Horizont and Horizon-202

[raftman]

They both seem like really interesting cameras that would be really fun to shoot with and that can produce some really good images. Of course they're somewhat pricey compared to most Soviet cameras (for the most part even on ebay they're listed mostly between $100 and $200, with some listings for the 202 exceeding the cost of even $300)... so the question is, are they good enough to spend so much more than what a "traditional" Russian/Soviet camera costs? Has anyone used one and can vouch for their quality? Are they practical? How common and practical is it to do negative scans, or have prints made or anything like that for panoramic frames?

 

[ruben]

I own an Horizon 202, that I bought before a trip to Istanbul. I used it there for some 8 rolls and am very satisfied. As I am now at work I cannot post images, but perhaps when I am back at home.
I am a little surprised that you measure their price vis a vis Soviet gear and not vis a vis the alternatives for panoramic cameras. In the latter comparizon they are really bargains, and perhaps for most of us the only entry to the panoramic view.
Scanning and color lab printing I think depend upon your specific facilities. I think that scanning and send them to lab in files of 2 together should be no problem at all. Home printing black and white no problem too.

After saying that they are usable ("practical" in your terms), the only remaining issue is how much are you going to use such a camera vis a vis its cost. Again it fully depends upon you. In my case I regard it as a must for trips abroad.

Hope this helps.
Ruben

 

[RML]

Once upon a long ago I too was struck by panoramics and ran into the H-202. In those days, 1999-2000, the H-202 went for around $300 on eBay. They were scarse there and I couldn't even find one in Holland to handle. As it happened, I went to Moscow that year. I traveled all by myself for over an hour to end up in some remote part of that huge city in a camera store where I could handle one. It felt flimsy and not very sturdy, and certainly not worth the price they demanded ($600 and 3 months guarantee). I never looked at them again. Instead I saved up my money and bought a Noblex 135U for about 1000 euros. IMO that was a good investment in those days.

See some results here: http://shardsofphotography2.blogspot.com/search/label/panorama .

 

[lZr]

I am proud owner of Horizon S3 Pro (aka 203). This camera has nothing in common to RF vision. I like it, but it will take some time to be accustomed with.
Look in my Galley here. I posted one shot with this camera. Taken in Dead (Salt) Sea slide film - Zia at sunrise

 

[ruben]

Ok, here are some pics from Istambul taken with Horizon 202

 

[ruben]

and another two

 

[raftman]

I particularly like the last image. You are right though that they are a bargain compared to western counterparts. When I was looking at the Russian ones and was discouraged by the price, I thought maybe I'd take a look at non-Russian ones, and found they're generally many times pricier (with the exception of the Horizon 205pc which the manufacturer sells for nearly $2300, but it's a medium format and it weighs NEARLY 3KG!). I'm not the type of person to buy a camera I would rarely if ever use, even though I've several FSU cameras each one gets used about the same amount and I shoot around once every week, so it would just be a matter of adding another camera to the "rotation."

How are they, in your assessment as far as quality and reliability goes? I mean it could be relatively cheap, but if it's a piece of junk taht will break down after 2 rolls then it's not worthwhile. For instance with FSU rangefinders and even SLR's I've found, even though they're comparatively cheap, you get more than what you pay for if you know what to look for; you can spend little but still end up with a pretty fine camera. Would you say the same applies to the panoramic ones?

 

[ruben]

As for camera strenght I cannot but say you should treat this camera with love and care. A Kiev RF it is not. But it will not break without your help either. I have run only some 12 rolls without problem whatsoever. Russ Pinchbeck, a member of RFF has a site about them (The Kiev Survival Site - google!).

Now if earlier models are stronger, provided they properly work, I would ask either Russ, or Yuri Bugoslavski (www.fedka.com). Good question.

But in your last post, you remind me of something curious. I would regard the 24 X 58 mm frame as a Medium Format, rather than 135. Therefore the models outspokenly designed as MF should be regarded as Monster Format, and here your issues about how practical may have real grounds.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[John Robertson]

http://shop.lomography.com/horizon/

You can find out more at above site. I've had mine since 1994, a 202, it's been reliable and fun. You either love them or hate them!!!
The original cameras had problems with uneven exposure, but Silvestri got involved and tightened up quality control. I don't think they are involved now as they are more into digital stuff.

