Last year I bought a Holga, not sure why. It was a GFN 120 – 6×6 medium format, the N model (updated from original) with a glass lens (still a bit rubbish) and a flash. I paid 14 quid for it on the eBay. I suppose it was curiosity – see how rubbish/dreamy/interesting it would all be. It is the most simple and badly put-together camera there is. Lightweight, flimsy but not without a bit of charm.
We have a 60mm f8 optical lens (as opposed to the non-optical variety), it’s glass as opposed to the usual plastic one (for greater sharpness?) and a shutter button on the front for the 1/100th leaf shutter, with flash and viewfinder.
The back comes off in one piece and the batteries for the flash also are in here. And that’s it.
I was using it on two dull mornings – one in Cologne, the other in Bangor, Northern Ireland with Kentmere 400 as the test roll – all on the F8 setting. Here’s some of the results:
There is of course no way to prevent double or multiple exposures – this was accidental though I quite like it.
And one late with the flash:
So that was roll one with the Holga – yes it’s fun to use, the images are ok in the middle and soft around the edges. And yes there is a dreamy quality when it’s not the brightest. All the Holga tropes ring true. And it was worth the 14 quid just for the craic. Will I use it again – yes. It’ll be worth a test with maybe Kentmere 100 on a bright day ( not sure I want to go to the expense of colour film in the Holga.. Portra 400 anyone?) and I’ll do some darkroom printing. And don’t forget to duck-tape her up.
Kit:
Holga 120 GFN, Kentmere 400 film developed in Bellini Euro (HC100) dilution B
Scanned on Epson V800. Duck tape from B&M Bargains.
Late Developer 