Mr. T.M. Lee, Inventor of the Holga Camera. (© Skorj, Tony Lim/Light Leaks Magazine)

The classic 120N is the most basic of all Holgas

The Holga camera was invented by Mr. T.M. Lee, co-founder of the Universal Electronics Industries Ltd group, who continues to manufacture and develop the Holga range of cameras.

The Holga 120N is the poster boy for the modern toy camera era. For over three decades the Holga 120 has only received a few nips and tucks, staying relatively unchanged. The 120N is the successor of the 120S with a couple of upgrades --- a tripod mount, and a bulb setting.

The 120N was introduced in 2004 as an upgrade to its predecessor the 120S. The upgrade included a long (or “bulb”) exposure switch, a tripod mount, and a 6 x 6 mask. These three modifications were common in the 120S, but since they're no longer required in the 120N

There are many reasons why the Holga 120N remains the most widely used toy camera today – the fact that they are readily available, inexpensive, easy to take apart and make your own modifications, and most notably for the characteristics in the photographs they produce.

The manufacturer’s original prime objective with the Holga was to create a medium format camera at minimal expense for the masses– in doing so, they have created a camera with many flaws and inconsistencies. Flaws like vignetting and blurring towards the four corners, an overall soft focus, and light leaks.

When spotting a Holga 120N, perhaps the most identifiable feature is it’s lens barrel with twisting focus and icons. Simply twist the focusing barrel from the “single person” icon (close focus) outwardly to the “mountain” icon --- simple, but an effective system that actually works!

One characteristic of the Holga camera that most photographers either love or hate are light leaks. Those who hate them will fiendishly tape up all the seams and other suspect areas that will cause light leaks. Some even go to the extent of flocking the interior of the Holga camera to dull down the plastic coating and prevent further light reflections. Others who welcome light leaks avoid using any kind of tape or tossed the camera down a flight of stairs a couple of times to maybe create a few holes!

The Holga 120N is the cheapest and most easily attainable toy cameras on the market. It's the perfect camera to start with for anyone who wants to get into toy camera photography. You'll experience the joys and frustrations that every toy camera photographer goes through.

Recently, a modern Universal Electronics / Tokina Group has been invigorated by adding more products to the Holga line of cameras.

120mm (medium format) Models
	Holga 120N Plastic Medium Format Camera
	Holga 120FN Plastic Medium Format Camera with Built-in flash
	Holga 120 CFN Plastic Medium Format Camera with Built-in color flash
	Holga 120PC Plastic Medium Format Camera - Pinhole Camera Version
	Holga 120-3D Stereo Camera
	Holga 120PC-3D Stereo Pinhole Camera
	Holga 120WPC (Wide Angle Pinhole) Plastic Medium Format Camera
35mm (small format) Models
	Holga 135BC Plastic 35mm Camera - (Bent Corners Version)
	Holga 135 Plastic 35mm Camera
	Holga 135PC Plastic 35mm Camera - (Pinhole Camera Version)