jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I know a Melody, except without the "e" on the end.

Holga can be fun, but there are digital alternatives. You can buy a Holga lens for $30 or make your own.

http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/holga-dslr-lens/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Digital-Holga/

jiminnee

I have an ancient(50+ yrs. old)Ricoh Diacord twin lens,shoots 120 film,excellent condition as far as I can tell,but haven't used it since digital became popular. Back in the day,it used to make razor-sharp photos.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Welcome to the Hog Melodye.

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

I am, but not too often. I started with a `135, and eventually I tried a 120. But I haven't even started with that one yet.

Don Craig Loc: Saranac, NY

I think the charm and attraction of lomography is using a low-tech retro style camera to shoot film. The results are surreal and dream-like, in some cases psychedelic :) A different style, I like looking at them.
I still have my first camera, a cheap Aruba my father bought in Japan on R&R during the Korean war. A toy camera. It took the old style 35mm film with paper backing on a spool, at least that's the way I remember it. No canister.

MelodyeH Loc: S.F. Bay area, CA

I have a Holga lens for my Nikon as well as a number of Holga film cameras. I enjoy shooting both film and digital.

fathergross

Yes, I use 35mm almost exclusively. I have the film developed and then scan via Silverfast into a computer and print from that. I use film because I have an Olympus OM 1n which I bought new in 1983-4 and an OM2n. I also have lenses from 28mm to 200mm. None of the equipment is worn out yet, I know how to use it and while it may not be as versatile as digital, it is a lot quicker and easier to use : in any case, for me the the photograph i.e. the end result is what I am after, not the cameras and appliances.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

There is no reason to not change doing it the way you like the best. Many of us once worked with film and it has rewards too.

Have fun!

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Hi Melodye welcome - a little History on the Holga Back in the late 50's a photographer for photography 101 decided to put all his students on an equal terms with equipment. There was a camera made in Hong Kong that was super cheap. You could even get one free with the purchase of 8 gallons of 30cent gas. Called a Diana. It had two shutter speeds instant and bulb. Three aperture settings for different light and zone focusing. More than just a box camera. They had a worse than terrible plastic lens and leaked light that put streaks on the film. Some of the students got some very interesting shots that with the un sharp lenses and light streaks made for some very interesting arty prints. They became a "cult" camera and for a time went for as high as $100 on eBay. The Holga was made to duplicate the Diana. So if you want to do arty pictures it may be the camera for you but you would do much better with a real camera. You can get 35mm film cameras wit extra lenses for on eBay for less than a Holga and get pictures that may be more the type that you want. I still do 4X5 and 35 mm B&W in my darkroom. - Davv

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Yup, I've got two that I play with. One's a Diana, the other is a 120S. Both use 120 film.
--Bob

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

Welcome to the Hogg! Merry Christmas.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

In 35mm format, there are cheaper alternatives to the fashionable Holga brand in the form of true toy cameras, such as Mickey Mouse cameras from the 1980's, which you can easily find on eBay. Yard sales are a great place to pick up these real toy cameras for practically nothing.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Most of the Mickey type cameras use 127 film tht is hard to find. - DAve

MelodyeH Loc: S.F. Bay area, CA

A great description of Holga cameras from Don Craig:
I think the charm and attraction of lomography is using a low-tech retro style camera to shoot film. The results are surreal and dream-like, in some cases psychedelic A different style, I like looking at them.

And I like to shoot Holga for all of these possibilities and more.

MelodyeH Loc: S.F. Bay area, CA

I started with a 120N when I was taking an alternative photography class. I fell in love with the options in this simple camera. I was able to process the film in class then. It could have been hard to get the 120 processed to my requirements elsewhere. Things like DON"T CUT MY FILM!!
I like shooting multiple over laying images that can take up 3-6 'normal size' frames. I just got a Holga 135 and did a modification to a 120N to shoot 35mm and I'm looking forward to seeing what I can get. I'll be processing my film myself at home.