What’s great about film cameras: you don’t have to worry about megapixels or processor, just the shutter accuracy and lens quality. I collect film cameras as the aesthetic choice to save beautiful mechanical marvels.
Got one last year at an antique shop here in Ohio. Body, 2-50mmls, 2-28mmls (not canon lens) a 135mm also off brand, small vivitar flash and a 70-220mm zoom, off brand and weighs 100lbs!!!!! All for 50 bucks, works perfect. We had one in my Highschool photography class 1974-75.
Was handed one of these in photography class in high school. It was the first SLR I had ever seen, let alone used. Was technological magic to this former Instamatic user. So, will forever be in my mind the quintessential SLR.
I got one of these back in the early 80's as a second body to my A-1, and loved it so much it quickly became my camera of choice for portraiture and landscapes. One thing though, IIRC 100% of the meter reading was from the rectangle in the centre of the screen, but 90% of the reading was taken from the circle in the middle of that rectangle. I still have the FTb, it's on a shelf next to the A-1. A wonderful camera!
Great video! I love my FTb. It was my first SLR and I learned so much about photography on it. I've had it for over 15 years now and despite a few age related quirks it still works great. Funny thing is, back then I knew very little about how good these cameras are and I made my choice simply based on liking the way it looks lol. Since then I've gone down the rabbit hole of collecting and shooting vintage cameras and even doing some of my own repairs on them, but no matter how many new cameras I acquire the FTb holds a special place in my heart.
I recently bought a Canon Pellix camera with a 50mm f1.4 radioactive lens in impeccable condition, with a leather case, at a very good price. First version 1964-1965.
My first ever SLR camera was the little sister to this, the Canon TLb.. I shot that thing for decades; and did everything from family snaps and holidays to christenings and yes even a couple of weddings in the early eighties... I've always loved these old Canons and nowadays I have a collection of them to play with FX; FT; FTb; and of course the TLb, along with some smashing FL and FT Lenses. RE focusing; and quite oddly the earlier FX has a rangefinder split image screen for focusing... Thanks for a really informative video; I'm now inspired to put a roll through my Beautiful Black FTb this week.
I got a FT with 3 primes for 75€, all in excellent condition. Was planning to use it a bit, until a reasonably priced FTb showed up, but then an EF, with split-screen, landedvin my lap for 50€, with a 50mm f=1:1.8 and a 100mm f=1:2.8... Absolutely lovely camera, vertical metal-shutter, accepts modern 1.5V batteries without adapters... Those 1970's Canons are The Bomb👍
Dear; Mr. Liddard, Thank you sir for this extremely informative video. It is wonderful to have the benefit of your experience and wisdom as well. I picked up a lot more knowledge than I thought I would to be honest with you. I have seen this fine camera at thrift and pawn shops as well, and I passed up on it. I don't think I will do that again. God Bless you sir.
Thanks for this - a Swindon-based pal sent me, when I shared a picture of an F1 I just got hold of. Love these 70’s Canons - they just *work* for me: in hand, the controls, the metering approach - all of it. I had an AE1 from new, and only in my later years have I got my hands on the other cameras I listed after: the F1, the EF, and I still plan to give an FTb some exercise. I too desperately wish that I hadn’t passed on my FD glass when I moved to digital - including that same 85/1.8 and a dreamy 200/2.8 ):
I have a 1973 model year Canon FTb QL 35mm SLR camera. Just finished a roll of Kodak UltraMax 400 color film. I agree with everything you say in your excellent video. I also have the AE-1 and I love both cameras. But this one is solid, all-metal. The metering system is the same match needle as the Minolta SRT (which I also own) but it seems to work differently, as you say, although until you went into detail, I didn’t know the difference in functionality. A bit tricky for me, so with the FTb I will use a combination of the camera’s metering and the “Sunny 16” rule. I love the fabulous results I get with this fantastic camera and my FD lenses!
I heartily agree with all you've said about the FTb. I have a couple of SRTs and OM1ns but since I've had my FTb it has been my number one camera. Mine is an early one with its original chrome nose 50mm f1.8, 1971/72, so over half a century old and still works like new! I just need to find a black body to go with it!
That was my first SLR. I bought it new in the 70's. It was a workhorse that took excellent photos. Unfortunately it broke in the 90s, and I tried to fix it myself. Bad choice. 😢. Tks for the memories.
I have enjoyed many Canon's, had 5 AE1+Ps at one point (just love these), two since given away. The AE1 was my 2nd, gave that away also and recently bought the FE. Terrific presentation. re: the 85 1.8 - very rare for me to shoot people - my fav FD lens is 35-105 Macro when travelling.
