Holga 120 FN

The Holga 120 FN is a medium format camera made of plastic. It is identical to the Holga 120 N but has a built-in flash instead of a hot shoe for a flash. Two AA batteries (eBay / Amazon*) power this. A switch on the back of the camera turns the flash on.

Function overview of the medium format camera

The Holga 120 FN also features a fixed 60mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/8, which may not seem very wide, but is ideal for creating images with a distinct, dreamy quality. The lens is made of plastic, which can lead to unique distortion and vignetting effects that give images a vintage, lo-fi look.

Another important feature of the Holga 120 FN is its manual focusing system. Unlike modern autofocus systems, which are fast and precise, manual focusing requires the photographer to carefully adjust the focus by hand. This can be somewhat difficult, especially for photographers who are used to autofocus.

The camera also has two shutter speeds: 1/125s and Bulb mode. Bulb mode allows the photographer to keep the shutter open as long as they want, which is ideal for long exposures or low-light situations. There is no built-in light meter.

The Holga 120 FN also features a simple manual film advance system. After each shot, the photographer must manually transport the film to the next frame via a rewind mechanism on the camera. This can be somewhat time consuming, but it can lead to more deliberate compositions.

A unique feature of the Holga 120 FN is its built-in flash. The flash is located on the top of the camera and can be turned on and off with a switch on the side. While not particularly powerful, the flash can be useful in low-light situations or for creating unique lighting effects.

The camera also has a tripod mount on the bottom, which allows the photographer to mount the camera on a tripod for more stable shooting. However, there is no thread for the cable release or self-timer.

Films for the Holga 120 FN

Medium format films are exposed in the Holga 120 FN. Some manufacturers still produce films for the film format. Possible films for the model are the Kodak Portra 160* and the Ilford Delta 100*. Of course, there are a number of other films that can be used with the Holga camera. For example, there is material from Ilford, Foma or Lomography, to name just a few film manufacturers.

Color films are developed using the C-41 process. This type of development is offered by most photo labs. In addition, many suppliers also offer the creation of prints or the digitization of negatives directly.

A special black-and-white developer is required for developing black-and-white films, and the results can vary greatly depending on the developer selected. Professional photo labs also offer black and white developing services.

However, to get the best results and have full control, you can develop the film yourself. You can find the necessary equipment and the appropriate developing chemistry for the film on the Internet. Popular developers include Rodinal, XTOL, ID-11 or D-76, while Adox, Rollei or Foma are among the smaller suppliers.