The Halina Panorama-F is an affordable model for the 35 mm format. It has a plastic housing and was manufactured in China. Similar cameras are in circulation under various names and brands. With the Halina Panorama, there was a variant without flash.
Haking from Hong Kong could be the producer. However, another company with manufacturing facilities in China could have been responsible for the production, such as New Taiwan Photographic Corp. (Ouyama), which operated a factory in Shenzhen and also produced cameras.
Features of the camera
The features of this 35mm camera are quickly listed, as they are quite limited. It has a fixed focal length, probably 28 mm. Both the aperture and the shutter speed are fixed.
A light meter is missing, as is an autofocus. The focus remains constant between 1 meter and infinity, so a minimum distance of 1 meter from the subject is recommended for sharp shots.
Neither a tripod mount nor a self-timer are available, but there is an attachment for a wrist strap.
A built-in flash is available and can be activated at the touch of a button. It requires two AAA batteries (eBay / Amazon*) for power. These batteries are only required for the flash, all other functions do not need power.
The Panorama F feature
One of the selling points of the camera was its Panorama-F feature, although it cannot really be called a panoramic camera.
Standard 35mm cameras expose 24 mm x 36 mm, whereas the Halina Panorama-F exposes 13 mm x 36 mm. This aspect ratio creates the panoramic effect, especially with appropriate photo printing.
This ratio results from a mask in the camera that covers parts of the image. Theoretically, you could remove this plastic mask to expose 24 mm x 36 mm again. However, the simple viewfinder still shows the panorama format.
This feature is found on many compact models of the time. However, it was often possible to switch between standard and panoramic view.
To create such panoramas, one could alternatively crop the image on the software side.
Films for the Halina Panorama-F
The camera is still functional. 35mm film is used in the Halina Panorama-F. Nowadays, 35mm films are manufactured and can be developed by most photo service providers.
Recommended films for the Halina Panorama-F are Kodak Gold 200* for colour images and Ilford Delta 100* for black and white images. There are of course many other suitable films for this model. Both types of film offer good quality and contain 36 exposures. Additional film options are available from Fujifilm, Adox, Rollei, Foma and Lomography, among others.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Snapshot camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Film transport mechanism | Thumbwheel |
| Picture format | 13 mm x 36 mm |
| Focal length | 28 mm |
| Widest aperture | - |
| Minimum focus distance | 100 cm / 3.28 ft |
| Focus | Fixed |
| Date imprinting | No |
| Panorama function | Yes |
| Double and/or multiple exposure function | No |
| Flash | Integrated flash |
| Tripod mount | No |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | No |
| Connection for camera strap | Yes |
| Power supply | 2x AAA batteries |
| Manufacturer | Haking |
| Country of production | China |
FAQ about the Halina Panorama-F
What type of film does the Halina Panorama-F use?
It uses standard 35mm film, readily available and developed by most photo labs. Popular choices include Kodak Gold 200 for color and Ilford Delta 100 for black and white.
Does this budget-friendly camera have autofocus or a light meter?
No, the Halina Panorama-F lacks both autofocus and a built-in light meter. Focus is fixed between 1 meter and infinity.
How does the 'Panorama-F' feature work, and is it a true panoramic camera?
It uses a mask to reduce the frame size to 13mm x 36mm, creating a panoramic effect. It's not a true panoramic camera as it doesn't rotate during exposure.
What are the camera's key features and limitations?
It features a fixed lens (likely 28mm), fixed aperture and shutter speed, a built-in flash requiring two AAA batteries, and a fixed focus. It lacks a self-timer and tripod mount.
Where was this inexpensive 35mm camera manufactured?
The Halina Panorama-F was manufactured in China. While Haking from Hong Kong is a possibility, New Taiwan Photographic Corp. is another potential manufacturer.