The Nikkormat FT3 is a well-made all-manual film camera. I should also mention that Nikon sold cameras under the Nikkorex brand, although I only recall seeing Nikkormat cameras in the U.S.
What you have there is a Nikkormat FTN, not an FT as indicated by the N (for "New") above the meter window. The FT was the original model that had a somewhat difficult to use ASA setting mechanism that was improved on the FTN along with a better meter coupling arm. Later on, there was an FS model which was mainly for the scientific/industrial market as it had no meter system. Bought my first FTN while in the Navy and took it halfway around the world on a six-month deployment. Got to use it alongside the detached photographer mate as his back-up using the Navy's long lenses. Fun times. Your issue with the meter may be because of the carbon swipe resister board attached to the meter coupling arm having worn out which is a very common problem with the entire line, especially since replacement parts are now very hard to come by. There was also an EL line of Nikkormat that had an Aperture Priority system (EL, EL2, and the motorized EL-W) along with full manual control with the shutter being electronically set both ways. When the 6volt battery died, you were restricted to a single 1/90 shutter speed.
Used to own an FT2 and loved it . There was also a Nikkormat FS which was a meterless Ft that didn't sell so well and is therefor now sought after by collectors
I bought an identical FT3 body, used, around 3 years ago in mint condition for £99. I already had owned an FT2 and an EL for around 40 years. Nikkormats have great quality and all of mine function and meter perfectly. However, I have read that the resistor track which is operated by the shutter speed ring can corrode if the camera is not used regularly so this could be the problem with yours.
20 minutes, and he never got around to why the FT3 ever existed. Its predecessor, the FT2, was introduced in 1974-75 to modernize the Nikkormat line, which largely remained rooted in its mid-1960s origins. The FT2 belatedly upgraded to shed the mercury battery for metering, and added a black plastic tip to replace the old-fashioned bare metal advance lever. Otherwise, why mess up an established seller? However, Nikon was facing some hard times based on prior bad decisions. Olympus, Pentax, and to a much lesser extent, Canon and Minolta, had launched a generation of smaller, lighter (less robust) models, which were eating up Nikon's consumer sales. While advertising the NIkon as The Pros' Camera (and who didn't need a pro camera?), and spending huge amounts to support that idea, Nikon knew the money that keep the ball rolling was in consumer sales, not to the pros. Nikon's lens mount was not compatible with maintaining a simple metering coupling to the lens, so it started designing the AI mount modification. They also started design of the FM as a fully upgraded, smaller, lighter body to replace the NIkkormat as its consumer body. The problem: Nikon needed to get a full line of AI mount lenses into the retail pipeline so buyers of the new FM body would have lenses to buy. So, the FT2 was retooled to the AI mount, becoming the FT3, and sold for about a year while those AI lenses got to the retail outlets. Then the FT3 was dropped, and the FM launched to replace it. Contrary to the video, there are far fewer FT3 bodies out there, compared to any other Nikkormat body. The FT3, as well as the first FM model, adopted the hinged meter-coupling tab on the mount, allowing buyers to use their pre-AI lenses to meter in stop-down mode. (Pentax Spotmatic, anyone?) Nikon also offered its factory modification of most pre-AI lenses to the new AI mount for the sum of $25 each, including parts and return shipping. A terrific bargain to accommodate Nikon's historical pledge from 1959 to never abandon the F-mount compatibility. (Good on Nikon!) I used my Nikomat FT2 (purchased in Tokyo) for several years, and I bought an FM when they first came out. I had Nikon "AI" all of my lenses, except the 50mm 1.4SC version, which for some reason they would not modify. (Two decades later, I had it "cut" to work with AI by an independent guy). About 7 years ago, I bought a mint FT3 off eBay, just for the hell of it; still a great, not-so-little camera.
Chronology of Nikomat/Nikkormat cameras. Year of introduction and model number, with notes on important changes. 1965 - FT 1967 - FTN (center weighted meter, updated aperture indexing) 1972 - EL (aperture priority auto exposure) 1975 - FT2 (mostly same as FTN but with built in hot shoe) 1976 - ELw (same as EL but with support for motor drive) 1977 - FT3 (same as FT2 but with AI meter indexing) 1977 - EL2 (same as ELw but with AI meter indexing and Nikon brand name)
The Nikkormat FT3 is a well-made all-manual film camera. I should also mention that Nikon sold cameras under the Nikkorex brand, although I only recall seeing Nikkormat cameras in the U.S.
Nikkormat was export market brand for their prosumer line of cameras.
The cameras sold in the Japanese market were sold under the Nikomat name.
