January 2009
Canon FTb
This month I take out my trusty Canon FTb because 2009 is a milestone in the history of Canon SLR’s….their 50th anniversary.
Canon produced their first single lens reflex in 1959, the Canonflex, which was meant as a rival to the all conquering Nikon F. The Canonflex featured a removable prism and a base trigger wind that was to feature in later models and also in their rangefinder cameras from time to time.
This camera took the R series lenses, with a breech lock mount similar to the Praktina cameras. The last of the R series, the Canonflex RM was superseded in 1964 by the FP and FX, which looked much like the FTb that I am using here. With these cameras came the FL lens mount, still a breech lock, but with a different aperture actuation pin. Canon still didn’t have TTL metering in these cameras, although you could obtain clip on accessory meters, and TTL didn’t arrive until the FT in 1966.
The FT, and it’s successors, are the cameras that I concern myself with here, for these are the most useable of the Canon SLR range. When I say useable, I am excluding of course, the F1, which I have featured earlier, because the FTb was aimed now at the advanced amateur, rather than Pros as in the case of the F1. The most obvious rival for the FT’s would be the Nikkormat series, and like these cameras from Nikon, featured very rugged bodyshells and quality components.
Most of the FT’s that I have come across are still working beautifully, but sometimes need some attention to the meter. On the subject of meters, it is worth mentioning the difference in the FT models. The original was a stop down metering camera, using the large lever on the front, which was also for the self- timer. With the FTb, came full aperture metering and a revised lens mount to accommodate this, the FD series. The camera that I have used here is designated the FTb(n) and is identified by a thin straight self timer lever, rather than the wedge shaped ones from earlier cameras. The advantages of this new model are shutter speeds that are visible in the viewfinder, and a built in hot shoe for flash.
The most appealing feature of the FTb’s metering is that it is a semi spot system, with the meter area being indicated by a shaded area in the centre of the viewfinder. This is a great idea, and very useful for accurate metering. I have had both my FTb’s converted to use S76 silver batteries, and they both meter really well.
All the Canon SLR’s from the FT onwards, excluding the F1, use a semi automatic loading device, designated QL for quick load, where you just lay the film leader on the take up spool and close the back, to which is attached a metal plate with rollers, that catch the film without you having to thread it. This is one feature that I could do without, although I have yet to have problems, I just prefer to thread my own film!
The humble FT’s have been ignored by collectors, and as such are available for a song these days, and even the superb FD lenses are quite a bargain. There are some very exotic lenses out there for much less money than the Nikon counterparts, lenses like the 17mm F4 that I have used here, and also the 20mm F2.8 which is the best super wide that I have ever used. The 50mm F1.4 in all it’s guises, is available for peanuts, and performs as well as any 1.4 Nikkor. For anyone interested in classic film photography, the Canon FT’s, especially the later models, are highly recommended for their great build quality, excellent optics, and all round affordability.
You may have gathered by now that I have a soft spot for these Canon’s, and I do, with an FTb always in my bag, along with an F1, for my general photography…..they just keep on going!
Classic Cameras»2009»January
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