The top flips open and becomes the window to the viewfinder.
Ok, so I did go check out the only Seagull camera dealer in Singapore. It's a 40-year old wholesale dealer located in a 70s-style office in the Bugis area. It's really appropriate that they deal with antiques like Seagull because the entire office had this "trapped in time" feel to it. Picture steel office desks with attached drawers, swivel typist chairs and giant typewriters (yup, didn't see a single PC). After some advice from the patient lady (who is probably part of the family-owned business), I decided to get the 4B-1, which is the most basic model and the one I had originally set my eyes on. Main reason is because of the multiple exposure factor and additional 6x4.5 format, both of which are not available in the other 4A series models, despite the latter being deemed "higher-end" due to the more number of "elements" (essentially one more layer of lens to enhance image sharpness). But given the medium format factor, images delivered will definitely be sharper and more vivid than 35mm and not to mention the flat digital format. Online reviews and the lady seem to think that the difference in image quality between 4B and 4A models is negligible unless it comes down to really minute details. Damage? S$210, which is about twice the price from a China-based dealer minus shipping cost but comes with warranty and life-long service. It really bumped the Lubitel out of the ring with the pricing, service (no servicing for Lubitel in Singapore) and looks. Seagull looks like the real deal, with its all-metal casing and parts, except for the lens. The chunk of steel weighs nearly a kilo!
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