tsiklonaut
Well-known
Those who're interested I posted a short Horizon 202 camera review (or click on picture for the link).
VTHokiEE
Well-known
Nice review and great pictures. I've always wanted to pick up a panoramic camera, but I haven't stumbled upon one at the right price yet.
oftheherd
Veteran
I have also had GAS for a panoramic like yours. But usually just make do with my 18mm for 35mm, or my 50mm for 6x7. Surely isn't the same though. I love the photos you have made with that. Especially the one you posted here, and the ladies in the market with their straw hats.
Huss
Veteran
Just found this. Most excellent! Bookmarked your website.
ray*j*gun
Veteran
I had a Widelux for a while and was very very disappointed in the images. I have thought about a Hassey Xpan but very expensive.
europanorama
Well-known
Get Horizon S3pro but dont stop down to f16. diffraction. the newer cam is better build. chances are big that Ho202 will fail sooner or later. But if you could get a working one from a photographer who used it, take it. S3pro has more exposure times.
In contrary as KMZ is telling the new lens is worse if used at f16. proved it and its true, no need for discussions.
one must take care of multiple methods increasing DOF since lens is fix-focus. search the net. could be also inside here.
official DOF-table is a big lie!
take a good 30x loupe and check everything when shooting small details.
In contrary as KMZ is telling the new lens is worse if used at f16. proved it and its true, no need for discussions.
one must take care of multiple methods increasing DOF since lens is fix-focus. search the net. could be also inside here.
official DOF-table is a big lie!
take a good 30x loupe and check everything when shooting small details.
raid
Dad Photographer
Thank you very much for your review. I need to start using my Horizon again.
x-ray
Veteran
Nice review and images.
I've had my S3 for quite a few years and picked up a really nice condition 202 for $25 a couple years ago. I decided after using both for a few years that I didn't need two so I sold the 202. The reason I sold the 202 was I like the extended shutter speeds of the S3, nothing else.
Both models are well constructed and the optics are equally fine. Actually side by side I couldn't see any difference in the lenses. They were both tack sharp. I've read the reason to stop down some is the focus is fixed at 30 feet and from experience I'd say this is close.
I originally owned a Widelx F7 but it in the shop several times for drum "chatter" which resulted in severe banding. Neither of the Russian cameras have ever caused even the slightest banding. On both edge to edge sharpness was superb and exposure was on the money across the full frame. You could say I'm very impressed with both models.
I also owned some years ago the Horizon all metal USSR model. It's the one that looks like it was forged on an anvil not machined. But as rough as the camera was it performed quite well and was quite sharp. The only issue was an occasional skipped frame when winding.
The biggest issue with the S3 and 202 is properly loading them. Getting the film tight on the takeup spool takes practice. I finally learned the trick of making certain the rewind button is in the rewind position (pressed in) which allows the sprocket and takeup spool to turn freely. Just make certain the film goes under all the rollers and there's no slack in the film and on the takeup spool.
I've had my S3 for quite a few years and picked up a really nice condition 202 for $25 a couple years ago. I decided after using both for a few years that I didn't need two so I sold the 202. The reason I sold the 202 was I like the extended shutter speeds of the S3, nothing else.
Both models are well constructed and the optics are equally fine. Actually side by side I couldn't see any difference in the lenses. They were both tack sharp. I've read the reason to stop down some is the focus is fixed at 30 feet and from experience I'd say this is close.
I originally owned a Widelx F7 but it in the shop several times for drum "chatter" which resulted in severe banding. Neither of the Russian cameras have ever caused even the slightest banding. On both edge to edge sharpness was superb and exposure was on the money across the full frame. You could say I'm very impressed with both models.
I also owned some years ago the Horizon all metal USSR model. It's the one that looks like it was forged on an anvil not machined. But as rough as the camera was it performed quite well and was quite sharp. The only issue was an occasional skipped frame when winding.
The biggest issue with the S3 and 202 is properly loading them. Getting the film tight on the takeup spool takes practice. I finally learned the trick of making certain the rewind button is in the rewind position (pressed in) which allows the sprocket and takeup spool to turn freely. Just make certain the film goes under all the rollers and there's no slack in the film and on the takeup spool.
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
So beautiful pictures - congratulations.
valdas
Veteran
What's wrong with a Widelux? I have F8, don't use it extensively, but a few rolls that I shot were quite OK in terms of IQ.
Huss
Veteran
I had these three and was able to compare the image quality:
I could not see any difference between the three of them. And they all flare banded if the sun was in the image. Some people claimed that this only happens with the cheap Russian Horizons, but nope, it also happened with my perfect condition Widelux F8 and Noblex.
In the end I sold the Widelux F8 because it was absolutely mint and worth a lot of $$ and I didn't want to put wear on it. It also, for me, was the absolute least fun camera to use with its limited shutter speed range, the VF blocked by the lens turret, and the terrible slim ergos.
