Could Holga.D succeed as an Open-source camera?
Since posting the Holga.D concept on my website, I have received a huge amount of positive feedback and inquiries about the camera. I want to thank everyone for their support!
Thrilled and happy by the widespread interest in the camera, I thought I’d like to share with you my initial thoughts behind it.
This is going to be a relatively long post, so here is the gist :
I would like to see Holga.D is as an open-source camera platform, co-developed by like minded enthusiasts and professionals from all related fields. At the end of it’s initial development the hardware design (the schematics, bill of materials, PCB layout data etc), as well as the software/firmware source code would be available for anyone to produce, distribute and modify under open-source license.
This kind of open-source product license would open up a lot of new possibilities; for example, manufacturers would be able to produce lightweight and cheap plastic camera as well as more expensive and rugged metal body based on the same design. The manufacturers would also be able to develop simple or complex accessories like lens adapters for current or old lenses from other brands, lenses, viewfinders etc. Likewise, on the software/firmware side, the open source code would also open up new possibilities.
The development of Holga.D is not just about the toy camera but it’s a culmination of several ideas that has led me to work on this project. Above all, I wanted to address the concept to two ongoing phenomenons in the society: Open-source consumer product development and Homebrew softwares.
1. Open-source consumer product development
In the past few years there has been many successful open-source software projects (Mozilla, WordPress and many others…) which have gained mass popularity and have become part of our daily life.
What about open source consumer products then? Well, that isn’t a new thing either: there has been many initiatives for open source projects (Bug-labs, Open-source Rapid prototyping and CNC machines and so on). However, all of them have focused towards a very small niche.
What about open-source products which are desirable by the mass and seen as a viable alternatives to commercial products?
There are some strong advantages in the open-source model: While most commercial products are limited to a fixed set of features imposed to the end users, the open-source products would be totally adaptive and flexible. It would provide the users the right to customize based on what they need.
2. Homebrew softwares
For the past few years we are seeing a tremendous popularity of ‘homebrew’ softwares and firmwares. iPhones get ‘jail-broken’ in no time after each OS update is released. PSPs got custom firmware so that homebrew and iso-games saved on the memory stick can be played in PSP. Eventhough Sony tried its best prevent it from happening by updating the firmwares and later the hardware, they all got unlocked sooner or later.
CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kit) is another example where an unofficial firmware is enhancing the feature-set of cheaper Canon cameras to such an extent that some of these custom firmware features (such as ISO and focus bracketing, 64 to 1/10,000? shutter speed, motion-detection triggered photography and so on) does not even exist in the high end models of Canon.
There are plenty of similar examples…
What about having a platform where all these potential could be channelized to create great products instead of suppressing them?
Why does Holga.D have the possibility to become a popular and desirable open-source consumer product for the masses?
I believe, Holga D could be (perhaps the first) viable, desirable and popular open-source product for the masses. Here are few reasons why:
1. Demand
There are a lot of people who would like to use Holga or similar toy cameras but are inhibited by the cost and complexity of development, availability of film etc. For them, the digital version, Holga.D, would be a much more convenient and economically viable option, yet true to its origins.
2. Legacy
Holga is already a known brand and has a significant number of fan-following who would like to have it for the ‘brand-name’ only.
3. Realistic expectations
The expectations are not very high: the cameras in the mainstream market are expensive (although you can get SLRs for as cheap as 450USD) because they need to deliver certain image quality. But Holga is known and loved for it’s vignetting, chromatic aberrations, barrel distortions and and so on! So it’s much easier to reach these ‘expectations’ with low cost.
4. Shared software development
Because it’s open-source, the independent software developers would be able to create the firmwares/softwares much more easily. The communities such as CHDK can come in for help.
5. Potential of future growth
It could gradually evolve into a higher end product with even larger mass appeal beyond the toy camera users.
With it’s basic plastic lens the quality of the photographs might not be good enough for everyone’s taste but as it evolves, it would be able to have better lenses cheaply manufactured by small companies. And of course, with simple adapters it can use most of the existing lenses from other brands and all the old lenses available on Ebay for dirt cheap price. That is why it has a detachable lens and a plastic-but-SLR-like lens mount (which can also be replaced by a metal ones) and SLR-like shutter speed range.
Because it’s a camera with large sensor (full frame or 1.5x crop frame), one may want to put a rangefinder-type of viewfinder (I didn’t put it in the accessory list of Holga.D page in order to keep things simple and close to the original Holga) into its accessory port. This would be a lucrative solution for those who want to use rangefinder-like cameras but often inhibited by the price of cameras presently available in the market.
