Seagull 4A-107

I cut my photographic teeth as a teenager on TLR's in the 60's, still have a bunch of them and love 'em. I bought one of these in the 90's out of curiosity, kept it roughly a year until the shutter and wind mechanism died simultaneously. This was the crudest camera I've ever owned. Visible glue like model glue in various places, including some where glue shouldn't have been. It's hard for me to describe the rough action of the focus setting and the lens settings. The carrying case that came with it had the oddest smell-dog or cat leather, perhaps? Photos were no better than box camera capability. It still had the Chinese lettering on the front and that was sometimes an attention getter. I would never make the mistake of buying another. I have trouble believing people are paying on the far side of $200 for a new one of these, when good Rollei and Yashica and especially Minolta examples are available for less. I'd say it might be a good intro to MF except I wouldn't want anyone's MF experience to be colored by such a poor piece of equipment. This is one area of industry where the Red Chinese still have a very long way to go!

Cheap, relatively speaking. When it breaks, which it will, you haven't lost much.

Too many to enumerate. You get what you pay for.

Multiple R'flexes and R'cords over 30 years. Two Minolta Autocords, both excellent. Four Mamiya C models, all great. Meopta Flexaret, an interesting camera. Multiple Yashica TLR's, 124G/124/EM/LM/635, most of which I still own.

Gave camera away when it died to a kid who wanted to learn how cameras work.

This is quite a nice little camera for the beginner, or medium format person on a budget. I know that there has been a lot of criticism leveled at this camera, some of which is true, but has, on the whole been very unfair. It is true that the lens is not very high quality. It does flare easliy which can be annoying. The focus mechanism is a bit difficult to work with if you haven't worked with this type of mechanism before, but that is merely something that improves with time. I have heard a lot about major problems with this camera, but as such, I have not encountered anything very problematic. The controls are simple, and laid out very logically. The shutter speeds are a little weird, going from 1/300th to 1/125th, not exactly half, but it seems to work. My only complaint is that the range of shutter speeds is fairly limited, going from 1sec-1/300th. It also does not have a built in light meter, which for some is a disadvantage. This in my opinion is not a major disadvantage. My final point on this camera, is that it is simple to use and operate. I would venture to suggest that if what you are looking for is more control in you image making, then this might be a good start. You really have to concentrate on using your eye to estimate exposure (either by old fashioned Sunny 16, or light meter). This camera boils photography down to a pretty basic level. I happen to like the simplicity of operation, and the fact that I have to think about exposure, instead of going all automatic. I love taking my time to set up the camera, estimate the light, focus the picture, and then finally take the picture. A wonderful philosophy to use with any camera.

Very good price for beginner to medium format (under $200) Very simple controls (focus, aperture, shutter speed, film winder, and multiple exposure button) Simple operation means concentration on basics of photography (this could be a disadvantage to some)

Lens is not up to proffesional standards (flare) Budget camera, and all the joys/horrors that go with that Very few controls (as mentioned above, the simplicity of control can be either an advantage or disadvantage) You have to think about what goes into taking a picture (again, can be a disadvantage, or advantage)

Haven't needed it yet.

The Seagull TLR is by far and away the only way for a budget minded person to get into medium format without breaking the bank. The copy that I have will produce a sharp colorful image at f5.6 or below. If you have the four element lens it performs even better. Alot of people would suggest that you would be better off with the Yashica G124 I would disagree due to the fact that their lens and metering system is just as suspect as the seagull lens. The Seagull lens is suspect due to quality control, the copy I have has a good one. I would suggest that you purchase this TRL from a vendor that will let return it if you find that it's performance is not up to par. This camera will out perform any 35 mm SLR that you can buy for three times the money when it comes to profesional looking enlargments. This camera will not out do a Rollei but it will take nice looking photos and not cost you $2500.00.

Good enlargments and rock bottom price. It will also teach good photogragh composure.

Suspect quality control.

Pentax 35 mm SLR

Not needed

Mamiya 645's are getting really inexpensive now so if I was looking at MF today I might go that way, but a Seagull is still the most inexpensive way to get a new MF camera. The 4-element lens is just great. I did some 2400 dpi scans of Velvia slides and for someone used to 35mm, the detail is just astounding. If you can get the film to advance, this is a great camera. Had problems with two of the first three rolls, but it might have been a case of getting used to the camera. I thought maybe there was something wrong with the film advance, but for the last few rolls I have double-checked that the film is secured to the takeup reel and making sure the red number is showing in the film counter. Haven't had problems since taking this precaution. If you are willing it put a little effort into it, this camera could reward you with some memorable images.

4-element lens. I haven't tried opening it up past f8, but at small apertures it's really good.

Film advance idiosyncracies Finish is bubbling

None, all 35mm before.

If it breaks, that's probably it.

The Seagull 4a-107 has produced very sharp negatives. I can''t complain about it, because I haven''t experienced any problems with it except the back is hard to lock and unlock sometimes.

Very sharp negatives. Low price. Ideal for entry level medium format.

No ttl meter. Quality varies, so check your camera before you pay for it.

Nikon N-80, Pentax ZX-30, Pentax ZX-M, Calumet 4x5 view camera.

None.