Lomography Holga Medium Format Camera Starter Kit

Unabashedly low-tech and ideal for beginning photographers, all the operations are completely manual, including the focus, aperture, shutter, and film transport controls. Yet the camera produces an abstract, soft-focus picture that even seasoned photographers find unique. Double exposures, streaming colors, warped vignetting, and unpredictable light leaks are all possible with this camera.

It also has a built-in flash (requires two AA batteries, which are included) to bring about even more photographic possibilities.

The camera uses 120 color or black-and-white film. Rough it out with this affordable camera and reap the rewards of distinctly daring photography. Just don't forget to remove the lens cap.

Product Description
The iconic Holga has a gaggle of tasty new features. A color wheel tints your flash with yellow, red, blue, or clear gels. A "B" setting holds the shutter open for dreamy, natural background / flashed foreground images, or pure nighttime long exposures. A tripod nut keeps your Holga steady, and a new 6x6 plastic mask yields tighter, sharper images.

Customer Reviews:

Review #1: broken
2005-09-26
I love the camera, but the flash broke after three flashes. is there a way to exchange it?

Review #2: cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2005-02-25
really expensive to develop the film though. i mean REALLY expensive. dag.

Review #3: Expensive kit, fun camera
2005-02-11
This is a great camera for those wanting to experiment with "artsy" shots, or even advanced photographers wanting to return to their roots. Nothing about these shots are adjustable - f-stop, exposure, ISO are always constant.

The camera is great, but the kit seems a bit overpriced. It includes a Holga book with excellent pictures, but the internet is also an excellent resource for high-quality Holga images. It includes no instructions - because that would take away from the experimentation. It does include one roll of film and a roll of electrical tape (a must-have with all the light leaks on this camera), but purchasing all of the elements in this starter kit seperately would be much less expensive.

This camera is meant for modifications, and there are countless websites that list detailed instructions. My main complaint is a lack of a tripod mount on the camera - although the best pictures are taken in direct, outdoor light when a tripod isn't as necessary. Experimenting with it in the dark since the exposure is constant is nearly impossible.

Overall, I am very happy with the camera. As a primarily digital photographer, it's a great learning experience to return to film in such a non-controllable environment. I would suggest buying the elements seperately from this specific kit, but I give the camera five stars.

Review #4: Fantastic Toy
2005-01-22
This cheap little plastic camera is a great toy. Tired of worrying about what f-stop. what lens, that you just need that 80-210 zoom, how many mega pixels or frames per second? Just pick up this camera.

It really makes you think about the shot, not about the gear. Get back to the fun side of photography and be creative.

This kit is worth it, includes film, batteries, a book to give you ideas and a manual.

Review #5: Worth every cent
2004-12-11
First off, the Holga is awesome. Its shots are really in a class of its own. I've done both personal and editorial work with this camera - and its images are fantastic. They have real character, great color, and a romantic feel. It is, hands-down, my favorite 120 camera.

The package has really great content. The "Mes Vacances Avec Holga" photo book is loaded with beautifully printed shots. The instructions are indispensable, and the tape, film, and batteries are certainly useful. If you're new to Holga, or buying this as a gift, it's a wonderful package.

Things like taping the sides, shoving cardboard under the film roll, and mod'ing the camera are all part of the charm. Ultimately, the Holga is a dead-simple piece of machinery. Play with it and experiment. If you want a serious and complicated 120 camera, there are plenty of used and new choices out there.
If you want a simple one that takes amazing photos like nothing else, get the Holga.