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*I was still brewing the above thoughts in my head and was not prepared to write about it so early, but now that the camera is out and seems to be resonating with many people out there, I thought it’s a good idea to talk about it while this topic is still hot.
I would like to know your thoughts, ideas, constructive feedback about the proposal of making Holga D as an open source camera. I would also like to know what do you think would be the other opportunities if a camera like Holga.D becomes reality, the possible challenges for it (and if possible, the suggestions to overcome those challenges) and how do you think we should take this forward from here.
Most importantly, it would be great if you guys could spread the word and pull in people who you think would be able to contribute to the development of Holga.D.
For my part, I am ready and willing to provide my expertise as an industrial designer for it’s development. I would do everything I can to make this camera a reality, but it would take all your contribution to make it a real product so that we all can have Holga.D soon!
July 18 2010 12:43 am | Concepts
i would like to start by saying that you are the man. you’re going about this in such a smart way. open sourcing it would be an amazing idea, leading to anything a camera can possibly do. i dont know if you’re planning on making this able to do long exposures or multiple exposures, but that would be the key points i’d be looking for. i know the digital pen by olympus is capable of multiple exposures, so i’m sure you could try to draw from that somehow. otherwise, keep going and keep doing such a good job. dont listen to these people who say it’s a bad idea or anything. and keep away from lomography and superheadz!!
If this camera ever comes on the market I would most definately buy it. It looks fantastic and I like the idea of it being a digital version of the Holga. I have been looking on Facebook and Twitter for updates on this particular project as I am very interested. Maybe it’s an idea to make a page on Facebook? In my opinion the word could spread a bit faster and you could get even more opinions that way. You could post a link for Facebook and/or Twitter on your blog or on your other websites. I am willing to help you with a page on Facebook if you like. The page has to be created though by the official representative of this product and have permission to create this page. Let me know if you are interested.
Good luck Saikat, and keep us informed.
Thanks Ruth!
If you think a Facebook page might help to spread the word, let’s make it.
I am not a frequent user of Facebook, so not really used to with it. It would be great if you could help.
I would pay, easily, $399 for a Holga.D!
However, I’d love to see a slightly larger sensor and the ability to choose square, 3:2 and 3:1 (panorama) formats. Given that 33MP sensors are Last-Gen in the larger sensor format and that there are plenty of Two-Gens-Ago 22MP sensors in that size, could we go with a 22MP sensor?
And could we choose between the plastic and glass Holga lenses?
I love the idea of having to take the picture without direct feedback – no chimping! But a simple peephole viewfinder would be a plus.
Please!?! I’ve been dying for something like this. I have some cheap plastic lenses for my DSLR, but nothing beats the light leaks and feel of the Holga. I miss my Holga more than words can describe. If you manufacture this, I will buy one!
Love it! I definitely agree with a viewfinder (as simple as it needs to be) and big sensor.
Genius
OMG. I can’t stop thinking about this camera and how awesome it would be. Please make it, I’ll pay anything!
I agree with DelphiNikonian about the sensor. I’m okay with plastic lenses – I think that we are fans of this Holga.D already because we own a DSLR or two – and we probably have an arsenal of lenses already, therefore; I think a lens adapter would be spot on. Spend your $$$$ on the lens is what we always hear anyways right?
Viewfinder: a simple viewfinder would do, but I see the potential for some sort of cheap LCD or LED as an accessory that snaps into the accessory port for picture review – not live view. Let me explain why – Outside of camera enthusiasts, you’re going to want to attract others to this idea of Open Source hardware like photography beginners, younger kids, schools (think photography classes), and even those who are into sustainability. The idea of an option to have a cheap plastic lens, or to use your own lens is great – combine that with a camera body made from recycled/ reclaimed materials is even better. Combine this with your LiveCell – wow!
I don’t know what I can offer to help, but I’d like to help get this camera into a reality in what ever way I can. Maybe I can help you develop a video showing off it’s features and get into the Open Source aspects of it?
My point about why a Viewfinder and/or Screen is important is because the average user might not see this as a use-able camera. Not everyone is going to e into the idea of “wait and see”. Granted – you’re not going to be able to please everyone, but adding that bit of flexibility would be nice.
