Holga . D
I had been looking for a camera with simple and unobtrusive user experience of analog photography with the convenience and economy of digital. Most digital camera available in the market has so many controls and settings that often we end up spending more time setting the camera up than enjoying actual photography.
I was looking for something really simple. I tried many cameras from all the brands but nothing was what I wanted. So I started developing one myself, which eventually became Holga D.
Last week I compiled a page about Holga D and put it up on my work-in-progress website to try it out online. As the site was not complete and I had shown it to only a handful of friends.
On July 1st I got a mail from Maarten of Minimalissimo that they have published the Holga D concept and it’s spreading fast on Twitter. Then I found one more article on Iainclaridge.net. I thought it would be contained within these niche design related blogs only.
But within next few hours mails started pouring in about Holga D. Within one day it was all over the net! It was on En-gadget, Wired and and many more web sites! Most surprisingly BBC contacted me to feature it on a program!!!
My mailbox got flooded with hundreds of mails. The daily traffic to my website shot up to from around 50 to more than 12000 in just 2 days!!
Although I was not planning make this concept public so early as I was still drafting out a plausible production plan I am really happy and overwhelmed to see it’s resonating with so many people out there! Although I knew a camera like Holga D has potential but I must admit that the response is way beyond what I expected.
I would like to thank Minimalissimo for discovering it, Engadget, Iainclaridge.net, Wired and many more sites for featuring it and all the people on Twitter for spreading the word! 
Now, most of the question I am getting is if and when Holga D is going to be produced as a real product. Well, I am also as interested as much as you guys to see it as a real product so that I can have one for myself!
It was developed with a desire to make it a real product. Now what’s there on the Holga D page on my site is a small part of what I have detailed out about it. But all that detail could only be useful if it goes to production. All your overwhelming response re-assures that there is a real demand for such camera.
I have some plausible plans for taking it to production that I would publish here on this blog in a few days. I would need your constructive feedback, comments, ideas and support to make it into a real camera.
** To all the people who sent me mails:
Thank you for all your mails and I will respond to all, my apology for the delayed response.
If you have any question Holga D please post it below,
I will response to it as soon as I could.
July 04 2010 05:46 pm | My work and News
I have a great knowledge of developing film/printand manipulating it digitally and it would be certainly a great opportunity to translate this knowledge to a open software for the digital cam like the holga D. Think of all cool possibilities limiting it only to jpeg and the “filters” from the open software…
would it be possible to produce a view finder for this camera that uses the rule of thirds rather than a centering view finder that is broken up into quadrants…I think that a view finder that utilizes the rule of thirds would not only help the user create better photo’s but also in itself become a marketable accesory.
I just wanted to add my voice to the chorus of “Please make this available!” This is such a brilliant idea.
This project makes me all happy and warm inside. I wish you all of luck with getting this genious camera in production.
This also reminds me of my childhood. I had a video recorder (PXL-2000) that record video on audio casettes. It broke sadly.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PXL-2000
Bonjour
I am a french photographer and i am working with holga 120. I am very interesting to try your olga D. Where i can buy it ?
Thank you very much youa re very talentueux.
very nice form, the symmetrical design is very nice indeed. this design should be cherished. it worths putting all glass lenses and a lcd display to it. please don’t use toy camera material or make it like a digital lomo.
We really hope that this gets made – we REALLY want one!!
Hi,
Very, very cool. I realize it is a concept, however based on previous experiences I have learned that it is never too early to suggest improvements:
1. LEFT/RIGHT HANDED IMPROVEMENTS TO TOP PANEL
Get rid of the numbers on the pop-off shutter release panel. No need for them: the screen could easily indicate the selected value when adjusted. Just have some nice looking dots or lines, making the camera even better for right and left handedness, alienating both even less. And place the lines and dots around the display and shutter release symmetrically about the left/right axis. Also rotate the on/off switch 90 degrees.
2. MAKE PROTRUDING CARRYING STRAP HOLDERS INTERNAL
Make the carrying strap metal buckles internal instead of external: make two slits the same size as the current hole in the white metal, with some curved space connecting them behind the metal housing. This way the strap can be pushed through into one of the holes, and come out the other; without being uncomfortable when holding.
3. MAKE THE LENS MOUNT AND LIGHT SENSOR REMOVABLE w/TOOL
Would be totally awesome if the camera features a pop-off mount and light sensor; so it could be replaced over time using a special tool accompanying the camera when purchased. The light sensor and plastic mount would snap in place with an internal mechanism that the special tool could release. Simply take off the lens, attach the tool, rotate and pull out the mount and light sensor “bucket” to replace it with an update sensor and higher resolution sensor.
4. The camera should be compatible with the SD wifi cards (http://goo.gl/WIay) – if there is any customization needed in the software.
5. Would love to see a tilt-shift lens or mount as accessory.
Look forward to purchasing it. I’m be willing to help in any way I can to make it a reality. Make it a project at http://kickstarter.com right now! Set the project price realistically high, so it actually can be made.
this is a fantastic concept / great/ dieter rams meets lowtech/
i think for holga i`ts too sophisticated.
now they sell in europe cheap toy plastic cameras produced in china as a myth.
would like to see your concept realised.
may be by muji
take care
j.n.
hi
where we can buy Holga D?
thanks
Hi
I am so in love with this camera, is it possible to purchase it?
Thank you.
I just wanted to add my voice to the chorus of “Please make this available!” This is such a brilliant idea. (2)