Horseman SW612 System

Introduction

Welcome to the world of modular panoramic film photography. The Horseman SW612 is a camera system that blends precision engineering, flexibility, and the tactile magic of medium format film. More than a single camera, it’s a toolkit for creating expansive images in formats ranging from 6×7 to 6×12. In this article, we’ll walk you through the entire system, body, backs, lenses, finders, and accessories, based on real-world usage and hands-on experience.

We’ll also compare it to rivals like the Linhof Technorama 612PC II and provide insights from other expert reviews.

📺 Watch the full video: Horseman SW612 System Overview

What Is the Horseman SW612?

The SW612 is a medium format 6×12 panoramic film camera system produced by Komamura, designed with professional photographers in mind. Like its bigger sibling, the SW617, it was made in Japan and built around a modular architecture: interchangeable film backs, interchangeable lenses mounted on focusing cones, optical finders, and optional accessories like ground glass and center filters.

Unlike fixed-lens 6×12 cameras, the Horseman SW612 system allows lens swapping, back switching, and critical focus setups. That makes it one of the most versatile 6×12 solutions available.

Body and Film Backs

At the heart of the system is the aluminum alloy body, compact, light, and rugged. You can attach a variety of Horseman film backs:

6×12 back (6 exposures per roll of 120)
6×9 back (8 exposures)
6×7 back (10 exposures)

Each film back has a built-in dark slide, which allows hot-swapping between backs mid-roll, ideal for switching between black-and-white and color, or different film speeds.

The back attaches with a guillotine-style lock system that feels secure and precise. There’s a bubble level on top, and the camera’s compact footprint allows for handheld use, though most users will rely on a tripod.

Lens Options

Lenses are mounted on dedicated focusing cones with helicoids. Swapping lenses means removing the cone and replacing it entirely—quick and easy thanks to the four-screw mounting system.

Official Horseman-Supported Lenses:

Rodenstock Apo-Grandagon 35mm f/4.5 – Ultra-wide, ~12mm equivalent, 120° coverage
Rodenstock Grandagon 45mm f/4.5 – ~14mm equivalent
Rodenstock Grandagon 55mm f/4.5
Rodenstock Grandagon 65mm f/4.5 – Classic 6×12 wide-angle
Rodenstock Grandagon 75mm f/4.5
Rodenstock Grandagon 90mm f/6.8 – Compact and lightweight
Rodenstock Apo-Grandagon 90mm f/4.5 – Premium optics
Schneider Super-Angulon 90mm f/5.6

Each lens requires a dedicated cone and finder mask. Many lenses also require a center filter to correct vignetting due to the extreme field of view.

Viewfinders and Ground Glass

Each lens comes with a dedicated optical finder and matching viewfinder mask. These allow for quick framing but are not parallax-corrected. For critical compositions, particularly with longer lenses like the 90mm or adapted 135mm, users can mount a ground glass adapter to the body and focus precisely.

A clever feature of the SW612 is the mask-swapping system for the finder. You unscrew the top, insert a mask matching your lens’ focal length and film format, and reassemble. It’s simple, modular, and lightweight.

Shooting Experience

The Horseman SW612 rewards slow, deliberate photography. You:

Compose through the finder or ground glass
Adjust focus via the helicoid
Meter and account for center filters
Cock the shutter
Remove the dark slide
Expose

It’s mechanical, methodical, and deeply satisfying. You can shoot handheld, but most users benefit from using a tripod for composition and stability.

The system is extremely compact for its capabilities, comparable in size to a DSLR but producing images 7x larger than 35mm.

Advantages Over Other 6×12 Cameras

Compared to Linhof Technorama 612PC II:

Feature	Horseman SW612	Linhof 612PC II
Interchangeable lenses	Yes	Yes
Interchangeable backs	Yes	No
Ground glass focusing	Yes (optional)	No
Shift movements	Yes (SW612 Professional)	Fixed
Customization	Full modularity	Limited

The Linhof Technorama is a gorgeous and rugged camera, but it lacks modularity. Horseman lets you switch lenses and film types mid-roll, mount center filters, use different finders, and even create DIY mask solutions. You can also adapt large format lenses using custom cones.

Center Filters & Accessories

Ultra-wide lenses like the 35mm and 45mm require center filters to combat vignetting. These are rare and expensive, often costing $300–600, but essential for even exposures across the frame.

Horseman also makes optional accessories like:

Lens hoods
Custom-fitted pouches and tripod mounts
Lens guards
Neck/shoulder straps

Real-World Use Cases

Landscape photographers love the extreme aspect ratio
Fine art shooters appreciate the frame size and tonal range
Architecture photographers benefit from precision and modularity

This camera isn’t for street or quick handheld work. It’s slow, thoughtful, and intentional. But the results are spectacular.

Final Thoughts

The Horseman SW612 is a unicorn, an analog panoramic camera that’s modular, precise, and beautifully made. It’s one of the few true 6×12 systems still affordable (relatively) and adaptable for the modern film shooter.

If you’re after medium format panoramas, and the 6×17 format is too bulky or limited for your needs, the SW612 might be the perfect sweet spot.

🎥 Watch the full video breakdown on YouTube

Stay wide. Stay wild. Stay analog.