When I say viewfinder – I mean a built-in one – different from the accessory viewfinder you drew up.
i would TOTALLY buy this camera! awesome work. i love the concept and i love the aesthetics and even more, i love the low tech MOD-ability of this concept camera.
i know that you’ve put the emphasis on cheap, toy and throwback to the original film holgas but there’s a part of me that keeps seeing the potential for making this a really great PERSONAL camera that unlike other cameras can GROW with the user.
first, you have a DETACHABLE LENS! that’s a high end feature! sure, we start with a plastic lens but the possibilities are endless! i can already see an adapter ring for canon and nikons!
haha, loooove the aperture disks! soooooo low tech. but again, if the camera is open to upgradeability, a switch to another lens and boom – you have the ability to dial in apertures.
last generation image sensor… LOVE IT! but if the holga is built intelligently, unlike other cameras, it may be the first consumer camera to be truly amenable to switching out backplates! this might be electrically and electronically more ambitious but i don’t see why it wouldn’t work necessarily.
my only beef would be about the viewfinder… i think there should be SOME kind of flip up viewfinder that is in some way better than just holding the camera up and saying a prayer… a range finder system would be beautiful but could be an add on. i like the fact that there is a viewfinder accessory but hopefully, it will be in some way “accurate” and not just a completely useless concession to appearances.
anyhoo, great great idea. even better that you want to make it open source…. cuz as i said, the fact that it’s soooo cheap and sooo low tech makes it easy and in fact INVITES modification.
i love it that you have low expectations but this could be not just a great toy holga…. but a great CAMERA SYSTEM!
keep me posted!
I picked up an old Kodak TLR at a garage sale last year, imagining I’d some day replace the film holder assembly with a CCD, controller, USB interface, etc. No LCD, no autofocus, nothing fancy: just a simple manual camera which records digital images. What you’re describing here sounds like a very similar device – I’d love to see what you come up with.
I would love to buy a Holga D. This type of camera seems well suited to digital. My DSLR is just too expensive to take everywhere and mobile phones don’t have great lenses and are slow to use. I would need to have a view finder, even if it was a square box with no lens in it. Not bothered by how many pixels as looking back my old 1.3mp took great shots outdoors (rubbish indoors) I would say 3-5 is more than enough if the price is low. Could it have a wind-up or dynamo for a power source so you never need to charge the batteries. Also the top panel is fantastic, bet that will be on a Sony or Samsung before long.
This is a really great idea, and would totally work. I think open-sourcing is the best way to do this. Recently, some very smart people created an open-source 3D printer called Makerbot. It would be worth talking to them, to see how they get their parts manufactured, distributors, etc. http://makerbot.com/
The open-source Holga would be great if it came in pieces, and got assembled by the user in the end. Nothing difficult, just something to make it fun and let users understand the insides of their camera.
The Diana camera is very similar to the Holga, but it has removable lenses, and therefore more possibilities. How cool would it be to have 5 different lenses for your camera, instead of 1?
I think this is a good concept. It has some very original ideas and some others that have already been done. I suggest looking at the Lomography website and looking at the kinds of things they have done. I really like that you have decided to go for the digital back and fully manual shutter and i have a suggestion: I think you should have a look at the Lensbaby range. I think these two technologies would work very well together and would solve the multiple lense problem. The lensbaby system does not involve changing the whole lense but only the optic part and many different lenses are already availible, such as macro, wide and fish-eye adaptors and optics. Also, as for the sensor size and type, i would recomend a 35mm format for use with a 50mm type lens as this would provide a natural feel and aspect.
But all in all i love the idea, everything is so simplistic and if the price is right then these will fly off the shelves.
As a Holga owner really hope this comes to pass. Film is nice but time consuming.
Just a follow up because I just noticed no viewfinder, which would undoubtedly be a serious deal killer. Even the most basic kid’s toy camera has one built in. Hope this is reconsidered.
So, where can I send money to receive one? Hah, seriously though, let me know.
Even tho there are camera’s with the same idea as a digital toy camera, This concept would sell more. I believe this is a great camera even for film and digital users alike. Would definelty get this! and it will most definetley recieve tremendous demand all over the world.
Please put me on your mailing list.
I am a pro photographer. I would love to use it.
))
I love the minimalist design. Keep up the good work Saikat.
I totally want one of these! I hope some great minds come together and make it happen!
I think this is absolutely brilliant. If this happens, I would honestly be willing to pay quite a bit if the photos looked not only good, but true to a real Holga. I hope this all works out.
Let me introduce myself! I am from Bangkok, Thailand… I am in the toy camera field business, both film and digital camera! This Holga D. project was introduced by many of my clients…. This is my first time here, I have to admit that your fine piece of work is really fantastic. I am impressed by your design and what it can do. I really wish to see this product come out to the market very soon!!! Please contact me when you have 100 of them! I will be waiting to hear for a good news!!
