How to Use a Holga Camera

Image from a Holga

Holga cameras are medium-format toy film cameras that are cheaply made and known for light leaks, overexposure, vignetting and vivid colors. The Holga would be considered by many people a cheap clunker. But the Holga has recently made a comeback with a cult following of those who feel its imperfections make the camera mysterious and every image unique.

Things You'll Need

• Holga camera Color or black and white film (120 format)

Instructions

Know Your Holga

1. 

   The lens is a plastic 60 mm with two options for aperture: "sunny" (f/13) or "cloudy" (f/8). Use f/8 or "cloudy" for shooting at night or in situations where the lighting might be less than desirable. Use f/13 or "sunny" for daytime or brighter light situations.

2. The Holga is essentially a point-and-shoot, so the shutter speed is stuck at 1/125th of a second. You also can hold down the shutter release for an exposure that will last as long as you want it to.

3. The auto-focus lens has four focus settings: portrait, small group, big group and infinity.

4. Originally, the Holga did not have a flash, but the new 120 S has a gel flash option that runs off of two AA batteries.

Loading Film

1. First, open up the back of the camera. Slide down the metal or plastic knobs on either side of the camera, and the back will pop off.

2. If you desire a vignette effect on your photographs, remove the film mask before putting in the film. The film mask is the large plastic square that sits over the lens between the where the film and spool go. To remove just pull it out; the film mask is not glued or fastened in.

3. Next, open your film and pull out the lead. The lead is the blank part of film with a tapered end for the spool. Place the film in the left side of the camera; it should click into place.

4. Take the tapered end of the lead and tuck it into the spool. Place the spool back into the camera and wind the spool a couple clicks to create tension and to secure the film.

5. 

   Put the back on the camera and wind the film until you see the number "1" in the window in the back of the Holga.
   You are now ready to shoot.

Tips & Warnings

• Some people tape up the back to avoid light leeks.