help needed with TLR id

eli griggs · Sep 12, 2007

I am pretty sure this is a Seagull but would like to be sure; does anyone here know for sure which model camera it is?

Once I find out what it is, I can decide if I'd like to add it to my bag.

Cheers

glennfromwy · Sep 13, 2007

It could also be a "Great Wall". You need to find someone who can read the inscription.

Uncle Goose · Sep 13, 2007

it's a "Hua Zhong", One of several derivatives of the Seagull 4B, made in Central China somewhere between the 'sixties and 'eighties.

eli griggs · Sep 13, 2007

it's a "Hua Zhong", One of several derivatives of the Seagull 4B, made in Central China somewhere between the 'sixties and 'eighties.

Thanks for the ID, I'm thinking about buying this camera and want to read-up a bit abut the model.

What can I expect in the way of performance from this camera?

Eli

Uncle Goose · Sep 13, 2007

eli griggs said:
Thanks for the ID, I'm thinking about buying this camera and want to read-up a bit abut the model.

What can I expect in the way of performance from this camera?

Eli

It has a coated lens and a decent shutter (Copal), I think the optics will be OK, probably not the best around but still OK. It all depends on how much you want to spend on it because there may be better alternatives around for the same price (Like a Flexaret TLR).

elekm · Sep 19, 2007

Moderate your expectations. A friend of mine had two of these. Between them, he was able to make one decent camera. The photos were a bit flat -- lacking contrast -- but sharpness was decent.

The build quality seemed only average -- some roughness in manufacturing and lacking in precision.

jon koss · Sep 19, 2007

Going by my admittedly feeble memory, the Seagulls seemed to have a logo that looked somewhat like a pair of Texas Longhorns. It may be a Pearl River, but I cannot confirm because I do not have one now. In any case it took fine pictures. More Ricohflex than Holga.

J

eli griggs · Sep 19, 2007

Thanks for the feedback, one and all. I've decided to take a pass on this camera, as I have a Minolta Autocord, Sawyer's mk IV and a Ricohflex VI to work with at the moment and any additional TLRs must be reliable users, most likely another Minolta or if winds are favorable, a Rolli.

Besides, I'm now focusing on a Leica IIIf or similar as my next camera buy; it was inevitable anyway, lol.

Cheers

help needed with TLR id

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