My MIL Nana gave me another film camera for Christmas, a Holga 135 PC. It doesn’t have a lens, it has a small hole (one fourth of a millimeter) where the lens is supposed to be. This is getting back to basics on photography. It has a manual shutter also. The shutter opens when you press the button and closes when you release it. This is because very little light gets through the pinhole and thus the shutter needs to be open for an extended time.
In bright sunlight you just open and close it as fast as you can. For shots in shade it may require up to 10 seconds. Inside shots can require a minute and a half.
(This is our dove nursery. We always get at least one dove nest here every year. Last summer I think we may have had three. Not all at the same time. We try and leave them alone and not stress them out.)
These cameras are known for making soft dreamy shots. Also, there is no focusing as it has a large depth of field.
The hard part is figuring how long to expose the film. A lot of chatter on the web about buying light meters and blah blah blah. Fortunately there is an app called PinholeMeter that I downloaded to my Ipod Touch. It uses the Touch’s camera along with the fstop and film speed to give you an exposure time. It worked great. Complicated light situations like the above are fun. I took readings on the rock wall, the shadowed glass, the wreath, the hedge, and the shadow. I got widely different exposure times so I used the wreath setting. As a result the rock got a little overexposed. It makes me appreciate all the ciphering that a digital camera does when it sets the aperture and exposure time.
(My tree shadowed on my neighbor’s wall. So you legal experts out there, who owns the shadow?)
All I need now is a “Take the Lens Cap Off” app. I took about ten shots before I realized that the lens cap was still on. Oh well.
(I love garden decorations. You don’t have to water them for one thing.)
I took the first roll of shots in and around the house just to test it and the app out a little bit. I am really pleased with the results.
(Neighbor’s willow tree. Pretty but I hate those long strings that fall in our yard. They don’t mulch very well when I mow the yard. They don’t rake up very well either.)
Of course this camera requires a tripod because of the exposure times. I am also going to get a cable release for the shutter. Anything to cut down movement of the camera is helpful.
(Old school red wheelbarrow. How do you store your wheelbarrow?)
These images were made with 400 speed film. I have now loaded it with some slower 100 speed film and will be taking it out and about a little bit.
(I see lots of opportunities for double exposures.)
I love my digital cameras but there is something about film that really gets me. The richer colors of film, the nostalgic look, I don’t know exactly what it is but I just love film. I know that film in general and pinhole cameras in particular are pains in the butt and the effort is worth it to me.
(Hey, how about a shadow selfie. Holding down the shutter.)
What did you get for Christmas? Tell us about it.
…You musta been a good boy all year long to receive a treasure such as this camera!!
I love the commentary you added to the most beautiful nostalgic looking photos…bringing back memories of the day of a film cartridge!!
Did you get them developed or do you do that by yourself in a darkroom?!!
Happy New Year to you too!!
@Hootin Anni – I leave the developing to good ole Walgreens.
It’s obvious you’re enjoying your new camera and that’s terrific!! Great shots for the day and I look forward to seeing more! Wishing you and your wonderful family a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!! Enjoy!
Sylvia
Now you have one more camera to carry with you. Oh, but you’ll have to carry a tripod too.
Have fun with that new camera!
I came by today expressly hoping you’d taken some shots with the new Holga. I really like the fence shot and also the golden willow waterfall effect. Do you have a darkroom? (Maybe Nana would spring for that next…)
Looks like fun. :))
Hmm, what did I get for Christmas… Well, My Honey and I discuss Christmas gifts for each other before we purchase large items. We decided we would give each other Surface Pro 2s. They are wonderful! Since we travel a great deal, they are perfect companions when we don’t want to get out the laptops. We each received a collection of other nice things, too. 🙂
Just dropping by to say thanks for visiting my site and leaving a comment.
You have an interesting blog and the dreamy shots are cool. Best regards.
What a lovely idea to have a dove nursery – never heard of that before. I particularly like the weeping willow and the “selfie” shadow. Even thought it’s a simple shadow you can tell it’s YOU.
I got some fabulous gifts for Christmas – not a lot cos I’m difficult to buy for. I await a second bird feeding station (I already have one) but this time I want squirrel-free feeders and get my son to put it in a better place so that I may, more easily, view the birds.
What a lovely idea to have a dove nursery – never heard of that before. I particularly like the weeping willow and the “selfie” shadow. Even thought it’s a simple shadow you can tell it’s YOU.
I got some fabulous gifts for Christmas – not a lot cos I’m difficult to buy for. I await a second bird feeding station (I already have one) but this time I want squirrel-free feeders and get my son to put it in a better place so that I may, more easily, view the birds.
I got an OSU sweatshirt and a roll of duct tape. It works for me.
Wow, that was quick and you are a fast learner. These shots look very cool.
I got cookies and candy. 😀
Love it!!! I need to get one of these for me and for Adella. We need a camera that requires us to do a little bit of the thinking.
I love your camera! Great shots.
Hubby ‘gave me’ a new video cam, which I’m having fun with. Actually, I ordered it. And it was for both birthday AND Christmas!
Very decadent. We shall tighten our belts for January!
I keep missing Skywatch, as we haven’t had many good skies!