I shot this body a lot in 80s&90s. 12% light meter area was wonderful for shooting slide film, which has quite narrow exposure latitude. However, this means you also have to be more aware what you are metering and be sometimes capable to do some averaging out. Those fd-lenses are also nice with mirrorless digital bodies, They may not be flawless by today's standards, but they still produce very good results especially stopped down a couple of f-stops.
I prefer the plain centre spot without split.I even had my A1 changed over. Excellent description and I am lucky in having the 55 mm f1.2 on mine which gives a nice bright image. I also like the breech lock lenses for their feeling of solidity.
Thanks for you interesting video of the Ftb. I could get one black Ql Version (P-code = 1975) with a FD 35mm f3.5 (very sharp!) and I am happy with this massive piece of metal!
A fine semi-pro camera of its day. I had its cheaper sibling, the TL-QL, as my first proper camera back in '68. I used it with the kit 50mm, and also a Vivitar 28 and Canon 100. Used it for street photography. I wanted a Nikkormat or Spotmatic, but couldn't afford either. Needless to say, the TL was up to the job at a pretty reasonable price.
TL with QL ? Wow that’s rare ! Or should I say that until earlier today this very day!) I thought that the TL did NOT have QL as a part of the cost cutting to offer a lower price camera. BUT the Canon Museum website (that I was looking at today) said as much - that the TL was a lower cost FT and one of the lost features was the QL … EXCEPT for a few that seemed to escape the factory with QL like the TL that they had pictured 😮 The FD mount TLb did not have QL afaik so I guess that the earliest TL bodies had QL and it got removed? Or maybe QL was only for one market?
I watched your video due to my interest in the FTb. I’ve been using an AT-1 and an EF and think the FTb would really add to my film experience. Great content and progression of the details.
I have a well used FT (the FTb predecessor with stop down metering) that I bought for £8 body only. Despite obviously having a hard life, the film advance mechanism is silky smooth, the shutter dial has a real quality feel when rotating, the shutter doesn't sound clanky and all other controls are also high quality. They don't make them like they used to!
Interesting video. I actually learned something new (or maybe forgotten) about the FTb. Didn't remember the mirror dampening but bought the FTb in the seventies partly for the semi-spot light meter. Had a 400mm F5.6 and the microprism still worked OK, but a combination microprism + split screen would still have been nice. About the 50 F1.8, it was OK but far from stellar. Fairly soft at F1.8 IMO (I've scanned some of the old negatives). Sold mine when switching to AF-bodies, but it's only camera I regret selling.
They do indeed, yep new FD mount works just fine, doesn't look as good as a chrome breachlock mount, but they still do the job. The only th8ing you need to do it check it's not set to A before you mount it (as it will not mount).
I have just found one of these on ebay and can't wait for it to arrive. I was curious to know what B&W film you tend to use and how you scan them, as the sample mono images you showed in this video were amazing?
Great stuff thank you! Enjoying mine, just went through my first roll. I got it with a 35-70 f2.8-3.5 but Idk the focus is off at 70 I snapped a few shots at a football match and it wasn’t in focus as much as 50 or lower
I got a copy of an earlier ftb ql model that came with a lens I actually wanted to purchase. To me these ftb bodies always looked a bit archaic when compared to a1 and f1n, and also quite a bit less sexy 😅 But this video made me recognize the merits ftb has and also made me want to give this camera a shot... or 36
I did some quick comparisons, and I must say that a1 and f1n viewfinders are much brighter and clearer. And all three of them being relatively old cameras, at least for me the appeal to mechanical reliability is a bit exaggerated. So I'm back to square one: I guess I'll shoot the camera I like most and if it's some important shoot - I'll just take a backup camera
When you talk about the metering it's a bit weird. It's just similar to any other type of manual camera with a full information viewfinder, the needle just indicates the aperture (rather than the shutter speed, like you might see in later cameras from other companies). The principle is the same.
As far as the FTBs battery-replacement-problem is concerned I have to say, that it urgently needs an ISO-correction when using 1,5V Alcaline batteries!! Otherwise it will underexpose to an extent of 1.5 F-stops! In other words .... you can use modern alcaline batteries but you have to adjust your ASA (ISO) Dial 1.5 STOPS LOWER in order to achieve correct light metering. Battery test then has to be done at a shutter-speed of 1/125s ... instead of the "Mercury" 1/1000s adjustment. If done this "compensation", the FTb will meter nicely under all light conditions. It is a very nice camera which I very much like to use!! Enjoy! Yours Klaus Rickert
The `bricks', almost indestructible unlike babying your daddy's Nikon. I bought one from Japan before they came to the Rest of the world. It survived being abused for every high school photography class, annual and newspaper staffing. The Canon sales reps would come into the camera shops fake a trip and drop the things and then proceed to place it on the floor, lens down and stand on it. Mine is still going, later as a second to my F-1 s. The weight was ideal for steadying handheld, slower shutter speeds than lighter pentax and some Nikons. The match needle ring had a further use as the top and bottom of the ring is 1 stop difference from the dead center. Thus further exposure control. They still work great with PX13(?) Batteries, no noticable change . I just passed on of my FTbn s off to a niece for another lifetime of shooting. And the glass.....!
