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Seagul 4A 105 And 4A 107 TLR Cameras
By Tom Fuller • January, 2002
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4A-107G Limited Collector's Edition. The focusing hood
(right) has an open frame sports finder plus a pop-up
magnifier. |
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If you've been wondering
about which medium format cameras would be a good choice for students
and other struggling photographers, the answer today would indeed be
one of the Seagull twin lens reflex models imported by Phoenix Corporation.
Seagull TLRs have been around
for a long time in various forms, but the new 4A series includes some
nice touches. One is a rapid wind crank that advances the film when
turned forward and cocks the shutter when rotated backward. Also, once
the start arrow on a loaded roll is lined up with reference marks in
the body, the advance system automatically stops at the first frame
and displays it, and subsequent numbers, via a mechanical counter. Unlike
the knob-operated film winding of previous models, this design prevents
accidental double exposures and does away with the need to line up frame
numbers in a red window on the camera back.
Optics
Viewing and focusing are done on a screen with a built-in Fresnel lens
and split-image center spot. The viewed image, the same size as that produced
on film, is seen right-side-up but reversed left-to-right because of the
physics involved, but you soon get used to it. Both models use a three-element
75mm f/2.8 viewing lens for a bright image, but the coarseness of the
screen makes focusing on fine detail somewhat difficult and the pop-up
magnifier all the more appreciated. While this is a camera review and
not a photo lesson, I must point out that an advantage of any TLR is continuous
viewing--unlike an SLR, the viewfinder does not black out at the moment
of exposure.
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The 75mm
lens of either Seagull is the perfect focal length for general
photography with the 6x6cm format.
Photos ©
2001, Tom Fuller, All Rights Reserved
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Aperture/Shutter Speed Range
The taking lens separates the 4A-105 and 4A-107, the former having a 75mm
f/3.5 three-element, three-group offering, with the latter sporting a
new four-element, three-group Tessar-type design of the same focal length
and speed. Both have leaf shutters with speeds of 1-1/300 sec, plus bulb,
and continuously adjustable apertures to f/22. In my tests the 4A-107
produced images of slightly higher contrast than the 4A-105, although
the performance of the "old" lens was by no means disappointing. Both
cameras provide X-synchronization at all speeds, and feature a PC connector,
side-mounted hot shoe, cable release socket, and 10-sec self-timer. The
4A-107 is equipped with a shutter release lock.
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I just couldn't resist the
colors of this shop, and the 4A-105 did them justice. The
optical performance of both Seagull models more than makes
up for any mechanical and/or finish vexations. Shutter speeds
on both models are remarkably accurate.
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Multi-Exposure & Parallax
A multiple-exposure button disengages film advance while allowing the
shutter to be recocked with the winding crank for as many exposures as
desired on a single frame. The front panel of the viewing hood folds down,
covering the focusing screen, to create an open-frame sports finder. A
particularly nice feature of these very affordable cameras is the automatic
parallax correction vane that progressively covers the focusing screen,
indicating the area at the top of the image will be excluded--and the
estimated amount of the image bottom that will be included--when the lens
is focused on a near subject.
Both models worked well overall,
but remember that the low price is made possible partly by abbreviated
quality control. One had a misaligned back locking lever that needed help
from my thumb with each film change, and another had a focusing scale
that did not agree with visual focus. However, my real gripe is the need
for hard-to-find 34.5mm filters. While adapter rings can be used to step-up
the lens to accept, say, 49mm filters, they will block the shutter and
aperture scales, and be annoyingly visible in the viewfinder. A simpler
approach is to carefully hold a filter in front of the lens, but not touching
it, during exposure.
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This delightful little restaurant
was a natural for the square format. A big advantage of
roll film for students is that contact prints will be large
enough for accurate evaluation.
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The Seagull line has long been
respected for its impressive optical performance, and the 4A-105 and 4A-107
continue this tradition. Those wanting to keep cost to an absolute minimum
should consider the basic Seagull 4B (not received in time for this review),
minus the rapid wind crank and a few other niceties, or, going in the
opposite direction, the 4A-107G Limited Collector's Edition with handsome
gold-plated trim. All are viable choices for anyone interested in trying
the 6x6cm format without breaking the bank.
For more information, contact
Phoenix Corporation of America at (516) 764-5890; fax: (516) 764-5970;
www.phoenixcorp.com.
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Technical Specifications
Camera Type: Fully manual twin lens reflex, producing 12 56x56mm
images on 120 film
Taking Lens: Coated three-element (4A-105) or four-element (4A-107)
75mm f/3.5
Viewing Lens: Coated three-element 75mm f/2.8
Viewing And Focusing: Folding waist-level viewfinder with Fresnel
screen and split-image center spot; pop-up magnifier
Shutter: Between-the-lens leaf shutter, speeds of 1-1/300 sec plus
bulb, built-in self-timer
Film Advance: Self-storing rapid wind crank, automatic stop at
first frame
Flash: X-synchronization at all speeds, PC socket plus hot shoe
Dimensions And Weight: 5.5x3.75x4"; 2 lbs, 6 oz
Warranty: One year, parts and labor
Price (Including Lens Cap And Neckstrap): 4A-105, $329.95; 4A-107,
$359.95; 4A-107G, $399.95; 4B, $229.95
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