Holga 167120 135 35mm Plastic Camera

by Holga

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001E75PBM
• Item model number: 167120
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,147 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
  • #64 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Film Cameras
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

The manufacturer of the Holga camera has created three new versions of their world famous camera in 35mm format. The new models are Holga 135 (Item #167-120), Holga 135PC (Item #168-120) and Holga 135BC (Item #170-120). The Holga 135 is a standard 35mm camera with similar features to the Holga 120N (item #144120) except that it includes a cable release adapter in the shutter release button. The Holga 135PC is similar except that in has a pinhole instead of a lens. The Holga 135BC is the same as the Holga 135 except that itincludes an internal mask to create a soft vignetting of the corners or bent corners effect. The Holga 135 is much like its 120N counterpart, however it requires 35mm film. It has the characteristic soft focus and enchanting possibility of light leaks. Features include: -Standard tripod mount (1/4-20) -Bulb selector for extra long exposures -Cable release adapter in the shutter release button No batteries required.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Meh, September 12, 2011

By 

G. Lee (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Holga 167120 135 35mm Plastic Camera (Electronics)

My experience with Holga cameras started with the 120N model, which is the medium format film equivalent of this camera. I absolutely love the 120N; I take it everywhere along with my digital camera and tend to get my best photos with it. I decided a year ago to try out the Holga 135. After many rolls shot, developed, and processed by me, it has consistently failed to live up to expectations.

The main problem with this camera is it's lens is too narrow. The classic Holga 120 has a fairly wide angle lens, but the narrow 135 captures only a fraction of a person's view compared to the 120 model. For this type of camera, which has almost no settings to begin with, a wide angle lens is more desirable- it's easier to either take a few steps forward or just crop the final image with a wider lens than having to take 50 steps back to try to cram all your surroundings within the narrow frame. There is a Holga Wide Angle Lens Adapter that you can buy and attach to the 135, but it causes too much distortion for my tastes.

The other issue is the 35mm film. The 120N takes medium format film, which has about 4-5 times the surface area as 35mm. So even though the lens is plastic, because the negatives are so huge, most photos (properly focused) come out very sharp and crisp in the center of the frame with the classic vignetting and blur toward the edges. The 135 produces much smaller 35mm negatives. As a result, pretty much all the photos look pretty dull from edge to edge, lacking any sort of crispness whatsoever. Because of how the 135 is designed, there is no natural vignetting and no light leaks (if you're into that).

If you're considering trying out a Holga, I'd highly recommend the 120 model. If the size and scarcity of the film intimidates you, rest assured that it is really easy to learn how to develop black and white film yourself in your own bathroom, or you can just drop the rolls off at Walmart and get back prints in 2 weeks. The 120 and the 135 are completely different cameras, and the 35mm version unfortunately does not produce any of the desirable "Holga-ness" that you may expect.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun..., September 12, 2011

By 

Thomas A. Ertman (Missouri) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Holga 167120 135 35mm Plastic Camera (Electronics)

I've used this camera just as much as my other 35mm cameras. The secret is to know your camera a bit beforehand so shoot some test rolls in varying light conditions. You don't need the cable release adapter to make this work with a cable release, the filter adapter, macro and close up lenses all work correctly with this camera. I recommend purchasing the flash unit as well.

This camera will scratch the back of your negatives, which is not a big deal if your just scanning them in since it usually wont show at all. If you plan on putting them in an enlarger you'll need to glue some felt or other fine material to the film pressure plate so it doesn't scratch.

Also the sunny / cloudy setting is kind of weird, its puts a rectangular aperture over the lens that really only shaves about a MM off either side of the lens..I generally ignore it and just shoot on cloudy.

Sadly, they have improved the quality of the lenses and all but eliminated the light leaks from the newer models now.
This takes great photos, but they are nothing like the original Holgas. I've still enjoyed this almost as much as my older Holgas however, and with a little practice you can take some great photos

5.0 out of 5 stars My first love, August 16, 2011

By 

carrie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Holga 167120 135 35mm Plastic Camera (Electronics)

What I love about this camera is the imperfections you get. Don't expect perfect pictures every time you use this little camera, but that is part of the fun. It is very easy and yet hard to create good photos with it. It is nice to have minimal controls, and yet you can do so much with them. I do wish that there were more accessories for it, but the ones that are around are great!
While I was looking for a camera, I figured that shooting with 120 film would be hard, as it is expensive and harder to come by. So 35 mm is a very nice choice. I take this baby with me almost everywhere I go. And look around online for websites that give tips and tricks for the camera, there are plenty out there.
I recommend this to anyone who is trying to break free from the digital camera world.