Horizont

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The Horizont is a lineage of swing-lens panoramic cameras similar in design to the Panon Widelux or the later KW Noblex and a departure from its predecessor, the KMZ FT-2. It was produced from 1967-1973 (Horizont, chrome) and again from 1991 onwards (Horizon-202 etc., black plastic).

Horizont (1967-1973)

Depth of field table
aperture m ft
f/2.8 5.5 m - inf. 16.5 ft - inf.
f/4 3.9 m - inf. 11.7 ft - inf.
f/5.6 2.9 m - inf. 8.7 ft - inf.
f/8 2 m - inf. 6 ft - inf.
f/11 1.5 m - inf. 4.5 ft - inf.
f/16 1 m - inf. 3 ft - inf.

The Horizont, marked in cyrillic Горизонт for the home market, is a sturdy and well built Russian panoramic camera, Some 49,849 were made by Krasnogorski Mekhanicheskii Zavod (KMZ) from 1967-1973[1]. The panning ОФ-28П (OF-28P) 28mm f2.8 lens makes 24×58mm frames on 35mm film, giving a 120° view.[2] The camera is a fixed focus design, use depth of field to obtain optimum sharpness. By adjusting the slit width exposure times of 1/30s, 1/60s and 1/125s can be set on the dial at the top plate. An un-calibrated and unmarked 1/250s is also available. In the center of the dial is a film speed reminder dial. A spirit level is located on the left corner of the top plate, which is covered when the detacheable viewfinder is fitted into a vertical shoe on the front. A mirror system allows the user to see the spirit level when looking through the viewfinder.[3] As with most Soviet cameras of that era, the two first digits in the serial number at the back indicates year of manufacture.

A complete set also includes a sloping bakelite hand grip to be fitted to the left side of the camera base, and a black leather outfit case. Later variants were supplied with a cyclindrical hand grip and a brown leather case.

Variations

A number of variants of the Horizont are known, which differ mainly in the badging

  • Горизонт for the domestic and Eastern Bloc export market. Name plate silver and black
    • Early version with 1/250th shutter speed market. Name plate silver and black. [4]
      • Some export models have a 'Made in USSR' engraving on the back.[5]
      • Some export models have a 'Made in USSR' engraving on the bottom.[6]
      • Some export models have a 'Made in USSR' and 'Author Certificate' engraving on the bottom.[6]
    • Standard version lacking the 1/250th speed indicator[7]with semi-circular recess for the rewind release button.[6]
    • Standard version as above, but with circular recess for the rewind release button.[6]
    • Late version (1972-73), with silver and red name plate.[6][8]
  • Horizont for the Western export market. (-1972)[9]
  • Horizont Revue, distributed by the German department store Foto-Quelle) in 1969[10][11]
    • Variant, just REVUE on the name plate[6]
  • Kalimar Wide-X, distributed by the the U.S. importer Kalimar[6]
  • Global-H, distributed for the Australian Market[12][6]


Horizon 202 / Horizon Kompakt

The Horizont / Horizon 202 (Горизонт-202)(1991-2005) is an updated version with an plastic outer body shell designed by V. Shablevitch[13]. The plastic used is an early version of ABS[14] which proved to be less scratch-resistant than expected. The camera has a built-in viewfinder, which is centred on the top-plate. A spirit level is mounted centrally on the view finder and can be seen externally, as well as in the viewfinder itself. The film transport uses a advance crank that also cocks the shutter in a single stroke. The shutter and aperture switch levers are based on a click stop design. Shutter speed and aperture should be set only when the shutter is cocked. The film exposure counter is upwards counting and automatically resets when the back is open. The back has a handy slit used to hold a film reminder box tab. The left shoulder of the camera features a film rewind knob that sits atop the shutter speed selection lever. Lift the knob upwards to unlock the film chamber back. When the shutter speed selection lever is pointed towards the white dot the speeds will be fast, if the yellow dot is chosen slower speeds will be used. The tripod screw mount has now been relocated to the centre of the base. A total of 23329 units were produced[1]

202 Variants

  • Горизонт 202 Early versions fitted with the ОФ-28П f2.8/28mm, later versions with the coated MC Arsat f2.8/28mm[15][16]
  • Horizont 202. Early versions fitted with the ОФ-28П f2.8/28mm, later versions with the coated MC Arsat f2.8/28mm. Export markings "[Zenit Logo] USSR" on the bottom plate [15]
  • Horizon 202. Export markings "MADE IN RUSSIA" on the bottom plate [15]
    • Units without serial number (early)
    • Units with serial number on body (late)
  • Horizont 202s Limited production version with additional 1/15 and 1/500 speed settings[13][17]
  • Technopan-202 Rebadged versions of the Horizont 202[18].
  • PAN-35SL Rebadged versions of the Horizont 202 sold in France by ¶¶ and in Italy by Silvestri[19].

