Should you buy a Nikon FTN or Nikkormat FTN in 2023 ?
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- čas přidán 11. 07. 2023
- I compare the Nikon FTN and Nikkormat FTN and look at the pros and cons of each.
email jlvphoto@yahoo.com
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I have both versions of those Nikons and prefer the Nikkormat FTN due to ease of operation.
This is exactly what I need, thanks for the video!
Very good comparison of these classics! I’m a proud owner of more than 25 of each of these models. I bought them very cheaply back in the early 2000s when digital was blowing up. I repair old film gear and am planning on selling the Nikon F and Nikkormat models for at least $50 less than current prices because I really want new young photographers to be able to use these without breaking their bank accounts.. film is so expensive that a break on the price of the gear will help leave room for buying film. Both of these, if taken care of, will outlast us all.
Very nice of you to help young photographers. I don't use them much but it's nice to shoot with these old classics. Thank you for your comments.
@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 other than my iPhone, I do all of my photography on good old fashioned film, frequently with an F or F2, and usually develop and print my own. I love the entire process!
The Nikkormat shutter speeds are accessed similar to the later Olympus OM series cameras. Very useful because, as you say, there's no need to take your eye away from the viewfinder.
Informative video, just buy both and enjoy.
Lovely cameras, hope to get both FTNs
Excellent, much appreciated.👍
Thank you for watching
Always helpful, always interesting. Many thanks!
Thank you Steve.
I still have both since 1974 with leather cases, they are in very good working condition, I am using all the F mount lenses on my D200; Df and the newest Zf.
Thanks for watching my video. I love using F mount manual focus lenses on my digital cameras. It’s great to be able to have IBIS to use with lenses over 50 years old.
The F was my first and I still have one.
Going back to it nowadays I notice the unusual shutter button location
But also the impressive build quality and the 100% viewfinder coverage.
Never liked the Nikkormats, although my FT2 is a lot better than the first editions.
An in-between purchase option is to get an F with the standard, non-metering prism and
use a phone appp meter.
I also would recommend the F2 of course.
Hinged back, much smaller metering finder, 1/2000 max shutter speed for those bright days.
And the shutter button is in a more natural location IMO.
Thx.
The correct answer is you buy both.
I agree Bill. Thanks for watching.
👍 oh yes!!
That was Larry Burrows’s opinion. If you go to Wikipedia and open the page on him, the main photograph for the article shows Burrows carrying:
- A Nikon F with motor drive
- What appears to be two Nikkormat FTs or FTNs
- And a Leica (most probably one of the M3s he’s shown carrying in other photographs of him)
Still confused about correct aperture for mounting 50mm 1.4 nikon lens to the ftn coupler. I guess it's 5.6 left right left. The pin under the roof of the ftn at mid point confuses me. Sorry I guess I'm just dense. I'll get it! Thanks for your expert knowledge of both nikormat and ftn cameras. What I'm really worried about is finding an old penta prism and see of it works on 1968 f nikon. Because of that brace at the view finder threshold. Thank you for trying to cover two very complicated instruments. I appreciate your frank clear voice. Many thanks!
Yes, and twice on Sunday.
An FTN was the first film body I bought for my high school photography (this is only within the past few years). I decided to 'upgrade' to an F but have kept on using my Nikomat as well. My F was the cheapest battered black body I could find from a reputable camera shop with warranty. I've since been able to tailor it to my preference which is the biggest benefit of the F system over the lower models. A matching beaten up black FTN prism, a type P screen, and most recently a worn action finder. With careful shopping all these accessories have only cost me around £50 total.
Good luck with these great cameras.
Been doing photography in various forms since 1966; had a portrait studio for 16+ years; went digital in 2003. I like digital but it's kinda like music in MP3 or CD format - it's too harsh. I've recently felt the desire to return to film.
