Horizont...where to get and any advice?

[akalai]

Have to admit I have always shied away from old Soviet cameras but I have a group project at Uni where I need to take some extra wide angle pics and a Horizont (older style metal version 1967-1972?) would do the trick nicely.

I have done a bit of searching on Ebay and have noticed that like most FSU gear there seems to be huge variation in condition and price. The Horizont that I am looking for seems to go regularly for around $150-$180 in very good condition which is OK as there is 5 of us in the group ($35 each).

Just as a reference this seems to be the best condition/priced example I have spotted:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl.../search.dll?from=R40&satitle=7549684124&fvi=1

Have sent emails to the following people in the hope they might be able to track down a nice, complete and fully functional example:

"grizzly33bear" ...they had a Horizont on Ebay recently.
"rafcamera" ...had one listed on his website but it was sold!
"anya-of-odessa.com" ...anyone have any experience with her?
"sovietcamera.com.ua" ...might be too pricey.
"okvintagecamera.com" ...recommended seller.

"Fedka" has one but it's at least a $100 over the budget for this project. Please let me know of ANY other sellers who you can recommend who are willing to keep an eye out for a nice copy and not wanting to flog the first thing they come across.

...AND any good Horizont user tips or general panoramic advice, I have found this website, though it doesn't have specific advice on the older Horizont, has a lot of good general info:

http://www.pauck.de/marco/photo/panorama/panorama.html

...AND managed to find the Horizont manual, albeit in Russian, here:

http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/horizont/manual/index.htm

OK any advice, tips or suggestions as to tracking down a good example at a reasonable price AND using one would be appreciated, Cheers!

 

[akalai]

...here is the link to the Horizont on Rafcamera.com that was already sold:

http://rafcamera.com/panoramic/horizont.htm

 

[nksyoon]

A friend who has one had problems with 36 exposure film getting stuck - he changed to 24 exposure film with no problems since.

 

[lubitel]

I dont know what your project is about, but would it be an option to take photos with normal or digital camera, and create a panorama using a computer program? I think there are some special programs like that. That would certainly save you some money.

 

[x-ray]

I have one of the early ones and love it. I also had a widelux but had continuing problems over the years and sold it. My horizont is much more reliable and equally as good images. There ar no major tricks to it except getting the film loaded properly and keeping it level.

I have purchased from grizzly33bear and been very pleased.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/pho...ry.php?cat=5045

 

[akalai]

Thanks Ray...that's what I am trying to avoid...the evil "zebra problem", aka banding, by trying to go through a reputable seller.

Interesting Widelux/Horizont comparison as well.

Just trying to juggle the massive differences between price and condition of cameras...funny thing is it seems the cheaper/mid range price cameras have been the best condition (and have had all the extras) while the crapiest looking (minus extras) have been the most expensive....very "Catch 22" somehow... 😀

What was that link to....its not working for some reason....

Nkysoon: Thanks too for that helpful tip!!!

 

[akalai]

...anymore tips?

 

[akalai]

...hope no one minds if I bump this up.

 

[Nickfed]

I really think you are flogging a dead horse here. Of all the things that digitals do well, it's panoramas. It is so cheap and so painless that you are really scratching for a pursuasive reason to use film. Indeed, if you just want the picture, rather than the intellectual exercise, any film camera is lunacy - which probably explains the stubborn absence of comment.

I claim the following streetscape as the world's fastest panorama - in, out, and done in about two minutes. It was taken hand-held (you can see the tripod still in the car) with an Olympus 5060. I don't know what the zoom was set to, but it can't be more than 110mm.
Practically any digital camera with a bit of zoom and more than about one megapixel will do the job just fine. If you can't beg, borrow or steal one that meets that criterion, you simply aren't trying hard enough.

The pictures were assembled with AutoStitch. It takes about one minute and the programme is free.

This is a reduced version, about 250K
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~npyner/pano.jpg

 

[Nickfed]

Ummm. Actually, I retract the bit about one megapixel. It's possible that such low resolution makes it hard for the stitcher to do a good job, but this one was taken with a 2Mpx cheapo, no zoom, 38mm lens. Three frames, some of the date stamp is still visible. Camera was on tripod this time.

Pic is 370k

 

[akalai]

Great tips on using the Horizont, Nick!!!

I don't have a digital camera...

"If you can't beg, borrow or steal one that meets that criterion, you simply aren't trying hard enough."

... so please feel free to send me your digital camera anytime...I am sure it could be handy.

Mmm I suppose the fact that I need to shoot groups of people in a wide environment (think of it as environmental group shots) unposed, quickly, print large "real" photographs and do it while keeping to a strict budget means thinking that a Horizont could meet "my" requirements I must be a lune to even consider a film camera??? Gee it only does what I need it to do....whoa, that's crazy talk man!

"any film camera is lunacy - which probably explains the stubborn absence of comment."

You DO realise you are on a predominantly film based forum right? RIGHT? If I had wanted a digital, or thought digital could meet all my requirements I would have posted a question on "DP review" or something similar.

As for the so called "stubborn (?) absence of comment," it would appear you have no experience with a Horizont so why did you feel so enthused to reply?

The previous comments and PM's that I have received about the Horizont, and what it's like to use it, have all been very helpful. Thanks.

 

[Nickfed]

If you have indeed scratched for the pursuasive reason, fine. Otherwise talk to me again after you have blown your strict budget getting, and producing the output from, a Horizont. I realise this is a predominantly film forum, but that doesn't mean that film is always the way to go.