This is really by far the best idea I’ve seen this whole year!! I would most definitely get one of these sexy little monsters if ever offered the opportunity, you are a true visionary!
I would love to see the Holga D in shops! I really want to shop it!
Great work!
It’s been a long time since I enjoyed a portfolio so much. your works are amazing, keep up the good work and as stated before me “put me on your mailing list!!!!”.
About the HOLGA D why not use http://www.kickstarter.com/, I’ve endorsed some projects before and I’ll be more than glad to endorse yours.
I agree with everyone’s request for a viewfinder. I can’t tell you how many times I have tried to take a picture of myself with a cellphone and wasn’t able to get myself in the frame. Why? Because I couldn’t see what the camera was aiming at! When one tries to take a picture the first thing they will look at is the viewfinder. The viewfinder is a must have. The lack of a display on the back. I love the concept! I can’t begin to tell you how many times I find myself chimping and reshooting when the first shot was perfect already! I definitely agree with Ted though on the concept of a display accessory. Consumers and prosumers will want a display to review their pictures. No question about it. It’s the professional and enthusiast market that would benefit most from the ‘wait-and-see’ attitude. I do have one question though. What type of file would the digital pictures be saved as? Maybe a JPG? My point is, I cant stop thinking about mobile photography. Many photographers have started doing an iPhone picture of the day of sorts and editing their picture in iPhone applications such as Best Camera and Photoshop.com Mobile. I personally imagine myself taking pictures with the Holga. D after which taking the SD card and syncing it to my iPhone. From their I could edit and post pictures from wherever. I for one really hope this concept come to fruition. If you need any help with marketing, I would be more than happy to help.
I also agree with the concept of lens adaptors. I would love to use one of my Nikon lenses with a Holga D
This. Is. Fantastic.
I sincerely hope that this camera is somehow manufactured. I would definitely buy one!
Hey Man. the idea is fantastic.
I would add the ability to use colored flashes. And different kinds of films that could be downloaded from the Internet and passed to the machine, these films could be customized by users.
I hope very much that the project can go ahead and have this new toy.
Congratulations, and keep us updated on progress.
Great idea on a few levels. But let’s not follow the holga model too carefully– why not make the body light tight, and use a glass lens… That way you get a camera that actually stays useful as you get better at photography.
And don’t undersize the CCD chip, because the best part of a Holga was that you got medium format resolution!
Is it possible to repost this blog entry or a summarized version on opensource.com? I see your license is All Rights Reserved so please contact me if you are interested in having a write-up in the life section.
This looks very interesting by the way. Good luck.
Jason
Wow dude you have really changed the way of the general principal of the digital image, clean and oh so sharp. This is a perfect camera to be creative with and a new way to look at a digital image that wasn’t created to be perfect. I love it!
Love the design – agree that it needs a viewfinder (not as an accessory). I think the price point should be as low as possible – the Holga costs $35 US. where the next lowest medium format camera costs a couple hundred times that. If you drop your Holga, you tape it back together. Etc. That’s what separates it from digital, for me.
great idea, as a holga user it’l be a great alternative, but (and i say this with reserve because i skimmed this entire post at the speed of light just to get the gist of it all before work) what about:
light leaks?
lens flares?
does it take multiple exposures?
does it simulate film grain?
have you considered a colour flash?
im currently shooting 35mm film on a holga 120cfn
which allows me to get the most amazing effects with
the sprocket holes being overlapped with image.
for me these are some of the most important features
of a holga, if you take these away you might end up with
a lazy mans camera (set it on P and click away). you’l have
the coolness of the holga look and name with the luxury
of digital always saving your ass.
what im trying to say; the holga for me is a camera for beautiful
mistakes; mistakes that cmd-z / ctrl-z cant fix. you need to make
a camera that photoshop cant mimic the effects of. this camera
should be the perfect balance of analog and digital, right now (for me)
its leaning toward digital.
once again, if i said something in my post that i missed in the long read
i apologize.
What a design !! And what an idea !!
There is no digital camera so simple with such features : good fix-length and full frame sensor !!!
I will buy it !
Good Luck! this is very exciting, I would really love to see this make it to production. You have cleary thought this one out.
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Dear Saikat, your project is just marvellous.
I love the camera design and its outstanding different status from any digital camera produced so far. I totally agree with the absence of any advanced function.
This type of product will stimulate creativity and sense of freedom, possibly helping those who search for personal and innovative photography. I am enthusiast.
I am not sure about the necessity of a viewfinder, even if many people seems to require it, so maybe it could be added without particular problems.
