Fix Your Stuff Community Store
15% Off Selected iFixit Tools<\/a> \u2014 Limited Time<br\/>\nFree Shipping on Domestic Orders $75+<\/p>","createdAt":"2026-06-15T16:37:24.835Z","updatedAt":"2026-06-16T07:34:16.264Z","publishedAt":"2026-06-16T07:34:16.302Z","locale":"en","documentId":"s1gcjvoe15hdc1os0ndw1ggb"}}">

15% Off Selected iFixit Tools — Limited Time
Free Shipping on Domestic Orders $75+

How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter

Introduction

The Holga 120N camera (model number 144120) was made in the 1980s, making it prone to natural wear and tear. When the shutter overextends, it can prevent the camera from taking a picture. An easy solution is adding a spade terminal as a block to the overextended shutter, allowing the camera to take pictures again. This is a job that doesn’t require expertise on the Holga film camera’s body, and the only tools required are hot glue, a Phillips screwdriver, scissors, and a boxcutter/exacto-knife.

This guide will teach you how to take the camera apart, insert the spade terminal, and seal the camera back up again.

What you need

  1. How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter, How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter: step 1, image 1 of 2 How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter, How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Slide the two metal lanyard locks up and off the camera.

    • Pop the back of the camera off.

    Edit
    Ask FixBot

    Add Comment

  2. How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter: step 2, image 1 of 2 How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the screw above the opening to the shutter piece using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

    • Remove the screw below the opening to the shutter piece using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

    Edit
    Ask FixBot

    Add Comment

  3. How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Pull the shutter piece out and away from the camera.

    • Pull the shutter piece away carefully to avoid snapping the wire.

    Edit
    Ask FixBot

    Add Comment

  5. How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter: step 4, image 1 of 3 How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter: step 4, image 2 of 3 How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Cut off the spade terminal's right prong with scissors.

    Edit
    Ask FixBot

    Add Comment

  6. How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Bend the spade terminal forward at a 90-degree angle.

    Edit
    Ask FixBot

    Add Comment

  7. How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter: step 6, image 1 of 2 How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Slice the blue plastic off of the spade terminal with the boxcutter/Exacto-knife.

    • The plastic bottom is sealed on very tightly. Use caution when cutting it away!

    • Remove the plastic from the spade terminal.

    Edit
    Ask FixBot

    Add Comment

  8. How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter: step 7, image 1 of 3 How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter: step 7, image 2 of 3 How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Place hot glue at the bottom of the spade terminal.

    • Place the spade terminal in the small hole underneath the shutter.

    • Point the spade terminal horizontally, facing the wire that leads back to the camera.

    Edit
    Ask FixBot

    Add Comment

  9. How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Screw the shutter piece back into place using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

    Edit
    Ask FixBot

    Add Comment

  10. How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter: step 9, image 1 of 2 How to Fix an Overextending Holga 120N Camera Shutter: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Return the back of the camera into place.

    Edit
    Ask FixBot

    Add Comment

Conclusion

You’ve now learned the following:

  • How to disassemble and reassemble a Holga 120N camera
  • How to add a spade terminal as a blocker

The spade terminal will stop the overextended shutter. Enjoy taking pictures!

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

One other person completed this guide.

1 Guide Comment

That's a PZ1 bit which gets the screws out easily. If you got the screws out with a PH00 bit, either they changed the way the camera is made before mine was made or you are quite tenacious in your screwdriving.

s l - Reply Share

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 2

Past 7 Days: 27

Past 30 Days: 143

All Time: 2,888