Holga Camera
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The Holga is a
medium format Medium format has traditionally referred to a film format in photography and the related cameras and equipment that use film. Nowadays, the term applies to film and digital cameras that record images on media larger than the used in 35&n ...
120 film 120 is a film format for still photography introduced by Kodak for their '' Brownie No. 2'' in 1901. It was originally intended for amateur photography but was later superseded in this role by 135 film. 120 film survives to this day as the onl ...
camera, made in
Hong Kong Hong Kong)., Legally Hong Kong, China in international treaties and organizations. is a special administrative region of China. With 7.5 million residents in a territory, Hong Kong is the fourth most densely populated region in the wor ...
, known for its low-fidelity
aesthetic Aesthetics (also spelled esthetics) is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of beauty and taste, which in a broad sense incorporates the philosophy of art.Slater, B. H.Aesthetics ''Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy,'' , acces ...
. The Holga's low-cost construction and simple
meniscus lens A lens is a transmissive optical device that focuses or disperses a light beam by means of refraction. A simple lens consists of a single piece of transparent material, while a compound lens consists of several simple lenses (''elements''), u ...
often yields pictures that display
vignetting In photography and optics, vignetting ( ) is a reduction of an image's brightness or saturation toward the periphery compared to the image center. The word '' vignette'', from the same root as ''vine'', originally referred to a decorative b ...
, blur,
light leak A light leak is a hole or gap in the body of a camera, or other optical instrument, where light is able to "leak" into the normally light-tight chamber, exposing the film or sensor with extra light. This light is diffused, although parts within ...
s and other distortions. The camera's limitations have brought it a
cult following A cult following is a group of fans who are highly dedicated to a person, idea, object, movement, or work, often an artist, in particular a performing artist, or an artwork in some medium. The latter is often called a cult classic. A film, boo ...
among some photographers, and Holga photos have won awards and competitions in
art Art is a diverse range of cultural activity centered around ''works'' utilizing creative or imaginative talents, which are expected to evoke a worthwhile experience, generally through an expression of emotional power, conceptual ideas, tec ...
and news photography. As of July 2017, the camera is in production after being unavailable for two years.


History

The Holga camera was designed by Lee Ting-mo in 1982. It first appeared in 1982 in British Hong Kong. At the time, 120 roll film in black-and-white was the most widely available film in neighbouring China. The Holga was intended to provide an inexpensive mass-market camera for the Chinese working class in order to record family portraits and events. However, the rapid adoption of the
35mm film 35 mm may refer to: Film * 135 film, a type of still photography format commonly referred to as 35 mm film * 35 mm movie film 35 mm film is a film gauge used in filmmaking, and the film standard. In motion pictures that record on ...
format, due to new foreign camera and film imports, virtually eliminated the consumer market for 120 roll film in China.The Holga Manual: The Holga History, Freestyle Photographic Supplies (2002), p. 3 Seeking new markets, the manufacturer sought to distribute the Holga outside mainland China. Within a few years after the Holga's introduction to foreign markets, some photographers began using the Holga for its surrealistic, impressionistic renderings of landscape, still life, portrait and especially
street photography Street photography is photography conducted for art or inquiry that features unmediated chance encounters and random incidents within Public space, public places. It usually has the aim of capturing images at a decisive or poignant moment by caref ...
. These owners prized the Holga for its lack of precision, light leaks and inexpensive qualities, which enabled the photographer to concentrate on innovation and creative vision in place of increasingly expensive camera technology. In this respect, the Holga became the successor to the
Diana Diana most commonly refers to: * Diana (name), given name (including a list of people with the name) * Diana (mythology), ancient Roman goddess of the hunt and wild animals; later associated with the Moon * Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–1997), ...
and other
toy camera A toy camera is a simple, inexpensive film camera. Despite the name, toy cameras are fully functional and capable of taking photographs, though with optical aberrations due to the limitations of their simple lenses. From the 1960s onward, ther ...
s previously used in such work. A Holga photograph by photojournalist David Burnett of former vice-president Al Gore during a 2000 campaign appearance earned a top prize in a 2001 White House News Photographers' Association ''Eyes of History'' award ceremony. Recently, the Holga has experienced renewed consumer interest outside China due to the increasing popularity of toy cameras and a continuing
counterculture A counterculture is a culture whose values and norms of behavior differ substantially from those of mainstream society, sometimes diametrically opposed to mainstream cultural mores.Eric Donald Hirsch. ''The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy''. Ho ...
response to the increasing complexity of modern cameras. In late November 2015, Freestyle Photographic Supplies COO Gerald H. Karmele confirmed that Tokina had shut down the factory that produced Holga cameras and related accessories, ending the production of these toy cameras. A revitalized, but saturated, toy camera market led to waning sales. However, as of July 2017, Freestyle reported that the moulds had been tracked down, put back into production, and the Holgas were to be available once again.


