WOCA 120G

The WOCA 120G is a discontinued glass lens Holga. It is similar to the Holga 120S in every way except that it has a very inexpensive glass lens. In theory the glass lens should make the images slightly sharper, at least in the middle. Like the original Holga 120S, the WOCA has only one shutter speed, (approximately 1/100th) and only one f/stop at roughly f/8. It uses 120 film and can be adapted, like any other Holga, to shoot 35mm film. Some Holga enthusists shudder (or is that shutter?) at the idea of a glass lens. Yet, at the same time, it is closer to original Holga than the current 120N model, or any of its variants.

image from here

The WOCA 120G has fast become my favorite Lomo camera. My love affair started innocently when my wife began using my 120N every time we went anywhere. She produced such lovely pictures with it that I thought it would be unfair to take it back! Except for the glass lens the WOCA is a Holga in its pure, unadulterated, state of nature. It has a “sunny/cloudy” switch that does absolutely nothing. The f/stop remains exactly the same no matter how many times you jiggle it. It also lacks a tripod screw, has no bulb setting and comes with only a 6×4.5 mask. To shoot 6×6 you leave the mask out, risking the dreaded “fat roll” that lets light leak in everywhere. In other words, this camera is heaven for all those lomographers out there that like to modify their cameras. On the plus side it has a working hotshoe and easily accepts Holga filters and the adapter.

The WOCA 120G is a joy to use and the images it produces are beautiful and very moody. Perhaps a little sharper in the center, yet not so sharp as to appear as if shot from a “proper” camera. My experiences with it is that it produces more vignetting than my 120N. The only modifications I made to it was to tape the holes inside the camera and to cut the 6×4.5 mask to allow a full frame 6×6 image complete with the rounded top ’edge". I also added thin strips of black foamy in the grooves where the back of the camera fits into the main body. I have found that this cuts out an light leak and makes the back fit more securely to front.

The WOCA 120G is a discontinued model which has been replaced by the Holga 120GN. I believe that production stopped in 2005. For those purists who miss the 120S, the WOCA 120G is a nice substitute. You could even take off the glass lens and replace with it a plastic one if the glass lens troubles your Lomo sensibilities. It is a great compliment to any lomographer’s camera bag. I do not leave home without it!

written by altprocess on 2009-02-08 #gear #medium-format #review #glass-lens #woca-120g