Paid too much for Seagull?

Saha · 25th May 2004

I picked up a brand new Seagull 4A-105 in Guangzhou, China last week for S$375 (with case). Looking at Seagull discussions on the net since, it looks like I paid too much and it is actually cheaper in Singapore? WOuld appreciate confirmation that either I got conned, or the prices referred to on the net are for different models...

RemAcuTetigisti · 25th May 2004

Since you already bought, don't worry about the price and use it to shoot good pictures.

But since you asked, the price is definitely on the higher side. It is possible to get an excellent condition Rolleicord at that price. A shop in Peninsula, at Level 2, sells new seagull's. You can check with them for actual pricing.

VincentLin · 25th May 2004

Gosh, I bought mine in China for about S$150. Dude, you have been seriously "chopped".

Tetrode · 25th May 2004

Originally Posted by Saha

I picked up a brand new Seagull 4A-105 in Guangzhou, China last week for S$375 (with case). Looking at Seagull discussions on the net since, it looks like I paid too much and it is actually cheaper in Singapore? WOuld appreciate confirmation that either I got conned, or the prices referred to on the net are for different models...

Sorry to have to say this but...

For that kind of money, you would have been better off buying a Rolleicord Va or Vb off Ebay. At least you can sell it off for what you bought it for or sometimes even more.

Problem with lever wind models like the 4A-105 is that their internal gears are made of plastic which can and do strip over time making the camera a paper weight.

Otherwise, the lens on your camera is pretty good.

y0gi0h · 30th May 2004

Originally Posted by Saha

I picked up a brand new Seagull 4A-105 in Guangzhou, China last week for S$375 (with case). Looking at Seagull discussions on the net since, it looks like I paid too much and it is actually cheaper in Singapore? WOuld appreciate confirmation that either I got conned, or the prices referred to on the net are for different models...

Don't feel too bad about being "chopped" lah. Even in Singapore, some shops (eg. K-unlucky# ) also sells the 4E model above $400. So even if u buy locally may also kanna..

OTOH, a properly functional Seagull is capable of producing very respectable results too. At f8 or f11, one probably could not tell any difference between a Seagull and a Rolleicord. (The lenses are of similar design anyway. In fact, the 4E version and the xenar are identical.)

Granted, a rolleicord is definitely better built than a Seagull. But, it's much older (hard to find one with perfect condition) and the camera has a very strange user control which you may or may not like it. (I for one hate it!! always thought it's meant for a left-hander. much prefer the rollei T).

So, just enjoy what you had paid for and don't compare price anymore. Handle the seagull more gently and it should be fine. Good luck!

Tetrode · 30th May 2004

Originally Posted by y0gi0h

(I for one hate it!! always thought it's meant for a left-hander. much prefer the rollei T).

I cannot see how you can make that statement since the Rolleicord Va and Vb have their focussing knobs on the same side of the camera body (on the left) as does the Rolleiflex T. So their user controls are identical i.e. focussing knob on the left and advance (knob for cord, lever for T) on the right.

Even for earlier models up to and including the V, had their focussing and winding knob on the right side of the camera (the same side as the advance knob), hardly a good setup for lefties.

The only other advantage the T has over the cords is that the Rolleiflex T's lever wind automatically cocks the shutter, while you have to manually charge the shutter on the cords.

Keltzar · 31st May 2004

$375 is a bit on the high but I think most of the new seagull models are not cheap. I went by K13 the other day and was surprised they have so many variants now... and I think prices start from $200++ for the base all-knobs model up to $400+ for the highest end models.

Can't compare to the old days when the 4B-1 was $120 and the 4A-1 was about $150 !!

Just use it lah. if you get 50 good photos out of it, the price is insignificant.

y0gi0h · 31st May 2004

Originally Posted by Tetrode

I cannot see how you can make that statement since the Rolleicord Va and Vb have their focussing knobs on the same side of the camera body (on the left) as does the Rolleiflex T. So their user controls are identical i.e. focussing knob on the left and advance (knob for cord, lever for T) on the right.

