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Q: How do you get that quality of color in your photographs? A: First off, I always use b&w film. After I make a b&w print, I hand-color the print with Marshall Photo Oils. The color has a softer quality. Some photos that are on the site have color added in Adobe Photoshop. Q: What kind of film does the Holga take and where can I buy it? A: The Holga takes 120 size film which can be purchased at most any photo store. Q: Can you shoot color film with the Holga? A: Yes, but color negative film is recommended because of the wide latitude of results you'll get with this 'precision' instrument. In other words, negatives will help compensate for bad exposures by the camera. You can shoot color transparencies, but you will be restricted to shooting in optimal light conditions that match ISO of the film. Q: How fast a film should I buy? A: For negative film, I use ISO 400 b&w film for just about everything but if you are outdoors in bright sunlight, ISO 100 will work just fine. Q: What kind of film do you use? A: Most of the time I use Kodak T-Max 400 b&w film. More recently I've been using Kodak 400CN, a C-41 process b&w film. Q: Where do you get the film processed? A: I usually process b&w film myself and send out color. If you don't have the facilities or aren't interested in doing that yourself, find a good professional photo lab in your area. Q: How do I know when the shot is in focus? A: Well, you really don't. You can use the symbols on the lens to judge distances but basically you do it by feel. If I am in close (3-5 feet), I crank the lens to the right so the symbol of the head and shoulders is facing up. The rest of it I guess. That's one of the interesting things about the Holga; you are never are quite sure what you are going to get. Q: Part way through a roll, the camera jams and I can't advance the film. How can I fix this ? A: To prevent this from happening, I tear off a small square piece of cardboard from the film box, fold it in half and insert it underneath the film spool on the left side of the camera (not the film take-up spool on the right). The problem is that the spool in the Holga doesn't exert enough tension on the take-up reel. The film then winds on to the take up reel to loosely, taking up more room than it should and jamming the camera. Q: I don't like the light leaks I am getting, what can I do? A: Tape, tape, tape, or buy a Hasselblad. See Taping the Holga for details. Also, light leaks seem to change from camera to camera, try two or three to see if one is better than another. Another way to cut down the light leaks is to paint the inside of the camera with a flat black spay paint. Q: What kind of tape do you use? A: I've used black electrical tape (inexpensive), black masking tape (more expensive) and gaffer's tape (very expensive). Q: How do I get a square image? A: Open the camera and remove the insert located between the lens and the film plane. | MORE HOLGA INFO: » Photo 101 » Other modifications » Adding color |