Film cameras
DF-300 SEAGULL User manual
User manual for DF-300 SEAGULL. 40 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Seagull
- Model / document
- DF-300 SEAGULL
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 40
- File size
- 2.0 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
Thank you for purchasing the Seagull DF-300.
Your DF-300 is an easy-to'use aperture-priority auto-exposure and full-metered manual
single-lens reflex camera with quartz control of mechanical sequences and shutter speed, providing lasting accuracy and years of enjoyment
ln its aperture-priority auto-exposure mode, the DF-300 automatically sets the precise
shutter speed f or correct exposure according to the in-camera meter at the aperture you selected,
The AE lock can be used to hold meter reading and then readjust the framing before releasing
the shutter' Auto cOntrol is maintained even when using mirror lens or close-up accessories sucn bellows-not possible with shutter-priority AE syst6ms.
creative flexibility-dxists in the DF-3oo's match-LED/full-metered manual mode: For
correct exposure at the metered value, simply adjust-aperture and/or shutter speed to align
blinking and glowing LEDs in the viewfinder. Or you can merely refer to these LEDs-or totallydisregard them-when making your own settings.
Flash photography is also simple: just attach a Seagull Sz 300 series or Minolta X-series
Auto Electrof lash, adjust aperture and shoot Flash-ready signal is given in the viewf inder, anothe shutter is automatically set f or sync at j. /60 sec.
Before you start using your new camera, please read this intruction manual carefully andget familiar procedures with the operation of and maintenance knowledge. recommend we thatyou begin practising without any f ilm loaded while reading the manual. f once you eel comf ortablewith all the controls, you can use the camera with facirity.
gr'
www.butkus.usView original page 3Page 9 · Read text
SUMMARY OF OPERATION (Automatic mode)
l. Slide main switch to "ON" (p 10) z. Check battery power (p. 11) 3. Set f ilm speed (p 12)
5. Load f ilm pr:operly and close 6.Advance f iim to frame "1"
www.butkus.usback cover (p 14) safe load signal (p 15)View original page 9Page 11 · Read text
PREPARING TO TAKE PICTURES
ATTACHING AND REMOVING LENS
,,,Remove body and lens caps as
shown
Attaching lens: Rernoving lens:
Align the red mounting index on While pressing the lens release
the lens barrel with the red index button,turn the lens counterclockwise
on the camera's lens mount. Insert as far as it will go, then lift it out
the lens into the mount, then turn of the mount.
the lens clockwise until it locks in
position with a click.
o Never set a lens wrth its rear end down unless a rear lens cao is on.
or its control pins may be damaged
. Do not touch any part inside the camera, especially the mirror, when
attaching or removing lens.
www.butkus.usView original page 11Page 13 · Read text
3. Replace the .battery.chamber cover Main switch Shutter release button
and screw it in clockwise as far as To operate the camera, slide the Touching the shutter release button
it goes. main switch to "ON" activates the camera's meter lf
. When you have finished taking proper contact is not possible (e.g.,
nictrrrpq move the main switch to when wearing gloves), Press the
"0FF" to prevent accidental expo- shutter release button half-way down
sures and battery drain. (lf the slightly. The shutter is released
switch is left on, however, battery when the button is Pressed al I the
drain occurs only when the shutter way down.
release button is touched. So you The viewftnder LED disPlaY will
may want to leave it on to avoid remain on for 15 sec.'after You
missing unexpected shots ) remove your finger.
www.butkus.us10View original page 13Page 15 · Read text
FILM AND FILM SPEED
iffirtxiL_.._. lW tffL
The camera uses standard 35mm Setting filnr speed Memo holder
cartridge film. Each Jilm has an ISO While pressrng the film-speed ring An ISO (GB-ASA) table is located
film speed number, which indicates release, turn the film-speed ring until on the camera back. lt is surroundeo
the f ilm's sensitivity to light. the desired number is aligned with by the memo holder where you can
For proper exposure, the camera's the index and locks in place when insert the film box end as a reminder
fiinr-speed ring must be set to the you remove your finger from the of the film type in use.
e nrrpet f ilm cnood rerease.