I am neither sure that a flash or colour flash would be necessary, but again, if this can help to spread the camera worlwide I will be happy. Plus, the colour flash comes from the original Holga and it’s part of its history, so it can be a good idea to retain it in this digital counterpart.
I agree with a full frame or even a larger format sensor, to be in line with the historical Holga 6×6 cm format.
I would then suggest to consider the opportunity of using this camera with a pinhole, e.g. removing and replacing the main lens or even making a separate camera, with same design and shape, but intended to be used with pinholes. It would be similar to the “Pinhole-Holga” concept, but with a digital sensor inside. I would love it!
I expect that this product should become a true state-of-art lomographic or toy camera.
I also suggest to create a banner or a logo to be placed on websites, blogs, forums, emails signatures and social networks pages, something like “Support the Holga.D project”. What do you think?
Lastly I can confirm that I’ll place my order as soon as the camera wille be released…
Good luck and please keep us updated
PS: If you own a mailing list, please add me, thanks in advance.
I went to the Lomography store in Hollywood, CA today … and was very disappointed to find out the The Holga.D was not available!!! btw. what an amazing store … pretty much everything made in this realm is there. Loved the 360 Panorama camera! If you’re ever in Los Angeles … don’t miss this store!
I’ll try to post some snaps from the store later.
A truly genius design. A great blend of vintage yet modern. I almost wish I didn’t see this idea until it was ready to come out because I am going to be too anxious now.
Viewfinder is a must, even if it is really small. For me the most important thing is to create the beautiful mistake, so I am not sure how digital would be able to do that. Light leaks, lens flare, color shifts, double exposures, those are the things that draw me to the holga, so if there is a way to duplicate that it would be really amazing.
I don’t know if I skipped over it or not, but I would also put a decent amount of focus on the battery type. My other favourite feature about the Holga is not ever having to worry about it, and I know digital will need one, but something that can really last would be great.
good luck and I really hope this comes out sooner rather than later.
thinking about left-handed people (of course, i’m one of them)and the solution you made for it is simply great.
Not forget about the design and the many possibilites you have. I hope you get this in production. I will buy it.
i am in , love my holgas , i have three each has its own unique images it creates , the bottom line is cost , how much ? if its 100-300 maybe ..anything above that ur better served using filters tool on a lux5 or other cameras ..demand would be high if price is rt..
I would love it if the Holga.D was built up ontop of an imaging core – i.e., like a digital back, containing nothing but the sensor, storage, the electronics, but no UI, it would then become something that other experimenters could build other digital imaging experiments on top of. Then there could easily be all kinds of low-tech mods on top of this digital chassis. You could buy the whole Holga.D, or you could buy just it’s imaging guts and build your own wunderkamera around it. Or mod a vintage camera like that Kodak TLR with the imaging core on the back of it.
Hi there,
Anybody using facebook and who is all for the Holga D becoming reality please join the Holga D group. The group is intented for members to keep each other updated on the progess. And eventually to make this fantastic product available for all of us. Feel free to post anything about the Holga D on there.
I NEED THIS. I’ve been telling all the holga-enthusiasts I know about this camera. I’m obsessed. But I agree with just about everything that Kyle Diorio was saying. I think a viewfinder is important, even if it’s as non-functional as the viewfinder on the current holga… I just like being able to have a general idea of what I’m shooting. But I LOVE that there’s no screen on the back. Brilliant.
let me know when it’s available
yes please!
To maintain integrity to Holga design, the concept already fits the bill. Inter-changeable lens is a great plus thus welcomed.
There should not be fancy software for auto-focus and what-have-you in P&S – just the mere “digital film”, and a “crank” (or any control) to advance the “frame”.
One greatest payback for the lomographers is “multi exposures” ability. It would be greater joy if we could share original “first exposure” with friends for “second exposure”.
To further mimic the analog environment – a power generator (like BIGSHOT design) to manually crack up power for shots will be fun!! http://www.bigshotcamera.org/index.html
http://www.bigshotcamera.org/sections/learn/power/index.html
This is a great idea. I’m totally fascinated by the concept. I hope that it becomes reality I would definitely have one
i am praying you go ahead and make this product. i am a keen one for old style cameras and am just getting to grips with my holga – this looks like the ideal camera for me! you are just doing what leica and contax have done – kept the beauty and deviations but digitalised. nice
I think this would be an excellent product.There are so called digital lomos/holgas but none seem as developed or look as good as yours. It would be good to keep the camera relatively small.
thanks
Danny
I would like to buy one. How about a Diana lens version also? The Diana lens is usually softer. Please put me on a list and let me know when I can purchase one!
