Of course you can. There are three types of film available; black and white, color negative and color slide film.
Slide film is a positive transparency film well known for its vivid color saturation. Historically used for commercial purposes like fashion shoots, landscapes and product photography; just about any thing you'd see in a magazine. Feeling adventurous? Ask your lab to cross-process your slide film for exciting color shifts!
Color negative film with a 400 ISO is a great film to start with. It tends to be more forgiving than other films and can be processed at most labs. If your heart is set on black and white, there are also some black and white films which can be processed in color chemistry (C-41) that are available. Ask your local photo dealer for more information.
All 35mm film can be processed at any 24 hour photo processing center (including drugstores). To process 120 film, check your local professional photo labs. If not, your local Holga dealer can usually provide film developing mailers or a contact number to a local lab.
Dark corners? But that's what you want! The dark corners on a Holga image, called vignetting, are one of Holga's many charms. If you prefer less dramatic vignetting try using the 6x4.5cm mask.
Check the bottom of the camera. Make sure you have the shutter speed switched to "N" for Normal. ("B" for bulb is for long exposures)
Yes. Set up your lighting with a photo slave. It triggers your strobes when the camera's built-in flash goes off. Just make sure that the slaves are close enough to pick up the camera's flash.
Yes, but the impact of light leaks can be more pronounced on infrared films. Make sure your Holga doesn't leak light by taping up all the seams.
Your Holga's shutter spring may have finally worn out... time for a new Holga! But don't throw away your old one—feel free to tinker with it and come up with exciting new modifications of your own!
Absolutely. Holga images have become increasingly accepted in photo competitions. The most prolific is probably the annual Krappy Kamera competition, held by the Soho Gallery in New York. For details visit: www.sohophoto.com.