How to Load: 35mm Holga 135

[guitarsam7]

Thank you! I now see what I did wrong. :p

[BeesInTheCity]

Thank you this was very clear and helpful!! :D

[bribbio]

thank you!! :)

[im8yours8]

If i was to buy one of these cameras how much would you expect it to cost me to process (develop and print) out a roll of film. Also could i do this at Walmart or a Canadian drug store? Ive never used a film camera before and i would love to try, please help me :)

[superfest18]

how often do you suggest to hold down the shutter button for ?

[kaituba]

@superfest18 For day to day shooting, use the N setting. For the N setting, it doesn't matter how long you hold the shutter down. You hold the shutter down if you are shooting with the "B" bulb shutter setting for a long exposure for night or low-light photos. I don't recommend trying to handhold long exposure photos (use a tripod), unless you are going for a special effect of blurriness. If you use a flash with the B setting, you can get some interesting motion blur + ghostly frozen subject.

[Swagusoorrr]

what store sells this camera

[kaituba]

@Swagusoorrr You can find this camera online at many stores. I like BH Photo Video, or Freestyle Photo Supply.

[vElHombreLobov]

@Swagusoorrr I bought mine at Urban Outfitters

[Circasurvive1238901]

what if the crank on the top left doesnt turn? :(

[kaituba]

@Circasurvive1238901 It won't always turn at first, because there may be some initial slack in the film roll. Once you've taken a few shots, it should start turning then.

[yimmers14]

thank you!

[xOhKitten]

This was very helpful. Cheers.

[GoHawks4]

I wish I had watched this before I wasted a roll of film. D'oh.

[jojocrater1]

Thanks! The instructions that came with it missed a couple crucial steps, but this made perfect sense :)

[therpope]

hey,

just got a roll of iso100 developed. it had 36 rolls. BUT out of these 36, there are just 19 pics, the rest of these arent exposured. but the last one is. any ideas whats the problem?

[kaituba]

@therpope Take a look at the negatives. Is the film clear or the images very faint, then the negatives are underexposed. Possible causes are shooting in low light conditions. Film needs lots of light, so photos you can take with a digital camera, such as indoors with a lamp or two for lighting, will be far too dark for your Holga without help from a flash unit. If the negatives are very dense or black, then you have overexposure. Check the shutter setting to make sure it is on N and not B.

[therpope]

@kaituba hello...the area/film is clear. but that day the sun was super bright, no clouds around 30 deg.! only one of this set was developed and it was correct.

[kaituba]

@therpope If you shot the roll in daylight, and the negatives are clear, they got no exposure. This can mean that either you are taking lots of photos of the inside of your camera bag, or that the shutter may be mis-firing. When shooting, make sure the switch is fully on the N. The shutter can somtimes misfire if it's in between the N and B.

[kaituba]

@therpope Also check the shutter to see if you can see a problem. With no film in the camera, open the back and point the camera at a light source. Slowly trip the shutter several times. I say slowly, because you can also damage the shutter spring by tripping it too fast, many times in a row. As you trip the shutter, look for the flash of light that indicates the shutter is opening and closing, each time you press the shutter release.

[nadergrinder]

Thanks man :) I was really stressing on this.

[JJtheJaxartosaurus]

Thanks so much! I was confused on where I had to put the film to get it in, but I got it now! Thanks!

[TheBallingurl]

This video is so helpful. I still use it when I'm loading film, just to make sure I don't make any mistakes.

But I am sometimes getting like 15 pictures from my film, rather than 24. Anyone know what that's all about? I think I may have screwed up rewinding the film, I lost my grip and it unwound.. I have no idea if that would mess with it.

[kaituba]

@TheBallingurl Film rolls come in different lengths.Check the film cassette for the number of exposure ( usually 24 or 36, but I have seen 12 and 15 as well). Is your film 24exposures? If so, take a look at your negatives. Are there under-exposed frames (clear film)? If so, then you are shooting in low light levels that the film can't record and our lab did not print, resulting in the short count.

[whyyesactually]

Hi Kai! I've used 400 film in my Holga 135 with successful results. I now have a choice between 200 film and 400 film. You said to use film with an ISO speed of 400 or better - does that mean that 200 film wouldn't be suitable?

[kaituba]

@whyyesactually You can use ISO 200 film, but it require 2x the amount of light for good exposure. This will work if you are shooting with a flash unit, or if outdoors in bright sunlight.

[phototristan]

Where do you put the SD card?

[kaituba]

@phototristan In your digital camera or your pocket, but not in your Holga. Holga cameras are analog, meaning that they use film, not digital media.