I am Diana f user and I have been dreaming of something like this.
When I saw the diana f lens adapter for SLR Digital cameras I bought it inmediatly but the results were disapointing. That made my think that the problem was that the canon sensor was not capable of recreating the resolution of the 120 medium format film. I think those cameras pictures take advange of the combination of cheap lenses with high resolution (analog) film and in order to recreate that in the digital domain you need to incorporate a big sensor or the results may be disapointing. ( I thought of a digital Back )
That said, your camera look beautiful.
I would like to see some examples of just how good the original Holga was, the cooler the better for the cause, yes? I’m going away from the blog now, because there aren’t any that I can see so far, here
Ahem. Let me rephrase. I would like to see more images of the original effects, the bokeh, the vingetting, etc. I hope those who look at this blog from now one will see a need to post their light leaks as examples of what we need to help preserve from this era. Awesome idea. I’m sold!
Please keep it cheap. THat’s the beauty of it. Someone mentioned $399. Why would I want to pay that much for a plastic camera (albeit digital)? The point is, it is affordable and different and creative.
Tons of great ideas. I am on board to buy one, as long as it goes for less than $300…
Hi Saikat,this is definitely one of the things that holga users would die for. I would for one haha. Please put me on your mailing list, I would love to hear more from the developments of this awesome camera!
Perhaps you could show more examples of the photos the Holga D can take? I am wondering if the Holga D can achieve the same effect as film that has gone through cross processing, with the color saturation and light leakage..etc.
and the minimalistic design is a total hit, thanks for the great work and i am looking forward to owning one of these!
Has to be able to shoot RAW files!!!! While keeping it cheap is important I can’t imagine it could be as cheap as the film version so I would want it durable enough to withstand more abuse than the film version. Whether that means plastic or metal is up to a good industrial designer. Your ID is stylistically beautiful.
I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE, SERIOUSLY. FILM IS SO EXPENSIVE AND IT’S SO HARD TO FIND HERE WHERE I LIVE.
As a long time user of plastic cameras I love the idea of being able to go straight to a digital format.I think that the idea your working with is great, Keep it simple the way the original Dianas and holgas were. The fewer the available choices that were available to the user the more time was spent on making the photograph rather that on setting up the camera correctly. A look through viewfinder, simple shutter and aperture controls and a rough focusing system is really all it needs. Save the image in a raw format to be processed later. All in all it looks great.
Viewfinder : YES!!! The largest sensor that you can, since the Holga is a medium format film. No glass lens, if you want sharp optics, this isn’t the camera for you. An option for light leaks or not. I have been using the Holga as my main image capture device since 1991 and I don’t like the leaks and they rarely happen to me, since I know how to tape the camera up to prevent them. Now they only happen if the film doesn’t wind tight. Love the idea of the aperture disks, right in line with low tech. I print my Holga’s up to 20 x 20, after I scan the film. I can go even further if I could afford it. That is why the larger sensor would rock. Raw files would be cool too but it might prove to be too expensive. Good luck, there is definitely a market put there if it can be priced right.
It is quite obvious that this would be a run away hit. As a former educator I can say that this would have been an ideal tool in the toy and vintage camera classes that I have both studied and taught. I have passed the word on to as many people as I could and cannot wait for the day that this is readily available!!
your camera should not have batteries, for reasons of the environment as much as for the low life of a battery and costs. I would rather think about a rechargable thing.
Did you contact the open hardware project ELPHEL ?
They come from the the highend IP-Cam side of the spectrum, but are very advanced in terms of hw/firmware/sw. They already had a 12MP+ KODAK sensor design for stills.
I’m a fan of the new double-lens HOLGA (3-D) and the panorama model as well.
And as initiator of the open hardware project openKMQ (full color 3-D to ALL monitors and even books) I would support the project if it also goes the dual sensor/lens 3-D path.
I’m a firmware / software coder and hardware tinkerer.
http://openKMQ.blogspot.com
I love it! I’m a big fan of lomo type photography, and this would be fantastic if it was made! I would certainly buy one, and I know a lot of other people who would too.
The design is spot on, a fantastic mix of retro/modern/minimalism. Absolutely beautifully done!
One thing I would like to see considered if this does go into production (I REALLY hope it does!) is the size of the unit. I think it would need to be somewhat small in size, something that could easily fit in the pocket due to the spontaneous nature of this sort of photography, it really needs to be something you can have with you all the time, hence needing to fit in a coat pocket etc to use whenever the opportunity arises.
