Horseman

Overview

Komamura Corporation, operating under the Horseman brand, is a Japanese camera and imaging company founded in 1933 that specialized in medium- and large-format cameras for professional use. The company is known for developing high-quality view cameras and accessories used by photographers and police forces. While Komamura transferred its Horseman Professional photographic business assets to Kenko Professional Imaging in 2012, the company remains active with its primary business now centered on night vision scopes and high-sensitivity cameras for specialized imaging applications.

History

Komamura Corporation was founded in 1933 in Kyoto, Japan as a camera manufacturer. The company's first camera, the PC-101, was introduced in 1948 as a police inspection camera and evolved into the Horseman 102 press camera, establishing the Horseman Professional brand. From the 1960s onward, Horseman became known for large-format cameras that dominated the professional market. In 2012, Komamura transferred its Horseman Professional photographic business assets to Kenko Professional Imaging, which continues to market cameras and accessories under the Horseman brand. The company has since pivoted toward night vision and high-sensitivity imaging technology, launching products like the Falcon Eye KC-2000 in 2014.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Komamura manufactures cameras and imaging equipment in Japan, combining traditional camera-making techniques with modern digital technology. The company has historically focused on in-house development and manufacturing for its professional-grade products, though specific current manufacturing details are limited in available sources.

Notable Products

• Horseman 102 - First Horseman Professional branded press camera, evolved from the PC-101 police inspection camera introduced in 1948
• Horseman 3D - Stereo camera equipped with dual 38mm f/2.8 Fujinon lenses for three-dimensional imaging
• Falcon Eye KC-2000 - High-sensitivity full-color camera launched in 2014 for specialized low-light imaging applications
• Horseman LD Pro - Advanced view camera converter enabling tilt-shift functionality on digital SLR cameras
• PC-101 - Original police inspection camera from 1948 that established Komamura's foundation in professional imaging

Reputation

Horseman is respected among professional photographers and institutions for its precision engineering and high-quality large-format cameras, particularly valued by police forces and press photographers since the 1950s. The brand is recognized for its innovative approach to bridging traditional view camera technology with digital systems through products like the LD series. While the transfer of the Horseman photographic business to Kenko Professional Imaging in 2012 marked a strategic shift, the brand maintains credibility in specialized imaging markets. Komamura's pivot toward night vision and high-sensitivity cameras reflects its continued focus on technical excellence for professional and institutional applications.