Around 1998 a good friend of mine gave me a Holga 120 film camera as a gift. I had used 35mm and medium format cameras in color but never experimented with plates toy cameras like this. I have to admit, I was a bit doubtful of the quality of image this camera could produce. I bought some film at the local camera store and gave it a try. Just like all new creative endeavors, I had made my share of mistakes. I loaded the film too loose, I advanced the film incorrectly and removed the film in bright sunlight. All of these “mistakes” created images I wasn’t expecting. Which was a good thing. Also, not having to fuss with dials and controls gave me the freedom to act spontaneously, which made my image fun and unusual. Before I knew this new love for this plastic fantastic camera had me interested in other cameras of its type. Soon I was experimenting with the Diana 120 film vintage camera, the Japanese tin 120 film camera and others that I’d found and purchase on eBay.
September 14, 2020
Gear