The Horizon Perfect is a 35mm camera. This panorama camera was introduced by Lomography in 2005. It is the big sister of the Horizon Kompakt and was presented together with it.
The Horizon Perfekt is very similar to the Horizon S3 Pro in terms of features and design. It is manufactured by Zenit in Russia. The Horizon is made of black ABS plastic. The camera is not light at 800 Gramm and with dimensions of 140 x 110 x 65 mm it is not exactly Kompakt either.
The Horizon Perfect exposes about 22 panorama shots on a 35mm film. The shots with it are about as long as two normal photos. The oscillating lens is moved by a quiet, battery-free clockwork motor. It swings from one side to the other, exposing an image with a 120-degree angle of view on the 35mm film.
The MC Arsat 288 lens is fixed in the camera, has a focal length of 28 mm and a maximum aperture of f2.8. The aperture (f2.8 to f16) and exposure time (1/500s to 1/2 s) can be set on the camera as desired. Since there is no built-in light meter, either an external light meter must be used or the exposure must be estimated.
The ISO number of the film should be well remembered or written down somewhere, because the Perfekt does not have a film window to check the loaded film, like the Lomo LC-A+ or the LC-Wide.
With the connection for a tripod (1/4 thread) and the small spirit level in the viewfinder ensure perfectly aligned shots. A thread for a cable release is also built in to protect against camera shake when releasing the shutter.
A detachable handle is also included for shooting without a tripod. Also included in the package is the Horizon book with photos from the Russian panoramic camera, a multilingual manual, a poster and 3 filters (UV filter, yellow-green filter (for black and white shots) and an ND filter).
Accessories for the Horizon Perfect
The Horizon Case is a matching case for the Horizon. The case is made of black tanned leather and is embossed with Horizon and Lomography.
3 rolls of 35mm film can be attached to the strap for quick access.
There is a matching picture frame (Lomography Horizon Frame) from Lomography for the rather special format of the Horizon Perfect and Kompakt.
Horizon Perfect vs Horizon Kompakt
Lens: MC Arsat 288
Film format: 35mm
Aperture: f2.8, f5.6, f8, f11, f16
Exposure time: 1500 s, 1250 s, 1125 s, 160 s, 18 s, 14 s, 12 s
Built-in Accessories: bubble level, tripod socket, cable release, hand grip
Price: 399€
Lens: MC Arsat 288
Film format: 35mm
Aperture: fixed at f8
Exposure time: 160 s, 12 s
Built-in Accessories: none
Price: 269€
Focus
The Horizon Perfect does not have autofocus or any other way to adjust the focus. What exactly is in the focus of the camera and sharp on the later image is determined by the selected aperture.
f2.8 = 5.5 meters to infinity
f4 = 3.9 meters to infinity
f5.6 = 2.9 meters to infinity
f8 = 2.0 meters to infinity
f11 = 1.5 meters to infinity
f16, = 1 meter to infinity
Sample photos
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Panorama camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Film transport mechanism | Quick release lever |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 58 mm |
| Lens name | 28mm Industar MC 2.8 |
| Focal length | 28 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum focus distance | 100 cm / 3.28 ft |
| Focus | Fixed |
| Exposure times | 1/500 second to 1/60 second, 1/8 second, 1/4 second, 1/2 second |
| Date imprinting | No |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Power supply | Not necessary |
| Size | 14 x 11 x 6,5 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.51 x 4.33 x 2.56 inches |
| Weight | 800 Grams |
| Country of production | Russia |
FAQ about the Horizon Perfekt
How many pictures can I take with one roll of 35mm film?
The Horizon Perfekt takes approximately 22 panoramic shots on a standard 36-exposure roll of 35mm film. Each panorama is roughly twice the length of a standard photo.
Does this panorama camera have an automatic exposure setting?
No, the Horizon Perfekt doesn't have a built-in light meter. You'll need to use an external light meter or estimate the exposure yourself based on the lighting conditions and the film's ISO.
What kind of lens does the camera use?
It uses a fixed MC Arsat 28/8 lens with a 28mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.8. The aperture and shutter speed are manually adjustable.
Is the camera easy to carry around?
The Horizon Perfekt is quite weighty at 800 grams and not especially compact at 140 x 110 x 65 mm. It’s not a pocket camera.
What's included when I buy the camera?
Besides the camera itself, you get a removable hand grip, a Horizon book with photos, a multilingual instruction manual, a poster, and three filters (UV, yellow-green, and ND).