SEAGULL -- AFTER MINOLTA -- NUMBERED "300"

These cameras are listed in alphabetic order:

Seagull DF-300 (model 1)

The original DF-300 was the same as the Minolta X-370 (AKA X-300) -- almost. There is one slight difference. On the Minolta, the small hand grip is covered with a "stippled" leatherette that is slightly different from the leatherette on the rest of the body. On the Seagull DF-300, the small hand grip is covered with the same leatherette as the rest of the body.  This is the most commonly seen version of the DF-300.

And while the DF-300 is most commonly seen in chrome, a black version was also made.

Seagull DF-300 (model 2)

At some later point, Seagull made a couple of minor changes to the DF-300 -- basically moving to the Minolta X-370n (AKA X-370s) body -- and we call this newer version the Model 2. Specifically, they removed the original film tab holder and substituted a film view window on the back, just like the Minolta X-370n (AKA X-370s). More noticeable is that the leatherette was changed. They replaced the leathertte with a rubberized covering. At the same time, they enlarged the hand grip on the front of the camera and added one to the rear of the camera. So the Model 2 looks and feels different than the Model 1 but they are essentially the same camera and both are just marked "DF-300" -- leading to some confusion!  Surprisingly, the Model 2 retained the Sensa-switch which the Minolta X-370n (AKA X-370s) dropped.  In addition, the standard lens was changed to have a built-in lens hood and a much wider, rubberized, focusing ring -- I guess they wanted it to look like it was an auto-focusing lens.

SEAGULL DF-300A

Much as the DF-300 (Model 2) made some slight changes from the DF-300 (Model 1), the DF-300A made some slight changes from the DF-300 (Model 2).  For example, it kept the rubberized body covering, but the hand grip no longer has the grooves in it.  

In addition, the Sensa-switch has been removed.  More importantly, it added the f-stop window to the viewfinder, as well as multiple exposure capabilty with a tiny switch located next to the film advance lever.   

Otherwise it has the same features as the DF-300 (Model 2), such as motor drive capability

and a film cassette window on the back with an extended hand grip.

It retains the dedicated hot shoe and has film settings from ISO 12-3200:

It has an AE lock, self-timer switch, and cable release connection, but lacks a DOF button:

SEAGULL DF-300AD

This is a Seagull DF-300A with a data back.

All other features remained the same.

SEAGULL DF-300B

This one is an odd bird, and very hard to miss due to its huge, built-in, hand grip.  The shutter release is NOT on the top plate of the camera, but instead on the top of the grip.  However the shutter speed dial is in the normal location and takes some time to get used to.  Since it lacks the shutter speed selector dial on the hand grip, it was obviously designed to be used with an auto-winder. And although it has all of the connections for use with the Minolta Motor Drive 1, the hand grip is too large to allow it to fit.

Another oddity of this model is the pentaprism design -- which has f-stop visibility in the viewfinder.

It has DOF preview and a cable release connection, as well as a hand grip on the back with a film window.

It even has multiple-exposure capability with a tiny lever next to the shutter speed dial.

Typically seen with a Seagull zoom, of course -- but hard to find.

SEAGULL DF-300E

It's based on the DF-300 (model 2) but adds multiple-exposure capability, and a DOF preview button -- while removing the Sensa-switch.and the grooves on the hand grip.

SEAGULL DF-300ED

Same as the DF-300E but with a data back.

SEAGULL DF-300G

Yet another variation of the DF-300, this time with fuller features.

• Quartz-controlled, electronic, horizontal-travel, cloth focal-plane shutter.
• Aperture-priority, automatic(A) exposure, as well as manual exposure mode using a 3 LED display (correct or not).
• Acute matte focusing screen with central split-image spot surrounded by microprism band.
• TTL center-weighted average metering.
• ISO 25-6400 set by film-speed dial that locks at 1/3 EV increments.
• AE lock, switch operated.
• Stepless speeds from 8s - 1/1000 set automatically or fixed speeds from 2s - 1/1000 SEC.and "B" and "T" set manually.
• Electronic self-timer for 10 SEC delay. With operation indicated by LED blinking.
• "X" SYNC at 1/60 SEC. or lower.
• Multi-exposure function.
• Preview depth of field button.
• Power:two 1.5V(LR44), or 1.55V(SR44) battery.

