Return of the Seagull 4B

March 17, 2009 dinglesp 15 comments

I dug my old Seagull 4B out the other week for the first time in about a year. I picked this up from a junk stall on Dongtai Lu when I first moved to Shanghai for 150rmb or so and was the camera that first got me into film.

Actually I never even intended to use it, I thought it looked cool and planned on just throwing it on a shelf somewhere, but curiosity got the better of me and I stuck a film through it.

I’ve been addicted ever since! It’s been in bits a couple of times but everything’s fine and dandy now!

I upgraded to a Yashica 124G after putting about half a dozen films through it but Swiss James has that on loan and I was desperate to get out and take some pics after not taking any for about six months.

Anyway, here’s some pics from the reel I finished off last weekend:

Security Guard on Danshui Lu. See a bigger version

A road digger-upperer. See a bigger version

H in a field with a stick (way back in CNY when I started this film)

H on Danshui Lu

These and more will be appearing on the gallery if you’re interested (www.gallery.dinglespeaks.com)

For the nerds – Ilford HP5 400 developed in Ilford LC-19

gadgets hua in a field with a stick, seagull

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Written by WoAi about 1 year ago.

Very impressive work Craig. I like the one of H balance precariously while you calmly take the light reading and focus. Did she used to do ballet or something? I always have trouble focusing with the TLRs, but maybe that’s just my poor middle aged eyesight.

How are you digitising these? The tonal range is very nice on these.
Written by dinglesp about 1 year ago.

Woai, still exactly the same setup as before, an Epson 4490, the only difference being that I’m overexposing the film (by accident, I was convinced this was ISO100). I’m thinking my shutter speeds might be a bit off (on the quick side) so I’m normally underexposing.

Light readings and focusing – all done prior to thinking about the photo, once the shutter speed and aperture are set they stay that way (unless I go somewhere dark) and by shooting with an aperture of F8 or so you don’t have to be so accurate with your focusing.
Written by kristi about 1 year ago.

So you’re developing at home? Nice! I helped the fiance with that a few weeks ago and got bored after about 10 minutes.

Fantastic camera though, I love all of these. Why is it that everything you take on the streets with that thing is like a 1950′s time warp?
Written by ana about 1 year ago.

great work. we should all go on a photowalk in shanghai, just to have an excuse to take our cameras out in the sun and take some pictures!
Written by dinglesp about 1 year ago.

Kristi, yeah, a bit of science in my own apartment, it’s heaven i tell you!!

As for the old look, I guess part of it is the subject matter I generally choose, but the lens in the seagull does have a weird focusing effect, you get a swirly thing sometimes.

Ana, sure, let’s set a date!
Written by ---H about 1 year ago.

Kristi, good point. You know I never showed one second interest in developing films. You have no idea how “Science” projects going on at home. It can possibly change 21st century scene into a 1950’s time.

Ana, in this case, I will bring a camera and join your guys as well. Please keep me in the loop.

p.s. Woai is an evil man…
Written by WoAi about 1 year ago.

H – Yes, but I’m not a doctor unlike Dingle. Otherwise I’d be Doctor Evil, muah ha ha!!!
Written by ana about 1 year ago.

great! how would sunday afternoon work for you busy people?
Written by Swiss James about 1 year ago.

Them’s lovely Dingle.

I don’t really see why you ever need that yashica back!
Written by dinglesp about 1 year ago.

Ana, not sure I can do this weekend yet, got a visitor from the UK here!

Swiss, you might as well just give it back seeing as you can’t even figure out how to put the film in properly
Written by WoAi about 1 year ago.

Dingle – James wanted to “borrow” my video camera a while back. I even charged up the batteries for him in anticipation. Luckily, he seems to have forgotten about it.
Written by dinglesp about 1 year ago.

Woai, to be honest I don’t think I’d want to borrow your video camera, I’d be worried about what I might see if I rewound the tape too far!
Written by WoAi about 1 year ago.

I had the same concern so I checked the tape and found some unseen (even by me!) footage of Tommy when he was younger. It’ll be a Caturday special as soon as I get it transferred to my compoota.
Written by Swiss James about 1 year ago.

I saw that video camera on the table as you dished up the apple pie, but was far too polite to mention it.

I guess Mother Swiss will just have to go without a birthday present this year.

Reckon I’ll get the Yashica out this, or next, or the one after, weekend.
Written by dinglesp about 1 year ago.

I’ve got a video camera you can borrow if you’re desperate swiss.

I’m thinking of taking some pics on Sunday if it’s nice. I can even show you how to load the film properly in the Yashica!

Ana, you still here on Sunday?

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Return of the Seagull 4B

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