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~kateholden

kate holden
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H is for Holga

Mon Mar 10, 2008, 12:20 PM
that's good enough for me.

I've scrapped the idea of getting a digital camera at this point. I'm sure digital is an inevitable part of The Future but for now I'm going to try my hand at medium format, starting with ... Holga! I placed my order earlier today with Randy at Holgamods. For those of you contemplating a purchase, don't hesitate to contact him with your questions. I e-mailed him twice and after that we talked on the phone for at least half an hour discussing my needs/wants and he even gave me tips on my next camera purchase even though he wouldn't profit from it. Fabulous! How cool are these, incidentally? [link]

They're modified Kievs that are basically as quality as Hasselblads but for a fraction of the price. The crocodile leather with my name engraved will go great with my riding chaps with the leopard-print/name-engraved yoke for when I take it to horse shows, too (I'm a walking billboard of shameless self-promotion and that's okay! Also I'm sure all the different animal hides make me look like some sort of dragon slayer. Oh, sigh.). My old riding coach can laugh at me all he wants. I'll get a great shot straight down his gullet.

:iconholga: :icontoy-camera: :iconlomolove:
8 Comments
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:iconfondaffections:
~fondaffections Mar 11, 2008, 8:14:58 AM
Pleased to see you sided with the Holga instead! What made you decide to order from Holgamods? You'll need film of course and there are a number of online sites who provide the 120 film. I order from Freestyle but usually buy my film from the local photo lab here. So you have a medium format scanner to scan your film too?
:iconkateholden:
~kateholden Mar 11, 2008, 2:07:06 PM
I bought some 120 film off Amazon for now (some color negative, b+w, and slide). I don't have a scanner and won't be able to afford one for ... well, awhile. They seem to be quite expensive when it comes with medium format. There's a place in town that develops medium format so I'll have to rely on that until I can afford to step up (do you have any recommendations for cheap scanners, incidentally?). I was interested in a mod Randy had that was a Holga/Pinholga hybrid but it didn't have the two apertures so I opted for the regular Holga (but with a cable release mod and tripod mount) for starters instead. I looked at lomography but they seem to view it as an expensive novelty of sorts. Freestyle seems like a great place and actually has a holgaroid back I'm looking at getting when I can afford it.
:iconfondaffections:
~fondaffections Mar 11, 2008, 7:31:15 PM
Eventually you'll need a scanner. I have a Epson 4180 I bought several years ago and love it. While there are numerous models and brands ranging from $100 to thousands...you can be basic and go with a simliar model as mine. I seen one on Ebay for $35 but the bidding ended with a buyer. Shucks. I am watching one now for $59.95 + $35.61 (yikes) but didn't see the software listed and sent the seller a email asking if it does come with it. A total of $96...give or take. Not bad. This particular model is no longer made nor sold by epson as it is a few years old and other models have now replaced it. But you can still buy them online here and there at a lower cost.

When buying film, that is option of preference I suppose...I'd stick with Freestyle...they are dependable and good people. You could have bought your Holga from them too. Had I know, I would have swayed you towards them. But still you ended up with one and from a good guy. Randy is good people.

Let's see what this seller has to say and perhaps you can count your quarters and buy it!
:iconkateholden:
~kateholden Mar 11, 2008, 7:48:56 PM
That is great to know! In doing research most of the ones I came across that were 'recommended' were in the thousands of dollars range. My heart sank. Freestyle was recommended by one site that I looked up but you never know with websites so I'm very glad you back that up. :) Randy was very helpful on the phone and even recommended a step-up medium format for me to consider instead of a Hassy since it would take me so long to save up for one of those. If Freestyle is reliable, though, I might pick that over pretty and cheap.

Thanks for the heads up on the scanners. I really had no idea they were in my budget. I could probably afford one with my tax return! :)
:iconfondaffections:
~fondaffections Mar 11, 2008, 8:18:34 PM
You don't need a scanner that will cost you an arm and leg....go with a basic scanner like mine. The next best thing is the Epson 4490 and I would try and swing that instead. It's basically the same model only an updated version for purchase today. If you google the 4490 maybe you can compare prices....I found one for $157.30 at [link] and that is not bad either. I'd work on getting one right away so you can start using you new camera!
:iconkateholden:
~kateholden Mar 11, 2008, 9:33:07 PM
That really isn't bad. I think my camera is arriving in the next two weeks and since rent is taken care of for the month I may be able to swing it as long as I don't spend money on dinners out, etc. for a bit. It's really worth it. I like art more than food anyhow. :) I'll definitely be asking you for tips. I'm especially curious as to how you achieved the effect you got on 'Sinking Time.' That one's really breathtaking and so soft.
:iconfondaffections:
~fondaffections Mar 12, 2008, 9:47:19 PM
Seen yur message. Wow, so fast! If you have never loaded a medium format camera before, the holga, it is easy and there are videos on youtube that explains how. It takes some practice but you will get it in now time. Where did you get your scanner from?
:iconkateholden:
~kateholden Mar 12, 2008, 10:12:49 PM
I bought the scanner directly from the link you provided. I figured I don't have a clue in these matters so I'll defer to someone who does. :)

Oh, and I just a few minutes ago got a message saying my Holga is on its way so I should be getting it early next week! I'm excited! I'll look up how to load before hand in hopes of speeding up the process. :) It's been at least 10 years since I've even loaded a 35mm!
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