HOLGA. I need help! Total newbie.
Hi all, I am thinking of purchasing a Holga camera, and as far as I know, there are many "versions" found from lomo website. Hence, I am wondering which one is the best but at a resonable/low cost for a start - newbie like me to try on? I am wondering if Holga fits all film? Pls advise!

Holga N or GN would be good to start with.

What effects? The effects are caused by the films and the how it's processed. forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=57&start=0" target="_blank">http://lomotion.20.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=57&start=0 Buying from the lomo website will leave a hole in your wallet. get yours from the buy/sell threads here or perly or 8storeytree. Here's what the Number and Letters on the different types of holga actually meant 120 = For 120mm type of films 135 = for 35mm type of films G = Glass Lens N = Normal + Bulb Mode C = Color F = Flash So if its a Holga 120CFN, meants it has got color flash and can shoot in 2 different modes and uses 120 films. If it's Holga 120N, it only has the normal + bulb modes and uses 120 films. But do take note that holgas with Flash dont have a hotshoe for you to use an external flash. And you can use both type of films for any Holga 120 if you know how. However you cant use 120 film on Holga 135. I would recommend the Holga 120N or the Holga 120GN.

Where are these? - perly or 8storeytree Online store or retail?

price wise; Holga N about 55 GN about 60 you can try these two spree sites: http://grannysnaps.livejournal.com http://khloee.livejournal.com Perly Inc is more expensive by about $5, but spreeing will take you about 2 weeks to get the product. // Oh and perly inc and 8storeytree are online shops based in SG.

the grannysnaps link is not working? ^^

thanks Janson. In addition, if I buy any of the Holga cam, is it possible for me to use any films that can be bought easily at Kodak, etc? Will the photos be developed to be of some "special effects" as shown on many beautiful pictures taken using lomo?

erm yeah, technically, yes you can use any of the 35mm film sold at the common photo lab. however for the holga 120s, you will need to purchase and additional 35mm adaptor. and for the special effects you mention, most of the film used are slide film, which give sharp and nice colours, and also another is using cross processing, check the FAQs in the x-pro forums. and yeah, there's many stuff in the forums if you have the time to check them out. slide film and cross processing can be bought/done at uncle mike's shop (Triple D) next to sim lim square. welcome to lomo!

Seems like I have so much to learn! what about "shutter speed" what's that about? Apologize for the many qns!

shutter speed... that's how fast it takes for the shutter to open and close for the light to enter which will form the image on the film. for the holga it's 1/100th of a second standard for the N (normal) mode. there's also another mode the B (bulb) mode which will keep the shutter open for as long as you hold it down. this isn't of much importance to the holga user though...most of us just keep it in normal mode. so no worries!

8 storey is an online store owned by ymmij. :D http://www.8storeytree.com/

from my point of view, you do not have to worry or even be bothered by the shutter speed. use 100 speed film and shoot under the sun where the sun is real good and the sun is clear. and the photos will turn out good.