[hellopandayo]

Hi, I followed your video but my rewind crack just wouldn't move. I didn't check for my first roll of film, so does it mean that I didn't take any pictures if the rewind crack doesn't move at all?

[hellopandayo]

Hi, I followed the exact steps from this video but my rewind crack just wouldn't move. I didn't check for my first roll of film so does that mean if the rewind crack doesn't move, I didn't take Any pictures?

[kaituba]

@hellopandayo There may be some slack in the film cassette. Keep shooting and winding. At some point, the rewind crank should turn. If it does not, then you might have a mis-load.

[joni909]

Hi Kai. I have a question: is there any way to get flash for this camera?. Sorry for my english.

[kaituba]

@joni909 This camera has a standard hotshoe, so any hotshoe mounted flash will work with it.

[FindingStarlight]

Hi! I'm brand new to all of this and I was think of getting the Holga 135. Do you ever get light leaks with this camera?

[kaituba]

@FindingStarlight No, not usually. The Holga 135 is pretty light tight.

[FindingStarlight]

@kaituba I read that if you open the back a little, you can create light leaks. Is that true?



[kaituba]

@FindingStarlight Yes, but be careful, as it is easy to completely flash or overexpose the film by opening the back. I've also heard of people creating leaks by drilling holes in the camera and covering the holes with tape. The leaks are then created by quickly opening and closing the hole. I personally wouldn't do that, but it's an option.

[FindingStarlight]

@kaituba Okay, thank you, you've been really helpful!

[Duuckie]

Hi Kai! I just bought a holga 135 and loaded my film as best as I could according to your video. I have a question about the rewind crank. Is it normal that my rewind crank is "loose" and spins around if my finger brushes against it? The crank is not opened or pulled up. It just seems "loose". I'm starting to wonder if I loaded my film correctly at all. However, when I advance film after taking a shot, my rewind crank does turn. I'm really confused if my film is loaded right or not.

[kaituba]

@Duuckie Your Holga is working correctly. A slightly loose rewind crank is normal.

[Duuckie]

@kaituba Oh thank you so much! :)

[bec1989]

Does the film need to be loaded in total darkness or just unloaded in darkness?

[kaituba]

@bec1989 No, you don't have to load in total darkness. It's best to avoid direct sunlight. Look for a shady area, or use the shadow of your body to shield the camera and film when loading and unloading.

[davixd222]

Hey Kai! I have the Hlga 35mm, I took a lot of pictures, but when i went to develop them, there was nothing! How do that my camera is really working? cause i do like you said, but there's no photos! PLEAS HELP!

[kaituba]

@davixd222 It may be that the film was misloaded, so it didn't run through the camera. The shutter may not be functioning properlly. You may have tried shooting in low light conditions beyond the ability of the film make an image. Check out my blog post here on my website: bitDOTly/kWhatsUp replace the DOT with a .

Sorry, youtube doesn't like links.

[ahor93]

@davixd222 same thing literally just happened to me, what the heck? could it be a defective camera?

[PKEXXIT]

l o v e  h o l g a

[officialgracerolek]

Does it matter where the starting position is when you put in the film?

[kaituba]

@officialgracerolek Starting position? Of the film? It shouldn't matter too much. I try to be consistent so that the same number of winds are on the takeup spool when I close the camera and advance to frame 1.

[kaituba]

@imogenkate1 If that turns out not to be the problem, it's possible that the camera

is broken. Contact the seller and see if they are willing to replace

it.

[kaituba]

@imogenkate1 If the film was not properly engaging the film counter sprockets, it

won't trigger the auto stop part of the film advance mechanism. Rewind

the film. Wind slowly and stop when you fell the tension lessen, and

hear the snap as the film leader is pulled off the take-up spool.

Reload the film, making sure that the film sproockets engage the film

counter gear.

[imogenkate1]

Hi Kai. Thanks for your videos, they're great! I have a question that you might be able to answer. I recently bought a 135 & today I tried to load for the first time, following your instructions. However, when I turned the shutter advance, it did not stop at all. It kept going all the way until the end of the roll. Have you come across this before? Is there something I'm doing wrong? Any help would be very appreciated! :)

[imogenkate1]

Hi Kai. Thanks for your videos, they're great!

I have a question that you might be able to answer. I recently bought a 135 & today I tried to load for the first time, following your instructions. However, when I turned the shutter advance, it did not stop at all. It kept going all the way until the end of the roll. Have you come across this before? Is there something I'm doing wrong? Any help would be very appreciated! :)

[dsblu10]

<333

[xMetareSx]

hey kai, when i advance the film the crank on the left doesn't turn at all. what's wrong?

