Medium Format Film Photography | Holga 120

SUPPORT MY CHANNEL ON PATREON
I have a Patreon Page where you can become a Patron of 'Shoot Film Like a Boss' and watch un-released videos, blog posts and my other film photography related ideas and thoughts.
PATREON / shootfilmlikeaboss
About this Video
Thanks to Martin Betzler from Germany who kindly sent me the Holga 120N to try. So far, I like it!
ABOUT MY VIDEOS
If my videos inspire, create ideas and help others in film photography and darkroom work then it's worth making them.
I always welcome comments that are useful towards the video subject that will help others understand the process within.
Keep shooting and thanks for watching.

MY SOCIAL LINKS
PATREON / shootfilmlikeaboss
WEBSITE: www.shootfilml...
FACEBOOK PAGE: / shootfilmlikeaboss
INSTAGRAM: / shootfilmlikeaboss
MUSIC CREDITING

[@taylornoel]

I admire the star trail shot! It’s not everyone who would try to use a holga like that- very fun :)

[@ezekielkokspeaks]

It’s beautiful

[@Author_MikkoJLehtonen]

A Holga with B and a tripod screw underneath! Luxurious! I found my Holga from a local goodwill store. Some poor bastard had thrown it in the sama bin with kid's toys propably thinking it was a childrens toy. Paid 3,50€ for it and it works. I even managed to get the flash working after cleaning the contact points. My Holga does not have those metal things holding the back in place but I just use a hefty amount of gaffers tape around the camera to hold it together and prevent light leaks. Lovely video Roger, keep up the good work!

[@therealblurrybarber]

You're an amazing photographer. Your darkroom work speaks for itself. I am so impressed. Every video I watch of yours I'm impressed. Thank you for the amazing content and thank you for doing things the traditional way. It's getting lost and the results of good darkroom work speaks for itself

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Thanks very much!

[@JohnTomasella]

Actually I think that star trail came out quite nice. Definitely looks like it was shot on a Holga. They seem to be suited for the stormy rainy weather type shots with a nice grainy film.

[@wcwendychapman]

I really like that photo as well.

[@wcwendychapman]

I really like that photo as well.

[@buyaport]

Thanks for all the effort you put into your videos. The great thing is that you always manage to communicate your enthusiasm. Keep up the good work.

[@Bigfarmer8]

Double thumbs up for Martin for sending in the camera!!

[@mudgie069]

I think Holga's are best used for closer photography. I've had some great results with my 120N and even though I don't use it often, it's always fun and can produce interesting and sometimes unpredictable results.

[@bardamu8294]

Waited for a new vidéo and here it is. Thanks Roger ! See you next time.

[@sneekylinux]

Still have one but do prefer the lubital 166 for a bit of fun but I do like using the cheaper medium format as it takes you back to the basics, I think the main thing with the Holga is light leaks..

[@minisla]

Reminds me of my very first film camera. Plastic thingy that took photos. Simple but it works.

[@mamiyapress]

Take a look at this mans work with a Holga " 120n Photography, Salts Mill & Village by Martin Henson"

[@piotrphotography]

Hello Roger, I just woke up and I was watching your new movie. You showed a lot of inspiration and next ideas. I get up and I'm going to put the film in the camera. Greetings good sunday

[@ManuelGuzmanPhotography]

Eyyy! Just got this in the mail earlier this week. Great inspiration to shoot it!

[@FabrizioZago]

You should take a look at Michael Kenna's book called (guess how...) "Holga". I think you'll definitely enjoy it. I like the chair photo and the image of the lamp post, they turned out nice I think.

[@uglybassist]

I second that! Kenna has made some really great images on the Holga!

[@708photog]

Nice cap!! Go Yankees! (Great video...as usual!)

[@harrystevens3885]

Holga cameras have two unique features, people buying them new knowing they where already faulty and a camera where the film you put in it is worth more than the camera.:):) Some great results have come from them though and they supposedly make very easily printable negatives.:):)

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

I found it fun yet I can see how addictive they can be knowing there is an interesting image somewhere waiting to come from something. Ha ha

[@stephenchurch1784]

I've found that the holga really shines when you embrace its limitations. The light leaks, distortion and other assorted "defects" can put a little extra drama into a photo. Never used the medium format holga because medium format and holga sit at very different points on the use case spectrum for me but I love their instax clone for giving to people when I do street portraits

[@adrianlong6701]

Very enjoyable video. I take my holga with me when I’m kayaking. I like the idea of the long exposures, I’ll definitely give that a go in the future. Thanks for all you do it’s very inspiring

[@snapsnappist4529]

There is, in fact, a cable release available for the Holga. It's a round collar that clips over the lens mount and has a socket for a standard screw-in cable.

[@LarryLeone]

Holga's RULE! I have a bunch of them!