Horizon Kompakt

The Horizon Kompakt (Горизонт-kompakt; Lomo model 950) (2005–?2009) is similar to the Horizon 202, but commonly finished in cream, with a knob advance, while the 202 has lever advance. Other simplifications include the removal of the tripod mounting point, the film tension release rewind button and the hand grip cannot be attached. A cable release cannot be screwed into the shutter release button and there is no spirit level.

  • Cream model with coloured face logos attached to the turret (known in green ¶¶).
  • Black model with Russian text (in green) 'Industar MC 8/2.8" or with a green face on the turret.[20]


Horizon S3

The Horizon S3 was developed from the Horizon 202 (and initially called the Horizon 203), by reshaping the exterior, giving a more rounded appearance. The external shell was now made from ABS plastic which improved resistance to shock and minor damage.[14] The mechanics were overhauled with the aim of reducing the noise emitted by the gears and the turning turret.[21]

Special precautions should be observed if using a cable release. Locking the release while advancing the film may cause misalignment of the advance and the turret.

Horizon S3 Pro / (2003–)

The Horizon S3 Pro is still in production (as of June 2012) by Roxsen|Roxsen Digital Company, a Chinese manufacturer. Their website lists the camera as the Zenit Horizon 203 S3 Pro and lists their manufacturing capactity at up to 500 units per week.

Horizon S3-500 (2005–)

A further development of the Horizon S3 with the addition of a 1/500th shutter speed but removal of 1 sec and 1/30. Горизонт-S3-500 [22]

Horizon S3-Sport (2005–)

A further development of the Horizon S3-500 but with the removal of all shutter speeds below 1/60th.[23]

Horizon Perfekt (2005–)

The Horizon Perfekt (Lomo model 951) is similar to the Horizon S3-500.[24]. It is made from ABS plastic[14]. The name is sometimes spelled Horizon Perfect. Coloured face logos are attached to the turret (known in yellow, red ¶¶ [25]


Models shutter speed aperture lens spirit level tripod socket left grip cable release
Horizont 30, 60, 125, 250* f/16, f/11, f/8, f/5.6, f/4, f/2.8 28mm f/2.8 ОФ-28П (OF-28P) O O O O
202 (old) Low: 2, 4, 8, 15
High: 60, 125, 250
O O O O
202 Low: 2, 4, 8
High: 30, 60, 125, 250
28mm f/2.8 MC Arsat O O O O
202S Low: 2, 4, 8, 15
High: 60, 125, 250, 500
28mm f/2.8 O O O O
Kompakt Low: 2
High: 60
f/8 MC Industar 8/28 X X X X
S3 Pro Low: 1, 2, 4, 8
High: 30, 60, 125, 250
f/16, f/11, f/8, f/5.6, f/4, f/2.8 28mm f/2.8 MC O O O O
S3 U-500 Low: 2, 4, 8
High: 60, 125, 250, 500
O O O O
S3 Sport 60, 125, 250, 500 O O O
Perfekt Low: 2, 4, 8, 15
High: 60, 125, 250, 500
28mm Industar MC 2.8 O O O O
  • 1/250 speed is not always marked O = Yes : X = No


Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 KMZ R&D Center site: Cameras production data
  2. The lens serial numbers do not seem consecutive. Observed were for ex sn#5851 on body sn#6703209 (eBay Dec 2011) and sn# 3833 on body sn#7200984
  3. User Manual
  4. Some variants are known where the detachable finder also carries a KMZ logo and the serial number; for ex sn# 6704301 (online auction, eBay December 2011)
  5. sn# 6801942; online auction, eBay December 2011
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 SovietCams
  7. But the speed could still be obtained, within tolerances.—sn# 6807659; online auction, eBay December 2011
  8. The symbol underneath Горизонт is the Soviet logo for Export Quality
  9. Some variants are known where the detachaable finder also carries a KMZ logo and the serial number
  10. Catalogue Foto-Quelle 1969, p.13 (Sylvain Halgand's site.—The camera is no longer listed in the 1972 catalogue
  11. Observed serial numbers also show 1969 production: 6903353 (eBay 300643842789 Jan 2012); 6903500 (Christies 24 November 1994 Auction 6680 Lot 10; 6903951 (eBay 370568784949 Dec 2011); .—See also Auction Breker 30 April 2005 Lot 732
  12. image on Futua (archived)
  13. 13.0 13.1 Alfred Klomp's site
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 Lomo Site (archived).—Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a common thermoplastic. Collectors note that ABS plastic is damaged by sunlight!
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 Soviet Cams
  16. Kiev Camera (archived)
  17. Zenit site
  18. KMZ R&D Center cite: Cameras names and trademarks
  19. KMZ R&D Center cite: Cameras names and trademarks
  20. Lomo Site (archived)
  21. Zenit site
  22. Examples from star_1+6, and Yuankuei Cheng on Flickr.
  23. RUGIFT site
  24. Example from Megan Kline on Flickr.
  25. Lomo site (archived)

Links

Horizont (1967-1973)

Horizont 202

Horizont Kompact