KMZ Horizont "Горизонт" [camera]

Recently I'm suffering from a lack of my Lumix G2, so I decided to test one of my newest cameras: KMZ Horizont. What is so special about this one? It takes panoramic pictures with moving (!) lens. Also film isn't placed flat, but arc-shaped.

KMZ Horizont Горизонт camera

First of all camera takes 24x58 mm photos with sweeping OF-28P 28 mm 1:2.8 lens. Camera has an aperture ring above the shutter speed ring that allows to set aperture at 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11 and 16. Lens is fixed-focus, so no focusing is an option. It's one of the oldest versions and lets you to use shutter speed at 1/30, 1/60, 1/125 or 1/250 s.

Photo on the right presents Horizont camera with an original handle.

Horizont was originally sold with a special handle that was meant to be used while photographing. Due to wide angle it's not recommended to hold camera as SLR, but to place one hand on the handle and the other on the shutter button.

I didn't check that camera previously with film, so I decided to use the cheapest one I got (not to waste any good one). On a 24+3 roll I managed to take 16 panoramic shots.

Camera: KMZ Horizont "Горизонт"
Lens: OF-28P 28 mm 1:2.8
Film: Agfa Vista ISO 100 24+3 exp.
Scans: Epson Perfection V550 Photo to 2400 DPI 48bit TIFF
Edit: PS CS6 48bit TIFF development and scaling

KMZ Horizont Горизонт, @1/125, 4.0

Photo above was edited, while developing in PS CS6 RAW by adding a gradient filter from top to centre to get more detail on the sky. On the right you can see a bit of flare. Lens doesn't work best with direct light and flaring is heavy.

I find this camera best idea for taking trip snaps. It looks great, when a person is just a small spot on a greater panorama.

KMZ Horizont Горизонт, @1/125, 5.6

However it's not the best idea to use it for close-ups. As you can see model is unfocused.

KMZ Horizont Горизонт, @1/125, 5.6

Another sample how close-ups work.
Here you can see an interesting feature of the Horizont camera. Because of the lens movement it distorts horizon to an arc shape. That's why the viewfinder has a bubble level indicator, so you can position your camera perfectly horizontal.

KMZ Horizont Горизонт, @1/60, 2.8

Unusual frame proportions make it very tempting to use Horizont for vertical shots. It captures everything from close to your feet to sky. Using it in landscape seems to be a very encouraging idea.

KMZ Horizont Горизонт, @1/125, 5.6

Finally, all of above photos were sized down, but I prepared one more sample in two versions: first in 100% size and second one edited in PS CS6 RAW development.

KMZ Horizont Горизонт, @1/125, 5.6 - 100% original scan sample

KMZ Horizont Горизонт, @1/125, 5.6 - PS CS6 RAW development: sharpness, clarity, exposure and light correction