f16sunshine
Moderator
... suggestions?
I’ve always just gotten the basic 120n with plastic lens.
From user experience, Is there anything limited edition or special worth looking out for?
Glass lens ?
The shutter lever has become stucky on this current one which has been a problem with past ones.
I try lubing it with a graphite stick but really it’s just times up.
The shutter return spring gets goofed mid roll every few rolls also.
Thanks for thoughts.
I’ve always just gotten the basic 120n with plastic lens.
From user experience, Is there anything limited edition or special worth looking out for?
Glass lens ?
The shutter lever has become stucky on this current one which has been a problem with past ones.
I try lubing it with a graphite stick but really it’s just times up.
The shutter return spring gets goofed mid roll every few rolls also.
Thanks for thoughts.
dave lackey
Veteran
Hmmm... there are some really cool 120 film cameras here.
https://shop.lomography.com/en/cameras/medium-format-cameras?country=us
Pioneer
Veteran
Last time out I picked up the 120 fn with the flash and I haven't regretted it one bit. Same experience with a little bit of extra fun.
Timmyjoe
Veteran
Are the Diana 120 cameras made any better than the Holga's?
I know the Diana 120 used to have a 75mm Glass lens, which I really wanted to try, but when I got around to trying to purchase one, they had been discontinued.
Best,
-Tim
I know the Diana 120 used to have a 75mm Glass lens, which I really wanted to try, but when I got around to trying to purchase one, they had been discontinued.
Best,
-Tim
rlouzan
Well-known
rlouzan
Well-known
robert blu
quiet photographer
If my Holga stops to work I would go without doubts for a Diana !
robert
PS: it's possible I'm influenced by the recent acquisition of the IOWA book by Nancy Rexroth
robert
PS: it's possible I'm influenced by the recent acquisition of the IOWA book by Nancy Rexroth
fad gadget
Established
I have an LC-A 120, and absolutely love it!
It's light years ahead of the standard ones, due to the glass lens and of course it's priced accordingly.
It's light years ahead of the standard ones, due to the glass lens and of course it's priced accordingly.
Pioneer
Veteran
Oh I agree with you fad gadget. The LCA 120 is one of my favorite cameras, but it is most certainly not a Holga or Diana. Totally different experiences.
f16sunshine
Moderator
Last time out I picked up the 120 fn with the flash and I haven't regretted it one bit. Same experience with a little bit of extra fun.
I think this is what I’ll do... flash model.
Diana....mmmmmayybee.. Cheap but not as cheap. Maybe I’ll cruise some images on flick before deciding.
I have a couple Agfa Clacks which give a 6x9 frame.
Those fills the LCA spot. When going wide I prefer to leave the square behind and go back to 2x3.
Clack is not super wide but its 6x9 frame looks wide. Certainly lo-fi
Plus the LCA seems like more than a Holga.
Any others to consider?
fad gadget
Established
Huss
Veteran
does yours focus correctly? the one i tried was way off. u needed to set it to infinity to get any sharp pics, no matter the subject distance.
fad gadget
Established
Lc-a 120
Lc-a 120
Hi Huss,
I think I remember you mentioning that in a thread some time ago...
Yes, mine's fine at all focus points.
The one you had must have been out of calibration, that's a shame because it's really a lot of fun to carry around.
cheers/ken.
Lc-a 120
Hi Huss,
I think I remember you mentioning that in a thread some time ago...
Yes, mine's fine at all focus points.
The one you had must have been out of calibration, that's a shame because it's really a lot of fun to carry around.
cheers/ken.
zuiko85
Veteran
Three or four years ago I stumbled across a Agfa Isoly at a flea market for $12. This is a 4X4, not 6X6 and mine is the up market one with a 3 element 60mm f3.9 with front element scale focusing to 3 ft. It has a Pronto shutter with 1/30 to 1/250 plus 'B'. Really not the Holga aesthetic but, Agfa also made Isoley's with lower specifications, all 4X4 I think. (but am not sure)
The actual negative size is 41X41mm compared to 56X56mm for 6X6. You lose some negative area but do get 16 shots on 120 film, so a slight economy edge what with the cheapest B&W 120 now about $4 a roll from B&H. (It's awful being an old timer, I remember buying 120 B&W for 60 cents a roll, where did the years go?)