Intermediate settings and DIN equivalents
r'12
www.butkus.usGBI-View original page 15Page 17 · Read text
3. Insert the end ol the film into 4. Slowly operate the film advance 5. Make sure that the film is taut and
a slot on the left srde of the take-up lever and press the shutter release then close the camera back cover.
spool. button until the sprocket teeth a(e
engaged with holes on both edges
of the f ilm.
lf the film advance levergoes
half the way or the main swith is o{{,
the shutter release button will not
work.
14 www.butkus.usView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
6. Advance the film and release the Film advance lever Safe Load SignalT Frame counter
shutter until the index ooints to "1". The film advance lever has 130" As you take oictures and advance
lf the fiim is loaded and advancing stroke after 30' unengaged play to the f ilm, the red bar rn the Safe Load
properl y, a red bar should appear at make the advance comf ortable. Signal gradually moves to the right.
the far left in the Saf,l Load Signal. Never force the film-advance lever
lf the red bar does not appear or when it stops and resists further
swings far to the right, repeat steps movement at the end of the film,
3 to 6. which may be somewhat after the
common film length (20, 24, 36
exposures) shown in red rn the f rame
counter.View original page 18Page 21 · Read text
TAKING PICTURES IN AUTO MODE
In aperture-priority auto mode, o ls any LED on indicating 1/30 sec.
all you need to do is to set the or slower shutter speed? Using slow
desired aperture-the camera will shutter speeds may result in blurreo
automatically select the shutter pictures due to camera shaking. To
speed needed f or proper exposure. correct, turn the aperture ring toward
Viewfinder display the largest aperture (i.e., t /2, t /j,.7,
Before releasing the shutter, com- f /I.4 etc.) until any of the LEDs
pose your picture, focus and check indicating speeds faster than I/60
the viewfinder for the following: sec. lights. lf not possible, use a
Set mode /shutter-speed selector o ls the under-range LED blinking ? tripod (p 22) or f lash (p. 31)
to "AUT0". lf s.o, turn the aperture ring toward
the largest aperture (i.e , t /2, t /I.7
or t/I.4 etc.) until the LED stops
blinking, or increase the light level
if possible.
o ls the over-range LED blinking? ll
so, turn the aperture ring toward
the smallest aperture (i.e, I/f6 or
I /22) until the LED stops blinking
lf it does not stop, use a neutral
density (ND) filter, or reduce the
Set lens at desired aDerture. light level if possible
IX www.butkus.usView original page 21Page 23 · Read text
FOCUSING
Focus with sPlit-image sPot: You will probably find that focusing
Turn the focusing ring until the is easiest if :
upper and lower subject images in oSplit image spot is used f or
the spot are exactlY aligned anC subjects having vertical ltnes
come into one. oMicroprism band is used for lenses
Focus with micro;'rism band: from medium wideangle through
Turn the rocusing ring until the medium telephoto, esPeciallY with
subject image in the band does not subjects not having vertical lines
shimmer or appear broken up oMatte f ielo is used f or longer aper-
Focus with Acute Matte field: ture-lenses or for macro or othe'
In focus Turn the focusing ring until the work invclving considerable lens
whole image in the screen becomes extension.
clear.
iiiii:: ::::!i::,......
Out of focus www.butkus.usView original page 23Page 24 · Read text
HOLDING CAMERA AND RELEASING SHUTTER
Holding the camera steadily as shown lets you operate most controls easily while viewrng through the camera's eyepi€ce
LEFT HAND Tc obtain sharP, blur-free Photos' cradling the camera in your left hand,
Thumb. f ocusing rtng, aPerture hold the camera as still as possible you can easily focus and set the
rng. and press the shutter release button aperture, then shoot. Photo (c) shows
lndex: f ocusrng ring gently, the camera should be stea' an alternative for holding the camera
Middle: aperture rtng died against your lace or bodY vertically
Some ways of holding the camera
RIGHT HAND a(e shown here. lf ;lou grasP the
Thumb: f ilm advance lever camera firmly with Your right hand
back lndex. m ode /shutter-sPeed on its f ront grip, you can shift it
and selector or shutter and forth for horizontal (a)
release button vertical (b) pictures without removing
BY Middle: AE lock your hand from its controls.View original page 24Page 26 · Read text
REWINDING AND UNLOADING FILM
1. Press the rewind release button on 2. Unf old the rewind crank and turn 3.Open the back cover and then
the camera bottom. it rn the direction of the arrow until remove the film cartridge.