[@mikegindling4236]

I have 2, a 120 and a 35mm tlr. I love them.

[@jamesmallard9336]

You can get a shutter release adapter but they can be quite expensive. I use wool in the gap where the back attaches to the body to prevent light leaks

[@eminusipi]

Black cotton yarn works very well pushed into the camera back channels. I learned that tip from a David Hancock video on replacing rotten foam seals in old cameras. It's easier than foam and it won't rot again. On my Holga the B/N switch slips very easily so black electrical tape holds it in place. I tape the 12/16 switch as well.

[@iainmc9859]

A good bit of fun. The trail of venus is a great shot. Never seen a Holga used for astro before. Pity that the very name Holga has been spoilt by hipsters. Your not allowed to shoot one unless you have a well groomed beard and a tweed jacket with a furry collar. What do you call an older hipster with a camera....a Leica liker (drum roll please!)

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

What does a Leica Liker wear?

[@iainmc9859]

Usually brown shoes with blue trousers, to go with their lumberjack shirt and waxed moustache....... oh and I forgot the braces ;-)

[@davecockayne8491]

Holgate...mmm...is it heavy? Seriously, I was surprised at how well your shots came out. Well impressed..seems good fun ! Great stuff as always..well done. Stay safe and stay sane. Best wishes, Dave.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

It's light Dave. Not sure I mentioned that. lol

[@davecockayne8491]

@@ShootFilmLikeaBoss oh,it's light. Wouldn't have guessed! Cheers,pal,take care!

[@lostintransitphoto]

Great video. Nice shots of the cows! Regarding stars, getting trails on film can happen but if you want the stars and Milky Way the set up is rather complex as you need the camera to move with the stars. I looking into it but too complicated and expensive for my tastes.

[@milodermick2981]

i follow you because i like your way to work

[@kamaksi24]

I have done a few Star trails and there are two things you need. first the lens needs to be at most f2.8 ... anything slower and you wont get anything. Second you need at least iso 800 and in many cases a 1600 iso to catch the light.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

I had great results t f11, 400 speed film 4 hours exposure. F2.8, wouldn't that be against the lens sweet spot?

[@kamaksi24]

Shoot Film Like a Boss from my understanding the F2.8 is the single biggest factor. Kinda surprised the f11 worked, but hell this is why we test and experiment!

[@fotolookconde]

Not sure if I would spend 120 film using a cheap camera like this but I reckon experimenting is allways good in photography! I have a few cameras that I need to upload videos about in my KZbin channel dedicated to film photography...

[@davidcollins1853]

Had one for years. Back comes off. So I wrap the seams with black tape to hold it on. Worked well with slow color film... Great vid.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

I can see that back popping off. I guess that's all part of the fun

[@davidcollins1853]

Yes. Didn't notice as much lens distortion on mine. The lens is plastic.

[@andrewjohnson4728]

Roger, Another great video - thank you!! I signed up to be a Patron because of your wearing that Yankees hat! (and for your awesome videos, of course)

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Ha ha, thanks Andrew. Hope you enjoy the content on there. 👍

[@ribsy]

this video inspired me to become part of the holga gang 💪🏽

[@jjjbay]

Also try shooting without the mask inserted. It’ll make for some irregular and may be interesting. I like shooting without the mask inserted.

[@marcom.medina8648]

GReat. I had a Holga 120 for a while couple years ago. And I'ven recently thinking get one once again. I'ven thinkin not in using 120 film, but photo paper directly INside the camera, as 6x6 support, crazy idea. ¿Do you think that will be possible? ¡Why don't you try it too and show the result!

[@denisg_photographies]

Nice job in the darkroom :)

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Cheers Dennis. I just released another holga vid.

[@denisg_photographies]

@@ShootFilmLikeaBoss I will watch it :)

[@user-tj1el9uo1m]

I would like to see more on this ;)

[@13squier]

Another great video! If you hold the shutter open with the back off and slide the "sun/cloud" switch back and forth you can check whether this is a real feature. My copy has an empty box thing that goes back and forth- but the "apertures" are the same size. So it does nothing on mine. I'm curious if a part was lost or if that was always a fake feature of the Holga. Mine's a 120CFN that has a flash with rotating W/R/Y/B color gels, really neat for color photos. I once did a series of Holga double exposures that turned out pretty cool (in my opinion anyway.) Cheers!

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

I did Clay. The apertures do change on this one. I wasn't 100% sure if the shutter was accurate though.

[@JasonKonopinski]

They're quite fun and liberating to use! In my mind, it's almost impossible to screw up a Holga shot. The soft focus and occasional light leaks are part of the charm. Check out the work of Michael Kenna to see spectacular images made with a Holga.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

What film do you shoot for outdoor sunny?

