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going to japan in 13days and this is exactly what i wanted to bring along side my nikon D7000. i wanted to take some more personalized "esthetic" photos besides my clear digital ones. this video helped me decide i need a holga and especially for the light leak wich im hoping will let me shoot some sick photos in shibuya

I have never had to tape any of my hulga’s as much as that. A piece of tape over the red window little bit of tape to keep the metal sliders from moving. And two small pieces of tape inside on the top from where the little insert hooks in. That was all I ever needed.

If you over roll your film the nice thing about a Holga. You can just go into a dark space and make sure it’s completely light tight open up the back pull the leader side roll out very carefully with your thumb roll the film backwards on the side with the little cardboard. Takes a little practice because it’s a piece of paper with a piece of film in it and the film wants to curl back. However, you are shooting with a plastic camera and if it curls back in the film gets a little scratched up it’s just part of the charm. I love plastic cameras. I miss Instagram being the digital version of a Holga. Zuckerberg really screwed up that app.

The little piece of cardboard box that you’re using to put pressure on the film, keeps the paper and the film tight so that when it rolls into the other one, it is also firm and tight. You will find it if you do not use that piece of box, when you go to remove the film, it will not be light tight. It is incredibly important. I used to teach using these back in the late 90s early 2000’s. Back then I bought half dozen of them for $30. It was a great equalizer in the class. And they still got to learn about processing film and making prints.

Didn't know there was so much hate towards the Holga and the images that it produces. I like it even that i dont own one. When I started getting interested in photography, around 20 years ago, i remember them to be very popular in Europe where i lived. Should have gotten one, they were around $20, dont know how much are they now.

Happy to see you back!

I watched to find out how to use my flashbulb flashgun. You did not cover the flash use at all. I have a case of M3 flashbulbs that I want to use with this camera but do not know how to set it up.

My two cents? The image was low contrast to begin with. Bet you'd have some blacker tones with a higher contrast photo. But it was an interesting experiment nonetheless. And I wonder if oak galls might make for a darker brew? A pretty dark ink can be made from oak galls and rust from iron. Anyway, thanks for sharing!

Just bought it for $12 and with a vivitar 2.8 28mm lens!

How do you unload the film when you're done shooting?

What’s the difference between OM-1 and OM-1n? I have the OM-1n and I’m unfortunately really not a fan of the camera so far..

Try to tone it with out wetting

My rewind button doesn’t work is there any fixing it? On my Olympus om 1

I was having the jamming issue you were talking about regarding advancing the film and the shutter speed! I just got my Olympus OM1 recently and have been adjusting the shutter speed to properly expose my light meter when I noticed that every now and then when I took a shot, the viewfinder would go completely black and I had no idea why. Very frustrating; I lost a good amount of shots because of this. Thank you for your explanation, it's good to know to advance the film and THEN adjust the shutter speed instead of the shutter speed first and then advancing the film!

Hey thanks for the help! I just today got my Holga and I haven't used a film camera since the 70s LOL. Now, we'll see what happens!

Removing lens is with one button, if I remember correctly, the other button is depth of field preview. I have the 1, 2N and 4Ti, great cameras all these❤

thank you i just picked one up looking forward to using in before the year ends.

I also have a Yashica A, which is much cheaper than a Yashica Mat 124 G. You can see a video of mine here th-cam.com/video/F_vXF2LZU4A/w-d-xo.html Your pictures are wonderful! How did you scan them?

