Holga RIP

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Rob Telford
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I'v never owned one myself, but it seems that production of Holga cameras has ceased :(

http://techcrunch.com/2015/11/30/goodbye-to-holga-the-wacky-camera-blast-from-the-past/

“Freestyle Photographic announced today that the factory that produces Holga Cameras has ceased operations and will no longer be producing these Cameras and accessories,” said the CEO Gerald H. Karmele. “Holga outlived many other cameras but, as like we have seen throughout the years, is yet another casualty of the digital age.”
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According to a factory spokesperson “…all Holga tooling has already been thrown away and there is nothing available for sale"; so that looks like it's firmly the end of the line.
 
apart from the god knows how many chinese knock-off shops that are likely to keep churning them out...

still - if that means that Helga and the Pinholga are now destined to be collectors items...
 
A victim of the popularity of Lomo perhaps? Their passing isn't one I will mourn.
 
I've seen this come up a lot on various Facebook groups over the last 24 hours and it's created a lot of debate, between people who love cheap plastic cameras and their unpredictable "quirky" results, and those that hate everything about them. Seems to be a "hipster" vs "traditional" thing I think.

I've never particularly wanted one, and I think if i had one I'd put a roll through one and then abandon it on the shelf forever!

Whether you love them or hate them, it's still sad for all photographers that they're gone now.
 
Time to put my, " to become rare", "no longer manufactured", "minty" , "only ever used three times", Holga WPC in the classifieds at a price that "Holga" collectors will find reasonable ...let's say £1000 to include postage :D:D
 
I'd buy one if it's cheap. Choosing a scene that would flatter the Holga is a technical and artistic challenge as much as any photography is, and I've seen many images taken on one that I've liked a lot.
Definitely sad, though - the more film cameras, the better, if only for the self-interest of making sure film keeps getting made. (On the other hand, maybe Holga can't make a go of it because all the neophyte filmies just head to eBay for a cheap-as-chips non-toy.)
 
quite sad actually ... I owned one many years ago
 
I was quite sceptical of Holgas for a long time, but I've been using them quite a bit over the past six months and I'm seriously convinced by them now. I find them amazing for travel, street photography, and candid portraiture, especially the GTLR model.

Used within their capabilities, they're capable of quite good results. They make for useful learning tools as well.

It'll be a shame to see them go, but hopefully something else can fill the void.
 
skysh4rk said:
I was quite sceptical of Holgas for a long time, but I've been using them quite a bit over the past six months and I'm seriously convinced by them now. I find them amazing for travel, street photography, and candid portraiture, especially the GTLR model.

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Just checked out your album of this on Flickr. Really nice results, and loads of character. What's the WLF like to use?
 
abdoujaparov said:
Just checked out your album of this on Flickr. Really nice results, and loads of character. What's the WLF like to use?
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The WLF is very crude by Rolleiflex or even Yashicamat standards and it doesn't move with focus, but it does just enough to help you frame your subject. You still also have the option of shooting at eye level by folding down the front panel and viewing through the little hole in the back of the WLF.

I find the 120 GTLR great because I can happily take it anywhere without really worrying about it—whether just slung over my shoulder or tossed into a bag—and it's so light.

I also have the more traditional Holga 120N, but that's for pairing with an auto-thyristor flash on the camera hot shoe for better indoor flash exposures.
 
Have 2 holga cameras gathering dust, however between June 2008 and June 2010 they were actually the only cameras I owned! I must have shot about 150 rolls in that time as I have a stack of sleeved 120 negatives about 2 inches high.
A couple here
Scan-140208-0001-625x610.jpg

Scan-140416-0009-625x616.jpg
 
I've only ever shot a 120N once and only put a couple of rolls through it. I did take it with me when I shot a local bands' promo shots on the roof of the Liver Building in Liverpool though!

ImageUploadedByTalk Photography Forums1449005119.778507.jpg

ImageUploadedByTalk Photography Forums1449005127.859370.jpg

I didn't have a scanner at the time so they were photographed in front of a lamp to add to the Holga qualities :0)
 
Like the first one, Steve. That's what I meant about flattering the Holga - it works really well for a promo for that band. Probably not so well for Little Mix . . .
 
Never been a fan of the lomo scene myself and won't miss them personally. Indeed however I do appreciate that they promoted using film, and this loss is yet another blow :(
 
Woodsy said:
Never been a fan of the lomo scene myself and won't miss them personally. Indeed however I do appreciate that they promoted using film, and this loss is yet another blow :(
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Well I agree..... I would have to be paid to use these sort of cameras and am not going back to the days of the fifties when I was forced to use cameras like these because of lack of money. If you want special effects just buy a decent 35mm and lens for about £10-£15 and use filters from say Cokin (of course buy S\H) OR even make your own from cardboard and stuck over the lens, OR smear Vaseline on a sky filter for blurry effects.
 
excalibur2 said:
Well I agree..... I would have to be paid to use these sort of cameras and am not going back to the days of the fifties when I was forced to use cameras like these because of lack of money. If you want special effects just buy a decent 35mm and lens for about £10-£15 and use filters from say Cokin (of course buy S\H) OR even make your own from cardboard and stuck over the lens, OR smear Vaseline on a sky filter for blurry effects.
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Or buy a Holga and save yourself all the messing about.... :D

I have to admit that my little 120N produced some interesting shots and in the right circumstances they have a place.
Holga3-Canal by Andy, on Flickr

Dark by Andy, on Flickr
 
Woodsy said:
Never been a fan of the lomo scene myself and won't miss them personally.
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It really is unfortunate that Holgas are largely associated with Lomo, as the cameras are capable of decent results if used properly and within their capabilities. Just because you're using a Holga, it doesn't mean that your photos must be underexposed with light leaks all over the place. Yes, there will be some vignetting and bullet focus, but if you tailor your photography with these properties in mind (e.g., portraits with subjects toward the centre), you can get some serious results with these cameras.

I already posted the photo below in the show us your film shots thread (a post largely inspired by this thread), but I think it illustrates that these cameras can be useful tools. For the record, what looks like flare or light leaks in the photos below is actually just the reflection of the ceiling lights on the prints.


IMG_0111 copy.JPG
 
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Well guys I just don't get it as most here are not newbies and own excellent 35mm and MF cameras.......... so why use a Holga. Who would actually put Portra or Velvia film in and pay a lab for the results and leave your Rollei or Yashica etc at home.
 
excalibur2 said:
Well guys I just don't get it as most here are not newbies and own excellent 35mm and MF cameras.......... so why use a Holga.
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Because the Rollei or the Yashica aren't always the best or most appropriate tools for the job.

excalibur2 said:
Who would actually put Portra or Velvia film in and pay a lab for the results and leave your Rollei or Yashica etc at home.
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Me.

If you aren't capable of taking any good photographs with a Holga, then I doubt using those other cameras is going to make much of a difference.
 
Horses for courses.....right tool for the right job....you would not use a shovel to dig over your veg plot would you?
 
Cannyekerslike said:
Horses for courses.....right tool for the right job....you would not use a shovel to dig over your veg plot would you?
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Well I don't know where a Holga would fit in but if someone enjoys using the camera and the results then that is what counts.....must be me when I also can't understand why when there are VG 35mm cameras going cheap and someone uses a Brownie :rolleyes:
Reminds me at the bootie once when someone had bought a Brownie and asked me (I was looking at a camera on a stall at the time)..."can you put a 35mm film in it".....well I said what did you buy that for when you can get a VG compact for 50p -£1...h'mm I was stupid to give that answer and regret it, but it just sort of came out of my mouth.:(
 
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