‘Horizon’ can rightfully be considered one of the most famous Soviet cameras in the world. The very idea of such a camera with a rotating lens is not a brand new oneand is only a few years younger than the photography itself. The first panoramic camera using curved daguerreotype plates was patented by Joseph Puchberger back in 1843. When flexible photographic film appeared, panoramic cameras were quickly produced one after another: ‘Cylindrograph’, ‘Pantoskopik’, ‘Globuscop’ and so on up to modern Widelux and Noblex.

Apparently, the secret of the Soviet camera success lies in a fortunate combination of convenient design and affordable price. Another secret is kept in the ‘OF-28’ short-focus lens with excellent sharpness and great depth. As it turned out, the chief designer of the KMZ, Yevgeny Soloviev persuaded the management to allow it to be installed on serial ‘Horizons’ with great difficulty. The lens was a ‘special’ one and was intended for the ‘spy’ camera ‘Ajax’, which was used by the KGB. Foreign guests, who were often presented with a Soviet camera, did not even suspect that they were holding a lens for special agents.