Important addendum; If searching for an Isoly on ebay be careful, they are sometimes misidentified as 6X6 but are really 4X4. If there is a picture of the back of the camera and the red window is at the bottom (not in the middle of the back) then it is a 4X4. Just a word of caution.
The actual negative size is 41X41mm compared to 56X56mm for 6X6. You lose some negative area but do get 16 shots on 120 film, so a slight economy edge what with the cheapest B&W 120 now about $4 a roll from B&H. (It's awful being an old timer, I remember buying 120 B&W for 60 cents a roll, where did the years go?)
Important addendum; If searching for an Isoly on ebay be careful, they are sometimes misidentified as 6X6 but are really 4X4. If there is a picture of the back of the camera and the red window is at the bottom (not in the middle of the back) then it is a 4X4. Just a word of caution.
Huss
Veteran
"We" must have had a bum one. It was the one that Stephen was loaning to site members. I would have loved to have used a properly focusing one.
Anyway, back on topic!
Bob Michaels
nobody special
Hmmm... there are some really cool 120 film cameras here.
Dave: you will probably really enjoy the book "Last Harvest, truck farmers in the deep south" by Perry Dilbeck. Perry is from McDonough GA and everything was shot around there. It is absolute first class documentary photography about a dying breed. All the photos in the book were shot with a Holga which works well with that subject matter. We first met when I attended a Holga workshop he did.
Perry is an instructor at the Art Institute of Atlanta, so if you can't find a copy for sale or in a library, just call or email him and ask where to find a copy.
If all else fails locally, drop me a note and I will loan you my copy.
Bob
Huss
Veteran
Bob Michaels
nobody special
You can still buy an original Holga from Freestyle Photo although the price is now $40.
Do you want anything different? A original Holga is unique, you either love them or not. Certainly you can buy a higher quality camera for the same price or even less if that is what you want. But if you want an original Holga, buy an original Holga.
It seems to me that Holga users fall into two basic groups.
* There are those who will say "Golly Gee, look I made a photo with a cheap plastic camera". This group also includes those who just have to be different for the sake of being different. This seems to be the group that is constantly explaining "but it was shot with a Holga." Nothing wrong with that and this does seem to be the largest group of Holga users.
* There are also those who use Holga's because it just is the right tool to deliver the images they want. The previously mentioned "Last Harvest" book is an example of this. Note: I tried to be in this group but was unsuccessful as my photos never met my expectations.
Holgas are not for everyone. If they meet your personal objectives, buy and use them. If not, buy and use something else.
JoeV
Thin Air, Bright Sun
I like the Holga GFN 120. Glass lens for a bit more sharpness in the center (but still that lovely off-axis loveliness), with integral flash. FYI the batteries need to be replaced before you load the film.
f16sunshine
Moderator
JoeV that's one I would like to get but it seems they have not been made available for a while now.
I'm just going to order a plastic lens built in flash version for now.
Bob,
The Holga is a very good tool for film photographers.
Even though, I suppose anyone can get a simulated Holga look with PP these days (or hipstamatic app which I actually like).
Simulations in post lose the charm of surrender the Holga requires from users.... Not wanting to choose a look later is one reason to use it.
It gives you what it gives you and that's it!
This will be the 3rd one for me... the other 2 having been used until worn out or malfunctioning.
With other cameras in the kit, I don't see a need to own more than one but, I do always have one loaded with film.
I'm just going to order a plastic lens built in flash version for now.
Bob,
The Holga is a very good tool for film photographers.
Even though, I suppose anyone can get a simulated Holga look with PP these days (or hipstamatic app which I actually like).
Simulations in post lose the charm of surrender the Holga requires from users.... Not wanting to choose a look later is one reason to use it.
It gives you what it gives you and that's it!
This will be the 3rd one for me... the other 2 having been used until worn out or malfunctioning.
With other cameras in the kit, I don't see a need to own more than one but, I do always have one loaded with film.