I was meant to do this weeks ago, but didn’t, and now it’s probably too late, so let’s call this a New year buying guide instead.
With a multitude of holgas and accessories out there, here’s a quick lowdown of ‘stuff’ you can get for your holga, whether you are new to the camera, or if you are looking for something a bit ‘different’.
First off, the obvious thing everyone should own:
Holga 120n
The standard and still the best. There are all different types of holgas available these days, but to be honest, the 120n is hard to beat, simple and perfect. If you already have one of these are are looking at expanding your collection, try the the 135BC 35mm Holga(warning though, no vignetting, but at least you get over 12 photos per film!), or the 120GCFN (glass lense and bulit in flash, but the built in flash is rubbish,especially as you can’t change the battery half way through a roll of film!).
Buy from: ebay from Hong Kong : Killercamera are good, as are Daipatmeow.
Anyway, this post isn’t turning into a buying guide for Holgas, lets move onto the other stuff!
Accessories from Santa
There are loads and loads of holga accessories out there, but here’s some that you could email relatives,partners and friends with a sneaky ‘hint hint’.
Holga Mini Flash
Nice little flash that attaches to your holga’s hot shoe. Works suprisingly well for a small flash, and a lot better than the built in flash on the other holga models. The best thing is…it’s CHEAP! Pay no more than £5/$10 delivered from ebay.
Buy From: ebay .
35mm Adaptor
If you want an easier way to use 35mm than playing around with foam and tape.
Buy from: ebay
Holga Shutter Release Kit
Attaches behind lense, allowing you to use a shutter release cable with the holga. To be honest,it’s quite expensive just for the shutter release, and you can probably pick up something else for long exposures with the screw in shutter release already there.
Buy from: ebay
Film
you can’t use your holga without film! If you are in the UK, 7dayshop has it tied up. If you buy in bulk, you save cash, especially on Fuji stuff. Well worth doing.
Holga Filter and Prism set
Add all types of different filters, to create different effects with your holga.
Buy from: ebay.
Holga Fisheye Lense
Get that fisheye look now…all just for the low price of…2xHolgas! Yep, it’s a bit of a rip off for a fisheye lense, especially as fisheyes are a bit ‘done’ these days. But if you want a fisheye, I guess this one will be fine.
Buy from: ebay
Presents for the Holga user who has everything!
So, you are stuggling what to get for the holga fan who seems to have exhausted all the above. Well, never fear, here’s some other holga related stuff for that photographer-who-has-everything:
Holga Bag
Yep it’s a little bag, and it’s pink. I didn’t say all gifts here were going to be cool!
Buy from: ebay
Candy Coloured Holga
Bleuurrghhhh
Buy from: ebay
Holga Micro 110 Camera
These are a bit pap, but will fit in a stocking..
Buy from: ebay
Holga 3d Stereo Camera
This is what happens when you leave 2 holgas in a room together with Barry White playing in the background. Never seen any photos taken with this, and I know no-one that has one, so buyers beware! Let me know if you try one though.
Buy from: ebay
Holga Camera Bag
This is blatently a cheapo camera bag with a holga patch sewn on! Looks crap.
Buy from: ebay
DigPro Leather Case
Suits you sir!
Buy From: ebay
Holga K202 “Meow” Camera
WTF?
Buy from: ebay
As you can see, there is loads and loads of rubbish that is made in China and fenced over here. Buyer beware and all that! Also, always look elsewhere before buying from lomography.com, they charge a fortune for stuff that is cheaper everywhere else, just for a fancy box.
Finally…
How about trying a different film camera this New Year? If the Holga has wetted your appetite for film, there are all sorts of bargains to pick up, ranging from old russian lubitels TLR to full blown 35mm SLR cameras complete with lenses!
Remember
The holga is a fun little camera that due to it’s lack of features should set you free to concentrate on the subject, so maybe you don’t need any of this stuff this christmas for your holga, but more film,and more time, and more fun!
