Cameras of China

[jack]

Nov 30, 2012 23:02:29 GMT -5 Randy said:

Many of my modern Minoltas say made in china on the bottom.

Your modern Minoltas were probably made at the Seagull factory. Next up is a clone of the Minolta X-300, a special edition Seagull DF-300x.

[jack]

Seagull DF-300x SLR






"Commemorating Return of Hong Kong"



Here's a Seagull DF-300x SLR with 28-70mm zoom lens. The DF-300x is a clone of Minolta's X-300 camera. Since it uses the Minolta SR lens mount, all MD manual focus lenses can be used. This particular camera and lens were made to commemorate Hong Kong's return to China in 1997. Only 1000 of these commemorative camera and lens sets were made. Each set comprises a camera body and lens with matching serial numbers and written in Chinese "Commemorating Return of Hong Kong" on both camera body and lens. The writing is clearly seen on the back of the camera, on the lens it's on the barrel, partially hidden by the focus adjustment ring.

Specifications:

Lens: Coated 28-70mm zoom lens, 1:3.5-4.5. Focussing from 0.4m to infinity.

Shutter: Electronically controlled cloth horizontal focal plane shutter with speeds from 4 to 1/1000 sec (auto), 1 to 1/1000 (manual) and B.

Features: TTL center-weighted average metering, self timer, hot shoe, motor drive compatible.

[gwteal]

Jack, when I purchased my Seagull DF-300X, I was expecting a cheap look/feel camera, I was more than surprised. Thanks for displaying your collection, especially like your commemorative DF-300X.

[zorkikat]

Shanghai 58II (x3)

[zorkikat]

Seagull 205 and Phoenix 205







from www.zorkikat.com/2010/02/celebrating-the-year-of-the-tiger-cameras-from-china-3/

[Doug T.]

Here's my small contribution.........



Doug

[Deleted]

The Shanghai 58s are beautiful. Always wanted one.

W.

[jack]

Mudan (Peony) MD-1D LED TLR




Here's a Mudan (Peony) MD-1D LED TLR, it's modeled after the Seagull 4B TLR. This TLR is quite rare, its production run was so short that it was considered as a trial run. Among Chinese made TLRs, the MD-1D LED TLR is unique because it has a built in light meter. You can see in one of the accompanying pictures the CdS (Cadmium Sulphide) eye directly under the taking lens. Over and under exposure LED (EV 6-17 for ISO100 film) is coupled to both shutter speed and aperture selectors. One of the shortcomings of the light meter implementation is that it is only calibrated to ISO100 film. There is a small detent on the side of the name plate which will allow access to a small circuit board where you could change the calibration, but it is very inconvenient.

Specifications:

Viewing Lens: Coated 75mm, 1:3.5.

Taking Lens: Coated 75mm, 1:3.5. Focussing from 1m to infinity.

Shutter: Between the lens leaf shutter with speeds from 1 to 1/300 sec and B.

Meter: CdS (Cadmium Sulphide) - EV 6-17 for ISO100 film

Features: Dual format, 6x6 or 6x4.5 on 120 film with the use of a removable mask. Frame counting via ruby windows on the back cover for either 12 or 16 exposures. Self-timer. Flash sync at all shutter speeds. LED under / over exposure indicator above camera name plate. Waist level finder with magnifier focussing aid. Spring loaded cover insert at front of waist level finder also flips up, creating an eye level "sports" finder.

[jack]

Da Lai - Fed 1G fake

After some thought, I decided to add this Fed 1G fake of a Da Lai camera to this thread. Though not Chinese made, it sure is a nice looking fake. ;D

The original thread was A Genuine... er... uhm... FAKE!

My Fed 1G fake of a Da Lai rangefinder... Oh how I wish it was the real deal!











Here I present a genuine fake. From what I can tell it's a "dressed up" Fed 1G masquerading as a super rare Chinese Da Lai rangefinder. Since not much is really known about the Da Lai, maybe this camera was a dressed up presentation prototype. The prototype suggestion is really wishful thinking on my part and I have the highest suspicion that my original opening sentence holds 100% true.

According to Douglas St Denny's book "Cameras of China", there were only 12 Da Lai cameras produced by the Da Lai Camera Factory in Beijing. Of those only one is known to still exist and is held by the Beijing Camera Factory.

[jack]

Seagull 4C TLR







Here's a Seagull 4C TLR. This TLR has the unique feature of having 3 formats, 6x6, 6x4.5 and 135 film format. This TLR may not be very rare, but can be very difficult to find, especially with the 135 film adapter and film mask. Another well know TLR, the Yashica 635 is said to be the inspiration for this camera's design. The circular frame counter on the side of the camera is active when the 135 film mask is installed. The last picture with the 135 accessory is missing a second set of film cassette adapters, which I have, but forgot to put them in the photo setup. You would use 2 cassettes with adapters for both feed and (empty) take-up cassettes.

