Holga 255 Full Mod: Worth The Price?
i'm thinking of getting a holga next, and plan to get the 120N. however i discovered the existence of the Holga 255 Full Mod model from RedCamera and i'm damn tempted to get that now! price-wise, the 255 full mod costs double - i've seen the regular 120N going for as low as $55 brand new, while the equivalent 255 full mod model goes for $115 or so. so my question to the more experienced people here is this - is the 255 full mod worth the extra $60? i know most of the stuff can be done yourself given enough sweat and tears, but i'm not a very DIY kinda person so that's out for me. are the extra features worth the money though?

What's included in the full mod?

this is what i got from a local website...

i don't quite understand what the purpose of the red filter is... could someone enlighten me? cos if it's not that important, maybe getting the 255 mod ($98 ) would make more sense... the light prevention unit isn't important to me, light leaks are part of the charm of toy cameras after all...

the red filter is for black and white film. it gives more contrast. but in exchange u need a longer exposure time.

The mod is decent.. But it all depends if u NEED them.. For example: I dun shoot 35mm on my holga.. And I want some characteristic light leaks.. I probably will get a normal holga 120N.. But the addition of the cable release is attractive though.. Get é point? So think of how u will wanna use ur holga for and judge the benefits.. (:

agree wiht kenshin85 on that decide which of the mods u need... the cable release is useful for long exposure and the 35mm maybe useful at times.. other than that dun think i need the filter or the light proofing

Yeah, what's a HOlga without the leak? :lol: I wish mine has some though :( As for the mod cam, no ... I wont want one. I'd rather use the diff n get the superheadz 35mm back ;)

thanks for all the replies! i know the superheadz 35mm back is supposed to be really good, but it costs $65... $55+$65=$120, so it'd make more economic sense to get the 255 full mod if i wanted a 35mm back right? the only thing now is that i want the 35mm back and the cable release, but i don't need the red filter and don't want the light leak preventer thingy. argh!

if u want it u can put a thin piece of paper between the cover and the camera before closing. u confirm get leaks. seems cheaper eh. i believe the red filter shld be detachable?

Hmmm.. Why not u ask the seller regarding the individual mods that u are not sure of..? Clarify ur doubts b4 u make ur purchase.. (:

hmm.. i guess it really depends on wat u really need. I like the convinence of the full mod but i'm sure there are some pros and cons. even for the superheadz 35mm adaptor, there are cons. :P I do not have a full mod holga cos firstly i have the superheadz one, and mainly, i rather shoot 120 on holga. :D anyway, just some considerations that came to mind... like... do u still have to count clicks? no. of shots u've taken? there isnt a mask inside for 35mm, so all ur shots will be pano like? I'm not very sure if another back (eg. polaroid back can be fitted to a 255) :wink:

i would personally recommend you not to get the full mod since you are thinking of getting an lc-a. with the lc-a you have more 'control' over your camera because of the lightmeter. and soon you'll be shooting more 135 films with ur lc-a than the holga full mod. so then the mod becomes slightly redundant. sprocket shots can still be achieved with the holga 120.

buy a cheap plastik holga. get comfy and crazy with that .. then u can either sell that or keep that and get the mod one.. or dun get the mod one.. decisions decisions decisions! :P