Horseman ER-1

image by Tim Shoebridge (Image rights)

The Horseman ER-1 is a 6x9 format technical/field/press camera which takes roll film in interchangeable backs, introduced at the 1984 Photokina, and released 21 April 1986 in Japan. It was sold by Komamura and manufactured by Tokyo Kogaku,

Description

The Horseman ER-1 allows movements/adjustments to correct for various distortions and to control the plane of sharp focus. Being a field camera, it is similar to a view camera but more compact and with fewer adjustments. In common with many press cameras it has a viewfinder and rangefinder to allow handheld use.

Notable changes from the Horseman VH-R include a removable zoom viewfinder (65-300mm) and the ER (Electro-Remote) monitoring system. The monitoring system is located in the ER-grip and requires an ER roll film holder and ER lens to work. The system will indicate if the film needs winding and if the dark slide has been removed. The battery holder for the ER-grip is the same as for the Topcon Super DM winder. If users really demanded such a system, is unclear, however it seems the intention of the ER-system was to lower the threshold for purchasing a technical camera, often thought to be difficult to handle and easy to fail at operating. Some sources state that the camera ceased production due to the supply of the electronic components being discontinued.

Specifications

Rangefinder	Rangefinder coupling range	Camera bed drop	Lens standard movements	Camera back movements	Revolving back system	Track extension	Bellows extension	Dimensions	Weight
Cam coupling double image coincidence type (Base = 70mm, Ratio = 1:1).	65, 75, 90, 105mm = 1m-inf. 120, 150, 180mm = 2m-inf.	15 degrees	Rise = 28mm (15mm with wide angle lens) Swing = 15 degrees l/r Tilt = 10 degrees forward or 15 degrees backwards Lateral shift 30mm left or right (15mm with wide angle lens).	Swing 10 degrees left or right tilt 11 degrees forward or backward.	Horseman mini-graflok Due to changes in the back interface, certain third party backs which work on the VH/VH-R do not fit on the ER-1, including the Mamiya RB 6x8 back. 90 degrees rotation	72mm	Front = 249mm rear = 23mm	145 x 152 x 96 mm when folded.	2.0kg with focusing screen and foldable hood

ER lenses

A new seven-lens lineup was introduced with the ER-1 camera. All ER lenses feature "Hard Multi Coating", and are rangefinder coupled with the correct rangefinder cam. The ER lenses are mounted on special 80mm Horseman lensboards with built in micro-solenoids and contacts for interfacing with the ER-monitoring system.

Lens	Lens construction	Image circle	Filter diameter	Front diameter	Rear diameter	Flange focal distance	Overall length	Weight
ER 65mm f7	6 elements in 4 groups, Biogon type	152mm (f22), 120mm (f7)	40.5mm	42mm	39.5mm	70.6mm	55.8mm	300g
ER 75mm f5.6	6 elements in 4 groups, Orthometar type	120mm (f22), 100mm (f5.6)	40.5mm	42mm	31mm	73.7mm	37.9mm	230g
ER 90mm f5.6	6 elements in 4 groups	150mm (f22), 130mm (f5.6)	40.5mm	42mm	39.5mm	88.6mm	39.5mm	230g
ER 105mm f5.6	6 elements in 4 groups	160mm (f22), 140mm (f5.6)	43mm	45mm	48mm	104.2mm	47.5mm	260g
ER 120mm f5.6	6 elements in 4 groups, Orthometar type	160mm (f22), 160mm (f5.6)	40.5mm	42mm	51mm	121.3mm	49.8mm	290g
ER 150mm f5.6	4 elements in 3 groups, Tessar type	160mm (f22), 140mm (f5.6)	40.5mm	42mm	31mm	144.4mm	41.5mm	250g
ER 180mm f5.6	4 elements in 4 groups	140mm (f22), 100mm (f5.6)	52mm	54mm	39.5mm	124.9mm	74.5mm	330g

ER accessories

• ER grip, 280g
• ER Roll Film Holder 6x7 and 6x9, 450g
• Universal Zoom Finder, 280g