New Holga Dial-a-Camera Effects for your iPhone

Filters—the type you hold between fingers for placing in front of a lens—have been in retreat since in-camera digital effects began offering more choices than a diner menu. Still, there is something refreshing about a snap-on dial for an iPhone 4 or 4S that lets you rotate a selection of filters and lenses so that a particular effect is in position when you press the shutter.

The Holga iPhone 4/4S Lens Filter Kit & Case is a straightforward accessory that serves two purposes. It’s a protective case no matter how you deploy your smartphone and it’s a carousel of nine different filters and lenses, any one of which can be dialed into place when you want to add some pizazz to your picture-taking.

First, what you can do with the lenses:

60mm Macro Lens

Focus on small subjects such as a penny or a postage stamp at about 2.4-inches (60mm) from the lens.

Dual Image Lens

Create two identical images within the same frame.

Triple Image Lens

Create three identical images within the same frame (similar to a Holga 3-way split filter).

Quadruple Image Lens

Create four identical images grouped together within the same frame.

Second, what you can do with the filters:

Red Filter

Capture an image with a red tint by reducing the absorption of blue and green light.

Red Filter with Clear Heart Shape Center

Frame loved ones with a red-tinted sweetheart theme (it doesn’t even have to be Valentine’s Day) while also reducing the absorption of blue and green light.

Green Filter

Enhance green colors. This could be a plus when selling a home with a parched lawn.

Yellow Filter with Clear Center

The center of an image retains its normal colors while the surroundings mimic a sunset with a pale yellow tint.

Blue Filter with Clear Center

The center of an image retains its normal colors while the surroundings mimic a gentle moon atmosphere with a deep blue tint.

Third, what “The Hole” does:

Empty Hole

Take pictures with no filter in place, and without having to remove the case. This keeps your iPhone protected and lets you apply any of the other nine filters in an instant. The only effect you see is a Holga Vignette, or a circular image with darkened edges.

The Holga iPhone 4/4S Lens Filter Kit & Case is available in black, blue, red, silver or white. The filters and lenses are the same no matter which color case you choose.

Sample images below