The Horizon S3 Pro is a panorama camera. The 35 mm camera was developed by KMZ / Zenit and introduced at the beginning of the 2000s. The Russian company presented it as the successor of Horizon 202 and the production was later took by a Chinese company called Roxsen. The current production status is not quite clear at the moment. The new price at the presentation was around 300 euros.
The biggest difference to the Horizon 202 is the changed design of the camera housing. The Horizon S3 Pro, originally also called Horizon 203, is rounded and made of ABS plastic. In addition, two more shutter speeds, 1/30 s and 1 s, were added and the lens’ imaging performance was revised. The Horizon S3 Pro is very similar in functionality to Horizon Perfekt from Lomography.
The lens of the panorama camera cannot be changed. 28 mm is the focal length of the lens, which oscillates from one side to the other during shooting. This process works a bit similar to a scanner. The maximum aperture is f/2.8. There is no autofocus. The lens is fixed and cannot be changed. The angle of view is 120° horizontally and 45° vertically.
The Horizon S3 Pro does not have a meter for correct exposure. The desired exposure time can be determined manually. The aperture is also freely selectable.
Films for the Horizon S3 Pro
The Horizon S3 Pro exposes 35mm film. 35mm films are still produced by different manufacturers. A great film choice for color photos is the Fujifilm Superia 200* and for black and white pictures the Ilford HP5*.
The exposure area has a size of 24 x 58 mm. At this size, approximately 22 images fit on a 35mm roll of film. The film must be wound manually by the photographer.
The panorama camera can be mounted on a tripod, so that camera shake-free pictures can be taken with a longer exposure time. The Horizon S3 Pro measures 11.75 x 14.6 x 7.3 cm. It weighs 750 grams. The 35 mm camera does not need batteries to take pictures and can’t be connected to a flash.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Panorama camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 58 mm |
| Lens name | 28mm f/2.8 MC |
| Focal length | 28 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum focus distance | 100 cm / 3.28 ft |
| Focus | Fixed |
| Exposure times | 1/250 second to 1 second |
| Date imprinting | No |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | No |
| Power supply | Not necessary |
| Size | 11,75 x 14,6 x 7,3 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 4.63 x 5.75 x 2.87 inches |
| Weight | 750 Grams |
FAQ about the Horizon S3 Pro
Is the Horizon S3 Pro a difficult camera to use?
While it's a manual camera, the Horizon S3 Pro is relatively straightforward. It lacks autofocus and automatic exposure, requiring manual settings, but the process is simple once understood. The film advance is also manual.
What type of film does this panoramic camera use?
The Horizon S3 Pro uses standard 35mm film, easily found from various manufacturers. This makes it convenient to use readily available color or black and white films. You manually advance the film.
How wide is the image this camera takes?
This panoramic camera captures images with a 120° horizontal field of view. It creates strikingly wide shots, capturing far more of a scene than a standard camera. The vertical field of view is 45°.
Does the camera have a built-in light meter?
No, the Horizon S3 Pro doesn't have a built-in light meter. You must manually set the aperture and shutter speed, relying on your own judgment or an external light meter. This gives more control but needs practice.
Can I change the lens on the panoramic camera?
No, the lens on the Horizon S3 Pro is fixed. It's a 28mm lens designed specifically for its panoramic function. The lens is integral to the camera's operation and can't be detached or replaced.