[@JasonKonopinski]

@@ShootFilmLikeaBoss Ultrafine Extreme 100! Cheap and cheerful. Kentmere would do well, too!

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

@@JasonKonopinski I've got the film here. But I couldn't get foma 200 to work in sunlight.

[@ifitworksproductions]

This looks like fun. I have a similar old Diana 6x6 to try out eventually.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Yes they are great fun to shoot !

[@Frisenette]

But, is it light?

[@EmilyGallagher]

Is it light?

[@ezekielkokspeaks]

Almost all plastic yup it’s very light

[@normancampbell8120]

Hi Roger, been watching your video on the holga 120n camera .there is a very good video made by a guy called martin henson on the tube channel which gives detailed instructions for fixing any light leaks etc.

[@node547]

15:56: well thank goodness I'm not the only one making crooked prints. Not the photograph itself but getting those borders perfectly aligned with the paper borders... It's driving me nuts. The star trails are awesome btw (both auntie Holga and the Chinon).

[@IainHC1]

Yayyyyy.......... You've just made my day :-)

[@RomasJurelevicius]

Shoot star trails in film!!! On Holga! Yea... btw, have you done any calculations for shooting time, or just thought that 6h enough :) as I understand long shots on film is different, but never tried, so could be wrong. And of course, thanks for video :)

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

I had great results after experimenting with f11, 4 hours and 400 speed film. This time, even 6 hours, didn't work out as good as last time. You can see my last one on instagram.

[@johannesost6103]

Must be a pretty light camera as it looks

[@diegoriveragutierrez]

Tomando pilsen !!! grannnde master!

[@drewharry88]

Still new to 35mm/120 film photography.. working with a Holga 120N and a Nikon FA for 35mm... Send my rolls to The Darkroom in CA for developing/printing but am curious about this process... so you develop the film, then to make prints you dont just take scans and print them off?? What is all this "burning with the light" and stuff?? I was just assuming it went from roll of film, developed in the lab to the film being scanned and printed off a printer so Ive never seen this before.. anyone care to explain the process for me to understand a bit better?? Much appreciated...

[@stuartmphoto415]

Great stuff! Look out for Michael Kenna's book " Holga " and you'll really appreciate this camera! :)

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Thanks...

[@Derginator]

Yankee with brim

[@barrydduggan]

Great review, as always. How does the picture quality compare to that of a Pinhole camera?

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

It's sharper Barry. Totally different look.

[@noytheya]

What do you do with all your prints?

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

I sell some, give some away, eBay auction occasionally and frame some for home. Mostly, I have hundreds boxed.

[@sbcinema]

did you mention that this camera is really light?

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure.

[@thedondeluxe6941]

One question: Is it light?

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

I've written a whole blog on how light it is on my website Don.

[@thedondeluxe6941]

@@ShootFilmLikeaBoss That's very good to know.😄

[@Contentpunk]

what would you recommend for 120 portraits on a budget (camera...)

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

For 120 portraits you may struggle to find a good budget camera. Zeiss ikon nettars and other 120 folding cameras are well priced and great but for portraits I think the minimum focal distence is about a meter. Fine if you crop in on photoshop or darkroom.

[@Contentpunk]

@@ShootFilmLikeaBoss thank you for your fast and detailed reply. I started to develop my own films a few weeks ago and I like portrait-photography the most. By the way: I really enjoy your channel. Keep up the great work.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Thanks. Hope it helped. I have videos on the folding cameras but no portraits

[@jjjbay]

Long exposure cable release mod: www.holgamods.com/holgamods/Holgas.html

[@Marius-Cristian]

It's a LIGHT camera....

[@guillermoperezsantos]

13:17 your are letting light pass into the paper, upper righ corner, your cardboard is not big enought, it´s cutted !!! hehe

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

I noticed that on playback...need to make a new card!

[@guillermoperezsantos]

@@ShootFilmLikeaBoss Yes!!! a bigger one :D

[@Jose-kf5eq]

Mi experiencia con la cámara ha resultado nefasta.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

That's a shame. I've had a few disasters myself

[@thismisunderstoodlonerguy]

Honestly, i don't like the vignetting. Not hating, but I want a camera that won't vignette.

[@Frisenette]

Never got the support for the manufactured cult around this sad PoS. Literally any old good condition medium format camera is going to give you better results, with more authenticity and character. One thing is artistic faults, another is having a whole roll spoiled by a falling off back, or a bad shutter. The lens is also completely unnecessarily bad. As in just plain bad and unpredictable. A glass meniscus lens is not *that* hard to make or expensive. The best you can say about it, probably is that it probably had a small hand in keeping film alive during the darkest hour.

[@georgeszakaly]

zu langatmig und zu undeutliches English - also klar Daumen nach unten!

[@IainHC1]

Is it light??

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Don't you start lol