the red bar in the Safe Load Signal
moves out of the window.
o Never open the camera's back cover when there is any red still visible
in the Safe Load Signal.View original page 26Page 27 · Read text
CREATIVE CONTROLS
AE LOCK
ln auto mode rf there is a great
brightness difference between the
main subject and the background, the
sublect will not be properly €xpo.
sured due to the light level of the
background.
For example, the sublects which
appear dark against strong backligh
ting will be under exposured wrthout
using the AE lock In such cases, the l.Shift the camera's position so tne
main sublects can be ProPei'lY exPo To obtain proper exPosure in high- subject fills most of the frame For
sured by using the AE lock to hold contrast lighting situations where small subjects, you maY need to
the adlusted-vtewtng meter readtngs your subject occuPies onlY a small move closer (or zoom closer).
bef ore the shutter rs released portion in the center, use the AE lock
as f ollows:
www.butkus.usView original page 27Page 33 · Read text
OTHER FOCUSING METHODS
ifill*;#
Distance scale Infrared index Film-plane index
You may frnd that in certain For proper focus when using The symbol beneath the f ilm advance
situations it is easier to focus by infrared film, first focus your lever indicates the position of the
estimating the distance to your subject as usual with visible light. film inside the camera. This mark
subject, then aligning the corre- Attach a red f ilter and turn the can be used for measuring the
sponding figure on the distance focusing ring to the right to alrgn distance from subject to film when
scale with the index, such as: the point of proper focus on the taking close-ups, photomacrographs
o When taking long exposure s or distance scale with the small red or photomictographs, where the
flash pictures when it is too dark dot on the depth-of-field scale. Set exact distance is important.
to f ocus through the lens. exposure according to the film
olf you rvant to prefocus on your manuf acturer's recommendations.
sublect, as in .quickly shot candid
photos
www.butkus.usView original page 33Page 34 · Read text
FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY
Connecting flash units
Cordless clip-on f lash units, such as the Minolta Auto
Electroflash 2O0X and 118X, are attached and electrically
connected by srmply sliding them into the camera's hot
shoe
Synchronization
when a Seagull sz-300 series or Minolta X-series Auto
Electroflash is used on the camera with its mode/shutter-
speed selector al any setting other thafl "8", the "60" LED
in the viewfinder will blink as a tlash-ready signal when the
f lash is turned on and fully charged, and the shutter will be
automatically switched over to Il60 sec. when the shutter
is released.
lf you use an electronic f lash other than the above-men-
tioned f lash unit, the mode/shutter-speed selector must be
Set at "60" to aSSUre complete exposure of the film frame,
Slower SpeedS can also be used if you desrre for particular
ettects. Do not use speeds faster than I / 60 sec (i e ,
IlI25 sec and upward).
NOTE
oFor more detailed instructions, please to the flash
unit's owr er's manual.View original page 34Page 35 · Read text
ACCESSORIES
MOTOR DRIVE I and AUTO WINDER G
With Motor Drive 1 attached, you can capture the action with single-frame or
continuous operation at either 2 or 3.5 frames per sec. The comf ortable handgrip
has two operating buttons, each with a Minolta "touch switch", €nabling full viewf inder
readout f or horizontal or vertical framing. The camera's shutter release button can
also be used.
Auto Winder G lets you f ocus full attention on the creative aspects of photography
by f reeing you f rom winding the f ilm after each picture, Continuous sequences up ro
2 frames per sec. are also possible by holding down the camera's shutter release
button.
