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
This is IT!
Wonderful design choices. The mystery is everything.
I would like to be able to shoot in Square format on a Full Frame sensor with my choice of 35mm lenses. In other words, adaptable to some kind of mount standard such as 4/3, whatever works.
Is the Holga name viable? Have you cleared it?
Just perfect! I want this available. ‘Holga.D’ – simple and fantastic name!
Awesome stuff!
do what you want to do! let others design their own thing.
as for making it happen, look for the closest industry show and make a list of the things you need to do to make it happen. go to the show and contact as many of the people that do the things on the list as possible in 2-3 days. Ask for quotes. Put the money list together, turn around and place it on kickstarter.com telling everyone what to expect and how much you need. you’ll be surprised what response you’re going to get .. . and just email me your thoughts …
ohh, and don’t need to post this on that ever growing list if you don’t want to!
Can we please get an update on what’s going on with this camera? Loving the design, lets get it out for sale!
In my journals I drew pictures of my ideal digital camera and your Holga D ticks all the boxes. I love the simple viewfinder and lack of a LCD screen.
Very interesting product and design! I must say that I suggest for the (sake) of functionality and usability do please add a screen (fx. OLED) so the user is able to see what’s been photograph.
Sincerely, Lasse
I want one of these so bad! I just hope this makes it to production. I think there could be a pretty large market for the Holga D. Please can we have an update?