SEAGULL -- AFTER MINOLTA -- NUMBERED ABOVE "300"
SEAGULL -- AFTER MINOLTA -- NUMBERED ABOVE "300"
These cameras are listed in numerical order, not by production date:
You would assume that a DF-400 would offer some advantages over a DF-300 model. The DF-400G does that --
and much more. Let's start with the shutter. Unlike the hortizontal, cloth, electronically-controlled
shutter of the DF-300, the DF-400G has a vertical, metal, electronically-controlled shutter. On top of that,
it has extra shutters speeds of 2 seconds (marked in green), and "T" -- in addition to "B".
The electronic flash SYNC speed is at 1/125 sec. or lower.
On top of that, the automatic shutter speeds range from 1/2,000 to 8 seconds -- plus the shutter speed dial is uncovered, unlike the DF-300 models. The sensa-switch is retained, and a cable release connection allows use of the "B" and "T" settings. But there's more. The DF-400G also has multiple-exposure capability with a tiny switch next to the film advance lever -- which is shaped differently than other DF cameras.
It's hot shoe is not dedicated, but it does have a thumb grip on the back, as well as a film window.
It is often seen with a Seagull 28-80mm zoom which was designed by Tokina, and originally sold as a Minolta Rokkor, and made by Seagull.
A hard-to-find variant.
You would assume that a DF-500 would offer some advantages over a DF-400 model. But that is not the case.
Despite having a high DF number, this is a strictly bare-bones, manual exposure-only camera. It lacks a TTL
meter, but because the shutter is electronic, it requires two A76 batteries to operate. It is the same as
the Seagull DF-98 -- which only came in black -- it came in a champagne-colored body.
The DF-1000 is exactly the same as the DF-777 except that it adds a shutter release cable connection. Really
-- that is the only difference. It is the same as the Seagull DF-98 -- which only came in black -- exccept
the DF-1000 came in a chrome or champagne-colored body.
The DF-1000A is exactly the same as the DF-1000 except that it adds "T" to the shutter speed selection.
The "T" does not replace the "B"; it is an addition. It's a nice touch --
if you make long exposures, and don't want to carry a locking shutter release cable. Really -- that is the
only difference.
Why they didn't designate it as the DF-1000T we will never know.
The DF-1000 MC is a special commenorative version of the DF-1000. It was selected for this distinction due to its
name. It celebrates the new millennium -- hence the "MC" in English and in Chinese charaters on the top
of the prism, meaning "Millennium Commemoration". It is the same as the DF-1000 except that it adds a
golden face plate, in addition to the "MC" markings. Last, but not least, the special lens cap is marked
"Millennium Commemoration" -- in Chinese letters/characters.
Like the DF-1000 it has a cable release connection,
and has a self-timer, but lacks automatic exposure, and of course AE-lock.
The top is also as simple and straight-forward as the DF-1000 with an ON/OFF switch, non-dedicated hot shot, and non-sensa-switch shutter release.
Like the DF-1000, the DF-1000 MC lacks any motor winder connections, but has a battery chamber for the electronic shutter.
The back is also the same as the DF-1000 with a film window and a thumb grip.
It's the same as the Seagull DF-1000, but it adds TTL metering. It has the same quartz-controlled, horizontal-travel,
cloth, focal-plane shutter with speeds of B, and 1-1/1000 sec. The flash SYNC is at 1/60 sec. or lower. It
is a metered manual exposure only camera. The ISO is manually set from 25-1600, and the TTL center-weighted
average meter indicates correct exposure by three blinking LEDs in the viewfinder. It has an electronic self-timer
with an approximately 10 sec. delay.
It's an improved/updated version of the Seagull DF-2000 with three additions. A "T" setting is
added to the shutter settings, multiple-exposure capability is added (the lever is missing in the photo), and the
ISO is increased to 12-3200.
OK, so Porsche designed the exterior of the Contax RTS.
So why can't Seagull do the same sort of thing?
They did! The amazing DF5000! The body covering of the Seagull DF5000 was designed by Luigi Colani, but underneath it's a Minolta X-370 / X-570 / X-700 hybrid.
Luigi Colani, is a German industrial designer of Kurdish descent.
His long career began in the 1950s when he designed cars for companies such as Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Volkswagen, and BMW. Here, he was somehow talked into designing a camera for Seagull. Strange but true! But it's really not that odd. After all, it's the same path that Porsche travelled before him.
Ferdinand Porsche -- or more likely, his Company -- started out designing cars, such as the VW Beetle, for Hitler, and later tanks, and still later, cameras. Makes complete sense to me!?!?! And many users of the camera claim that the Contax RTS really is built like a tank!
But to be complete, all Colani -- or more likely, his Company -- did was design a cover or shell for the Seagull DF5000 -- he did not design the camera inside. It is a very futuristic, eye-catching cover, for sure. There are very few cameras that are quite as artistic. Perhaps the later Zenit 312 and 412 were inspired by Colani's design, but the cameras are no match for the Seagull DF5000 in terms of features.
The DF5000 has a quartz-controlled, horizontal-travel, cloth, focal-plane shutter, aperture-priority, automatic exposure and match-LED metered-manual mode. Acute matte focusing screen with central split-image spot surrounded by a microprism band and TTL center-weighted average metering (CDS cell). ISO 12-3200 set by film-speed dial that locks at 1/3 EV increments. AE lock, electronic self-timer for 10 sec delay (with operation indicated by blinking LED on the front). Stepless speeds from 4 seconds to 1/1000 sec. in AUTO mode -- or fixed speeds of 1 second to 1/1000 sec and "B" in MANUAL mode. "X" sync at 1/60 sec. and lower. Uses two 1.5V LR44 batteries. There is a beeping alarm for the self-timer and the exposure of low speed -- which can be turned off. It has TTL auto flash SYNC like the X-700. A custom, matching, stylish power-winder is available -- which has OFF, SINGLE, and CONTINUOUS settings -- but any Minolta G-type winder will work. The Minolta Motor Drive 1 will not fit due to the design of the body covering. You can determine this version because "Colani" is imprinted on the back of the camera below the rewind knob.
You will only find it in black, but a rare white version was made -- with COLANI replacing SEAGULL on the top of the pentaprism!!! This probably was just a VERY special edition -- with a special white trimmed Seagull 50mm lens to go with it -- for politicians, VIP's, dignataries, dictators, and other high muckety-mucks. So good luck finding one of these!!!
It's the exact same camera as the DF5000 "Colani", but for some reason the "Colani" name
was removed from the back of the camera. It is probably the most common version of the DF5000 -- and was
also sold as the Phoenix DF5000.
However, it was also made in a white-topped version -- which appears to be rare.
The VERY unusual aspect of this model is that the "SEAGULL" name is gone!
| 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 |