Fantastic work though, keep pushing and get this sexy thing made!
ps… get yourself on Dragons Den
Unbeatable… saw this site today fitst time in my life and need to tell you: this would be big biz!
Look to all the freaks on flickr or for example on the german page of http://www.fotocommunity.de
The people would die for it!
Add me pls to your mailing list – I wanna buy one or two or more asap!
Greez from Spain,
Don Dete
I would totally buy a Holga D!
I’d buy one!
Just, please, get the licensing right. Protect the freedom of all the camera’s users with copyleft. GPL for the software, BY-SA for the designs (unless a better licence for hardware comes along).
LOOOOVVEE THIS.
Andrzej (POLAND)
I absolutely love your concept. You should start a kickstarter page to get the funding going -> http://www.kickstarter.com/
I’d buy this one immediately!
I owned a Leica Digilux 2 but it got stolen last month so this would fill my craving for a retro look camera.
Greetings from Finland
Please please please let me know if this becomes available, especially in australia! I will be holding my breath (so dont take too long!)
For Gawdsakes, get on with it! Giz us this camera!
your idea is marvellous, really. As soon as possible I’ll get one.
Only one thing that’s missing: it’d be nice if there would be the possiblity to shoot multiexposure images. I know that nikon cameras can do it, so I think that would be possible to realize it.
About flash: it would be better – in my opinion- to have an hotshoe contact, so that would be possible to install more things on the camera. If you’re speaking about “open source camera”, giving a “proprietary” flash would be a kill…
And a viewfinder, of course. A “Through Lens” viewfinder…
But please, go on with your project, it’s amazing!
The design s just perfect.
I love everything, particularly the fact that there’s no screen.
Maybe it needs a viewfinder, though
It would be great to have video, also.
I would like to help, but I’m a marketing professor. Maybe when you want to market the product, then?
I think this is a great idea, it would save a lot of money in the long run to not have to buy the sometimes expensive 120 film and pay for it to be developed. Where I live I have to send the film to another city to be developed.
The only thing is that I think a simple viewfinder is absolutely essential. You still retain some mystery because you can’t view the photo’s until you upload them.
Dude, please make this camera! I want one!
Also, where can you buy your designer clock? Is this in production or just a concept?
http://www.urbangiants.co.uk
http://www.feefifofum.co.uk
uhhhhhh! i love the minimalistic design!!!
i like it! i want it!!! pls make it real.
Hello Saikat, I got the informations abt yr site, blog and project through one of my most favourite forum (it is a forum dedicated to Leica Cameras lovers and users). One of this forum members posted the linked to yr web site, with the news regarding your Holga Digital camera. I am an amateur photographer working for, let’s say) a seventy percent with film and the remaining 30% with digital gears. I love to work with classic cameras, Leicas, Rollei, Hasselblad are my favourite brand, and I have also a collection of Vintage cameras, mostly folding type. Never used, up to now, Toy cameras like Holgas but quite curios about the potentiality of this simple cameras for fine art photography purposes, I am very curios abt yr project, let me tell you that I like very much the ”design” of your camera, I am very sensitive as far as aesthetic side is concerned, then I am curios abt using the simple philosophy of a toy camera like Holga, with digital tecnology. I will continue to visit yr web site in order to be informed abt the development of yr project, I hope you will find the way to produce this camera as it should have good potentiality and, I think a good number of possible buyers, it will depend also from how much it will cost. There is so much cameras aroud on the marked, new technologies, classic cameras etc, etc, it wont be easy for such a new product to find its space in such a wide market but the originality of its concept, deserves, to my opinion interests and further follows up. So keep me posted, I wish you all the best for your future project and job,
Paola
A simple plastic viewfinder on top (a la classic Leicas) would rock. The viewfinder might not even need a lens, just a frame like some underwater cameras.
Hey, just been linked to this page by a friend of mine.
Just a few quick points I’ve noted. People are saying the camera must be able to recreate a film look, well that look is surely only achievable by the film emulsion, so could a set of in-camera physical or digital filters be useful?
Another thing, viewfinder? Could you not use the suggested point for the flash to also power an EVF?
If I’ve been any help, I’d be glad.
I’ll have a think about some other things.
Being a vegetarian, I’ve never had the chance to play with a Holga, but I love the results. It would make me very happy if this went into production and if there’s anything I can do to help, you now have my email address.
Is there a plan to start a group or something. Flickr or Google, maybe?
I love the design, the idea, and the concept. I would easily pay $600 for one of these if it retained all the features mentioned.
