Ansco Pix Panorama

The Ansco Pix Panorama is a simple camera for the 35 mm format. It has a plastic housing and comes from China. Similar models were offered under different names and brands.

It is assumed that the manufacturer is Haking from Hong Kong. However, it could also be that another company with production facilities in China was responsible for the manufacture. One possible producer would be New Taiwan Photographic Corp (Ouyama), who had a production facility in Shenzhen and produced cameras.

The Ansco Pix Panorama Flash is a very similar model. However, it comes with a built-in flash.

Features of the camera

The list of features of the Ansco Pix Panorama is manageable, as there are not many special features. It has a fixed focal length of probably 28 mm. Both the aperture and the shutter speed are fixed.

A light meter is not integrated. An autofocus is also missing. The focus range is fixed between 1 metre and infinity. For sharp pictures, the distance to the subject should be at least 1 metre.

No batteries are required to operate the camera. All mechanisms work without electronics. Extras such as a flash, a tripod connection or a self-timer are not available. However, a holder for a carrying strap is provided.

The panorama function

A particular selling point of the camera was its panorama function. Nevertheless, this is not a true panorama camera.

While a conventional 35 mm camera exposes 24 mm x 36 mm, the Ansco Pix Panorama captures only 13 mm x 36 mm. This ratio creates a panoramic effect, especially with corresponding photo prints.

This format is achieved by a mask in the camera that covers part of the image. The plastic mask could theoretically be removed, allowing the camera to expose 24 mm x 36 mm again. However, the plain viewfinder still presents the panoramic format.

This panorama feature is found on many compact cameras of that era. It was often possible to switch between standard and panoramic shots.

For such panoramic shots, one can alternatively use software to crop images.

Films for the Ansco Pix Panorama

The camera can still be used, of course. 35mm film is used in the Ansco Pix Panorama. Currently, 35mm films are still being produced that can be processed by most developing studios.

Suitable films for the Ansco Pix Panorama would be, for example, the Kodak Gold 200* for colour photography and the Ilford HP5* for black and white photography. There are many other films that are compatible with this camera. Both films mentioned offer reliable quality and have a capacity of 36 shots. Additional films are available from Fujifilm, Adox, Rollei, Foma or Lomography, for example.