Seagull 203 shutter stuck

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zenlibra

Crazy Leica Fox
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Apr 22, 2008
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Hi all, new guy here. I've just acquired a Seagull 203 and it appears as if the shutter is completely stuck. I can't get the self timer lever to move at all either. Does film have to be in the camera for the shutter to function? I think the camera has been in storage for over 30 years, it smells a little musty also. Film advance and aperture works fine. Shutter lever will cock but when I press the shutter button it doesn't spring back quickly, maybe a dead spring? Is it possibly related to the timer? Any advice?
 
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Welcome to the world of the Seagull TLR. Quite simply, they suck. I lived in China from 1996-2001 and bought and used a few of them (usually paid $20-60 USD or so). When working they can be very good performers and very sharp. Problem is they are really poorly built and jam all the time, the lens performance is inconsistent camera to camera and one of my best performing ones (the sharpest) the shutter springs and mechanism sprung out and flew all over the room one time as I clicked the shutter!

Sorry to say it will not be worth it to fix it when a decent, if not pretty, Rolleicord can be had for $50-100 USD if you have some patience.
 
I thought the 203 was a folder similar to an Isolette III. After all that time without use, the lubricants have probably dried into a thick goo.
 
Thanks for the replies so far guys. Yes, it is a folder/rangefinder. I assume it is either goo or a dead spring or something. I got the camera off eBay and I naively assumed mechanical cameras would always work in some way if imperfectly. Lesson learned.
 
Sorry, TLR vs. folder. Same company, same shutters (?), same QC anyway. Go to www.certo6.com for some great folder cameras from a very reputable person at very decent prices and that have been fully fixed.
 
zenlibra said:
Hi all, new guy here. I've just acquired a Seagull 203 and it appears as if the shutter is completely stuck. I can't get the self timer lever to move at all either. Does film have to be in the camera for the shutter to function? I think the camera has been in storage for over 30 years, it smells a little musty also. Film advance and aperture works fine. Shutter lever will cock but when I press the shutter button it doesn't spring back quickly, maybe a dead spring? Is it possibly related to the timer? Any advice?
Click to expand...

I have one, and it works fine.

Being 30years old, the grease might be all gummed up. Try a drop or two of lighter fluid on top right where the shutter cocking level and self-timer is. Then let it sit for a day and try again. If it's still not moving, then another couple of drops.

There's nothing to lose at this point.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. I will try the lighter fluid idea and maybe look into fixing it myself by taking it apart.
 
zenlibra said:
Thanks for the replies so far guys. Yes, it is a folder/rangefinder. I assume it is either goo or a dead spring or something. I got the camera off eBay and I naively assumed mechanical cameras would always work in some way if imperfectly. Lesson learned.
Click to expand...

Someone probably tried to adjust the shutter speed after cocking the shutter. You can't do that without damaging the shutter. Oh, and Rich815 is right; Seagulls suck. Your best bet is to cut the bellows out of it, go on ebay, and look for an Ansco Speedex Special R. It's a rebadged Agfa Isolette III. Isolettes are great cameras with lousy bellows. Seagulls are lousy cameras with good bellows. You can see where I am going with this can't you? If you are reasonably patient, you can probably pick up a Special R for about $20. Put the bellows from the Seagull into the Ansco.
 
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