[kaituba]

@xMetareSx Probably nothing wrong. There may be some slack in the film at the beginning of the roll, so it may not turn all the time, but as you progress through the roll, it should turn some.

[loonybin1125]

Just got my Holga 135 Yesterday... I'm pretty sure that I loaded the film correctly, but I want to get the film developed asap to see if it turned out all right!

[makenull]

Hi Kai, Im having difficulty advancing the film upon loading it. it's getting harder to advance; I know it should stop after complete turn of the frame but Im hearing a "click" sound inside and I can still turn the film. Any help on this?

TIA

[kaituba]

@makenull It sounds like the rewind button isn't popping back out after you've unloaded a roll of film. Try this, next time you unload the camera, trip the shutter and wind the film advance a few times before loading. The rewind button should fully pop out. If it doesn't disengage, it can cause symptoms similar to yours. If it's hard to advance right after loading, the film may a little off and be binding as the film is advanced. If this is the case, you may need to unload the camera and reload.

[jerryjerryb]

@Kai - My rolls keep coming out blank. Do you have any ideas why this is happening? Also, whenever I advance the film the rewind crank spins sporadically. Is this normal?

[kaituba]

@jerryjerryb Check to make sure that the aperture setting is fully in the cloudy or sunny setting. In between, the aperture arm can block the light path. With no film in the camera, check to make sure the shutter is operating normally. Open the back and trip the shutter, with the camera pointing at a light source. You should see a flash of light as the shutter opens and closes. The rewind crank won't always turn when advancing the film. It depends on how much slack is in the roll.

[jerryjerryb]

@Kai-My film keeps ending up blank. Do you have any suggestions?

[iCommentVids]

Hey Kai! What kind of film should I use for this? I'm a beginner.

[kaituba]

@iCommentVids For the 35mm Holga, you can use most any 35mm film. I would suggest you start with something with an ISO 200 or 400. ISO 400 might be hard to find, unless you look online or at a photo supply store. Once you start using a film, try sticking with it for at least 4-5 rolls, so you can get used to it. It's harder to figure out what is going wrong if you are changing film types from roll to roll. I like Kodak or Fuji films. They have nice color saturation.

[tracegirl1616]

hello your video is very good but I have a question such as taking the first photo, ok and then as I can move to take another photo and 1 turn and you're ready to take another picture or what ? i know that theres a table of nicolai morrinson but i dont understand because as I have tape on all sides I can not see and I have the 120-holga

so i will be very apreciatted :)

[kaituba]

@tracegirl1616 Make a mark on the winder knob and one on the camera body right next to it. Use a silver marker or some nail polish. These marks will help you keep track of your turns. The reason the chart seems complicated, is that the number turns changes as the diameter of the film on the take-up spool changes. As more film is wound on the spool, each turn of knob advances more film than before. That's why you need the chart.

[tracegirl1616]

@kaituba ok i got it! thank you so much :)

[alonmimay]

Hi Kai!

In loading the film do necessarily need to use a changing bag or a dark room?

Thanks

[kaituba]

@alonmimay Loading can be done in the light. Avoid loadingvin direct sunlight, but if you must, use your body to shade camera and film.

[themachine122]

Hey Kai. Thanks for the video. I'm contemplating purchasing a holga, but I can't decide between a 120 and a 135. What would you recommend? Also, when you get your film processed, what is the difference in size/quality?

[kaituba]

@themachine122 120 film is more difficult and expensive to get processed. There aren't as many labs that can handle it. The negatives are larger, and I prefer the square look, but if you are a beginner, it is best to start with 35mm. It's cheaper and easier to find film, and labs (drugstores, Walmart) to get your film processed and printed.

[themachine122]

@kaituba thanks for the advice

[MsNinetieskid]

ISO of 400 or better? That's an odd way of phrasing it, I'm not quite sure which you meant, but I'm assuming you meant slower/faster ISO.

[kaituba]

@MsNinetieskid Sorry, about the confusion. I mean to say that the camera works better with a higher ISO, but if you are shooting in bright sunlight conditions, a slower ISO will work fine (ISO100 or 200). In lower light conditions, the higher ISO is preferred.

[TechnicolorKailey]

i had put the film in backwards. and i cant it it back out. when i tried to pull the rewind thing up it broke off. helpp

[kaituba]

@TechnicolorKailey Did the rewind knob crack, or are you able to put it back in? When trying to remove a partially loaded roll of film, press the rewind button to release the film winder mechanism. This will all the film to be rewound into the cassette and release the tension in the film.

[annmeow86]

thanks for diractions!!

I have a question, after the first shot, do I have to wind the film because I did not see the number in the film count window moved up? I get confused because I dont know when to start shooting the second. Can you help me, please!