So I've bought a Photomic FTN and a few lenses. I'd like to shoot transparencies but the film and processing are just too expensive. I wouldn't be satisfied with B&W unless I could process & print the film. So I'll be shooting color negative film. Looking forward to creating images in a more...uh..vintage manner.
I’ve used a Nikkormat for years. The ergonomics are hard to beat. I just got a F of the same vintage, but I doubt it will supplant my Nikomat. I’ll mainly use the F with a wide angle lens and a waist level finder at old car shows.
If you do not need the interchangeable finder of the Nikon F, or the few Nikon accessories which only fit the F, then the Nikkormat seems the better choice today. Both cameras have metering systems which depend on mercury batteries, but if you have worked around that problem, the metering in the Nikkormat is far better integrated. Also, it does not suffer the electric parts failure which plagues the F meter prism. The focal plane shutters in the cameras are of completely different design, but both are robust. The Copal Square shutter in the 'Mat has a faster flash synch speed if you use flash, and it is probably cheaper and easier to service. The removable back-bottom of the F is a pain in the ass carryover from the 1950s compared to the swing open back of the "Mat, and must be faced every time you load a roll of film.
Dear Cal30, I believe at one.time Nikon had diopters you could purchase for the view finder. Youl have to talk to an I am Nikon technician or an old Nikon dealer there should be some matching diopter view screens out there somewhere. I always just squinted and used the two halves of the split view screen to get image nearly in focus. Try electrical tape over door seams see if image sharpens. I am planning that myself to see if it helps. I dont believe in stuffing the light seals with yarn or cord as I tryed it and it seems to jam up the door when you need quick access to the film! Just slap some vinyl black elevtrical tape over the cracks on the outside of camera. It may look messy or unprofessional but its keeping that film from hazing that I think is crucial to a knockout image. Im chomping at the bit to try this trick out! I havent as yet done so, but if you do it before me let me know if it works! Please? Thanks! Hope this helps! Bye!
Dear Mr.TrungGuyan, maybe some penetrating oil or gentle heat will loose the cap. A nickle or dime might help. If you do get it open try anti seize by permatex. It looks like silver paint but is not. Take a toothpick and place a fine bead on the threads of both cap and body of meter. That should make it easier to open next time. Ps ive never actually tryed this but it occured to me it might work. Hope this helps. Or get giant screw driver. Or shop for new meter. Hope ive been helpful! I greatly sympathize! I should probably do this myself just to be safe. Also might just go for the old style pentaprism and get a hand held meter.😅
One is enough for me. My Nikon F with the Ftn metering head.
@@henryrogers5500 You only need one. Thanks for watching.
Selecting one, in this case is more a thing of hierarchy than the classic "witch one is better". Still today if we take apart the precision of the modern light meter in modern cameras and the practically never used 1/ 4000 sec. film cameras have not change to much... Great photos are no made with great cameras... Great photos are made for great photographers!!!
One thing I didn’t realize about the Nikkormat until I bought one was how quiet it is, it is one stealthy SLR. The same cannot be said of the Nikon F 😂!
Anyway, that’s one other thing to consider
Thanks for watching
Have "Had" Several Of The Nikon FTn Cameras (With F-36 Motors & CBPacks) Over The Past 50+ Years - Good Camera - I "Have" A Nikkormat FTn, FT2 & FT3. Ditched The Nikons Partially Because I Didn't Need All The Accessories, Anymore, But The BIG THING Was The Availability Of The Batteries The Meters Used - Easy Enough To Find "Something That Works" For Both, But Not Cheap And The Nikkormat Only Uses One ($) Where The Nikon Uses 2 ($$) - The "Removing The Back" Film Changing Situation Was BAD With The Nikon FTn And REAL BAD When The Motor Drive & Battery Pack Was Involved. Both Good Solid Cameras....
Thank you for watching
I have owned both, and both are excellent camera. However, the deal killer for me with the Nikon F was the unhinged back. Almost all pictures I took were outdoors, and what do you do with the unhinged back when changing film? Maybe you do what I did: sold the Nikon F!
