Holga lens modified for DSLR digital camera body. After creating my first homemade lens for the Canon EOS 5D, I found by searching the internet that there was a large interest in achieving Holga-like effects with a DSLR digital camera. Obviously, film is film and digital is digital, so regardless what you slap on the front your your digi cam, it's never going to look like it was shot with film. So being the experimenter that I am, I decided to see for myself and make a 5D Holga lens. Since I had made some pinHolgas in the past, I had a couple lenses lying around. I used a power drill with a 1 inch drill attachment, a Dremel tool, a hack saw,  a black plastic film canister and some hot glue. After getting the focal length distance right, I begun to test out the lens. The images I was able to create were just "too perfect" for my liking. The images were missing all the things I like about shooting my Holga... lightleaks, natural looking vignettes, film edges, soft and sharp focus.  Although what I did learn is that by drilling a 1 inch hole in the body cap and experimenting with other lenses I had lying around the studio, I was able to create some interesting and unique in camera effects that normal store bought lenses and Photoshop actions just can't do. After creating the lens I realized that it may have been a waste of time. But I did enjoyed the process of making the lens, then discovering the types of photos I could make with it. I found that by not having to worry about auto-focus lock, It allowed me to be more playful with how I created the photos. I'll post a few of the photos I took while testing out this lens soon. © 2009 Chris Keeney Photography

• ‹ previous
• next ›