 

[x-ray]

Probably 20 years ago I purchased a Widelux F7 and shot many good rolls with it but it gave constant problems with banding. I guess I had it in the shop 4 times and finally sold it after purchasing a used original Horizont. I've shot with the Horizont for probably 15 years and never had a problem. It's the old all metal one that feels like it was forge on an anvil but it works and makes great images. I have a friend that's made a living with her original Horizont. I would imagine the new ones are even better. I also have a friend who shoots the noblex and without a doubt it's a superior machine. I also purchased a Seitz Roundshot to do an annual report. Wow!!!, what a camera. The one I purchased was the 35mm version with a 28mm Seitz lens. It was absolutely tack sharp and mechanically it was like a swiss watch and priced like one. I did a number of assignments with it iver ten years and finally sold it like an fool. One project was for a golf course where we shot 360 pano shots at sunrise and sunset on the course. We enlarged them to 17 feet long x 1 foot high. Wow, these prints would knock you out. Panos can be extremely striking if done right but you enter a different world even with a 140 degree machine.

 

[raid]

If I develop the rolls myself and then have them commercially scanned, will the scans preserve/manage the wider format?

Raid

 

[RML]

If I develop the rolls myself and then have them commercially scanned, will the scans preserve/manage the wider format?

It depends on whether the lab can actually scan double sized 35mm negs. If so, that the wider format is preserved. Otherwise, no. Best to ask before committing yourself.

I used to scan my Noblex negs on a HP S20. Wonderful and easy scanner that did the job for me. After it broke I bought a Minolta SD3. The neg holders of the Minolta have separations in between the negs, so I either have to cut those out or not be able to fully scan the negs. I didn't have many negs lying around so I never cut those separations out. I still wish I had the HP S20.

 

[wotalegend]

I have a Horizon S3 Pro which I bought new a bit over a year ago from one of the FSU dealers on the big auction site. Cost me less than those Lomo people are asking. It is actually made by KMZ, not Lomo, and it has the plasticky look like a Zenit 122 or 212, but underneath it has a metal chassis so is quite solid. So far I have only had a chance to put about 2-3 rolls through it, but so far so good. In composing the image it has characteristics similar to, but more pronounced than, the 15mm Heliar, which I also have. That is, the camera needs to be kept level (there is a built-in level) so that the horizon is not curved, and it is not a good idea to place faces or known verticals near the left and right edges unless you want an "unusual" effect. The other unusual feature in usage is that you need to hold it in a unique way to keep your fingers out of the image. There is a supplied vertical handle which attaches to the left end of the base with a bayonet fit. You hold the camera by the handle in your left hand, and fire the shutter with your right hand behind the camera. It needs a bit of practice and patience to load the film, but no worse than a bottom loader. So far I have only had C41 colour films in it. I get them developed (only) commercially, then I scan the negatives in an Epson 4990 flat-bed scanner, which gives a satisfactory result, but not as good as a dedicated film scanner. However, I can't afford an MF size film scanner, so this method will have to do.

 

[RML]

and it is not a good idea to place faces or known verticals near the left and right edges unless you want an "unusual" effect.

Are you sure about this? A rotation lens shouldn't exhibit such effect IIRC. Except when the object is moving you might see it gets elongated or shrunk but I've been hard-pressed to get that effect with my Noblex.

 

[wotalegend]

My apologies, RML. I have so little experience so far with either the Horizon or the Heliar that I must have been getting myself confused between the two. I have just checked my Horizon images and found that verticals remain vertical at the edges. It seems that it is just the horizontals that get distorted at top and bottom. I don't actually have any images with faces yet, so I will withdraw that part of the comment completely.

 

[lZr]

Some Horizon S3 Pro ideas
Horizon cameras have cylindrical perspective. The second shot is done with down tilted lens to enhance the horizon

 

[lZr]

College court. Everything scaned with Epson 4990

 

[jmc56]

Horizont value

Horizont value

I spent so much time debating whether to buy a Horizont, someone bought it for me as a gift, an s3 Pro, i.e. with the slower low shutter speed. The build quality is deceptive. As Wotalegend says, it is metal underneath and it's quite sturdy -- although I wouldn't want to drop it. I've probably run 120 rolls through it without significant problems. On one instance, I managed to pull the film from the cartridge while traveling in France (from the US). I stuck it into something light tight and my usual lab processed it without trouble.Sloppy loading or something has caused stripped sprocket holes.

I don't have the film printed or scanned. I do that which is a pain even in a 4990, but for some reason it's quite expensive at an otherwise reasonable lab. A larger commercial lab took the early half dozen rolls shot just to check it out and although it was clearly marked panoramic, they did standard prints and lopped the frames in mid negative. Nothing priceless but they didn't get the message that I was more concerned with protecting my film than getting a refund.

I don't have any images to post, but I find it sharp, easy to use and easy to keep straight with the built in bubble level (on top and in VF). Using the distortion of non-level deliberately makes for some interesting views. It's been reliable.

it is not the easiest camera in the world to load, but you get used to it. The lens is very sharp and I must have gotten one from a good day.

 

[raftman]

These cameras are getting to be more tempting by the day.

 

[wyk_penguin]

I wish my local lab could scan them.... and I can't afford a film scanner. It's loupe and light table for me right now.