Light Lens Lab is upgrading Seagull TLRs!

Donald Qualls · Feb 16, 2023

NortheastPhotographic said:
If the camera you want is worth it to you then you find a way to pay for it.

Hence why I have an RB67, Speed Graphic, and Graphic View II -- the tools I wanted at prices I could cover. A Rolleiflex isn't worth its price to me -- but an upgraded Seagull might be if it's a fraction of the price of a Planar-equipped Rolleiflex (it has to compete with my RB67 as well, though).

Maris · Feb 16, 2023

I've used a Seagull TLR model 4A-103A next to my Mamiya RB67 for the last 30 years or so. The Seagull has the 75mm f3.5 HAIOU triplet lens I wanted for its special qualities. Stopped down the Seagull triplet is hard-sharp with low flare due to good coatings and only three glass elements. Wide open at F3.5 the image corners are soft-ish with a bit of swirl and the centre is sharp with fine detail present but delivered at low contrast. I've heard this rendition being described as "butter smooth" and it works a nicely for pleasant treatment of face portraits.
If I get the Seagull upgraded I want to keep that triplet lens.

henryvk · Feb 17, 2023

It *is* a fun lens:

Huss · Mar 4, 2023

Update

Light Lens Lab Seagull Upgrade Project Update

Hello everyone! Light Lens Lab Seagull Upgrade Project is in prototyping phase. The current prototype undergoes optical testing on film and digital cameras. Prototype camera for testing optical performance: Your browser does not support our video. First prototype completed with multi-coated...

lightlenslab.myshopify.com

henryvk · Mar 4, 2023

Huss said:
Update

Light Lens Lab Seagull Upgrade Project Update

Hello everyone! Light Lens Lab Seagull Upgrade Project is in prototyping phase. The current prototype undergoes optical testing on film and digital cameras. Prototype camera for testing optical performance: Your browser does not support our video. First prototype completed with multi-coated...

lightlenslab.myshopify.com

Looks great but all I can think of is the awful shutter

Dan Daniel · Mar 4, 2023

Does anyone know the shutter threading that Seagulls use? Did they adopt the standard Compur/Copal #00 threading and spacing? I mean, a modern Planar lens by itself will have a market if you can plop them into cameras with bad lenses, etc.

Huss · Mar 4, 2023

henryvk said:
Looks great but all I can think of is the awful shutter

Please elaborate!
In their latest update the images they show taken w the camera look very nice. They also show an extensive rebuild, I'm wondering if the shutter is involved etc

henryvk · Mar 6, 2023

Huss said:
Please elaborate!
In their latest update the images they show taken w the camera look very nice. They also show an extensive rebuild, I'm wondering if the shutter is involved

The first Seagull I had very gently dropped from the back seat of my car onto the floor mat. Nbd you’d think but the shutter seized up and wouldn’t fire. When I opened it I realized that not only the shutter housing but also many of the internal parts were made from the cheapest feeling sheet metal and easily been. Everything felt janky with very lax tolerances, basically waiting to come apart at the slightest bump.

Otoh I’ve dropped my Lubitel onto asphalt and banged it into doors with never a hiccup.

I’m not sure how such basic build quality issues can be addressed other than by replacing the whole mechanism itself and putting in a more complement shutter, which there is no explicit mention of.

Huss · Mar 6, 2023

henryvk said:
The first Seagull I had very gently dropped from the back seat of my car onto the floor mat. Nbd you’d think but the shutter seized up and wouldn’t fire. When I opened it I realized that not only the shutter housing but also many of the internal parts were made from the cheapest feeling sheet metal and easily been. Everything felt janky with very lax tolerances, basically waiting to come apart at the slightest bump.

Otoh I’ve dropped my Lubitel onto asphalt and banged it into doors with never a hiccup.

I’m not sure how such basic build quality issues can be addressed other than by replacing the whole mechanism itself and putting in a more complement shutter, which there is no explicit mention of.

Gotcha. I guess we'll see.

ags2mikon · Mar 6, 2023

I have put my Zeiss sonnar on my Kiev 4a but it was still a Kiev 4a with all of its problems. I don't see what this fixes.

Huss · Mar 8, 2023

ags2mikon said:
I have put my Zeiss sonnar on my Kiev 4a but it was still a Kiev 4a with all of its problems. I don't see what this fixes.

Did you read their blog/updates on the site linked?

weasel · Mar 13, 2023

Is anyone else making a mf tlr anymore? If they can make a reliable and functional tool, I think it is fabulous.

Huss · Mar 18, 2023

weasel said:
Is anyone else making a mf tlr anymore? If they can make a reliable and functional tool, I think it is fabulous.

I have full confidence in them seeing how excellent their Leica mount lenses are.

Light Lens Lab is upgrading Seagull TLRs!

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