Topic: no more TLRs from Shanghai Seagull Camera Ltd

[jojonas~]

I think it's a wonder that they've stuck with it for such a long time but still, who knows? we'll see if they pick up production again.

Dear Mr. Osbourne,

Regret the SEAGULL factory temporarily stopped production at the end of last year
of their medium format cameras, due to poor demand around the world.
Neither we nor other distributors in the EC have any stock we can direct you to.
Your only possible source is the secondhand market and eBay.

source: http://www.flickr.com/groups/seagull-tlr/discuss/72157625827103482/

good night sweet prince~


_{photographer: mijonju}

[Ed Wenn]

Sad to see another manufacturer bite the dust (esp. since it's an MF camera), but honestly, I've not heard anyone say a decent word about the Seagull in the last 10 years, so I guess it's not a big surprise or such a huge loss.

[jojonas~]

yeah.. you can take a good shot with them, as with any camera, but there's still so many old TLRs out there to be had. buying one and sending it to get fixed would often end up being cheaper than buying a new seagull.

I wonder what they're still making? I'd like to get my greasy paws on one of those lovely chang cheng DF cameras~

[Francois]

I often think Seagull TLR's had a severe distribution problem... In all the years I was going to photo fairs, I've never ever seen a single one!

Yet, I have seen plenty of everything else that could be considered "strange"...

[moominsean]

they stopped making great walls in the 1980s, but they probably have tons of old stock. though i don't see many on ebay these days. i see them on chinese websites for the yuan equivalent of about $20-$60 depending on model. rarely go for less than $85 here.

i've read that the seagulls are made of soft metals that wear out fairly quickly...

[sapata]

With a few extra money it's worth getting a quality TLR, It won't be in good cosmetic condition but I believe it would be much more reliable.

By the way... the funeral picture is great ! although photograph is not allowed in funerals...

[Mil Mascaras]

they stopped making great walls in the 1980s, but they probably have tons of old stock. though i don't see many on ebay these days. i see them on chinese websites for the yuan equivalent of about $20-$60 depending on model. rarely go for less than $85 here.

i've read that the seagulls are made of soft metals that wear out fairly quickly...

Sean, I have got friends in both HK and Mainland and I will probably visit in 2 months. Could you please share any of these links/resources? I have always wondered about some of the Chinese cameras but I don't want to pay the ridiculous lomoprices.

[moominsean]

http://new.sy916.net/

i ordered a bunch of cameras from them a few years back. shipping was about $35 plus bank fees.

[Mil Mascaras]

Thanks!

[Suzi Livingstone]

they stopped making great walls in the 1980s, but they probably have tons of old stock. though i don't see many on ebay these days. i see them on chinese websites for the yuan equivalent of about $20-$60 depending on model. rarely go for less than $85 here.

i've read that the seagulls are made of soft metals that wear out fairly quickly...

Sean, I have got friends in both HK and Mainland and I will probably visit in 2 months. Could you please share any of these links/resources? I have always wondered about some of the Chinese cameras but I don't want to pay the ridiculous lomoprices.

I got a Great Wall before Christmas and I absolutely love it. I got it for approx £100 on ebay from a Hong Kong seller but my dad & brother live out in HK so I would have asked them to find me one if I hadn't seen one on ebay.