The DF-300G was available in champagne or black.

SEAGULL DF-300GD

Same as the DF-300G but with a data back.

SEAGULL DF-300H

Based on the DF-300G but with a different body style.  The most noticeable feature is the extra-large hand-grip that runs from the bottom of the camera to the top.  It is typically found with a 50mm f1.8 normal lens or a 28-80mm two-touch zoom.

SEAGULL DF-300M

Here is an odd one.  It is a manual exposure only variant of the DF-300 (model 1), but it has a built-in center-weighted TTL meter -- with a few twists.  It only has ISO film settings from ISO 50 - 400. Why they did that is anyone's guess.  But is has an extended range of manual-only shutter speeds from 4s - 1/1000, plus B.  And if they were trying to reduce cost, why did they keep the Minolta sensa-switch?  

Why did they give it motor drive capability?  The hand grip is small enough at accept the Minolta MD-1:

It has a cable release socket, a film view door on the rear, and the extended hand grip on the rear, like the DF-300 (model 2).  

It has a non-dedicated, X-type hot shoe flash connection -- it lacks the extra X-flash connection on the flash shoe for that feature.  

Flash synch is at 1/60 and below.  It has an electronic shutter that requires two A76 batteries to operate.  No DOF button, but it has a self-timer.  

Overall, it's not a bad camera, but a really unusual mix of features.

SEAGULL DF-300S

My guess is that the "S" stands for "Straightforward" -- i.e., uncomplicated, simple, easy, effortless, painless, undemanding, unexacting.  It has all the basics:  auto-, metered-, and manual-exposure modes with shutter speeds from 1/1,000 to 1 second, plus B.  No Sensa-switch, stop-down button, or PC connection, but it has auto-exposure lock, self-timer, dedicated hot shoe, and auto-winder connections.   It is seen in champagne or black, and is typically found with a 50mm f1.8 normal lens.

SEAGULL DF-300SD

It's the same as the DF-300S, but adds a data back. Often seen with a Seagull 35-70mm zoom.

SEAGULL DF-300W

Yet another variant of the DF-300. Hard to find.

SEAGULL DF-300X

(1993)  Very similar to the DF-300S, but adds a Sensa-switch.

SEAGULL DF-300XD

No, this isn't a Minolta XD clone. It is just another variant of the Minolta X-370. This one is a Seagull DF-300X with a databack, however.  That's where the "D" comes in.  And NO, it does NOT have Minolta MD capability either.

SEAGULL DF-300X "Commemorating Return of Hong Kong"

It's the same at the Seagull DF-300X, but it comes with a special, white, zoom lens.  Only about 1,000 were made, as gifts to "important" people, commemorating the "return" of Hong Kong to China in 1997.  "Commemorating Return of Hong Kong" is scribed on the back in Chinese.

Both the camera and lens are marked with Chinese "characters" -- and matching serial numbers!

SEAGULL HQ-300D

Here is an odd one.  It's a Seagull 35mm SLR camera, but it's not designated as "DF", and as pointed out on the opening Seagull page, not all of Seagull's 35mm SLR cameras were designated as a "DF" model.  But all of their SLR models that used a Minolta mount were designated "DF" -- except this one and the one below, for some unknown reason.  It is a Seagull 35mm SLR camera using the Minolta lens mount, but it is designated "HQ".  In the Western world, this usually means "Head Quarters", and who knows, maybe it does here as well.

It offers auto-exposure and metered-manual exposure, and has a self-timer, and exposure lock, like many Seagull DF models:

It lacks a sensa-switch, but has a dedicated hot shoe:

It lacks a PC connection, and DOF button, but accepts a power winder:

The "D" in "Seagull HQ-300D" means a Data Back, of course, which can be set to indicate date and/or time -- and includes a film indicator window:

SEAGULL V-300D

Here is ANOTHER odd one.  It's a Seagull 35mm SLR camera, but it's not designated as "DF", and as pointed out on the opening Seagull page, not all of Seagull's 35mm SLR cameras were designated as a "DF" model.  But all of their SLR models that used a Minolta mount were designated "DF" -- except this one and the one above, for some unknown reason.  It is a Seagull 35mm SLR camera using the Minolta lens mount, but it is designated "V".  