Having to justify "lugging this camera around" cuts to the heart of the matter, in my opinion. It reveals that you don't really need this camera, or this format, but you want to use it because you like it. Or maybe just because you think you SHOULD like it. Maybe that's because it speaks to something in you, or maybe, again, you just think you ought to like it. So let me tell you a story from way back when we used these cameras because we had to, not because we wanted to. I was a commercial photographer in the 1970s, and I PROMISE you I only used large format because it was the only way to produce the results my customers were asking for, and that compares to the hobbyist photographer's journey from 135 to 120 to 4x5 and beyond that you describe. The 1970s was a time when technology was changing almost as fast as it does now - a constant flow of new cameras, new lenses, new films, new processes - and I tried to get by with smaller, lighter, cheaper kit, but it just couldn't be done - or wasn't accepted by clients - so I ended up using large format a lot. I also used medium format when I could, but a lot of work just had to be done on large format, so I did. And I got to love it, but it was based on a NEED, not on a wish or a desire. Digital photography killed that need, and good riddance if you ask me. Your cost breakdown shows how silly it is to use film now - even 120 - especially when most people end up with a digital image in the end anyway. Very, very few have the facilities to do an analog process all the way through - and believe me (I did that until 2012, when I went fully digital), the results rarely match what you can do with a digital workflow. OK if you do it for the love of the process, but makes no sense if you do it for the love of the result.

I just got a Yashica Mat-124G from Japan today. I did pay more than you did, for 'top mint' with a functioning meter.

I disagree with this guy in almost every thing he says. He has an absolute negative attitude. The expense can be mitigated. Buy used equipment online for very little money. I use and love all formats but 4x5 is my favorite. Large format is not easy. You will make plenty of mistakes but in time you will make fewer. The rewards of large format photography are worth pursuing.

What are you using to measure light?

Thank you sir for this fine video. A friend of mine wants to give me his Holga so, I can get into medium format film. Your video is the first one I found and view. I love your enthusiasm and full heartiness toward the art of photography in the use of this camera. I would also like to thank your girlfriend for sharing those very, very, interesting photos you showed us. Thank you so, much. God Bless. Roger

My Dad just gifted me with his Olympus OM-1 for my birthday yesterday and it needs to be cleaned. I can't wait to use it! Thank you for making this video, it was extremely helpful!

Do you need batteries for this?

Please never use the film advance lever without an empty spool in the advance position. It can case film advance problems with pacing and alignment.

I just purchased this camera and your tutorial/intro is by far the best. I started out w/ 35mm film camera years ago, then switched over to DSLR/M. I'm now going back to film and starting with the Yashica Mat-124G. Yes, it does look a little intimidating at first, so I appreciate your video. Great work!

I shoot all formats. I choose what I want to shoot with what format. I have learned to develop and print all my own stuff. I have never sent film out to be processed or scanned. Too much money plus I like doing it myself. Great video letting people know about the pros and cons of different formats. I learned on MF so 35mm is fun for the amazing gear (cameras) but the negatives of MF are what has kept me there.

So which battery is the alternative one?❤

Hi Hamilton, great video! I just bought a Olympus OM-1 and Im using a Kodak Ultra Max 400 film. I wanted to ask you what settings (iso and shutter speed) would you recommend for a sunny day. Thanks a lot! 😊

I shoot every format from 35mm to 8x10. I've shot 4x5 and 120 for thirty years. Some thoughts. Yes, using something like a Rolleiflex is a lot more fun to shoot, and it's considerably cheaper. However, 4x5 is more versatile. You can use lenses from any period in history. I sometimes use lenses from the 1840s and 1850s, followed by fascinating lenses from the 1920s. You can shoot film, dry plate, wet plate, paper negatives and so on. A 4x5 contact print, selenium toned, looks beautiful and is very archival. And that gets into something else. Developing your own b&w film is easy and not expensive. You can scan with a digital camera. With 4x5 (and 5x7 is better) you can make terrific contact prints in a small darkroom (or your bathroom.) You can process color film at home, but you don't save much money and it is a bit time consuming. SO, for those just wanting to try film, I'd agree a 120 roll film based camera is a better choice. For those really into photography and wanting to explore options, a 4x5 is great.

15:58 the elderly man looks like Steve Mccurry the famous photographer who photographed the Afghan Girl

I cant get my yongnuo 600 ex rt ii flashes to fire when mounted on the cameras hot shoe OR by PC sync cable. Can anyone help? I have the little fp/x switch set to X, Shutter Speed set to 1/60, flash set to manual and wireless mode off.