Even for earlier models up to and including the V, had their focussing and winding knob on the right side of the camera (the same side as the advance knob), hardly a good setup for lefties.

The only other advantage the T has over the cords is that the Rolleiflex T's lever wind automatically cocks the shutter, while you have to manually charge the shutter on the cords.

I was referring to the shutter trigger. Just not used to the Rolleicord way (well, YMMV.)

happy shooting with the TLR!

igpenguin · 31st May 2004

my first seagull bought new from ruby more than a few years back was under $100 - a 4B-1... can prolly resell now for the same price? :P not bad to have a camera where the price appreciates!

yellow_kiwi · 1st June 2004

Originally Posted by igpenguin

my first seagull bought new from ruby more than a few years back was under $100 - a 4B-1... can prolly resell now for the same price? :P not bad to have a camera where the price appreciates!

most probably... got mine ard 1/2yr ago from konota for S$195.

anyway, enjoy shooting with your seagull.

igpenguin · 1st June 2004

sold mine some time discounted for a non-critical fault... at $20, still shoots pics! in some ways I regretted selling it when i thought about shooting the square 6x6 format again. but have bought a used TLR to replace it.

Saha · 3rd June 2004

Thanks, all, for the comments and consolations :-)

I developed my first two 6X6 120 rolls and was AMAZED by the quality of the two frames where I managed to get both the focusing and the exposure right. (I have been spoilt by automatic SLRs). I realize that this is more due to medium format than the camera itself - but now I have no regrets - I would never have got into medium format otherwise.

boopoo · 25th July 2004

any one need a uv 4 seagull ?new inbox hoya 34mm. bought extract selling 15 never make profit thk

25th May 2004	#1
Saha New Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 24	Paid too much for Seagull? I picked up a brand new Seagull 4A-105 in Guangzhou, China last week for S$375 (with case). Looking at Seagull discussions on the net since, it looks like I paid too much and it is actually cheaper in Singapore? WOuld appreciate confirmation that either I got conned, or the prices referred to on the net are for different models...

25th July 2004	#13
boopoo Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,395	34mm filter any one need a uv 4 seagull ?new inbox hoya 34mm. bought extract selling 15 never make profit thk

25th May 2004	#2
RemAcuTetigisti Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 189	Since you already bought, don't worry about the price and use it to shoot good pictures. But since you asked, the price is definitely on the higher side. It is possible to get an excellent condition Rolleicord at that price. A shop in Peninsula, at Level 2, sells new seagull's. You can check with them for actual pricing.

25th May 2004	#3
VincentLin Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 385	Gosh, I bought mine in China for about S$150. Dude, you have been seriously "chopped".

31st May 2004	#7
Keltzar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: West Posts: 3,161	$375 is a bit on the high but I think most of the new seagull models are not cheap. I went by K13 the other day and was surprised they have so many variants now... and I think prices start from $200++ for the base all-knobs model up to $400+ for the highest end models. Can't compare to the old days when the 4B-1 was $120 and the 4A-1 was about $150 !! Just use it lah. if you get 50 good photos out of it, the price is insignificant.

31st May 2004	#9
igpenguin Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,108	my first seagull bought new from ruby more than a few years back was under $100 - a 4B-1... can prolly resell now for the same price? :P not bad to have a camera where the price appreciates!

1st June 2004	#11
igpenguin Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,108	sold mine some time discounted for a non-critical fault... at $20, still shoots pics! in some ways I regretted selling it when i thought about shooting the square 6x6 format again. but have bought a used TLR to replace it.

3rd June 2004	#12
Saha New Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 24	Thanks, all, for the comments and consolations :-) I developed my first two 6X6 120 rolls and was AMAZED by the quality of the two frames where I managed to get both the focusing and the exposure right. (I have been spoilt by automatic SLRs). I realize that this is more due to medium format than the camera itself - but now I have no regrets - I would never have got into medium format otherwise.