Models


120

* Holga 120S – The original Holga, since discontinued. Fixed shutter speed at 1/100s, adjustable focus from 3 feet to infinity, plastic 60 mm f/8 meniscus lens, two-position f-stop switch which stops the lens to f/11, hot shoe, and 6x4.5 cm film mask. * WOCA – A Holga 120S with a Japanese-supplied glass meniscus lens, since discontinued and replaced by the Holga 120GN, which recalled the lens nomenclature for meniscus. * Holga 120N – Updated version with plastic 60 mm f/8 lens, tripod mount, bulb exposure mode, improved film counter window switch, foam inserts to provide film spool tensioning, and an additional 6x6 cm film mask * Holga 120SF – A standard Holga 120S, with built-in flash * Holga 120FN – A Holga 120N with built-in flash * Holga 120CFN – A Holga 120FN with built-in color flash * Holga 120GN – A Holga 120N with glass lens * Holga 120GFN – A Holga 120FN with glass lens and built-in flash * Holga 120GCFN – A Holga 120FN with color flash and glass lens * Holga 120TLR – A Holga 120CFN with a twin-lens reflex (TLR) viewfinder in lieu of the standard viewfinder, with a relocated color flash * Holga 120GTLR – A Holga 120TLR with glass lens * Holga 120PC – A pinhole version of the 120N using 6x4.5 cm or 6x6 cm format * Holga 120WPC – A wide
pinhole A hole is an opening in or through a particular medium, usually a solid body. Holes occur through natural and artificial processes, and may be useful for various purposes, or may represent a problem needing to be addressed in many fields of e ...
version of the 120N using 6x9 or 6x12 cm format * Holga 120-3D
Stereo Camera A stereo camera is a type of camera with two or more lenses with a separate image sensor or film frame for each lens. This allows the camera to simulate human binocular vision, and therefore gives it the ability to capture three-dimensional ...
– Two lenses in a wide body * Holga 120 3D Stereo Pinhole Camera – Two pinhole lenses in a wide body * Holga 120 Pan Panoramic Camera – This is a wide angle panoramic camera. It is possible to capture scenes spanning from left to right. The lens has a 67 degree angle of view, equivalent to about 28mm on 35mm format.


110

* Holga Micro 110 – Standard 26 mm 110 holga * Holga 110 TFS – A 110 camera with a switchable standard, and telephoto format


24×36 mm

* Holga 135 – A Holga with 35 mm film * Holga 135BC – A Holga already made for 35 mm film, plastic lens and the same lens mount of the Holgas 120 but with 47 mm lens, f1:8 or 1:11 and shutter speed 1/100. "BC" means "Black Corners"; the 135BC model has a built in transparent mask which creates a
vignetting In photography and optics, vignetting ( ) is a reduction of an image's brightness or saturation toward the periphery compared to the image center. The word '' vignette'', from the same root as ''vine'', originally referred to a decorative b ...
effect * Holga 135PC – The pinhole version of the Holga 135 BC * Holga 135AFX – 38 mm f/3.8 lens with infrared autofocus, automatic film load, built-in pop-up flash and interlock shutter release *WOCA NF-4 - 38mm f/8 Glass Lens from Japan. Shares a body with the Holga 135 but has a different style lens. * Holga K202 – Meow Kitty camera in the shape of a cat face with blinking lights and cat sound. * Holga K200N – A 35 mm film point-and-shoot Holga with colour flash and a dismountable fisheye. * Holga K200NM – The K200N plus a fisheye viewer and a multiple exposure button. * Holga 135TIM – A half-frame 35 mm Holga. * Holga 135TLR – A Holga 35 mm twin lens reflex. * Holga 135PAN – A Holga 35 mm Panoramic camera.


