Horizon S3 U-500 Panoramic

I just stumbled upon this new Horizon...I was thinking of getting

the 202, but this new S3 "looks" better! I haven't found any

reviews of this one...do any of you out there have more info? I've

been courting the Noblex 135U for half a year, but it's too

expensive for me right now...maybe this S3 is my key? These guys

are selling it: http://dvdtechcameras.com/cameras/panoram/5/5.htm

 

Thanks!

Chris

I don't know if the S3 is any better than the 202, though they claim better resolution from an improved lens. Having seen some sample photos from the 202, however, I can say that the main problem seems to be horrible looking distortion. Personally, I wouldn't use this camera for anything more than novelty purposes.

<br>

<a href="http://www.kievcamera.com/foto/e202b1.jpg">http://www.kievcamera.com/foto/e202b1.jpg</a>

<br><br>

-WH

<br><a href="http://www.firstlightphotographs.com">http://www.firstlightphotographs.com</a>

I'd get one once my working life settles down...either this or a xpan. Distortion seems acceptable, if the camera is properly leveled.

 

http://cmehappy.fantastic-camera.com/s3pro/index.html <- camera intro

 

http://cmehappy.fantastic-camera.com/horizones/index.html <- gallery

 

http://www.pauck.de/marco/photo/panorama/horizon202/horizon202.html <- for the 202.

 

Wonder if it'll work in the air...

 

Alvin

All swing lens cams have mustache distortion. it's part of the

deal for getting 140 degrees angle of view.

I think the Horizon is quite a capable camera. It combines supreme portability

with a 120? angle of view and very good optics. I have travelled with it all over

Europe (www.eucapitals.com). I wouldn't go for the S3. There are rumours on

the internet that some sort of misalignment keeps the camera from operating

on a par with the 202. Search this forum for 'widepan' and you will find an

earlier thread posted by me where this has been discussed.

The distortion of a swing-lens panoramic only occurs if the camera isn't level. It isn't any worse than that of a fisheye lens, it's just a different type of distortion -and avoidable; since using the camera properly level eliminates it.

I just got a 202 and it works fine, the lens is reasonably sharp,<br>

nothing out of the ordinary though. Build quality overall is better than<br>

expected.<br>

I wouldn't believe in a 20% sharpness increase of the S3 Pro. <p>

Besides that they changed the slow speeds of the S3 Pro to one second <br>

only. The 202 offers 2sec, 4sec and 8 sec. Faster speeds and f-stops are <br>

the same for both cameras.

Philippe, I did a search for widepan but I didn't come up with any hits. Do you have a link?

 

Markus, from what I read, the S3 pro actually has 2 more shutter speeds compared to the 202, and the 202 should not have any shutter speeds slower then 1/2 a second; the S3 pro would seem more suitable for evening shots.

 

S3 Pro: 1s, 1/2s, 1/4s, 1/8s, 1/30s, 1/60s, 1/125s, 1/250s

202: 1/2s, 1/4s, 1/8s, 1/60s, 1/125s, 1/250s

 

Sources:

http://www.popphoto.com/article.asp?section_id=2&article_id=1142

 

http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/horizon202/index.htm

 

Also, since we are on the topic of Panoramics, do you guys have any resources on the Horizon 205PC?

 

Thanks!

 

Alvin

thanks you for pointing that out, Alvin<br>

the slow shutter speeds are indeed 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 of a sec.<p>

<i>do you guys have any resources on the Horizon 205PC?</i><br>

I read somewhere that it was announced, but never produced<br>

due to film tension/flatness issues...

Alvin, forum member Michael Przewocki seems to know an awful lot about

these cameras, but he is not always clear in expressing himself. Look up

some of his postings here:

 

http://www.photo.net/shared/community-member-all?proc_name=bboard&

user_id=454885

Philippe, thanks! Indeed, got lots of good leads to go on from him.

 

Thanks again!

 

Alvin