Power: Four size-AA batteries (Manganese , alkaline or Ni-cd).
www.butkus.usView original page 35Page 36 · Read text
AUTO ELECTROFLASHES
Seagull SZ-300 series or Minolta X-series Auto Electroflashes, such as 118X and
200X, are designed for your camera, featuring dedicated-flash functions that
electronically set the camera for proper X-sync,and activate a blinking flash-ready
signal in the viewfinder when the flash is charged and ready to fire. 0ther features
are multiple auto-aperture settings, manual mode and Ni-Cd battery power supplyffiW
WIRELESS CONTROLLER IR- I
The lR-i infrared transmitterlreceiver set lets you trigger your camera from up to
60m away f or remote-controlled single-f rame exposures, continuous sequences or' long
exposures. When used with extra receivers, the three-channel transmitter enables
independenl operation clf up to three cameras or groups of cameras, or simultaneous
operatron o1 an unlrmited number of cameras.
The lR-1 can be used in sport, news and biological photographies, sucfr as
anrmal photograpl-ry, etcView original page 36Page 37 · Read text
SPECIFICATIONS
.Type: Quartz /electronrcally governed 35mm single-lens o Light-sensitive element: Silicon photocell
reflex auto-exposure camera.
.Auto-exposure ranqe: EVI.EV18 at ISO 100 with t/1.4 lens.
oFrame srze:24 x36mm. r o Film-speed range : ISO 12-3200 set by lilm-speed dial
oExposure-controlmodes.Aperture-priority automatic that locks at 1/3EV increments.
("AUT0') and match-LED/f ull-metered manual ("M").
oAE lock: Pressing type.
oLens mount : Bayonet-type. oshutter:Quartz-controlled horizontal'traverse cloth-
oRangefinder: Acute Matte locusing screen with central curtain type.
split-image spot surrounded by microprism band. o Shutter speeos : Stepless speeds 4-1 / 1 000 sec. set
automaticallyor fixed speeds 1-1l1000 sec and "B" oViewfinder : Eye-level lixed pentaprism type showing 95 % (bulb) set manually. ot 24 x 36mm f ilm-f rame a(ea. Magnif ication: 0.9X with
50 mm standard lens focused at intrnity. Power: -1D. . Shutter releasing: Electromagnetic shutter release mecha- Modeindication,shutterspeed scale with LED setting nism locks when voltage is too low for proper operation. indication, overlunder-range LED indicators and f lash- It can also be controlled by remote cord or wireless con'
ready signal are visible in the viewlinder. troller lR-1. Shutter release button as metering switch,
camera's meter works and LED display remains 15 sec. o Metering: TTL center-weighted averaging type by silicon after it is touched photocell.
34 www.butkus.usView original page 37Page 38 · Read text
': i;14: I
o Self-timer: Electronic f or 10 sec. delay, with operation o Back cover: Springs open when rewind knob is pulled up.
indicated by camera-front LED that blinks at 2Hz {or 8 sec., Memo holder and ISO (GB. ASA) table.
then 8Hz for 1 sec., then remains on until shutter releases,
cancelable anytime before release.. o Power: Two 1.5v alkaline-manganese (LR44), two 1.55v
silver-oxide (SR44) or one 3v lithium (unusable below 0'C).
o Flash: Hot shoe lor X sync., camera-control contact on hot
f or ON and 0FF. shoeforautomaticsettingol shutter at 1/60 sec. Sync o Main switch: lndicates
spead 1/60 sec. or slower with electroflash and 1/15 sec. r other: Safe Load Signal, battery holder and eyepiece cao. or slower with flash-bulbs.
o Film advance: By lever with 130'stroke after 30'unenga- . Dimensions: L37 x90 x5l.5mm.
ged movement. Motorized with accessory Motor Drive I or
Auto Winder G. o Weight: 470g without lens and power cells.
o Frame counter: AutomatiC reSetting and Showing number of o Lens: Standard 58mm l/2,50mm f /2, 50mm f /1.7, 50mm
exposed f rames. I t 1..8
o Film rewinding: After the f ilm is unloaded, rewind release
button pops out when film advance lever is tulned.
Specifications subject to change without notice.. Mirrow: Instant-return slide-up type.View original page 38Page 40 · Read text
SEAGULL
Shanghai General Camera Factory
Add: 70, Zhongshan Rd (E), Songjiang county, Shanghai
Tel. 78l29lz Cable: I179View original page 40Related documents and language editions
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PDF verified 2026-10-10.