Just got one of these today for $125 AUD (body only), the weight feels similar to my Canon R6 so I'm not fussed about it at all, good to see good words about these cameras, especially it being my first film camera. Are cameras more expensive in the UK? Because I was thinking of the AE-1 and I've seen them absolutely everywhere in the city I live in for like $180-$250 with the FD 50mm. The reason why I didn't get an AE-1 is because I've never seen an FTb for sale and I heard good things about it, plus it has a much more manual approach which is what I'm looking for, basically want more of a challenge and new experience as my R6 is just good at everything to the point of boredom lol
What’s great about film cameras: you don’t have to worry about megapixels or processor, just the shutter accuracy and lens quality. I collect film cameras as the aesthetic choice to save beautiful mechanical marvels.
Most comprehensive tutorial !
Glad it was helpful!
The FTb is a great classic. I toyed with the idea of selling it but no more. It will stay with me till I am gone.
Got one last year at an antique shop here in Ohio. Body, 2-50mmls, 2-28mmls (not canon lens) a 135mm also off brand, small vivitar flash and a 70-220mm zoom, off brand and weighs 100lbs!!!!! All for 50 bucks, works perfect. We had one in my Highschool photography class 1974-75.
Was handed one of these in photography class in high school. It was the first SLR I had ever seen, let alone used. Was technological magic to this former Instamatic user. So, will forever be in my mind the quintessential SLR.
Love my FTb as you do.
My high school graduation present, Aug 1971. Changed my life. Came with a roll of Ektachrome X and High Speed Ektachrome.
Thank you. Mine is an older 1, a FT QL that uses FL lenses. Stop down metering is very accurate
I got one of these back in the early 80's as a second body to my A-1, and loved it so much it quickly became my camera of choice for portraiture and landscapes. One thing though, IIRC 100% of the meter reading was from the rectangle in the centre of the screen, but 90% of the reading was taken from the circle in the middle of that rectangle.
I still have the FTb, it's on a shelf next to the A-1. A wonderful camera!
Great video! I love my FTb. It was my first SLR and I learned so much about photography on it. I've had it for over 15 years now and despite a few age related quirks it still works great. Funny thing is, back then I knew very little about how good these cameras are and I made my choice simply based on liking the way it looks lol. Since then I've gone down the rabbit hole of collecting and shooting vintage cameras and even doing some of my own repairs on them, but no matter how many new cameras I acquire the FTb holds a special place in my heart.
I recently bought a Canon Pellix camera with a 50mm f1.4 radioactive lens in impeccable condition, with a leather case, at a very good price. First version 1964-1965.
I really liked the depth of field preview feature alot.
My first ever SLR camera was the little sister to this, the Canon TLb.. I shot that thing for decades; and did everything from family snaps and holidays to christenings and yes even a couple of weddings in the early eighties... I've always loved these old Canons and nowadays I have a collection of them to play with FX; FT; FTb; and of course the TLb, along with some smashing FL and FT Lenses. RE focusing; and quite oddly the earlier FX has a rangefinder split image screen for focusing... Thanks for a really informative video; I'm now inspired to put a roll through my Beautiful Black FTb this week.
I got a FT with 3 primes for 75€, all in excellent condition.
Was planning to use it a bit, until a reasonably priced FTb showed up, but then an EF, with split-screen, landedvin my lap for 50€, with a 50mm f=1:1.8 and a 100mm f=1:2.8...
Absolutely lovely camera, vertical metal-shutter, accepts modern 1.5V batteries without adapters...
Those 1970's Canons are The Bomb👍
I picked up one of these at my grandmas neighbors garage sale and I love it
Dear; Mr. Liddard, Thank you sir for this extremely informative video. It is wonderful to have the benefit of your experience and wisdom as well. I picked up a lot more knowledge than I thought I would to be honest with you. I have seen this fine camera at thrift and pawn shops as well, and I passed up on it. I don't think I will do that again. God Bless you sir.
The F1 had the best and the most clever and usable sports finder prism. A beautiful piece of kit.
The Ftb is a great camera too!
