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Holga 120 N

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  • Brand: Holga
  • Name: Holga 120 N
  • Predecessor: Holga 120 S
  • Type: Viewfinder camera
  • Type of Film: 120
  • Focal length: 60 mm
  • Maximum aperture: f/8
  • Focus: Manual
  • Shutter speeds: 1/125 s, Bulb
  • Flash / Flash connection: Built-in flash
  • Release date: 2009
  • Age: Up to 15 years

The Holga 120 N is a plastic medium format camera. It is an improved version of the Holga 120 S. The “N” in the name of the camera stands for “New”. The Holga 120 N was introduced in 2009.

Most of the Holga 120 N is made of plastic, which makes it very light for a medium format camera. The typical Holga design is almost entirely black.

The typical Holga photos are square (6×6). However, with the help of an included mask, photos can also be taken in 6×4.5 format. This way, 16 photos fit on a normal 120 film instead of just 12. However, you do lose some of the special look, such as vignetting.

The Holga has a fixed lens with a focal length of 60 mm. The Holga is a bit more wide-angle than the Diana F+. The maximum aperture is f/8, which can be changed with a slider above the lens. If you can see the small cloud there, the aperture is set to f/8; if you see the sun, it is set to f/11.

The exposure time is set on the bottom of the camera. You can choose between a fixed exposure time of about 1/125 s (N) and a bulb mode for long exposures. As long as the shutter release button is pressed, the shutter is open in Bulb mode. After use, you should set the switch back to “N”, because you tend to forget this when taking the next photo and the result of this is only blurred and blurred pictures.

However, due to the cheap manufacturing (quality control), the values, such as the exposure time, can vary somewhat.

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Sticker of quality control on the bottom
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holga-120-n-mittelformatkamera-lomo
holga-120-n-back
Back of the plastic camera

The distance is adjusted by turning the lens. The Holga 120 N is a camera with zone focus. The distance to the subject must be estimated by the photographer. Around the lens there are small pictograms instead of meters to simplify focusing. The single person corresponds to 1 meter, the small group to 2 meters, the large group of people to 6 meters and the mountain is the setting for infinity.

The built-in viewfinder of the Holga 120 N is not connected to the lens and is also not on the same axis as the lens. Therefore, you should not rely 100% on everything being exactly as you composed it in the viewfinder.

A flash can be connected to the Holga 120 N via hot shoe. Of course, the flash does not have to be made by Holga itself. The Holga is fully mechanical and does not need batteries. It does not have a light meter, of course. For long exposures, the Holga has a tripod connection. Double and multiple exposures can of course be made with the Holga 120 N simply by pressing the shutter release multiple times, since the transport mechanism and the shutter release are not connected.

The Holga is notorious for its light leaks. This means that unwanted light can sometimes penetrate through the cracks onto the film. The back also likes to fall off in the middle of a photo shoot. To prevent the worst light leaks, you should mask the back with lightproof tape. The back can also be prevented from falling off with tape.

In terms of price, the 120 N is probably the cheapest medium format Holga. You can probably get the best price for a new one at Asian online dealers. Depending on the dealer, the scope of delivery may vary a bit. In most cases you get the two masks (6×6, 6×4,5), a simple strap, the manual and the lens cap with the camera.

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The focus and aperture settings of the camera
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The plastic lens of the Holga
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The hot shoe for an external flash
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The inside of the camera
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The top of the camera

Accessories for the Holga 120 N

There are, of course, accessories available separately from Holga.

For example, there are flashes and lens attachments to change the focal length (into a fisheye lens, for example). A set of macro and close-up lenses are available, as are color and other filters for the Holga’s lens. 35mm film can also be used in the medium format camera with the 35mm Adaptor. However, this takes a bit of tinkering without the adapter.

The Holga can also be turned into an instant camera with the Holgaroid instant back. This can be attached to most medium format Holga’s. Either the old Polaroid pack films or Fujifilm’s films (FP-100C, FP-100B, FP-400B, FP-3000B) can be used as film.

Films for the Holga 120 N

Medium format films are needed for the Holga 120 N. Fresh film stock is still being produced for this type of film. Possible films for the Holga 120 N are the Kodak Portra 400* and the Ilford Delta 400*.

Sample photos

Holga 120 N - Beispielfoto - 01
Shot with the Holga 120 N and the Lomography B&W 100 120
Holga 120 N - Beispielfoto - 02
Rollei Digibase CR 200 slide film developed in C-41

Technical datasheet

Technical specifications of the camera
AttributeSpecification
Type of CameraViewfinder camera
Film format120
Film transportManual
Picture format60 mm x 60 mm
Focal length60 mm
Biggest aperturef/8
Minimum focus distance100 cm / 3.28 ft
FocusManual
Type of focusZone focus
Focus zones1 m, 2 m, 6 m, Infinite
Exposure times1/125 second, Bulb
Bulb modeYes
Date imprintingNo
Double and/or multiple exposure functionYes
FlashIntegrated flash
Tripod mountYes
Cable release threadNo
Self-timerNo
Power supplyNot necessary

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