Holga 1st Roll Failure =(

modusoperandi · 1st April 2006

Received a Holga CFN for my present last week but after getting my film processed, I found out that most of my negatives turned out blank =( I'm really not sure what I did wrong. I followed the instructions in the manual given closely but it was still a floop.

Can anybody kindly advise me on possible reasons why it happened? The only thing I can possibly think of now is taping my camera up.

jonathan_wong · 4th April 2006

You shot with the lens cap on.

Ah Pao · 4th April 2006

I presume your "blank" is that the roll did not get exposed at all?
Did you load your film properly?

Terence · 4th April 2006

Dunno how the Holga loads but as with most other MF straightbacks... did the film end up on the opposite film roll and not the same one you loaded?

jonathan_wong · 6th April 2006

Originally Posted by modusoperandi

Received a Holga CFN for my present last week but after getting my film processed, I found out that most of my negatives turned out blank =( I'm really not sure what I did wrong. I followed the instructions in the manual given closely but it was still a floop.

Can anybody kindly advise me on possible reasons why it happened? The only thing I can possibly think of now is taping my camera up.

I love the Holga and have no problem with it. Here is some check list.

1. Open the back of the camera. Take a roll of paper from the used 120 film and 'simulate'.

2. Rotate the winding knob and see if the film ratchet moves one frame and stop. If the film dont move then the camera needs to be repaired. If it moves nicely, then check if you have a piece of plastic at the back of the lens that blocks the light.

3. If all ok , then

4. Point the camera lens to a ligt source, **** the shuttle and fire off. Check if the metal plate behind the lens moves and you could see a small blip of light. If NO, then your shuttle is jammed OR:

5. Check the F stop (a square actually on the original) to see if it is block (unlikely).

6. Make sure you dont shoot with you lens cap on!!

modusoperandi · 6th April 2006

Thank you all so much for your helpful responses! =D

rubric · 8th April 2006

Make sure the camera is not in bulb mode. Sacrifice a roll of unused 120 film and practise feeding it into the take-up spool till it becomes second nature. Ensure that when when you finish shooting and remove the film, it's a tight roll, not a 'fat' one, coz that means mega light leaks! Most folks recommend jamming a piece of cardboard from the 120 film box under the take-up roll and that tends to help. If you're unsure about how tight the roll is after shooting, remove the camera back only in a dark dark place or changing bag. Taping your camera back, etc, will help too. Don't worry about first roll failure. I've had many rolls failure before finally getting the hang of it!

If you search Google for holga modifications, you'll get to many informative websites. Last of all, it may help to use a meter: either get a cheap handheld one or use the one in your slr or digital point & shoot (if it shows exposure settings). Hope that helps a bit. Keep perservering and you'll be rewarded with great pictures!

1st April 2006	#1
modusoperandi Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 68	Holga 1st Roll Failure =( Received a Holga CFN for my present last week but after getting my film processed, I found out that most of my negatives turned out blank =( I'm really not sure what I did wrong. I followed the instructions in the manual given closely but it was still a floop. Can anybody kindly advise me on possible reasons why it happened? The only thing I can possibly think of now is taping my camera up.

4th April 2006	#2
jonathan_wong Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pasir Ris/Thomson Posts: 271	Re: Holga 1st Roll Failure =( You shot with the lens cap on.

4th April 2006	#3
Ah Pao Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,578	Re: Holga 1st Roll Failure =( I presume your "blank" is that the roll did not get exposed at all? Did you load your film properly?

4th April 2006	#4
Terence Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: I'm a Llama! Posts: 4,716	Re: Holga 1st Roll Failure =( Dunno how the Holga loads but as with most other MF straightbacks... did the film end up on the opposite film roll and not the same one you loaded? __________________ Visit my photo blog Email only please, NO PM!

6th April 2006	#6
modusoperandi Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 68	Re: Holga 1st Roll Failure =( Thank you all so much for your helpful responses! =D

8th April 2006	#7
rubric Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Somewhere East Posts: 727	Re: Holga 1st Roll Failure =( Make sure the camera is not in bulb mode. Sacrifice a roll of unused 120 film and practise feeding it into the take-up spool till it becomes second nature. Ensure that when when you finish shooting and remove the film, it's a tight roll, not a 'fat' one, coz that means mega light leaks! Most folks recommend jamming a piece of cardboard from the 120 film box under the take-up roll and that tends to help. If you're unsure about how tight the roll is after shooting, remove the camera back only in a dark dark place or changing bag. Taping your camera back, etc, will help too. Don't worry about first roll failure. I've had many rolls failure before finally getting the hang of it! If you search Google for holga modifications, you'll get to many informative websites. Last of all, it may help to use a meter: either get a cheap handheld one or use the one in your slr or digital point & shoot (if it shows exposure settings). Hope that helps a bit. Keep perservering and you'll be rewarded with great pictures!