Thanks for review. Shutter button in the back is not a design flaw-it's intentional. If you hold camera in normal position your fingers are in the frame. You are supposed to use this camera with the handle that attaches to the bottom (shipped with original camera). Then shutter release position makes sense!
Limitation no 1. Use the handle that came with the camera and you don't get your fingers in the frame. Limitation no 2. Loading film. It's easy. What's the issue? I had a 2 metre wide canvas print on my wall shot with this camera. Bride and groom on a beach. Most likely shot at f16. Beautiful colour/contrast. Sharp as a tack. A 'hack' I haven't tried yet is to put tape on the film guides to increase the film distance from the lens, and you can shoot close subjects at f2.8 in low light. it makes for some very interesting photos. It's an awesome camera and a bargain. I used it a lot as a wedding photographer and it made me heaps of money.
I realize this video is 4+ years old, but I just found it. I enjoyed your photos here! I agree with what other commenters have said here that the placement of the shutter release button is not a design flaw, it is simply to help us keep our fingers out of the way. Mine came with the attachable handle, which is hollow AND HAS COLOR FILTERS STORED INSIDE!! (Using the handle attached to the bottom of the camera and the placement of the shutter release button has prevented me from ever taking a photo of my finger tips, at least not yet. I'm one of those people that if it's possible to make a mistake in a certain way, I will eventually do it, but until then the handle and the placement of the shutter button Is works for me.) And yes loading film in this the first time or two is kind of difficult, but I used an old, ruined, exposed roll of film and practiced loading and reloading that film in this camera, so now when I load working film, it's not difficult. I have only shot a few rolls with mine but feel like I have gotten a steal compared to the price of a Hasselblad Xpan or its Fujifilm equivalent, or a working Widelux. My horizon camera is the S3 U-500 version and I love the thing! I think I would have trouble using a real Widelux version simply because of the limitation of the apertures and shutter speeds.
Hi there, great video. Just a couple of thing to help, the Minimum (not maximum) aperture is F16, and maximum aperture is 2.8, and the camera is meant to be used with a handle to avoid any fingers on the shots. Take care.
Nice review, thank you! It inspired me to take out mine again and more often. As for the limitations or design flaws you mentioned: nr. 1 and 2 cancel each other out - if the shutter button had been placed in the conventional position, then by default your other fingers would always be in the frame, while holding the camera comfortably. I reckon the Soviets put it more towards the back of the camera, to help get one’s fingers out of the way. (I always use mine with the grip and a cable release.) 😉
thanks so much for watching my video. Glad your pulling it out again to shoot. Your probably right regarding the shutter button position. This continues to be one of my favourite cameras to shoot for sure. 👍🏼
Hmmmmmm... I always thought the XPan was about 10k! Hahaha! I will have to look into this camera and see some images it's produced! Your results are gorgeous Wes!!! Love the locations!
I bought a 1970 version of horizon yesterday, I like the older design, but as a minus I can name the weight, the possibility of losing the viewfinder and the difficulty of changing camera settings. The shutter sound is also quite loud, but it was made quieter only on 203 version (or S3 series, it's a same camera basically)
Hello! Thanks for the info, I am using this old camera from my father this summer. Could you please summarize the tips about focus from 05:05 to 05:34? My english level + my 0 photography knowledge don't let me get your points :)
Thanks for review. Shutter button in the back is not a design flaw-it's intentional. If you hold camera in normal position your fingers are in the frame. You are supposed to use this camera with the handle that attaches to the bottom (shipped with original camera). Then shutter release position makes sense!
Limitation no 1. Use the handle that came with the camera and you don't get your fingers in the frame.
Limitation no 2. Loading film. It's easy. What's the issue?
I had a 2 metre wide canvas print on my wall shot with this camera. Bride and groom on a beach. Most likely shot at f16. Beautiful colour/contrast. Sharp as a tack.
A 'hack' I haven't tried yet is to put tape on the film guides to increase the film distance from the lens, and you can shoot close subjects at f2.8 in low light. it makes for some very interesting photos.
It's an awesome camera and a bargain.
I used it a lot as a wedding photographer and it made me heaps of money.
I realize this video is 4+ years old, but I just found it. I enjoyed your photos here! I agree with what other commenters have said here that the placement of the shutter release button is not a design flaw, it is simply to help us keep our fingers out of the way. Mine came with the attachable handle, which is hollow AND HAS COLOR FILTERS STORED INSIDE!! (Using the handle attached to the bottom of the camera and the placement of the shutter release button has prevented me from ever taking a photo of my finger tips, at least not yet. I'm one of those people that if it's possible to make a mistake in a certain way, I will eventually do it, but until then the handle and the placement of the shutter button Is works for me.) And yes loading film in this the first time or two is kind of difficult, but I used an old, ruined, exposed roll of film and practiced loading and reloading that film in this camera, so now when I load working film, it's not difficult. I have only shot a few rolls with mine but feel like I have gotten a steal compared to the price of a Hasselblad Xpan or its Fujifilm equivalent, or a working Widelux. My horizon camera is the S3 U-500 version and I love the thing! I think I would have trouble using a real Widelux version simply because of the limitation of the apertures and shutter speeds.
Hi there, great video. Just a couple of thing to help, the Minimum (not maximum) aperture is F16, and maximum aperture is 2.8, and the camera is meant to be used with a handle to avoid any fingers on the shots. Take care.
Sam Boncoin thanks for the comment Sam and good points.
Nice review, thank you! It inspired me to take out mine again and more often. As for the limitations or design flaws you mentioned: nr. 1 and 2 cancel each other out - if the shutter button had been placed in the conventional position, then by default your other fingers would always be in the frame, while holding the camera comfortably. I reckon the Soviets put it more towards the back of the camera, to help get one’s fingers out of the way. (I always use mine with the grip and a cable release.) 😉
thanks so much for watching my video. Glad your pulling it out again to shoot. Your probably right regarding the shutter button position. This continues to be one of my favourite cameras to shoot for sure. 👍🏼
Hmmmmmm... I always thought the XPan was about 10k! Hahaha! I will have to look into this camera and see some images it's produced! Your results are gorgeous Wes!!! Love the locations!
behindeachfilmgrain thanks Buddy. I really appreciate that. :)
I bought a 1970 version of horizon yesterday, I like the older design, but as a minus I can name the weight, the possibility of losing the viewfinder and the difficulty of changing camera settings. The shutter sound is also quite loud, but it was made quieter only on 203 version (or S3 series, it's a same camera basically)
That’s awesome I really hope you enjoy the camera. I’m loving mine.
My god, those panos... I need one.
It’s a surprisingly capable Panoramic camera
Use an external side handle grip and hold with your other hand.
I never considered buying a pano camera .. until now 😀
Jim Sollows This camera is totally a joy to use and the results are pretty great.
Hello! Thanks for the info, I am using this old camera from my father this summer. Could you please summarize the tips about focus from 05:05 to 05:34? My english level + my 0 photography knowledge don't let me get your points :)
Horizon Camera is older than Xpan Camera. No need to talk with Xpan.