How to turn your digital camera into a mock-Holga camera

There are many ways to give your digital images that Lomo/Holga-ish look. You can use the new Holga lens adapters for digital cameras, you can edit in photoshop, but one way to do it without editing or buying a new lens is to use what you already have! Want to try it yourself? Here's what you need....

What I used is a DSLR camera and an 85mm AF 1.8 lens. You can use any lens that allows you to manual open the aperture ring, otherwise your image will automatically be at the highest aperture and appear to dark. Results will widely vary dependant on the mm. 50mms can give you the best results. Having a low aperture lens will also provide you with the best results. Here's what you do...

1. Remove the lens from the body and place it back over the camera backwards. In other words, flip the lens over and just hold it against the camera where it normally would lock in. Make sure the aperture ring is open all the way to the lowest aperture possible. The front of the lens should be against the camera. 
2. If you have a liveview option on your camera, flip it on. It's a little easier with it, but not necessary. Look through the viewfinder and manually focus the lens all the while holding the lens tight against the camera. 
3. Take the picture as usual and check out your results! With some lenses, reversing it like this will give the lens a more macro effect. Check out my results!

The original is on the left and the flipped lens effect is on the right. Holgas are notorious for causing halos and blurry edges. It almost appears to have a soft focus effect. This is definitely not something I would use on a normal occassion as it's more of an artistic look, but it is fun to play with. I have shot with my real Holga quite a few times and these results are very similar and a lot less expensive.

The original is above and the flipped lens result is below!

Have you ever tried this effect? If you do decide to try it, let me know how it works out for you. Leave any questions below :)

 

Comments

[Pilar Giménez Almalé]

beautiful! :)

thanks!!
Pili.

http://inavintageworld.blogspot.com.es/2012/11/simple-friday.html

[Pilar Giménez Almalé]

Bad thing is that i only have one objective... was that only changing the objective or photoshop too? the pictures are beautiful!

http://inavintageworld.blogspot.com.es/2012/11/simple-friday.html

[Cazz]

Fantastic idea. Sometimes it's so frustrating carrying multiple Cameras around. i might give this a go this weekend.

[MP]

What a great idea! Great tips! :)

[Sarah]

So cool that you can do this! I have one prime lens- a 50mm, and I tried flipping it to use for macro effect a few weeks ago after I saw the idea on Pinterest. I'd never have known otherwise. I haven't done a lot of playing with it, but it worked pretty well.

[Ann]

Cool! I have a film camera, canon eos 66 and what will happen if I flip the lens?

[Claire]

Wow, what an interesting idea! I may try it in the future... I wonder if taking photos without the lens on properly is damaging to the camera though!?

I love the dreamy look to the bunch of flowers!

[Gwenivere]

This is so cool!!! Thanks for posting!

[BlythePonytailParades]

No problem!

[BlythePonytailParades]

Do try!

[BlythePonytailParades]

Thanks Marilyn!

[BlythePonytailParades]

Yeah, it's fun to try different lenses!

[BlythePonytailParades]

Not sure. You could try it....but it may not turn out as expected and film is expensive :/

[BlythePonytailParades]

Not damaging to the camera, but you want to avoid leaving a cap or lens off the camera body as to avoid dust getting in. But taking pictures this way isn't damaging to the camera :)

[BlythePonytailParades]

No problem :D

[barny]

i use my kit lens and get crazy macro affect

Barnicles x

[Supply Chain Recruitment]

Mock-Holga cameras are inexpensive, medium format 120 film toy camera, known for its whimsical and surreal images. You have a great thought turning your Nikon camera into mock-Holga. great post!

[Nicky]

Two in one functionality!! All qualities of digital cameras will be there and along with that mock-holga-camera look also will be there. Nice idea shared here.