It offers auto-exposure and metered-manual exposure, and has a self-timer, and exposure lock, like many Seagull DF models.  

It lacks a sensa-switch, but has a dedicated hot shoe:

It also lacks a PC connection, and a DOF button.

It does, however, accept a power winder.  

The "D" in "Seagull V-300D" means a Data Back, of course, which can be set to indicate date and/or time -- and includes a film indicator window:

Shutter

Shutter speeds

Flash synch speed

TTL meter- ing?

ISO settings

Auto expo- sure?

AE lock?

View- finder info

Flash shoe

Sensa- switch?

PC plug?

Multi- expo- sure?

Cable release plug?

Stop down button?

Self timer?

Mirror lock-up?

Motor drive option?

Battery used for

Film indicator

Seagull DF-300 (model 1)

cloth, horizontal

4-1,000 B

1/60

Y

12- 3200

Y

Y

Shutter speed scale

Dedicated

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

meter

Film tab holder

Seagull DF-300 (model 2)

cloth, horizontal

4-1,000 B

1/60

Y

12- 3200

Y

Y

Shutter speed scale

Dedicated

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

meter

Film window

Seagull DF-300A

cloth, horizontal

4-1,000 B

1/60

Y

12- 3200

Y

Y

Shutter speed scale

Dedicated

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

meter

Film window

Seagull DF-300AD

cloth, horizontal

4-1,000 B

1/60

Y

12- 3200

Y

Y

Shutter speed scale

Dedicated

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

meter

Film window

Seagull DF-300B

cloth, horizontal

4-1,000 B

1/60

Y

12- 3200

Y

Y

Shutter speed scale

Dedicated

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

meter

Film window

Seagull DF-300E

cloth, horizontal

4-1,000 B

1/60

Y

12- 3200

Y

Y

Shutter speed scale

Dedicated

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

meter

Film window

Seagull DF-300ED

cloth, horizontal

4-1,000 B

1/60

Y

12- 3200

Y

Y

Shutter speed scale

Dedicated

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

meter

Film window

Seagull DF-300G

cloth, horizontal

4-1,000 B

1/60

Y

12- 3200

Y

Y

Shutter speed scale

Dedicated

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

meter

Film window

Seagull DF-300H

cloth, horizontal

4-1,000 B

1/60

Y

12- 3200

Y

Y

Shutter speed scale

Dedicated

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

meter

Film window

Seagull DF-300M

cloth, horizontal

4-1,000 B

1/60

Y

12- 3200

Y

Y

Shutter speed scale

Dedicated

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

meter

Film window

Seagull DF-300S

cloth, horizontal

4-1,000 B

1/60

Y

12- 3200

Y

Y

Shutter speed scale

Dedicated

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

meter

Film window

Seagull DF-300X

cloth, horizontal

4-1,000 B

1/60

Y

12- 3200

Y

Y

Shutter speed scale

Dedicated

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

meter

Film window

Seagull DF-300XD

cloth, horizontal

4-1,000 B

1/60

Y

12- 3200

Y

Y

Shutter speed scale

Dedicated

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

meter

Film window

Seagull DF-300X "Commemorating Return of Hong Kong"

cloth, horizontal

4-1,000 B

1/60

Y

12- 3200

Y

Y

Shutter speed scale

Dedicated

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

meter

Film window

Seagull HQ-300D

cloth, horizontal

4-1,000 B

1/60

Y

12- 3200

Y

Y

Shutter speed scale

Dedicated

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

meter

Film window

Seagull V-300D

cloth, horizontal

4-1,000 B

1/60

Y

12- 3200

Y

Y

Shutter speed scale

Dedicated

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

meter

Film window