[kaituba]

@annmeow86 After each shot, turn the winder knob until it locks. The frame counter is a little sketchy, as it isn't very accurate. As long as the film advances, you are fine.

[TheShawMaestro]

You know it's a good video when you hear "My name is Kai, …"

:)

[aldhag]

so i just loaded for the first time but i did it wrong! i wrapped the film over the top of the spool instead of curling it from the bottom and back to top! what should i do? :(

[kaituba]

@aldhag I can't quite picture what you did, but I don't think it will be catastrophic. Did the film run through the camera? If it gets stuck, you can carefully rewind the film back into the cassette, being careful not to fully rewind the leader into the cassette, and then reload.

[exploretwl]

this help me alot thanks!

[FallinxStarz]

I just gained my Holga today, and I wanted to load it, but the film advance knob is stuck..

[kaituba]

@FallinxStarz You must trip the shutter to wind the film.

[FallinxStarz]

@kaituba

I already found out myself but thanks anyway haha

(I thought I deleted the post but I guess not)

[lizzybizzysj]

thanks so much for posting this!!

[ragraciano]

Tks dude..

[polkadotbear]

Hey (: does the end of the leader have to go through the slot? thanks in advance!

[kaituba]

@polkadotbear Yes, it helps anchor the film to the takeup spool.

[EZA757]

when I load my 35mm film, the crank doesn't turn as I advance the film. The split slot under it, doesn't seem to connect in with the film. Like it feels loose. Help?

[sk8er000216]

you said to get ISO 400. should we use Iso 400 even in the day? or would it be better to use 100 or 200? thanks! I know i post a lot of comments, but i find your videos very helpful.

[2Old4Toys]

Hi Kai, I want to expose the perforated areas of 135 film. Will this camera do that?

Cheers!

[kaituba]

@2Old4Toys Not out of the box. I haven't looked at it to see if it's possible to do a mod to allow that. It will depend on where the sprocket gears engage, in order for the film counter to work properly. If the sprockets are above or below the film gate, we won't be able to open up the frame to allow the edges of the film to be exposed. Interesting idea... I'll look into it.

[TormentTimmy]

This camera or Diana mini?

Pleas reply :(

[kaituba]

@TormentTimmy I like both cameras. The Diana Mini's images tend to be more impressionistic. They are blurrier and more out of focus than the Holga 135. I like the look, but if you want sharper images, go with the Holga. If you aren't sure what I'm talking about, go to Flickr and look for groups that feature the Diana Mini and the Holga 135. Take a close look at the images and decide which you like best.

[ninasphyxiated]

Thanks for this video, it helped a lot! My camera seems to have been working fine while shooting my first roll, except today it wouldn't let me advance any further and the viewfinder only says 28. Shouldn't it let me keep going until 36? Should I just rewind and take out this roll, or is something wrong?

[kaituba]

@ninasphyxiated It sounds like you have loaded a shorter roll of film, probably a 24 exposure roll. Go ahead and rewind it and get it processed. Take a look at the cassette. It will tell you how many exposures are on the roll.

[stupidheartbeat]

hi, my shutter is stuck! :(

[kaituba]

@stupidheartbeat Can you define "stuck"? Is it stuck in the open position, so all your film gets flashed or fogged? Does the shutter release not trip after winding the film? Is there film in the camera when you are checking it? The shutter release depends on the film traveling over the sprocket gears to cock the shutter for the next frame. If you are trying to check out the camera without using film in it, this may be part of the problem.

[zhexyc]

thanks! I have just loaded my first film on my new holga following your instructions! ready to take my first lomo picture!

[kaituba]

@zhexyc Glad you found the video helpful. Have fun!

[chilidog1001]

how does this camera compare with the holga 120?

[kaituba]

@chilidog1001 I was out of town for most of March, so sorry about taking so long to reply here. This camera takes good photos, but I like the 120 film format a little better. Go to flickr and find the groups dedicated to each camera. Looking at images made by each camera will show you the qualitative differences.

[badkider]

you just helped me load my new holga for the first time. thanks dood cant wait to start

[derekteixeira]

Thanks a bunch for this. Had a 120S for years, just got this camera!

[haleyleey]

you eased my worries, and fixed my malfunctions. thank you!

[mynameismikooo]

The 135 is a great camera, but I only have one problem.

Oftentimes when unloading the film, the leader gets stuck on the thread on the take up spool so I can't take the casette out.

I've opened the back up and took the leader out myself. Is there any way to solve this?

[kaituba]

This sometimes happens. Take a look at how you are threading the leader. It only has to hook onto one of the teeth on the takeup reel.

