The Seagull 4B is a two-lens reflex camera. The medium format camera was built by Shanghai Camera Factory. It is the successor of the Seagull 4A. There are some submodels of the 4B with slightly different features.
The lens of the Seagull 4B cannot be changed. The lens has a maximum aperture of f3.5 and the focal length is 75 mm. It therefore bears the designation "HAIOU SA-85". The lens is focused manually with a wheel on the side and with through the shaft finder. The Seagull 4B does not have an autofocus. The closest focusing distance is 1 meter for this lens.
Exposure is not metered by the camera. Exposure time and aperture can be selected manually. The medium format camera has a Bulb mode. In Bulb setting, the remains open as long as the photographer keeps the shutter button pressed. The use of a flash is possible via the PC flash socket.
Films for the Seagull 4B
What kind of films does the Seagull 4B need? It needs medium format films. These are still easy to get today and are still being developed.
Possible films for the Seagull 4B are the Kodak Portra 160* for color photos and the Ilford HP5* for B&W images. The development of the color film is the C-41 process. The C-41 process is performed by almost all photo labs.
The medium format camera exposes a format of 6 x 6. With an insert find also shots in the format 6 x 4.5 format possible. The film is rewound in the camera manually with a wheel and with the help of the numbers, which can be seen through a red window on the back.
The medium format camera has a built-in self-timer. In addition, there is a connection for a cable release and a thread for a tripod. The medium format camera is mechanical and can take photos without batteries.
You can still buy the Seagull 4B in used condition. Depending on the state of preservation, the cost of the medium format camera varies.
