Introduction: Repair and Restore a Holga
Step 1: Find Your Holga
For my Holga, I found that it became increasingly difficult to take a picture. This was because the shutter would overpass the stopper that limited it's travel. This would make it nearly impossible to take a picture because of the over extension.
(The stopper is the little bump in the second picture)
(The stopper is the little bump in the second picture)
Step 2: Begin Disassembly!
There are a total of 5 screws that you'll need to remove to disassemble the Holga.
Note: If you ONLY PLAN TO FIX THE SHUTTER, there are only 2 screws you'll need to remove. IF YOU NEED TO REPAIR OR DO ANYTHING IN THE UPPER HOUSING OF THE HOLGA, you'll need to remove only 3.
Note: If you ONLY PLAN TO FIX THE SHUTTER, there are only 2 screws you'll need to remove. IF YOU NEED TO REPAIR OR DO ANYTHING IN THE UPPER HOUSING OF THE HOLGA, you'll need to remove only 3.
Step 3: Repairing the Shutter.
Repairing the shutter is very simple and only requires minimal effort to do. To repair it you'll need this electronic crimp piece which they sell at any electronics store. You'll then need to remove the plastic casing around it, and snip off one of the prongs. After you have done that, the only thing left to do is to bend it at a 90 Degree angle, and got glue it in the conveniently placed screw hole.
NOTE: It is okay if the prong is a little bit forward of the bump! Just make sure that if you shine a light through the lens of the camera that you cannot see it from the closed shutter.
(You might want to tweak the fitting a little bit to make sure it fits perfectly.)
NOTE: It is okay if the prong is a little bit forward of the bump! Just make sure that if you shine a light through the lens of the camera that you cannot see it from the closed shutter.
(You might want to tweak the fitting a little bit to make sure it fits perfectly.)
Step 4: Restoring Cracks and Holes.
I was given this camera by a lovely family member, and the major downside (besides the shutter) was that there was a huge hole that would have messed up my film.
There are several ways to fix this, but I wanted the fix to look as unnoticeable as possible.
I would recommend sheet plastic or anything else that you can find that will be able to seal the hole.
However, I used a spent shot gun shell, because it was identical in color to the plastic of the Holga.
Once you have the hole covered from the outside, you'll want to light proof the seal from the inside. To do that you are going to have to remove the 3 screws on top of the camera. The first one is pretty obvious, but there are two hiding underneath the film winder.
It comes off super easy, and you don't break anything in the process.
After you have removed the screws, you'll be able to get inside the camera and put ducttape on the inside of the cracks. Once you feel that you have done a good enough job, go ahead and seal it up and put all the screws back on! Don't forget To hot glue the film winder back on when you're done!
There are several ways to fix this, but I wanted the fix to look as unnoticeable as possible.
I would recommend sheet plastic or anything else that you can find that will be able to seal the hole.
However, I used a spent shot gun shell, because it was identical in color to the plastic of the Holga.
Once you have the hole covered from the outside, you'll want to light proof the seal from the inside. To do that you are going to have to remove the 3 screws on top of the camera. The first one is pretty obvious, but there are two hiding underneath the film winder.
It comes off super easy, and you don't break anything in the process.
After you have removed the screws, you'll be able to get inside the camera and put ducttape on the inside of the cracks. Once you feel that you have done a good enough job, go ahead and seal it up and put all the screws back on! Don't forget To hot glue the film winder back on when you're done!