Affordable
Good lens
Fun to use
Great results if used with care
Reasonable build quality
Its a good conversation starter
Its cool.

Difficult to load
A bit fragile - if it breaks buy a new one.
Only ever get 10 shots max from a roll

This review is for the newer wwsc-120 camera with 3 groups and 4 elements in the lens. Check this on the camera as I have just seen a similar model on sale with 3 groups and 3 elements....

I have only used this camera for black and white prints. Cant comment on colour results- but a friend says they are ok.
This is an unpretentious, cool camera that gives really good results for general "street" photography . For best quality put it on a tripod and set to f22.
Whenever I hit the alleyways of Beijing the camera always attracts attention from the locals. From a social point of view I really recommend it. Suitable not just for beginners in medium format but also for more advanced users who dont want to fork out a fortune.

Customer Service

Not really relevant

Similar Products Used:

None

Affordable medium format.

Breaks easily.
Image quality on the edge of the film can blurr.
Camera will not consistantly release the shutter. (I usually loose 1 or 2 images out of 12)
No light meter.
Timer works 50% of the time.

I have a Love/Hate attitude towards this camera. On one hand I am excited that I can shoot med-format for such a small price, but the flaws in the camera and the poor performance make me use it less and less frequently.
I have to say that it is worth the price to dabble in med-format, but if you are serious about wanting a good camera, don't get this one.

Customer Service

None that I am aware of. I had to find a repair shop that would work on it.

Similar Products Used:

None

Superb image quality, low costs, easy to handle, new 4 element type lens comparable to Xenotar on Rolleicords

feels rough, shuttle mechanism not robust, lens can get dusty easily, not built to last

This is not a camera for the novist or rough users. For expereinced TLR user, this camera can be full of fun and returns superb results.

The newer batch of Seagull 4A107 (from July 2000) appears to have much improved finishing and quality because Minolta is now running the Chinese factory. The make is much refined and the lens is superb from F5.6 and above. Sample variation still exist but the variance is smaller.

Compared with the previous 4A107, the newer version is obviously spun off from a new mould. Precision is much better and the new fresnel screen is wonderfully bright and easy to use.

Edge softness is much improved even at wide open.
If stopped down to F8/F11, the image is very sharp at the centre and very good on the edges.
Stopping down to F22 can produce superb pictures.

This camera must be used with a lens hood for good results. Images shot without hood ranges from ok to appaling. The hood is not supplied originally and is difficult to obtain. Modify from 39mm type wide lens hoods.

The mechenism is not tough so care must be taken. If handled properly, camera can last. Many studios in China has the 4B/4A lasting more than a decade. Personally had done over 60 rolls and still going on strong.

Some Professionals actually use the 4A for jobs. The customer find it difficult to differentiate the slides/ A4 prints side by side with images from Mamiya 645. For its price, it is true value for money.

Customer Service

Poor or non existence

Similar Products Used:

Rolleiflex 2.8GX, Rolleiflex 2.8F, Rolleiflex T, Rolleicord Vb, Yashica 635

You can make the Seagull into Cult or Fun Camera

Too hard to handle

You can get amazing photos if you buy the screw type semi fish eye Lens Cost $99.00 from Porters. You need the step up rings then screw on the lens made by Isotel. You can have more fun with this then any other camera. Actually the lens was made for a 35mm camera but works wonders when you put it on the Seagull TLR. You can preview the scenes by first installing the lens on the view camera lens but I dont do that anymore. I put ot right on the shutter lens Go buy one and have fun. Take pictures of everything

Customer Service

Dans Camera of Allentown PA

Similar Products Used:

None

Cheap
Good Image quality
Quickly teaches the photographer the importance of compisition.

Breaks easy
Hard to hold
Some parts need sanding

I had to sand the metal rollers that transport the film from one roll to the next, there was small pits causing spots on transparency film. Truth is, that I still use it sometimes, simply because of it's simplicity. I did break the compartment latch, but it still shuts. I think this camera has a place. Good for a photographer that wants to learn the absolute basics about photography. I used the Sunny16 rule for quite a while until I could get a light meter.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Pentax 645

sharp photo
cheap price

durability

For the money you pay; great deal!
Had camera over 1 yr.; still working...
If you want a taste of med. format, you should
try this one first before you invest the big bucks

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya 645
Bronica 645
Hassalblad
Mamiya 6 MF

Great optics
Cheap intro to MF
Having total control can be fun
Very bright viewfinder

Tends to have problems with film advance
Lack of quality control in manufacturing

Price should be the determining factor in buying a Seagull. They sell for as little as $100, and as much as $250. If you can find one cheap, great. If not, you might want to look at other options in a used TLR, like any number of different YashicaMats. All in all, they are capable of great pictures, the taking lens is sharp, and the viewfinder is bright. The problems with the Seagull, IMO, are mechanical; the film advance on my first one started slipping by the third roll of film. Lucky for me, I'd bought it a small local shop, and they immediately replaced it with no questions asked. If you buy one mail-order or on-line, and have problems, my guess is that getting it fixed or replaced won't be that easy. This inexpensive MF rig gets bashed by some as being a piece of junk, but I find it to be a great camera, a great way to try MF. Again, price is the key, and luck plays a role too; if you get a good one, you'll love it.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

124G

- sharp image
- built-in flash hot shoe
- low cost
- split-image for fast and reliable focusing

- reliability

Good entry to the world of medium format. However, quality seems to vary from unit to unit.

Customer Service

- returned after the fourth rolls b/c film transport locked up

Similar Products Used:

- rolleiflex
- certo

>very affordable
>sharp lens or issit the film size...?
>batteries not needed
>smaller than the C330.
>works like a 40mm lens on 135 film

mechanics unreliable
percision

okay the good part is it is just about the cheapest way you can get a NEW MF cam. And the 6 by 6 frames makes you really think about compostion. Also the lens is sharp IF focused properly(not always easy) and you stop down well and watch your shutter speed...

I get really sharp 12 by 16s from 120 Tri-X with this cam, really sharp pictures.

The bad part is usually the construction. Okay it is a solid camera but it is the inside that is little bit screwed up. Mine has a lens board that is not parallel, a shutter lock that doesn't work, and the winding system is a let down, it sometimes doesn't wind on after exposure( rememdy is to recock the shutter again via activation the multi-exp button, put on the lens cap and fire a blank exp and wind again) I also need to remove the cable release before i can wind on. I got overlap frames too...

pray you get a good functioning model, that should be a joy to use.

Customer Service

if i need it i am sure there is none.

Similar Products Used:

C330 S
med format SLRs don't count.

Low cost for a new medium format camera.
Quite light and compact, fits into a Lowepro Nova Micro bag.

Multiple problems with assembly quality, mechanical and optical function.
On first camera, the film wind on mechanism failed.
On second camera, film plane was not perpendicular to lens axis, photos were all soft on one side,also focussing inaccurate.
Third try, the frame shape was out of square.
In each case the lens is very prone to flare from any amount of backlight at all even when the lens front element is shielded from the direct rays of the sun.

It's cheap, but assembly quality is inconsistent.
For someone wanting to try out medium format for the first time without much financial outlay the Seagull could be quite suitable, especially if you get lucky and find a good one.

Customer Service

Not sought

Similar Products Used:

Two other Seagull TLR's, one with 3 element, one with 4 element lens