The much fatter Horizon and Noblex are much easier and more comfortable to hold and use.
I bought the Widelux after being impressed by The Dude's website and his work with it. Just goes to show that something that may work well for someone may not work well for you.
I sold the Horizon because it had occasional random light leaks that would spoil what would have been really nice shots (judging those images), and even though it was in pristine condition the back door never actually latched closed! I assumed it was locked shut but could just open it w/o releasing the catch! When I examined it I found out that the build tolerances were so far off that the film catch hook could not latch onto the back door.
But this camera was by far the most fun to use. Fully mechanical with a great range of shutter speeds and by far the best VF. It's winning trick was being able to see the bubble level in the VF. A fantastic idea and I wish the others had that.
I kept the Noblex 150 Sport after I had it CLA'd (and rollers repaired) by Precision Camera Works' Bob Watkins. Same quality photos as the other two, but much cheaper with better features and easier to hold than the F8, w/o the light leaks of the Horizon. I stuck a bubble level on top of the VF housing so at least I could level it from waist view. I really really wish it had a level in the VF like the Horizon.
I really don't like the barrel in the middle distortion effect that these swing lens cameras give if there is a central subject close to the camera. It's like looking in a fun house mirror. But if your subject matter avoids that, then they are great.
I kinda do want an Xpan or TX Fuji because you shoot them like normal cameras. No need to worry about all the 'weird' stuff. But my perfect Noblex is $500, while the same Xpan/Fuji would be about $2000.
I'm almost tempted to roll the dice and get another Horizon U500/Perfekt and see if that one is better.
I could not see any difference between the three of them. And they all flare banded if the sun was in the image. Some people claimed that this only happens with the cheap Russian Horizons, but nope, it also happened with my perfect condition Widelux F8 and Noblex.
In the end I sold the Widelux F8 because it was absolutely mint and worth a lot of $$ and I didn't want to put wear on it. It also, for me, was the absolute least fun camera to use with its limited shutter speed range, the VF blocked by the lens turret, and the terrible slim ergos.
The much fatter Horizon and Noblex are much easier and more comfortable to hold and use.
I bought the Widelux after being impressed by The Dude's website and his work with it. Just goes to show that something that may work well for someone may not work well for you.
I sold the Horizon because it had occasional random light leaks that would spoil what would have been really nice shots (judging those images), and even though it was in pristine condition the back door never actually latched closed! I assumed it was locked shut but could just open it w/o releasing the catch! When I examined it I found out that the build tolerances were so far off that the film catch hook could not latch onto the back door.
But this camera was by far the most fun to use. Fully mechanical with a great range of shutter speeds and by far the best VF. It's winning trick was being able to see the bubble level in the VF. A fantastic idea and I wish the others had that.
I kept the Noblex 150 Sport after I had it CLA'd (and rollers repaired) by Precision Camera Works' Bob Watkins. Same quality photos as the other two, but much cheaper with better features and easier to hold than the F8, w/o the light leaks of the Horizon. I stuck a bubble level on top of the VF housing so at least I could level it from waist view. I really really wish it had a level in the VF like the Horizon.
I really don't like the barrel in the middle distortion effect that these swing lens cameras give if there is a central subject close to the camera. It's like looking in a fun house mirror. But if your subject matter avoids that, then they are great.
I kinda do want an Xpan or TX Fuji because you shoot them like normal cameras. No need to worry about all the 'weird' stuff. But my perfect Noblex is $500, while the same Xpan/Fuji would be about $2000.
I'm almost tempted to roll the dice and get another Horizon U500/Perfekt and see if that one is better.
Huss
Veteran
Noblex:
Widelux:
Horizon Perfekt:
Widelux:
Horizon Perfekt:
Swift1
Veteran
Last year I bought a Horizon 202 after reading Margus' review. I found a NOS 202 on ebay for $150. So far it's been a great camera. It does have random light leaks every now and then, but mostly not bad enough to be a big deal. I also have a Widelux F7 that my wife's grandfather gave. As far as image quality from what I've seen from both cameras, it would be nearly impossible to figure out which image came from what camera if you didn't already know.
If working right, the Horizon is a great camera.
If working right, the Horizon is a great camera.
Huss
Veteran
I actually had a much harder time getting a decent Widelux than Horizon. I had to go through three before I found the F8 that did not have banding issues. I bought one immaculate looking F7 from an ebay seller that also sells Widelux servicing. This one had just been serviced by him and hard broke after three shots!
My Noblex needed repair too, so it was only the big bux F8 that was fine out of the box. Yeah, I would totally recommend a Horizon.
Swift1
Veteran
I think all the swing lens cameras are a bit fussy, and a particular Horizon could be way better than a particular Widelux, or vice versa. I would probably recommend a Horizon over a Widelux, mainly because Widelux are so expensive.
To me, the Widelux does operate a lot smoother and quieter than the Horizon.