Absolutely
Thanks for this - a Swindon-based pal sent me, when I shared a picture of an F1 I just got hold of. Love these 70’s Canons - they just *work* for me: in hand, the controls, the metering approach - all of it. I had an AE1 from new, and only in my later years have I got my hands on the other cameras I listed after: the F1, the EF, and I still plan to give an FTb some exercise. I too desperately wish that I hadn’t passed on my FD glass when I moved to digital - including that same 85/1.8 and a dreamy 200/2.8 ):
I have a 1973 model year Canon FTb QL 35mm SLR camera. Just finished a roll of Kodak UltraMax 400 color film. I agree with everything you say in your excellent video. I also have the AE-1 and I love both cameras. But this one is solid, all-metal. The metering system is the same match needle as the Minolta SRT (which I also own) but it seems to work differently, as you say, although until you went into detail, I didn’t know the difference in functionality. A bit tricky for me, so with the FTb I will use a combination of the camera’s metering and the “Sunny 16” rule. I love the fabulous results I get with this fantastic camera and my FD lenses!
I heartily agree with all you've said about the FTb. I have a couple of SRTs and OM1ns but since I've had my FTb it has been my number one camera. Mine is an early one with its original chrome nose 50mm f1.8, 1971/72, so over half a century old and still works like new! I just need to find a black body to go with it!
That was my first SLR. I bought it new in the 70's. It was a workhorse that took excellent photos. Unfortunately it broke in the 90s, and I tried to fix it myself. Bad choice. 😢. Tks for the memories.
I have enjoyed many Canon's, had 5 AE1+Ps at one point (just love these), two since given away. The AE1 was my 2nd, gave that away also and recently bought the FE. Terrific presentation. re: the 85 1.8 - very rare for me to shoot people - my fav FD lens is 35-105 Macro when travelling.
Amazing camera. I keep coming back to them. So smooth to shoot, very satisfying and reliable!
Yep, great camera, and oddly still under-appreciated.
I shot this body a lot in 80s&90s. 12% light meter area was wonderful for shooting slide film, which has quite narrow exposure latitude. However, this means you also have to be more aware what you are metering and be sometimes capable to do some averaging out. Those fd-lenses are also nice with mirrorless digital bodies, They may not be flawless by today's standards, but they still produce very good results especially stopped down a couple of f-stops.
Really appreciate this formative video. Rock on the FTB
I owned it too, and happy with it.
I prefer the plain centre spot without split.I even had my A1 changed over.
Excellent description and I am lucky in having the 55 mm f1.2 on mine which gives a nice bright image.
I also like the breech lock lenses for their feeling of solidity.
I also just picked up a T70
I have this camera, it surprises people how heavy it is
Thanks for you interesting video of the Ftb. I could get one black Ql Version (P-code = 1975) with a FD 35mm f3.5 (very sharp!) and I am happy with this massive piece of metal!
A fine semi-pro camera of its day. I had its cheaper sibling, the TL-QL, as my first proper camera back in '68. I used it with the kit 50mm, and also a Vivitar 28 and Canon 100. Used it for street photography. I wanted a Nikkormat or Spotmatic, but couldn't afford either. Needless to say, the TL was up to the job at a pretty reasonable price.
TL with QL ? Wow that’s rare ! Or should I say that until earlier today this very day!) I thought that the TL did NOT have QL as a part of the cost cutting to offer a lower price camera. BUT the Canon Museum website (that I was looking at today) said as much - that the TL was a lower cost FT and one of the lost features was the QL … EXCEPT for a few that seemed to escape the factory with QL like the TL that they had pictured 😮
The FD mount TLb did not have QL afaik so I guess that the earliest TL bodies had QL and it got removed? Or maybe QL was only for one market?
@@nickpalance3622 I purchased mine in Duluth, Minnesota. Remember the day well. The day RFK Jr. was shot. It did good service as a street camera.
I watched your video due to my interest in the FTb. I’ve been using an AT-1 and an EF and think the FTb would really add to my film experience. Great content and progression of the details.
Glad it was helpful!
I have a well used FT (the FTb predecessor with stop down metering) that I bought for £8 body only. Despite obviously having a hard life, the film advance mechanism is silky smooth, the shutter dial has a real quality feel when rotating, the shutter doesn't sound clanky and all other controls are also high quality. They don't make them like they used to!
Interesting video. I actually learned something new (or maybe forgotten) about the FTb. Didn't remember the mirror dampening but bought the FTb in the seventies partly for the semi-spot light meter. Had a 400mm F5.6 and the microprism still worked OK, but a combination microprism + split screen would still have been nice. About the 50 F1.8, it was OK but far from stellar. Fairly soft at F1.8 IMO (I've scanned some of the old negatives). Sold mine when switching to AF-bodies, but it's only camera I regret selling.
