Pinhole photography works best with a larger frame size, and 4x5 is ideal. But processing 4x5 yourself can be a bear, and having it done commercially is expensive, especially for pinhole. So when I learned of this Holga 120WPC, it seemed a perfect solution. And when I was gifted with a $50.00 Amazon gift card, it seemed the perfect choice.
In many ways, this is the ideal pinhole camera. First, it shoots in two wide formats that are perfectly suited to the wide nature of pinhole photographs; 6x9 and 6x12. Second, using roll film instead of sheet film, you can load it up and go shooting without having to load/unload and carry around separate 4x5 film holders. Third, the frame size and window on the back make film advance easy.
All this, plus, IT’S A HOLGA! Looks like a Holga, Feels like a Holga. The price seems steep, but it’s really well made (even for a Holga) and comes with both 6x9 and 6x12 masks, a “lens” cap, a carry strap, and a 24-page color booklet.
Right off the bat, it has some nice features; a real working shutter which can be operated either by hand or with a cable release, a finder in the form of guides on the top of the camera to gauge the field of view, and a bubble level on top.
What’s missing is the cable release. Even the manual mentions it’s a necessary item. I won’t miss it, because I have so many cable release I don’t know what to do with them. Well, now I do. But others will. Maybe it’s for the best, because they’ll benefit from a better quality one than Holga would have provided.
A locking release is in order, so you can keep the shutter open for extended periods, and close it quickly and conveniently. I’ll have to research that and come up with a solution for my official review.
Some quick observations; a 4x5" frame is 12,903 square millimeters, a 35mm frame is 864 square millimeters, an APS-C frame is 370 square millimeters, a 6x9cm frame is 5,400 square millimeters, and a 6x12cm frame is 7,200 square millimeters. So this camera should be a vast improvement over 35mm, and yet competitive in quality with 4x5.
Mods may be in order
I’ve seen some sample photos, and the 6x12 format seems to exhibit clipped corners, but I have not been able to nail down a fix. Some say it’s the rim that holds the cap, other say it’s the opening around the pinhole, still others say it’s the shutter. But before I go hacking it up, I would run some tests to see. Most likely though, I’ll simply shoot 6x9, since my scanner handles that format nicely.
A quick check reveals that the pinhole is a true pinhole, and not printed on film like the Lensbaby pinhole optic. However, it’s easily removed with only two screws, so I can see myself swapping this out for a precise laser-drilled pinhole some day.
One of Eric Renner’s books on pinhole photography provides a table of optimum pinhole sizes for given focal lengths. The 120WPC has a focal length of 40mm. Eric’s recommendations call for a 0.234mm pinhole, which produces an aperture of f/171. The 120WPC comes equipped with a pinhole of 0.30mm, with a stated aperture of f/133. Depending on whether you favor the pinhole size or the claimed aperture, this puts it closer to 70mm @ f/226 or f/133 @ 25mm. Either way, the numbers don’t jive. But then, this is a Holga. The apertures have never been correct on a Holga. So, there may be room for improvement.
So, it’s time to stock up on some 120 film ready for National Pinhole Day. This year’s entry will be on FILM!
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