What you have there is a Nikkormat FTN, not an FT as indicated by the N (for "New") above the meter window. The FT was the original model that had a somewhat difficult to use ASA setting mechanism that was improved on the FTN along with a better meter coupling arm. Later on, there was an FS model which was mainly for the scientific/industrial market as it had no meter system. Bought my first FTN while in the Navy and took it halfway around the world on a six-month deployment. Got to use it alongside the detached photographer mate as his back-up using the Navy's long lenses. Fun times. Your issue with the meter may be because of the carbon swipe resister board attached to the meter coupling arm having worn out which is a very common problem with the entire line, especially since replacement parts are now very hard to come by. There was also an EL line of Nikkormat that had an Aperture Priority system (EL, EL2, and the motorized EL-W) along with full manual control with the shutter being electronically set both ways. When the 6volt battery died, you were restricted to a single 1/90 shutter speed.
Excellent video 📸!
A warm hello and I am very happy to have found this channel. I look forward to "every" other camera
Used to own an FT2 and loved it . There was also a Nikkormat FS which was a meterless Ft that didn't sell so well and is therefor now sought after by collectors
I bought an identical FT3 body, used, around 3 years ago in mint condition for £99. I already had owned an FT2 and an EL for around 40 years. Nikkormats have great quality and all of mine function and meter perfectly. However, I have read that the resistor track which is operated by the shutter speed ring can corrode if the camera is not used regularly so this could be the problem with yours.
Thanks for the tip. The meter was working as recently as last year, so I was surprised to find the meter no longer responding.
Thank you.
i used my FTN at 15th sec waist level with strap tight
20 minutes, and he never got around to why the FT3 ever existed. Its predecessor, the FT2, was introduced in 1974-75 to modernize the Nikkormat line, which largely remained rooted in its mid-1960s origins. The FT2 belatedly upgraded to shed the mercury battery for metering, and added a black plastic tip to replace the old-fashioned bare metal advance lever. Otherwise, why mess up an established seller? However, Nikon was facing some hard times based on prior bad decisions. Olympus, Pentax, and to a much lesser extent, Canon and Minolta, had launched a generation of smaller, lighter (less robust) models, which were eating up Nikon's consumer sales. While advertising the NIkon as The Pros' Camera (and who didn't need a pro camera?), and spending huge amounts to support that idea, Nikon knew the money that keep the ball rolling was in consumer sales, not to the pros. Nikon's lens mount was not compatible with maintaining a simple metering coupling to the lens, so it started designing the AI mount modification. They also started design of the FM as a fully upgraded, smaller, lighter body to replace the NIkkormat as its consumer body. The problem: Nikon needed to get a full line of AI mount lenses into the retail pipeline so buyers of the new FM body would have lenses to buy. So, the FT2 was retooled to the AI mount, becoming the FT3, and sold for about a year while those AI lenses got to the retail outlets. Then the FT3 was dropped, and the FM launched to replace it. Contrary to the video, there are far fewer FT3 bodies out there, compared to any other Nikkormat body. The FT3, as well as the first FM model, adopted the hinged meter-coupling tab on the mount, allowing buyers to use their pre-AI lenses to meter in stop-down mode. (Pentax Spotmatic, anyone?) Nikon also offered its factory modification of most pre-AI lenses to the new AI mount for the sum of $25 each, including parts and return shipping. A terrific bargain to accommodate Nikon's historical pledge from 1959 to never abandon the F-mount compatibility. (Good on Nikon!) I used my Nikomat FT2 (purchased in Tokyo) for several years, and I bought an FM when they first came out. I had Nikon "AI" all of my lenses, except the 50mm 1.4SC version, which for some reason they would not modify. (Two decades later, I had it "cut" to work with AI by an independent guy). About 7 years ago, I bought a mint FT3 off eBay, just for the hell of it; still a great, not-so-little camera.
Where does the FTN fit in that chronology
Good question. The FTn arrived after the first Nikkormat FT and apparently stood for "new." The FT2 and FT3 followed. All are very sturdy cameras!
Chronology of Nikomat/Nikkormat cameras. Year of introduction and model number, with notes on important changes.
1965 - FT
1967 - FTN (center weighted meter, updated aperture indexing)
1972 - EL (aperture priority auto exposure)
1975 - FT2 (mostly same as FTN but with built in hot shoe)
1976 - ELw (same as EL but with support for motor drive)
1977 - FT3 (same as FT2 but with AI meter indexing)
1977 - EL2 (same as ELw but with AI meter indexing and Nikon brand name)
@@marksieving7925 thank you