Digital Holga lenses

* Holga HL-C – A 60 mm f/8 Holga lens with Canon EF-mount. * Holga HL-N – A 60 mm f/8 Holga lens with
Nikon F-mount The Nikon F-mount is a type of interchangeable lens mount developed by Nikon for its 35mm format single-lens reflex cameras. The F-mount was first introduced on the Nikon F camera in 1959, and features a three-lug bayonet mount with a 44mm thro ...
. * Holga HL-O – A 60 mm f/8 Holga lens with
Four-Thirds The Four Thirds System is a standard created by Olympus and Eastman Kodak for digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) design and development. Four Thirds refers to both the size of the image sensor (4/3") as well as the aspect ratio (4:3). Th ...
mount, for Olympus DSLR cameras. * Holga HL-P – A 60 mm f/8 Holga lens for Pentax DSLR cameras with K-mount. * Holga HL-S – A 60 mm f/8 Holga lens for Konica Minolta/Sony DSLR cameras with A-mount. * Holga HL(W)-OP – A 25 mm f/8 Holga lens with
Micro Four-Thirds The is a standard released by Olympus Imaging Corporation and Panasonic in 2008, for the design and development of mirrorless interchangeable lens digital cameras, camcorders and lenses. Camera bodies are available from Blackmagic, DJI, JVC, K ...
mount, with lettering for Olympus PEN cameras. * Holga HL(W)-PLG – A 25 mm f/8 Holga lens with Micro Four-Thirds mount, with lettering for Panasonic Lumix G cameras. * Holga HL(W)-SN – A 25 mm f/8 Holga lens with
Sony E-mount The E-mount is a lens mount designed by Sony for their NEX ("New E-mount eXperience") and Sony ILCE camera, ILCE series of camcorders and mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, mirrorless cameras. The E-mount supplements Sony's Sony α, α mount ...
. * Holga HL(W)-SSN – A 29 mm f/8 Holga lens with
Samsung NX-mount The Samsung NX-mount is the lens mount used on NX series mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras by Samsung. The mount was first implemented in the Samsung NX10, and Samsung initially referred to the NX line as 'hybrid digital cameras', citing th ...
.


Lens and aperture settings

Most Holga cameras use a single-piece plastic meniscus
lens A lens is a transmissive optical device that focuses or disperses a light beam by means of refraction. A simple lens consists of a single piece of transparent material, while a compound lens consists of several simple lenses (''elements'') ...
with a
focal length The focal length of an Optics, optical system is a measure of how strongly the system converges or diverges light; it is the Multiplicative inverse, inverse of the system's optical power. A positive focal length indicates that a system Converge ...
of 60 millimeters and utilize a zone-focus system that can adjust from about 1 meter (3 feet) to infinity. Like any simple meniscus lens, the Holga lens exhibits
soft focus In photography, soft focus is a lens flaw, in which the lens forms images that are blurred due to uncorrected spherical aberration. A soft focus lens deliberately introduces spherical aberration which blurs fine texture in the image while reta ...
and
chromatic aberration In optics, chromatic aberration (CA), also called chromatic distortion, color aberration, color fringing, or purple fringing, is a failure of a lens to focus all colors to the same point. It is caused by dispersion: the refractive index of the ...
. Other Holga variants, denoted either by the letter 'G' in their model name, or the name WOCA, feature a simple glass lens, but are otherwise identical in construction. The manufacturer has since outsourced supply of the varying plastic and glass lenses to contractors in Japan and China There is an
aperture In optics, the aperture of an optical system (including a system consisting of a single lens) is the hole or opening that primarily limits light propagated through the system. More specifically, the entrance pupil as the front side image o ...
setting switch on the camera with two positions indicated by pictorial
ideograms An ideogram or ideograph (from Greek 'idea' + 'to write') is a symbol that is used within a given writing system to represent an idea or concept in a given language. (Ideograms are contrasted with phonograms, which indicate sounds of speech ...
: ''sunny'' and ''cloudy'', with a nominal value of and , respectively. Due to a manufacturing oversight, this switch has no effect on pre-2009 production cameras, and the actual aperture is around , giving the Holga just one aperture. The problem is reported as having been fixed in cameras post-2009, providing two working aperture settings of and , and earlier cameras are modifiable to provide two usable settings.Hahn, Mark, ''The Authoritative Guide To Holga Tune-Up and Modifications'' Apertures of and work well for ISO200 speed films, while settings of and tend to suit faster films of around ISO400.


