Pearl River 4-S Twin Lens Reflex Camera
Photo thanks to Gary - [email protected]
Visit Gary's Instant Air Sculptures Page - Thanks!
Most of our notes on Chinese TLRs are on the Seagull Camera Pages,
which includes various Great Wall and Pearl River related notes and postings. In recent years,
some of these cameras have been exported out of China to the West (by EBAY sales etc.). There
is also a Chinese camera mailing list (http://egroups.yahoo.com) whose
archives also have sundry notes on these cameras and models. The key points with current Chinese
cameras is that quality control is rather variable, so test before buying. A good example can be quite
good for a modest price, but you may find the finish or external factors like leatherette
to be less refined than typical current Japanese cameras.
Be aware that some enterprising dealers in the USA are now importing a series of these
cameras, securing favorable reviews, but greatly marking up the prices from just a few
years ago. A typical 3 element TLR in 1998/9 cost only $40, while the better and recommended
4 element Seagull style Chinese TLRs cost $80 (e.g., Porter's Camera). Current asked prices
of $200 and $250 are simply too high, IMHO, when you can buy Rolleicord TLRs with the same
lenses as their Rolleiflex cousins for $100 and up used, with better mechanics and fewer
problems (esp. after a clean-lube-adjust repairshop visit).
I bought this camera new in 1992. I've put only 5 or 6 rolls of film
through it since. And
I've stored it in its case in the original box since 1992. It makes
a 6x6 image but will
allow you to shoot 4.5x6 with the included insert. Shutter speeds
are accurate. Lenses
are in mint condition. The leather is coming unglued on the lower
right of the front
standard (as you face the camera, you can see it in the photo).
Other than that, the
camera is mint.
Comes with leather case and strap, owners manual and original box.
Here is what the
manual says about the Pearl River:
The Pearl River 4-S is a twin-lens reflex camera with photographic lens and viewing lens. The twin-lens are 75mm focal length and F 1:3.5, 3 elements in 3 groups. The lens plated a violet-blue thin film. Picture of photography is 12 pictures, size 6x6 cm or 16 pictures, size 6x4.5 cm, used the roll of 120 film. The viewing can be composed directly through the ground glass screen and the focus can be adjusted by rotating the focusing knob, on the ground glass screen can be view directly the clearness of focusing. The shutter speeds of this camera are 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/300 second and B, the aperture are 3.5, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22. Built-in self-timer and X flash socket, winding by winding wheel and counted through the film counted window.
rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: [email protected]
[1] Re: Advice- Best inexpensive TLR?
Date: Tue Feb 1999
I have a Chinese TLR called a Pearl River that I picked up at a
Washington DC
camera show for a rediculously low price because the dealer was tired of
hauling it around. It's pretty identical to the older Seagul TLR's and takes
great pictures. I recently used it to do a portrait shoot at my church. The
pictures came out great.
Porter's (http://www.porters.com/), Calumet Photo
(http://www.calumetphoto.com/), and believe it or not Wal-Mart
(http://www.wal-mart.com/) are selling the latest Chinese TLR camera. It
looks like the old Rollei TLR that has a crank on the side for winding the
film. Porter's and Wal-mart sell it as the Kalimar Reflex 66. Calumet sells
it under the Seagul name. Prices range from $120-$190 US.
Rad
Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2001
From: Radimus [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Pearl River TLR
I had two Pearl River TLR's a while back. I replaced them with a pair
of Yashica's. They aren't really considered "toy cameras" as they are
all metal bodies and usually have decent lenses. Quality can vary a
lot, though. In the two that I had one had a sharper lens than the
other. When you get a good one you can get some really good prints out
of them.
If you're looking for a first TLR, I think you'd be better off buying a
used Yashica or Rollei from a reputable dealer. I've made several
purchases from KEH and Cameta Camera and have always gotten good
service from them. KEH always has plenty of used Rollei TLR's on hand.
Rad
Date: 11 Jan 2001
From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Pearl River TLR
[email protected] (Marie Caspelich) wrote:
> Hello, > I would like to know what anyone's thoughts are on these cameras. Is it > considered to be a "toy camera" with possible light leaks? Any > information > would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!
I know various people have commented on this already, but I'd just like
to make a point.
Whilst cameras like the Pearl River and Seagull TLRs are not really
professional pieces of equipment - they are in my opinion also not toy
cameras in the sense that the Diana and Holga are toy cameras. Diana and
Holga to name but a few are cheap plastic constructions which are made as
tourist snapshot cameras, to be used once or twice and then discarded.
Also they are poorly engineered and aren't necessarily lighttight.
Cameras like the Pearl River and Seagull are real cameras. Designed and
built to take photos. They are also cheap copies of the Rollie like TLRs
and whilst inferior in many respects do tend to work successfully.
In a price guide I have seen a Peal River for about $60 and Seagulls range
from $50-$100 or so.
The Lubitel is a special case as it too was designed as a real camera and
manufactured by a camera as opposed to toy/novelty company. However cult
status has inflated Lubitel prices above their actual worth as real
cameras - and the engineering/design is so basic that sometimes you could
be forgiven for thinking they are toy cameras! Having said that - if used
carefully they do bring in the goods.
This newsgroup is frequented by many people of many differing needs. For
me a YashicaMat is a posh upmarket camera and my Seagull is my 2nd best
TLR after it. For other people the Seagull is but a toy and the YashicaMat
barely scrapes through as real camera and only then because it really is
quite close to a Rollie.
Anyway I think my main point is that it really depends what you want to
spend. If you just want to try MF out - you can buy a camera, shoot and
develop/print a film for well under $50. However some people will say you
need to spend $100s to get a MF camera worth using at all.
Horses for courses
:-)
Roland.
http://www.cix.co.uk/~rgivan/