One of my favorite toy cameras: The Holga 120N
Noteworthy characteristics, my favorite film stock, fun with double exposure
I’m typically a 35mm gal, but this medium-format camera is one that can’t be missed.
Noteworthy features from the Holga 120N
The lens creates a strong vignette- which not only affects the dark corners, but also the focus. If you look closely, you’ll notice the center is pretty crisp but will gradually blur the closer you get to the borders. This combo makes for really engaging photos (as long as your desired focal point is in the middle of the photo)
All images are in the iconic square format, but depending on your settings (16 vs 12 frames), the square photos might be shared with the preceding + following images (more on this below)
The way the camera is set up, it’s really easy for double (or even triple!!) exposure. Again, more examples coming below.
You can expect fun light leaks, and other surprises from this camera. Keep in mind it’s a plastic camera and the back cover feels like its often on the fritz. The unpredictability of this camera is part of its charm.
I love taking this camera on hikes because of how lightweight it is (I also love how it captures nature scenes). I’ll throw it around my neck and not worry once about the strap digging in from the weight of a heavy camera. You can’t say the same about many other medium-format cameras.
16 Frames vs 12 Frames…
This camera gives the option to take 12 or 16 frames. Every single frame will scan as a square, but your results will vary depending on your settings. Let’s dive into some examples…