Film format

The Holga was originally designed to accept either a 6×4.5 format or a 6×6 (square) format. However, once the camera went into production, vignetting (darkening of the corners of the finished photograph) occurred when the camera was modified to a 6×6 format. Hence, early Holgas had their film size switches tightly fixed to shoot only 6×4.5 format. Many owners removed both this restriction and the 6×4.5 film mask as well, finding the resultant vignetting a desirable effect. Later Holgas such as the 120N come with two masks for both the 6×4.5 and 6×6 format. Holgas can even be modified to use 35 mm film. The Holga has one shutter speed – approximately 1/100 of a second. The camera can shoot 16 exposures per 120 roll in 6x4.5 cm format or 12 exposures in 6x6 format. Film is advanced by a knob on the top of the camera, and frame numbers printed on the backing paper of the film can be viewed through a red window on the back of the Holga. The number of frames chosen is indicated by the black arrow.


Modifications and variants

Holga cameras are often modified: * A Holga's interior can be "flocked"—coated with matte black paint—in order to limit the effect of light bouncing off the plastic interior from light leaks. * The red window on the camera back can be blocked by an improvised cover to eliminate light leaks when using panchromatic films * The Holga's aperture switch can be modified as needed to provide a larger ('cloudy') or smaller ('sunny') aperture. * The lens, and sometimes the entire shutter assembly, can be replaced with a
pinhole A hole is an opening in or through a particular medium, usually a solid body. Holes occur through natural and artificial processes, and may be useful for various purposes, or may represent a problem needing to be addressed in many fields of e ...
(the "Pinholga"). * The plastic lens can be replaced with a glass version (the "Woca") or can be completely removed. * Newer models of the camera come with multiple optional frame inserts (4.5 × 6 cm and 6 × 6 cm). Shooting without an insert can lead to problems keeping the 120 size film flat against the
film plane A film plane is the surface of an image recording device such as a camera, upon which the lens creates the focused image. In cameras from different manufacturers, the film plane varies in distance from the lens. Thus each lens used has to be chose ...
. * Inserting cardboard or foam or felt padding under or behind the film spool to provide proper film tensioning * The Holga TIM camera has two fixed focus plastic lenses which work simultaneously, allowing for the capture of 3D images. Some modifications permit the use of other film formats: * Holga cameras have been used for making wet plate collodion images, or "Holgatypes". * Holga cameras may be fitted with a Polaroid back, allowing use of Polaroid 80 series instant film, or with newer models, 100 series film (but the image is not centered). This modification, sometimes termed a "Holgaroid" or "Polga", renders the viewfinder unusable, but allows for instant Holga prints. * By sandwiching a normal 35 mm roll of film into the Holga's 120 spool, "sprocket hole" exposures may be taken that expose the entire surface of
135 film file:135film.jpg, 135 film. The film is wide. Each image is 24×36 mm in the most common "small film" format (sometimes called "double-frame" for its relationship to the "single-frame" 35 mm movie format or full frame after the introduc ...
. * Cameras such as the
Hasselblad Victor Hasselblad AB is a Sweden, Swedish manufacturer of medium format (film), medium format cameras, photographic equipment and image scanners based in Gothenburg, Sweden. The company originally became known for its classic analog medium-for ...
have been modified to make use of a Holga lens. * Holga plastic lenses have also been adapted to the Canon EOS, the Nikon f-mount, Pentax, Sony, Olympus and Minolta. An f-mount, 'melted' plastic Holga lens has been used on a digital f-mount camera while the EOS Holga has been mounted to the latest Canon DSLRs. Adapted lenses are also commercially available.


Concept ''Holga D''

In 2010, designer Saikat Biswas proposed a concept for a digital version of the Holga camera, called ''Holga D''. It has a modernized case, but retains the simplicity of the original camera. However, there is no evidence of current plans to produce this device, or produce any other digital version.


