Exploring the World of Toy Cameras
As a professional photographer, I’m used to handling high-end digital cameras, with their advanced features, precision controls, and unparalleled image quality. But sometimes, it’s refreshing to step away from the technicalities and dive into something more playful, experimental, and imperfect. That’s why, for fun, I’ve always enjoyed shooting film. Until recently, though, I had never ventured into the world of toy cameras.
Today, in honor of World Toy Camera Day, I want to share my first experience using toy cameras—and some of the wonderfully quirky images they produced.
My First Foray into Toy Cameras
I’ve heard about toy cameras for a while. They’re notorious for being unpredictable, cheaply made, and producing distorted, dreamlike photos. But that’s exactly what intrigued me. So, I decided to take the plunge and experiment with two classic toy cameras: the Holga Holga Retro 135FC 35mm Film Camera and the Holga 120GCFN White Medium Format Film Camera.
These cameras are about as far from my usual gear as you can get. They’re made of plastic, the lenses aren’t exactly sharp, and light leaks are almost a guarantee. But the simplicity and randomness are all part of the fun. Each shot feels like a surprise waiting to be developed.
The Holga Holga Retro 135FC 35mm: A Flash of Fun
The Holga Retro 135FC was my first toy camera adventure. It’s a 35mm camera, meaning it uses the same film I’m accustomed to, but the experience of shooting with it couldn’t be more different. With fixed focus, a plastic lens, and minimal controls, I had to let go of precision and embrace imperfection.
What stood out most was the built-in flash with color filters. This feature gave my shots an unpredictable burst of color, sometimes turning an ordinary scene into something entirely abstract. I took it out on a sunny day and shot everything from urban scenes to nature, and the results were unlike anything I had captured before. The vignetting and soft focus gave each image a nostalgic, almost dreamlike quality.
The Holga 120GCFN: A Medium Format Experiment
Next, I experimented with the Holga 120GCFN, a medium format camera. Shooting medium format film is something I’m used to doing carefully, with a focus on image quality and detail. But with the Holga, all of that went out the window. This camera is even less predictable than the 35mm, with its wider film frame prone to light leaks and unexpected blurs.
I was eager to see how it would handle landscapes and portraits. The results? Surprising, to say the least. Some shots turned out completely overexposed, while others were ethereal, with soft glows from the light leaks and dreamy colors from the plastic lens. It felt like capturing fleeting moments in a hazy memory. The images had a charm that can’t be replicated with digital precision.
Expanding My Toy Camera Collection
After these first experiences, I couldn’t help but dive deeper into this quirky world of toy cameras. I’ve started collecting more, including some truly unique finds like the Budweiser Beer Can 35mm camera. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like—a camera disguised as a beer can! I haven’t tried it out yet, but I can’t wait to see what kind of photos it produces. With a camera like that, I’m expecting nothing short of weird, fun, and wonderfully imperfect images.
Why I Love Toy Cameras
Toy cameras are a breath of fresh air for me as a photographer. They force me to let go of control, embrace the unpredictable, and accept imperfections. In a world where digital cameras offer endless precision, there’s something incredibly liberating about shooting with a plastic camera that doesn’t care about sharpness, exposure, or color accuracy. Each shot feels like a roll of the dice, and that’s part of the magic.
If you’ve never tried a toy camera before, I highly recommend giving it a shot—especially on World Toy Camera Day. Whether you're a professional photographer or just someone who loves photography, toy cameras offer a fun and creative way to see the world a little differently.
I’m excited to continue exploring this realm, adding more quirky cameras to my collection, and sharing the unique, sometimes strange, but always delightful images they create.
So, here’s to imperfection, light leaks, and the playful spirit of toy cameras!