One thing that worries me though, is that if too many people get involved with the creative aspect, the idea will be diluted. I have read comments above such as “it needs a viewfinder” etc. Well, one person says it needs a viewfinder, another an LCD screen, another “more ergonomic shape”… Before you know it the idea is convoluted.
“A camel is a horse designed by a committee” -Alec Issogonis, Designer of the Mini
Hey. Im really excited with this product. But it will be much better if the holga d has an LCD screen to view pictures as soon as you shoot. It will also be better if you have other lenses.. I love holga. Please email me when you are going to sell holga d with lcd screen.. Thanks.
awesome work and idea! We really NEED this camera to be out, we can´t look forward to have it! Hope it will be produced very very soon.
Great concept. I think an option for different film emulation in camera would be cool. The magic of the film holga is the camera, and the different options of film that you can put in it.
consider the word spread! http://bit.ly/Holga-D
as an active supporter of open-systems etc, i think this is a great idea!
I want one! As someone else said, film is really nice, but so time consuming, and expensive. Where do I sign?
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE MAKE THIS A REALITY!
i love using Holgas but life would be so much more simple without film! THIS IS A GREAT IDEA AND I WOULD BUY ONE!!
You had me at “D”! Please pretty please make this dream of mine and yours a reality.
I think it must have a viewfinder, just like my old school Holgas, simple and plastic lens built into the body (not an attachment). Also consider a metal body, maybe something cheap and ding-able like aluminum. This way the camera is protected but still “holgaesque”. I don’t thing raw image capacity is necessary, it’s a Holga!
This is the most beautiful camera I’ve ever seen. I am a film shooter, but I would buy a Holga D. It is amazing. I would think that the interchangeable lens option is cool, and I do love the left handed option. That said, I think the goal should be to make a camera that is very reasonably priced even if you have to sacrifice some of these features. KISS. Get it made and get it sold. Then work on new features in new releases.
Also, look at Quirky.com as an option for getting this made.
Hey Saikat,
Make it real. I’ll be one of your first buyers. And, I have a feeling that I’ll buy maybe two or three of this camera. Best of luck to you and all of us waiting for the Holga.D
Since it is open source, I know nothing about programing. BUT I am a CAD designed and could make drawings etc if needed.
I want this camera! NO, I NEED this camera!
Thanks,
Tony
can u buy this??????????
I like your project very much! The thing i would like to see on this camera is a fixed adapter right on front of the camera to change a basic set of cheap holga lenses, from wide to tele. Next to that it should be possible to attach a second brand-bound-adapter to the fixed adapter, to attach the lenses you already have. This way a special adapter for the Canon and Nikon lenses could be developed, but also (for instance) the Mid Format Bronica lenses. These last lenses fit on Nikon camera’s using an adapter.
Well, you could think about a whole set of adapters that you could click on your holga to get more possibilities that could lead from destorted imagery to even quality photography. Having said this, it should stay without viewfinder, so that you never know exactly what you do, leaving coincidence and ”trial and error” intact.
I forgot this; when the camera is fitted with a basic adapter for a set of interchangeable holga lenses, it should be possible to have a set of ”loose” lens-bases to the package too, which are ready to attach to the camera-fitting but doesn’t really have a glass or plastic lens. From there one could experiment with whatever light-passing material to get some image into the camera. In other words, peopl could experiment in creating their own weird lenses.
Hmmm… maybe i go to far here… or not?
OMGG. I WANT THIS PUHLEASE!!!!
WANTITWANTITWANTITWANTIT!!!!!!!
Although I think with lithium batteries, or some other rechargeable ones would be much better.
I’ve been dying for this camera before I knew it existed, always googling it!
I think showing this forum to any investor would make them put the money for this project straight away!
Please let us know!
z
I too have to have one!
This is one of best ideas to hit the lomography scene in ages!!!
Please make this happen.
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE one of these! film is is definitely not dead but it is expensive! I would agree on the battery- re-chargable is better- Think of the environment!
I hope this works out
The design looks fantastic. I agree there should be no automatic functions at all, no meter and no display on the back. And I know a lot of people will want to pay for this even if it has only a plastic lens, however I feel that a simple but decent quality glass lens design (it really could just be a Tessar or even a well made Cooke triplet) would really complement this. If it has a good sensor it should also have a decent lens, with a real mechanical shutter and iris diaphragma. A bit like the Lubitel TLR cameras had, for instance.
The standard lens should also be slightly wide angle. For instance, around 28-35mm in 35mm equivalent.