Orizont 3 was a simple camera, made by the IOR factory in Bucharest, during the 60’s, although the records are relatively scarce, and not much factual data can be had for this camera model. Not many are still out there, in very good condition as this one from my collection. If you ask me, this is the best camera Romania ever produced, based on the features and somewhat unusual care put into manufacturing of this model.
Orizont camera, produced in Romania, and a Romanian-made film Azopan PS21
The IOR Orizont is a viewfinder , mostly metal camera. The 35mm camera was produced by the Romanian company IOR (Intreprinderea Optica Romana/Romanian Optical Factory). The model was introduced in the 1960s. It is alleged that this Romanian camera is based on the Altix V of the Dresden company Eho-Altissa, both shown here in comparison:
The lens of the camera are fix, so lens cannot be changed. The Trioclar glass (triplet?) is probably uncoated, at a focal of 50mm. The maximum aperture is f=3.2 (unusual for the period, more suited and seen on the pre-war cameras), going to f16. This camera does not have a meter, so Sunny 16 type of thing is welcomed. Focusing is at min of 0.85m. Shutter speeds range from B to 1/30, 1/60 and 1/125 of a sec.
Period advert (Romanian), showing the factory main products.
On the top plate you have the viewfinder housing, the frame counter, a cold shoe and release button, threaded. The knurled ring around the base of the release button is the manual reset of the frame counter. Film advance and rewind knobs are really good quality and do the job. A flash sync socket can be found under the lens housing.
The lens housing and rims are made from some type of aluminium, and to be honest, much better quality than the horrid aluminium on some of the Soviet cameras. Some sort of vulcanite is affixed onto the body, save the front plate, of good quality and not at all scratchy to your fingers. Camera, generally speaking, is indeed easy to handle and operate. The only thing which concerns me is the latch on the back door, which is always prone to stay open.
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