The Holga was an effective solution to the cheap photo problem for many, it cost nothing, took recognizable portraits, at the time as the infrastructure existed in every teeny country at every corner shop to get BW developed and printed cheaply, and so fun could be had, assuming good daylight. Polaroids were the US solution to the same problem, very high tech, color and *hugely expensive*. I was quite amazed when I saw my first Polaroid,. The original solution to this same problem was the Kodak box camera, and the Kodak Vest pocket. I used a vest pocket too - I still have it, but the quality was actually worse than the Holga which I guess was the original plastic fantastic. I guess the spirit of the thing lives on in the single-use party or tourist film camera, which someone on this forum will eventually also use as an art camera.
Edmund
