Artistic Photography made easy
Pros:
Cheap,very light, and very portable
Cons:
Film can be hard to find and hard to process locally
The Bottom Line:
Want to take artistic looking photos? Looking to get into Medium format cheap? Pick one up there cheap enough, and easy enough for anyone to learn.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
After seeing all the praise this little plastic toy camera gets on the web I decided to try one out. New to 120N model which supersedes the S model, Tripod mount, 6x6 mask, and a Bulb exposure mode.
Specifications:
- Camera Type: Medium Format (takes 120 roll film)
- Number of exposures:
with the 6x4.5 mask in place (default) 16 exposures
6x6 mask 12 exposures (new with the 120N model)
- Bulb Exposure (new to 120N)
- Tripod mount (new to the 120N)
- Plastic lens
- Hot Shoe
- Focus is achieved by selecting one of the symbols
3 Feet (1m)
9 Feet (2m)
18 Feet (6m)
30 Feet (10m) to infinity
Performace: These all plastic cameras are all about being artistic, they are not designed to take super sharp photos. They are prone to light leaks, which is usually desirable amongst those that own Holgas. The 120N is allot tighter then older models, but there is still possibility of leaks. If you discover you have to many light leaks, you can seal up the sides, bottom and ruby viewing window with Gaffer tape. I haven't noticed any leaks with my 120N yet.
Another common Holga issue, which again is desirable, Vignetting (darkening around the edges) which is even more obvious when using the 6x6 mask.
Processing: This really isn't the fault of the 120N, but when the few times I brought my 120 film into the drugstore for processing (yes I said drugstore, there isn't a photography store anywhere near me) they looked at the roll of film like it was a foreign object from a UFO. After they make several phone calls they usually take the film to send out with out any problems. I'm looking into finding a lab I can send my film to, to solve this small issue.
To sum it up, I really enjoy this little camera, it's cheap, light weight. With it's low cost you can bring it places you may not want to bring your more expensive equipment.
The e^Basement