Hi Gideon, great video about one of Canon's sleeper cameras and the excellent FD lens quality.
Many thanks!
I love my FTB's. They just work. I didn't realise you could use the NuFD lenses on them though.
They do indeed, yep new FD mount works just fine, doesn't look as good as a chrome breachlock mount, but they still do the job. The only th8ing you need to do it check it's not set to A before you mount it (as it will not mount).
I have just found one of these on ebay and can't wait for it to arrive. I was curious to know what B&W film you tend to use and how you scan them, as the sample mono images you showed in this video were amazing?
I bought the TLb which was $301 camera bought in LA for only $179. 1/500 shutter speed limited. Built like a tank.
i have it it is like new, but no battery :-(
Great stuff thank you! Enjoying mine, just went through my first roll. I got it with a 35-70 f2.8-3.5 but Idk the focus is off at 70 I snapped a few shots at a football match and it wasn’t in focus as much as 50 or lower
Great video thanks.
Glad you liked it!
I got a copy of an earlier ftb ql model that came with a lens I actually wanted to purchase. To me these ftb bodies always looked a bit archaic when compared to a1 and f1n, and also quite a bit less sexy 😅
But this video made me recognize the merits ftb has and also made me want to give this camera a shot... or 36
I did some quick comparisons, and I must say that a1 and f1n viewfinders are much brighter and clearer.
And all three of them being relatively old cameras, at least for me the appeal to mechanical reliability is a bit exaggerated. So I'm back to square one: I guess I'll shoot the camera I like most and if it's some important shoot - I'll just take a backup camera
Great to hear
I bought my FTB in 70, my granddaghter is using it now for her college class.
Excellent, glad to see it's still in good use.
I live in Swindon so always try to guess where your photos are taken ☺
Hope you managed to spot a few :-)
@@gideonliddiardphotography I did especially the ones around Peatmoor Lagoon as I live just up the road 😊
When you talk about the metering it's a bit weird. It's just similar to any other type of manual camera with a full information viewfinder, the needle just indicates the aperture (rather than the shutter speed, like you might see in later cameras from other companies). The principle is the same.
Great review. Subscribed.
Hello there sir, can i synchronize starblitz 16m Flash with my canon ftb ?
I wish I had watched this before I purchased my Minolta SRT-201.
As far as the FTBs battery-replacement-problem is concerned I have to say, that it urgently needs an ISO-correction when using 1,5V Alcaline batteries!! Otherwise it will underexpose to an extent of 1.5 F-stops! In other words .... you can use modern alcaline batteries but you have to adjust your ASA (ISO) Dial 1.5 STOPS LOWER in order to achieve correct light metering. Battery test then has to be done at a shutter-speed of 1/125s ... instead of the "Mercury" 1/1000s adjustment.
If done this "compensation", the FTb will meter nicely under all light conditions.
It is a very nice camera which I very much like to use!!
Enjoy!
Yours
Klaus Rickert
Have you tried the EF?
I had an EF years ago, the FTn has always been my pick of the two.
The `bricks', almost indestructible unlike babying your daddy's Nikon. I bought one from Japan before they came to the Rest of the world. It survived being abused for every high school photography class, annual and newspaper staffing.
The Canon sales reps would come into the camera shops fake a trip and drop the things and then proceed to place it on the floor, lens down and stand on it.
Mine is still going, later as a second to my F-1 s. The weight was ideal for steadying handheld, slower shutter speeds than lighter pentax and some Nikons.
The match needle ring had a further use as the top and bottom of the ring is 1 stop difference from the dead center. Thus further exposure control. They still work great with PX13(?) Batteries, no noticable change . I just passed on of my FTbn s off to a niece for another lifetime of shooting. And the glass.....!
I could be wrong, but wasn't the FD range of lenses created specifically for the Canon F1..?
Yep, launched in 1971 alongside the F-1
If nose leaks, don't flush it for crisp voice
Just got one of these today for $125 AUD (body only), the weight feels similar to my Canon R6 so I'm not fussed about it at all, good to see good words about these cameras, especially it being my first film camera. Are cameras more expensive in the UK? Because I was thinking of the AE-1 and I've seen them absolutely everywhere in the city I live in for like $180-$250 with the FD 50mm. The reason why I didn't get an AE-1 is because I've never seen an FTb for sale and I heard good things about it, plus it has a much more manual approach which is what I'm looking for, basically want more of a challenge and new experience as my R6 is just good at everything to the point of boredom lol