance it?
Hi there! I actually have never shot double exposure on the holga but if it was me, I would just shoot twice and then advance. Let me know how it works out for you!
Where would i be able to get the spool thing from the inside, my one is missing it? :))
your local film camera store or dev lab will have some and usually for free :)
You could 3D print one, if you know someone with a 3D printer, there are models online
I only see b&w film where and what type of film can I buy that comes in color?
Kodak Portra 120 is a great film stock for color. It gives some wonderful tones imo. Portra 400 has lovely grain as well.
Could you use Portra 800 in this camera?
Yes! You can use Portra 800 120 film in this camera. Depending on lighting conditions, I might keep it on the cloudy setting though. Let me know how it works out for you, that grain would be beautiful on a Holga.
what is the 16 and 12?
hi there is no rewind punction? how can we get this film out safety?
You keep advancing the film until it comes off of the original roller. You’ll hear it come off and it’ll be loser as you advance. Hope that helps!
Buddy the reason it bounces is because of the foam they already put in there to do the exact same job as your piece of paper
The boii made it waterproof with all that tape he used 😂🤣😂🤣
hahaha gotta keep that water and light out!
@@HamiltonWard great video man!!!
I thought the light leaks were from two dots on inside of camera
The build quality of the camera is so cheap that light leaks can come from anywhere, which is why I tape it up. You want to have some leaks happening but you don't want to overdo it imo. Each camera is different too in terms of how much light gets inside. It's a wild and wonderful camera!
I’m a kid and I was wondering how can I send the pictures I took on the camera to my phone??
This is not a digital camera, its a film camera what this means is that you will need to develop the photos to see them
(I'm not sure If this is a joke or not but if you have any other questions just tell me!)
@@Roxxofoxxo o ok I was just going to get a disposable camera i’m going to do a photo shoot with the boys at a gas station so thanks for telling me ☺️
@@noahjasso3975 Np!
Like Cloud was saying, you'll need to develop the film first. Once the film is developed, you can then scan in that film digitally and send it over to your phone to share. If you want something a little easier, check out the Fuji Instax camera. I have friends who use that all the time and then take a photo with their camera of the image that comes out.
How do you remove the film? :D
I'm so sorry that I missed this. After the last shot, you keep winding the reel until it feels "loose" and then just pop open the back of the camera and take the film out. I put a little bit of painters tape to keep the reel form unspooling and then store the film in a dark cool place until I develop it.
i spy vulcan!
Why not have someone crafty create a custom camera case to avoid having to tape every time?
That would be a great idea if I knew someone who could do that. There’s also a nostalgic component to it because I’ve been doing it this way for years but for someone else, I think that would be awesome.
Hotshoe not cold shoe
Thanks for the clarification!
Charleston jail at 5:35 ?
Nice eye! Great place to shoot some film.
0:45 you sir didnt use real film cameras ore real digital cameras if you say its not a Toy. It is a Toy wich can make retro style photos so its like Kids first Camera ore something to learn what it is ore to teach some only digital photographer whats analog film was but thats it.
We'll have to agree to disagree on this then. If you consider this to be a toy, then all cameras should be a toy unless you're a working photographer.
A lot of people call it a toy, but I don't know that I'd call a medium format camera a toy. I certainly wouldn't give it to a kid. When my son was little he had a camera that took 110 cartridges. That might be a toy camera, but not a medium format Holga.
@@scottplumer3668 "but not a medium format Holga". Ah so for you the format is what a camera makes a Camera so than i make the cheapest crapyes cam that falls apart by looking just like the Holga but built in the best sensor ever and its not a Toy? It is a Toy with a bit of Tec in it ore would you Call a V Tech Computer for Kids a real PC becous id has tecnology in it ? I mean its like the Kodak - 3961315 - Power Flash but multi use instead of single so what? Cant your Kind put film in it? Ok than help him/her and its a Toy again
@@theon__ my "kind?" Did you mean my kid? Well, since he's 30 now, yes, he probably can. Still, I wouldn't give a kid a medium format camera regardless. The film is just too expensive.
You might want to read up on the history of the Holga first. It wasn't intended for kids. The V Tech, on the other hand, was intended for kids.
@@scottplumer3668 i mean your Kid in the age of a Kid not today but didnt proved me wrong
Really don't get the appeal. Expensive film and subpar toy camera. When I don't wanna care about the pictures, I use a lomo smena 8. Much better lens,much more flexibility and cheaper film.
Like I said in the video, this camera isn't for everyone and I think we all have a valid opinion about what makes an appealing image. I appreciate you checking it out though!
Hi! I saw you mention if we need that piece to load the film to comment, I can't find mine.. 🥲 do you know where I could get one? Thank you!!