Holga Digital

On 27 August 2015, a
Kickstarter Kickstarter, PBC is an American Benefit corporation, public benefit corporation based in Brooklyn, New York City, that maintains a global crowdfunding platform focused on creativity. The company's stated mission is to "help bring creative project ...
campaign was launched to fund the creation of a
digital camera A digital camera, also called a digicam, is a camera that captures photographs in Digital data storage, digital memory. Most cameras produced today are digital, largely replacing those that capture images on photographic film or film stock. Dig ...
styled after a Holga 120, called the ''Holga Digital.'' This model includes a glass optic with and aperture settings and a sliding switch that alternates between black and white and color mode. It has a low-noise CMOS color sensor with an 8-megapixel resolution. The camera does not have a means of viewing the pictures saved to its SD Card.


Holga Lens

There are also available Holga lenses for digital cameras.


Accessories

Accessories exist that will do the same thing as a modified Holga without the need for physical modifications as well as accessories for special effects. Such accessories include: *
Cable release The Bulb setting (abbreviated B) on camera shutters is a momentary-action mode that holds shutters open for as long as a photographer depresses the shutter-release button. The Bulb setting is distinct from shutter's Time (T) setting, which is ...
, which slips onto the lens so that a cable release can depress the shutter. Also includes tripod mount since the Holga 120N's mount is covered by the accessory. * 35 mm Film Adapter, available in two models: full negative and "panoramic." Both adapters come with a light-proof back and a mask made to hold the 135 canister in place. The only difference between the two models is the size of the mask. The "panoramic" adapter will mask out the sprocket holes. A rarer model available in Japan is an all-in-one back and cartridge unit. *
Fisheye lens A fisheye lens is an ultra wide angle lens, ultra wide-angle lens that produces strong Distortion (optics), visual distortion intended to create a wide panorama, panoramic or Sphere#Hemisphere, hemispherical image. Fisheye lenses achieve extremel ...
, produces circular Fisheye images. * Filter holder and filters. Filter holders can hold one or two filters, depending on the model of the holder. Filters come in special effect filters, color filters, and center spot filters (which leaves a normal center, but a colored surrounding). * Holgon Flash, a small normal flash for Holgas with a
hot shoe Canon EOS 350D Hot shoe Proprietary hot shoe used by Minolta and older Sony cameras (Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D)">Sony">Minolta and older Sony cameras (Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D">Sony.html" ;"title="Minolta and older Sony">Minolta and older Sony ...
. * Holgon Strobe Flash, a bulky flash which features multi flash strobe (which keeps flashing as long as the shutter stays open in bulb mode) or single flash (a more powerful flash, which will flash once on pressing the shutter and a second time on release). Features vertical adjustable angles. * Holgon Slave Flash, a small, round slave flash meant for placing on a surface or handheld. Good for any kind of secondary light. Some units will come with multi colored filters to place over the flash. * Camera bags, available in a small and a large size. * Holga Enlargers, an inexpensive darkroom enlarger with two available lenses and several masks/negative carriers for both 120 and 35 mm formats. * Holga iPhone Filter and Case was released at the end of 2011 and has opened up a new market for Holga accessories (smartphone)


Observation

Holga Week is observed in the first week of September, every year. Holga cameras are also celebrated on World Toy Camera Day, which is celebrated every year on October 20.


See also

*The
Kodak Brownie The Brownie was a series of camera models made by Eastman Kodak and first released in 1900. It introduced the snapshot to the masses by addressing the cost factor which had meant that amateur photography remained beyond the means of many people ...
was a popular 'toy' camera available from 1900 to the 1960s. *The
Diana camera The Diana camera is a plastic-bodied toy camera that uses 120 roll film and 35 mm film. The camera has a simple plastic meniscus lens. Originally marketed as an inexpensive novelty gift item, the Diana has been used to take soft focus, impress ...
(and clones), the Holga predecessor 'toy' camera of the 1960s *
List of photographic equipment makers This list of photographic equipment makers lists companies that manufacture (or license manufacture from other companies) equipment for photography. Camera and lens manufacturers Note that producers whose only presence in the photo industry at ...
*
Lomography Lomography, or simply lomo, is a photographic style which involves taking spontaneous photographs with minimal attention to technical details. Lomographic images often exploit the unpredictable, non-standard optical traits of toy cameras (such as ...


References

{{Commons category, Holga 120, Holga 120 film cameras Hong Kong brands Toy cameras