[tenl]

when i load my film and advance my film the rewind crank sometimes does not turn, but i do know the film advances, as i have opened the back and advance the film, will it in any way afffect my shots?

[UselessInfo101]

Check the film release rewind button on the bottom isn't stuck pressed in. That will prevent the film from advancing. Happened to mine, drove me crazy because i thought my holga was broken.If that is the problem, I would recommend removing the bottom plate and removing little strip of metal that holds it down.

Removing it has no drawback other then you'll need to hold the button down the entire time you rewind (which I would much rather do then have to unscrew the bottom plate each time).

[ela6421]

Since i first loaded the film and have been taking pictures my rewind crank never turns when im advancing the film. i took off hte bottom cover of the camera and the film release button wasnt stuck pressed in. i have opened the back and the film was advancing, so perhaps it doesnt matter whether the rewind crank moves or not?

[kaituba]

The crank won't turn all the time, if there is slack in the film cassette. It will eventually turn. Don't worry about it. Keep shooting until you are at the end of the roll, or if the camera keeps winding beyond the end of the roll. Opening the back to check will ruin the part of the film you've already shot.

[tenl]

I have a holga 135 and i loaded the film, but when i advance the film the rewind crank dose not always turn tgt, but i do know the film adavnces, will it be a problem to me?

[SecureLove]

Thank you so much for this! I was driving myself crazy trying to figure out how to load it. My teacher showed me but I completely forgot...thanks!

[jiniton]

what if i reloaded the film but did not insert it into the slot on the spool,will i still see results on film?

[kaituba]

You are ok if the film actually went through the camera. When winding, keep an eye on the rewind crank. As you advance the film, it should turn. If it doesn't turn, the film is not advancing and you will get no images on the film.

[jiniton]

ok.thanks.that roll came out ok.but,can you make a video on how to properly unload a 35mm film out of a holga 135? =]

[kaituba]

That's a good idea. I'll add it to my list of projects to do.

[sfpcok]

i forgot to take off the cover after pressing the shutter to change from S to 1, it's okay right?

[kaituba]

You are fine. The only reason to trip the shutter is to allow the advancing of the film.

[lizisme123]

THIS IS SO HELPFULL THANK YOU SO MUCH! i was feeling kind of like an idiot becuase i borrowed this camera from my firend and i ahd no idea how to load film into it... but then u showed me how!

[xXsum182Xx]

where did you purchase this camera?

[kaituba]

Freestyle Photo Supply

freestylephotoDOTbiz

Replace the DOT with a .

[kaituba]

Try shooting a few more frames and keep an eye on that crank. Sometimes, there is some slack in the film, so it won't move on the first or second winding. If it still doesn't move, I would cautiously pop open the camera and check it out. Chances are the film isn't on the take up spool correctly.

[arwen999]

Hi,

Thanks for posting a tutorial.

Unfortunately I loaded the fim before I found your video.

The crank on my holga does not spin when winding the fim and I'm not sure if the frame counter is working properly. Does this mean the film has been loaded wrong?

[esroach]

would you be able to use 35mm film on a holga that uses 120 negatives?

[kaituba]

Yes, but that would be a different video. I am working on one, but in the meantime, check out the video by squarefrog - Using 35mm Film in Holga.

[eternodisperare]

can 120 be developed anywhere? like a drug store or wal mart for example?

[weirdone]

nope.

[kaituba]

120 film is a little more difficult to get processed, since most 1-hour labs only handle 35mm film. You will have to find a local lab that can process 120 film, or find a lab that will send the film out for you. Another option is to send your film out. Check out Dwaynes Photo lab.

[meetmeatthefountain]

Hello Kai!

I have recently purchased a Diana F+ and I'm rearing to get started, so I bought 35mm film. The store I went to (not a camera specialty store to say the least) only supplied 35 mm film. Is it possible to load this into my Diana F+?

Many, many thank yous!

[shastarc]

Thanks for this. I just got one of these and I was having trouble figuring out what iso people were using.

[TheSilentFool]

I know that the Holga has a bunch of other available accessories like a fisheye lens attachment and whatnot, would those be compatible with the 135?

[numberstation]

I'm on the verge of buying a Holga 35mm,simply because the cost of film developement for the 120 is eye watering.Can I expect the same Holga weirdness in 35mm,or would I be losing out?

[kaituba]

You will get some nice results with the 135, but there is a trade-off. I find the large square 120 negatives to give the best results in terms of image quality. Go to Flickr and do a search in the groups section for Holga 135, and Holga to see what the differences are in the images.

[gnarly6154]

thanks!