Specifications:

Viewing Lens: Coated 75mm, 1:3.5.

Taking Lens: Coated 75mm, 1:3.5. Focussing from 1m to infinity.

Shutter: Between the lens leaf shutter with speeds from 1 to 1/300 sec and B.

Features: Triple format, 6x6, 6x4.5 (with mask), and 135 format (with film adapters and mask). Frame counting via ruby windows on the back cover for either 12 or 16 exposures on 120 film and mechanical counter with film advance stop for 135 film. Self-timer. Flash sync at all shutter speeds. Waist level finder with magnifier focussing aid. Spring loaded cover insert at front of waist level finder also flips up, creating an eye level "sports" finder.

[jack]

Seagull 203 (1st version)







This camera is the Seagull 203 which followed the short lived Shanghai 203. The Shanghai 203 is reputed to be of better build quality, but I can't tell any difference between the two examples I have. There are several versions of the Seagull 203. The one pictured is a first generation example which for all practical purposes is a Shanghai 203 with only the name being changed and a few minor cosmetic differences. Both cameras share the same specs and features.

Specifications:

Lens: Coated 7.5cm, 1:3.5, 3 elements in 3 groups, Front element focussing from 1.2m to infinity.

Shutter: Manually set between the lens 3 leaf shutter. Speeds from 1 to 1/300 and B. Self timer and flash sync. EV coupled aperture control.

Features: Lever film advance with double exposure prevention. Body coupled shutter release. Dual format, 6x6 or 6x4.5 on 120 film with the use of hinged masks. Frame counting via ruby windows on the back cover for either 12 or 16 exposures. Spring loaded knobs at the bottom of the camera which allow easy removal of the film spools.

[jack]

Seagull 203-1






Here's the Seagull 203-1. The 203-1's build quality was reduced for cost savings in manufacturing. The first thing you'll notice is that the film winding lever is now plastic. The film speed reminder / EV dial is replaced by a flash hot shoe and the previous on shutter EV coupled aperture control is gone. The PC sync is still present, but no longer on the shutter, it's now mounted on the side of top housing near the hot shoe.

Specifications:

Lens: Coated 7.5cm, 1:3.5, 3 elements in 3 groups, Front element focussing from 1.2m to infinity.

Shutter: Manually set between the lens 3 leaf shutter. Speeds from 1 to 1/300 and B. Self timer, PC sync and hot shoe.

Features: Lever film advance with double exposure prevention. Body coupled shutter release. Dual format, 6x6 or 6x4.5 on 120 film with the use of hinged masks. Frame counting via ruby windows on the back cover for either 12 or 16 exposures. Spring loaded knobs at the bottom of the camera which allow easy removal of the film spools.

[jack]

Hongmei HM-1

Early version of Hongmei HM-1






Later version of Hongmei HM-1




Here is another medium format folding camera the Hongmei HM-1. The HM-1 was very popular during its production run and filled the market left vacant when the Shanghai 202 ceased production. I have two versions of the HM-1. Both are identical with the exception that the later version has a cold accessory shoe mounted on the camera's top cover.

Specifications:

Lens: Coated 7.5cm, 1:4.5, 3 elements in 3 groups, Front element focussing from 1.2m to infinity.

Shutter: Manually set between the lens 3 leaf shutter. Speeds from 1/10 to 1/200 and B. Self timer and PC sync.

Features: Lever film advance. Body coupled shutter release. Dual format, 6x6 or 6x4.5 on 120 film with the use of hinged masks. Frame counting via ruby windows on the back cover for either 12 or 16 exposures. Spring loaded knobs at the bottom of the camera which allow easy removal of the film spools.

[jack]

Seagull CL-A Light Meter






Here's a Seagull CL-A light meter. The CL-A is the only handheld light meter made in China that I know of. Its design is based on a 1950's Weston meter, except it uses a CdS light cell instead of selenium. This meter is fairly accurate. I did a side by side comparison with my Minolta IIIF (digital) light meter and the Seagull CL-A's accuracy was +/- 1/2 stop. I would have no problem using this meter to set exposure on my meter-less cameras.

Specifications:

EV Scale: 2 to 21
Film speed: DIN 9-33 / ASA 6-1600
Shutter speed range: 1/4000 to 120 sec.
Aperture range: f/1 to f/32

Features: Handheld, metal and plastic bodied meter for incident and reflective light metering. Switch on left side of meter for high / low light sensitivity scale selection. Needle locks after reading. Battery check switch as well as DIN to WESTON (ASA) conversion scale on back of meter.