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The Holga Enlarger
Entry-Level, Yet Interesting
By Dave Howard • September, 2004
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The
Holga, inspiration for the enlarger.
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For readers who are unfamiliar
with the Holga camera, a bit of background is in order, lest you wonder
why I would bother to review a $100 enlarger, with its inevitable compromises.
The plastic-lensed Holga, and its glass-lensed sibling, the Woca, are
cheap (not merely “inexpensive”), plastic, medium format cameras
(6x6cm, or 6x4.5cm via a mask if you prefer less vignetting at the corners),
complete with elementary 60mm lens, one shutter speed (1/60 sec), and
two apertures (f/8 and f/11). They can leak light just about anywhere,
there’s no double exposure prevention, film advance is via a red
window in the back, and the viewfinder is a peephole approximation at
best. As it turns out, this assemblage of “negatives” is the
very thing that creates a unique opportunity for pictorial expression.
The essential essence of the Holga premise is nicely summed up in the
Holga manual that Freestyle Photographic Supplies (the US importer) includes
with each camera: “A Holga is a study in imperfection, and to use
it is an exercise in breaking free from dependence on technology, precision,
and ‘uber-sharpness.’ The slight softness of images, uncontrollable
vignetting, and peculiar light leaks create a partnership between you
and the Holga. These ‘flaws,’ accompanied by your creative
choices, result in a quasi-serendipitous art.” It has also resulted
in a burgeoning “cult” following of Holga devotees.
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The
Holga enlarger accommodates negatives
from 35mm to 6x6cm. A side view illustrates
the inclined column.
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I won’t dwell further,
as this is not a review of the camera. Suffice it to say that with familiarity
and much practice, this lowly instrument, which follows in the footsteps
of the legendary 35mm Diana, is capable of surprisingly lovely imagery,
as the annual Krappy Kamera Kompetition show at New York’s Soho
Photo Gallery will attest. So, with that spirit in mind, let’s see
what the Holga enlarger has to offer.
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