Why not get both

yes the 135BC is a great starter choice. Film cost is much lower than with 120 plus you can get digital scans from your films at mini labs without having to delve into the adventures of scanning your negatives. Putting film in is very straighforward: there’s a small mark on the right to which you pull the film, then wind the wheel, close the flap, do a couple of blank exposures and get snapping.

Let me know if you run into trouble, I’m sure I can give you a hint once it’s in front of you. Enjoy your Holga Adventures

I enjoyed reading your review! Just wondered how easy it is to change the film on the Holga 135 BC cameras (considering i have no experience so probably am not much use).

It will be my first Holga, if I purchase! – would you say this would be a good one to choose out of the 35mm cameras?

Thanks

glad you like the b/w shots The only difference between the 135 and the 135BC is a small inset just behind the lens which creates the vignetting effect. It’s a slight cheat really but produces nice results. You can remove it by force so you can turn your 135BC into a standard 135 but this would probably break the inset so you can’t go back. You can’t change the size, unless you scrape corners from the inset mask off, thereby destroying it. You could add to it with gels but I’d say it’ll get messy quickly. I’d stay away from it.

From the pictures I’ve seen I’d recommend the 135BC though – the 135 shots almost look too clean for my liking. But that’s personal taste of course.

Hope this helps

Originally I was looking at the Diana F+ series but veered away due to price. Now I am stuck between the 135BC and the 135. I cannot decide whether the BC would be frustrating or not and is it possible for the size of the black corners to be changed or does that depend on the shot? (I apologise for complete lack of knowledge here!)

Your B+W shots are beautiful!

Thank you!

Clare

you’ve made the right decision about the 135BC – 35mm film and processing is cheaper than 120 unless you do it yourself. The camera is more sturdy than its 120 counterpart and delivers “excellent” plastic results. Purists would argue that the BC (back corner effect) is somewhat faked due to the inset they’re using behind the lens, nevertheless I love the results especially in black and white.

120 has a very different feel to it and I recommend you get one when you can afford it – even if it’s only for a couple of rolls. Medium Format film is amazing and the Holga 120 is superb due to its super cheap plastic construction. But like you say, stick with the one you can afford to run and see what the future brings.

Happy shooting

But I just wanna ask if you think I made the right decision by going 35mm instead of 120? And is there some glitches to the 135 that I have to look out for?

Thanks in advance! I really enjoyed this set btw.