In the age of computational photography, mirrorless cameras, and massive full-frame sensors, every detail feels meticulously sharpened and controlled by a sophisticated technology. So it can feel incredibly refreshing—almost rebellious—to slow down and embrace the raw, unfiltered imperfections of film. For the modern traveler looking to inject a truly unique, artistic flair into their visual journey, one camera perfectly embodies this philosophy: the HOLGA Pinhole 120WPC.
But this isn’t just a camera; it’s a creative challenge wrapped in an affordable, quirky plastic shell. If you’re tired of the clinical precision of digital and want your travel photos to tell a story of light, time, and serendipity, the Holga Pinhole camera is your passport to a new kind of image-making.
I bought my Holga Pinhole 120WPC in September 2023, and I have been exploring what it can do since then. After researching some pinhole cameras for months, with an idea to explore how I could take pictures in a lo-fi, lensless world, I decided that this was the right camera for the price and features I had in mind.
This week, I was editing some pictures I took with this camera on a photo walk in Berlin, and I remembered the number of people who stopped me to ask questions about this camera. With that in mind, I thought it was the right time to write a camera review on it and share some of my experience using it.
What is the Holga Pinhole 120WPC?
The Holga Pinhole 120WPC, also known around the internet as the Wide Pinhole Camera, stands out even among its eccentric Holga siblings. And there are many weird ones around. It is a lightweight, plastic-bodied, medium-format camera that utilizes 120 film. But here’s the crucial difference: unlike other Holga models, which are well-known for their dreamy, soft-focus plastic lenses, the 120WPC goes entirely lensless.
Instead of a glass lens, it uses a tiny, precisely drilled aperture—a pinhole—to project the image onto the film. The result is a photograph with remarkable characteristics: infinite depth of field, natural soft vignetting, and a uniquely expansive, wide-angle perspective that is both unpredictable and deeply intriguing.
With a striking panoramic frame that measures 6×12 cm, the 120WPC captures expansive, cinematic images. You get only six exposures per roll of 120 film, which immediately forces a thoughtful, selective approach. This might be a problem for those who like to use film on the more expensive side, but this is not a problem for me.
Either way, because of the short amount of images it generates with one roll, it has become a cult favorite among experimental photographers and travelers. Especially those who want to move beyond conventional optics and explore the very oldest, most fundamental form of photography.
Ditching the Digital: Capturing the World with the HOLGA 120WPC Pinhole Camera
In sharp contrast to the complex designs of contemporary equipment, the Holga Pinhole’s simplicity is what makes it so magical. It shoots on 120 medium-format film, giving you that rich, large-negative quality in a stunning 6×12 cm frame—perfect for expansive travel landscapes or architectural studies. Because of that panoramic format, the Holga Pinhole offers an impressive 120-degree field of view, which can be a bit challenging at first, but that works out great once you get used to it.
As I mentioned above, this camera keeps things as simple as it can. There are no confusing shutter speeds or aperture rings. Image making is distilled to its core: a simple sliding shutter and the patience to time your exposures manually.
Also, true to the Holga spirit, the camera is simple, affordable, and charming. Its plastic build makes it an extremely light companion for backpacking, day trips, or just a photo walk around the city.
The Meditative Process: Shooting With the Holga 120WPC
Using the Holga Pinhole camera is a visually appealing and truly meditative process that forces you to slow down and connect with your surroundings—an ideal mindset for travel and for some sort of urban exploration.
First, you have to prepare the camera. Many pinhole enthusiasts, aware of the Holga’s legendary light-leaking tendencies, will tape up the seams to better control the final aesthetic. I often tape the locking mechanisms as well so I can avoid any problem with it opening.
Then, you load your 120 film roll and begin composing. But keep in mind that there is no viewfinder. You rely entirely on intuition and the etched framing guides on the body’s top plate to estimate what is in frame. This practice enhances spatial awareness and encourages you to feel the composition rather than just seeing it through a window.
The real adventure lies in exposure. Because the pinhole aperture is fixed at a minimal value (approximately f/135), light hits the film very slowly. You absolutely need a reliable tool—a light meter app on your phone or a dedicated exposure chart—to calculate the required time. In bright midday sun, an exposure might take a few seconds; in a shaded alley or dim interior, it could stretch into minutes. Because of the exposure time, don’t forget that you’ll need a tripod and a shutter cable to better enjoy this camera.
Because of all this I mentioned above, every frame feels intentional. Each long exposure becomes an experiment in time, light, and motion, and the developed results are almost guaranteed to surprise you.
The Distinctive Look of Holga Pinhole Images
What elevates the Holga Pinhole camera is its immediately recognizable, distinctive aesthetic. And you can see that being the case in the many pictures I shared here.
Personally, I truly enjoy the softness and dreamlike diffusion that some images show. I think it happens because, without a glass lens to force focus, the images possess a soft, beautiful diffusion—a dreamlike quality that smooths over the harsh edges of reality. And this is enhanced by the long exposures and the movement that it captures.
Another thing to keep in mind when shooting with the Holga pinhole is infinite depth of field. This means that everything, from the closest object in the foreground to the distant horizon, will be captured with a consistent clarity. This is perfect for capturing the vastness of an open landscape.
But not necessarily everything that comes out of this camera is considered positive. One aspect that I have to mention here is that the inherent design causes dark corners and a subtle light falloff towards the edges of the frame. For some, this natural vignetting enhances the cinematic, dramatic feel and focuses the viewer’s eye on the center of the image. For others, it ruins the photographic experience.
Either way, each photo taken with the Holga Pinhole carries a thrilling element of unpredictability. A slight light leak might create a fiery streak of orange; the movement of clouds or water during the long exposure translates into silky, painterly blurs. The camera collaborates with the environment to deliver a truly unique image. And these are some of the many reasons why I love this camera.
Why the Holga 120WPC Might Be the Ultimate Travel Companion
By now you already know that this camera isn’t designed for technical perfection, and that is precisely its power. It’s about accepting and celebrating imperfection, encouraging the photographer to slow down, be present, and see the world differently. It strips the act of photography down to its purest, most necessary components: light, time, and film.
For the travel photographer who wants to break free from the obsession with megapixels and autofocus—and perhaps even escape the constant need to check the screen—the Holga Pinhole is a valuable creative reset button. It rewards curiosity, patience, and true experimentation.
Its greatest appeal is that the Holga Pinhole 120WPC won’t be liked by everyone. For people who truly enjoy photography as a contemplative process rather than merely a predictable outcome, it’s a useful tool.
There is a unique conversation going on between the camera, the environment, and your willingness to give up full control every time you press the shutter button for a long exposure. This strange plastic box might give you a whole new creative way to explore your travel photos that are wide, moody, and unique, while also getting to know photography in its most basic, elemental form. Discover the world again, embrace the blur, and treasure the leaks.
Cinematic Landscapes and Dreamy Vistas: Shooting 120 Film with the HOLGA 120WPC Pinhole
Get your Holga Pinhole on eBay.