I bought my Holga just over a year ago. It was my first ever film camera. Now I've got quite the collection, including a bunch of old ones. But the Holga was a great introduction, and this video was incredibly helpful, so thank you so much Hamilton.

Thanks a lot Ward! That's crazy camera, it's my first time using it, thanks to you it's a little bit more accessible

I've been debating whether to buy this camera or not, but I think your video has finally clinched the deal for me! Thank you Hamilton.

Thank you so much for these tips Hamilton, and yes, all creative folk have slumps! Subscribed 🙂👍

I had a Pentax ZX-M, also marketed as the MZ-M. I liked the way it performed. I also liked the way it looked, YMMV. However it was missing a feature that I've come to appreciate on other camera models. It does not have a "diopter adjustable viewfinder." I never needed one until my eyes got worse with age. This probably won't bother most users. There are some add-on diopter lenses but they are rare and not cheap. Another minor quibble is that it has a "pentamirror" instead of a "pentaprism." This simply means that the pentamirror is slightly dimmer than a pentaprism. I bought a Pentax MZ-3 and a MZ-5 after I gave the ZX-M away. They both have the exact same layout as the ZX-M but with autofocus capability and a diopter adjustable viewfinder.

I got one with a broken light meter since i read that its often the battery contact that is broken and that is exactly what had happened. Now i also soldered in a diode and can use it with silver cells

I just entered the film photography with my Pentax MZ-3; ngl it's the closest thing to a dslr feel in film photography and it's also very practical in a sense that it had some modern features on it . I just don't get it why the METAL analog cameras get the most love

thanks for this straight forward Holga camera review. these cameras are awesome and produce interesting, unique images. thank goodness they are cheap too.

I couldn't disagree more about the light meter. Get a working light meter!!!!! It's so important for daily use!

Well, LF is not for everyone. For me, I love the time, skill and patience required to successfully navigate the involved process that shooting LF entails, the risk of stuffing it up, the joy of capturing something wonderful - and sometimes unexpected. With LF you are in control of absolutely everything and that's special in itself. The gear is beautiful and is completely unlike most forms of photography. Certainly there is a cost per shot we're not used to with our digital gear, but for me (and many of my buddies), it's completely worth it. Open a LF camera in a public place and you'll have a queue of wide-eyed people asking questions. I love the look of wonder on their faces when they go under and have a peek at the ground glass. So, if you have no attention span and no interest in taking your time (and spending a few dollars along the way) and are happy with shooting with your phone only, then LF is probably not for you. If you want something completely immersive and rewarding when you get it all together - check it ou! Cheers from Australia - Dave

Why drag people down with the triplex crap camera? Throughout history film has always been expensive. Oil paint and canvas are expensive, etching on copper plates and printing on suitable papers is expensive. Looking at your photos you need to adapt your vision to be an artist.

I have to disagree with a lot or what your saying. Every Photo I take I have in mind and enlargement bigger than 8x10. Now I am old and when and Sure don't like carrying a big load when I go out to shoot. I am lucky though I can get and get around. I just load up my walker with a digital full frame a tripod and the 4x5 and just a few film holders. I might compose and shoot dozens of digital images. and just a couple of 4x5.s or a full roll of 120. when I get home most of those digital images I will review and delete. I am able to develop and print the 4x5.s and the 120. It's Not all that expensive. even on my pension. If Ansel Adams had a digital camera Each and every one of this film shots would have been successful.

I am going through this now and it is soul sucking

Thanks I was needing your information in order to buy a film camera. I just ordered it

I shoot with paper negatives which are really cheap, and Arista Ortho Litho (which is cheaper than dirt).

Couldn't agree more. I love my Yashica. It's small, simple to operate, don't have to haul extra lenses around, and it produces wonderful images with a look that digital doesn't have.

Hi were you able to get it darker eventually? I take it you were going for a more slate or black tone