Have you heard about the 35mm Holga, the Holga 135?
February 28th, 2008 by DurkinPosted in News
This isn’t exactly the most up-to-date information at the moment but I still thought that it was well worth a share.
I found out a few months a go that Holga have released a 35mm version of their famous camera.
So no more of those lonely nights in converting your 120! The Holga 135 allows 35mm film only.
I had a quick glance over at eBay and they are going there for around £18.99. I think thats fairly expensive for what the camera actually is, but what the hell, they have a niche now and people will buy it.
The lens has the option of two f stops (f/8 and f/11) while the shutter shoots at a rather slower than I imagined 1/100th of a second. Of course there is the option of bulb too.
The lens also has the characteristic four manual focal points (portrait, small group, big group, and infinity) each with its own symbol to help you out when your rushing for a shot.
Again the advancing system means that you can either choose to advance the film one full frame or keep it on the same frame for multiple exposures.
On the old Holga 120’s the film number is on the back so I assume the winder automatically stops when 1 frame is wound. If any one could clear this up that would be great.
Conclusion:
In my opinion the camera looks fun, but I don’t think its really worth the price its retailed at. There are far better 35mm cameras out there on eBay that cost a lot less.
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17 Responses so far
By Lil the Dancer on Apr 12, 2008
Can you give me some tips on how to focus this thing? Most of my pictures are horribly out of focus. Thanks!
By Durkin on Apr 13, 2008
hello there, thanks a lot for taking the time to leave a comment.
Does your lens have the standard holga focusing guide on it? Something along the lines of Person, group of people, bigger group of people and a mountain?
they are a pretty good guide as to how to focus.
Person = 1m
Group = 2m
Large Group = 6m
Mountain = 10m - infinity
There may be some slight imperfections as the holga is so cheaply made, I guess is just a case of getting used to it and maybe running a few films of experimentation.
Everyone’s holga is different, good luck!
By jamie on May 6, 2008
I have found after having developed 4 rolls of film that the Holga is a very sensitive camera. At first I was ‘pointing and clicking’ away, but sadly, with my Holga, all of those shots were completely blurry, even if I quickly checked and confirmed the focus. After the first two rolls, I slowed down, calmly framed an image and snapped making sure to remain steady. The Holga liked this very much and beautiful pictures blossomed from this. I know this is not a technical explanation, but this worked for me. so far…
By Durkin on May 6, 2008
Hi Jamie! interesting comment
thanks for taking the time to leave it. Thats strange that your images were blury. I guess nothing ever bad would result from slowing down and taking more time with your photography. I usually do the same thing!
I guess the cool thing about photography is that everyone has a different approach, and with the Holga, everyones camera is different!
By Matt Lit on May 9, 2008
Don’t despair! I had been shooting professionally for almost 20 years when I first picked up the Holga! It took me almost two more years to get an image I thought worthwhile. Very, very frustrating. Throw away your technical skills and presumptions. Also - very important - stop caring if any of the photos come out! Give it time.
- From somewhere on Colorado’s Continental Divide…Matt Lit…
LITfoto
LITfoto blog
By Durkin on May 9, 2008
Hi Matt, thanks a lot for leaving a comment!
I love the way that the holga is so unpredictable sometimes, because like you say, all presumptions are thrown out of the window and the photography has no bounds
By Marcia on Jun 12, 2008
I recently won a 135BC so in regards to that it has a number/exposure counter window on the top right side and does stop after a full exp is wound on, altho I haven’t tryed doing any 1/2 winds yet or partial exposures.. still on my 1st roll of film.. wish me luck!!!
By Durkin on Jun 12, 2008
Hi there, thanks for the information, I must admit that I didn’t expect them to do that, I thought there might just have been a counter!
And yes good luck! haha. I’m going to get a 135 as soon as a cheque goes through that i have just recently received
By Gabriel Velasco on Jun 24, 2008
The Holga 135s actually have many features not found in other 35mm cameras in their price range: B setting, tripod threads, threaded shutter release, decoupled film advance for easy double exposures, hot shoe, same lens as Holga 120 so you can use other Holga lenses and filters.
The two f-stops don’t work, just like the 120s. It could potentially be modified the same way, but the lens it mounted differently so it’s harder to do.
The winder does stop when one frame is wound on. This frame stop is what makes it harder to remove the lens for the f-stop and close focus mods. Interestingly, you can always release the shutter even if you haven’t advanced a full frame.
By Durkin on Jun 25, 2008
thanks a lot for the information. I plan to get my hands on one soon and see what its all about! The believe the lens is exactly the same as the Holga, so that’s interesting that it is mounted differently
By Riri Audiya on Jun 29, 2008
thanks a lot for the information.
I bought holga 135 from lomographyasia.com 3 days ago.
I hope holga 135 will in my hands tomorrow.
what is the difference between holga 135 and 135 BC?
and also my friend said that vignette effect in holga 135 is fake. it use filter in the lens.
By Anna on Jun 30, 2008
Considering buying one of these to have a play. Does anyone know if it is compatibale with the filters and flashes etc, that other holgas can take?
By Durkin on Jun 30, 2008
I contacted lomography and they said the lens is exactly the same so everything is compatible!
By novignette on Jul 27, 2008
How come my Holga 135BC didn’t create vignettes? I’ve developed my first roll and I’m really disappointed because there were just like pictures taken with ordinary film base camera. Help me pls. tnx.
By Durkin on Jul 27, 2008
I don’t actually own this camera, I have ordered one though and its on the way. I can’t really explain why that may happen, but it could be something to do with the light on that day or the film you used. I’m sorry I can’t answer this in any more detail!
By MillionMonks on Aug 13, 2008
@novignette, Durkin’s right it probably depends on the lighting and films used. This goes the same for Holga 120 i think
By Durkin on Aug 13, 2008
Ive heard recently that the 135 doesn’t vignette at all, whats more the 135BC is just a filter on the inside of the camera and I know this is true because I’ve got mine now and i checked.
I was a little annoyed.