Seagull 4A-107 Medium format Review

Above left: Features are few and far between but focusing is simple with the large focusing knob.

Above middle: The 75mm f/3.5 picture taking lens and 75mm f/2.8 viewing lens. What you see is not what you get.

Above right: The large, bright and 'backwards' waist-level viewfinder and pop-up magnifier take some getting used to.

CRANKS, MANUAL FOCUSING, no through-the-lens (TTL) metering - amazing. At least it is to a medium-format virgin like me, brought up on the modern wave of electronic SLRs. Given how far technology has evolved over the years, the 'new' twin-lens reflex (TLR) Seagull 4A-107 doesn't exactly make any giant leaps forward.
Essentially this Seagull is not that different from the product that first tasted success in the latter days of the Second World War. But there are some changes - improved lens quality and rapid advanced lever film wind, for example.
The 4A-107 feeds on 120 roll-film. On the base of the camera you'll find a safety lever which essentially keeps the whole thing together. To open the back and load up, turn the safety lever from the 'C' position (closed) to the 'O' position (open).
The film loads onto the lower spool. its protective paper pulls out over the film gate and inserts into a wide slot on the upper spool. With a few twists of the winding crank, the 'start' arrows on the film will be level with the red dots on the camera body. Close the back cover and turn the safety lever to the 'C' position.
Cup the base of the camera in your right hand at waist level and the Seagull feels awkward and, well spiky. Use the index finger on your right hand to cover the shutter release and your left hand is free to focus.
Remember, you need either a separate light meter or an SLR with a trusty metering system handy as the Seagull doesn't have its own meter. Bear in mind that the Seagull's 75mm lens is roughly equivalent to a standard 50mm lens on any 35mm camera.
The first thing you'll notice when you go to use the camera is that, although the waist-level viewfinder is extremely large and bright, everything is shown in reverse.