I agree, the biggest problem with the F. I still have 4 of them. Love the camera even with a few problems.
…*owns both 😅 I love them both I started with a nikkormat ftn and that one feels amazing in the hands and I just got a waist level view finder for the F so I’m waiting to get over this cold and get out there
The good thing about buying the Nikon F (apart from the light meter) is pretty much always going to work
The Nikkormat’s slow shutter speeds often require a service and changing shutter speeds is not very convenient to change
In years of using an FT2, I never had the slightest problem with the shutter speeds and the finger memory that instilled made the use of an OM1 seem natural.
Well in 2023 not sure these 2 cameras are very interesting. For me a better choice would be an FM or an FE. There are numerous on second market , they are small and handly, not too heavy and quite reliable. If you want a tank like the Ftn or the Mik or mat the F2 even if more expensive is a very good choice as it s a Nikon F with improvements in all areas. An other choice less expensive would the the nikkormat EL with more or less the same electronics of the FE.
the electronics in the FEs are all dying and there are no parts to repair.
Phil, you have every right to be mistaken. I spent 20 years with a few Nikon FM2 cameras. Very nice cameras. Having said that, I got back into film photography and immediately acquired some Nikomat and Nikon F cameras. I didn't miss the FM2s.
As a practical matter nowadays, if the meter on your F dies, you can replace it due to the modular design, while a dead meter on a Nikkormat will be a lot harder to fix. Plus there is something iconic about the look of the F...
You make a very good point. Thanks for watching.
Advance Camera Inc in Portland Oregon will fix broken light meters for pretty much anything, although it won’t be cheaper than buying a replacement finder
@@kirksealls1912 that’s good to know
@@kirksealls1912 Thanks for the advice- I'm sending them my F with a flaky meter.
is there a company that sells prescription lenses for the eyepiece? That would be nice
You used to be able to buy different strength diopters from Nikon to correct for your vision. Not sure about a 3rd party company making corrective lenses.
I own a Nikomat (Japan local name for Nikkormat) FT3 - much easier and thus superior changing lenses ..
Yes. Very much so.
I prefer the Nikomat FT2.
Can the Nikkormat F 50 mm lens be used on Nikon ZF with the FTZ adapter.
Yes
I need the best film slr for Pre Ai lens.will the FE be a good option? or the nikkormat?
I like the Nikon F2sb but the FE is less money and also excellent. The FE also has auto exposure.
@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 wiil work with non AI lenses
@@rdtstudios The FE will work with pre ai lenses but you'll need to use stop down metering and make sure you flip the AI tab out the way so you don't damage the camera. A Nikkormat FT2 is the best semi-pro camera for use with pre-ai lenses.
@@mattdyer9544 I end up ordering both lol, thanks bud 👍
Back in the 1970's, the Nikkormat was always considered to be an amateur's camera. We all used Nikon F's with handheld meters for better accuracy.
Some pros had a Nikkormat as backup.
As I mention in another comment on this video, there’s a picture of Larry Burrows carrying:
- A Nikon F with motor drive
- Two Nikkormats, either FTs or FTNs
- And a Leica, most probably an M3
It they didn’t come any more pro than Larry Burrows, and he was carrying them in conjunction with the F and the Leica M3, undoubtably pro cameras
Maybe next time just cover one camera model? Dualism confuse me. But maybe that's my problem. Again sincere thanks and look forward to more in detail about nikon f.😅
Nikkor at flash speed is 125thsec
Nikkormat
I cannot unscrewed the freaking battery cover. Should I change into a normal prism?
Try carefully using pliers.
It doesn't unscrew! It's a bayonet type! 1/4 turn, should come off, see arrow!
@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696
Not sure if you ever got this resolved, but it can be a bad sign if the battery cover won’t unscrew, as it often means the batteries have leaked, which can kill the meter. Alternatively, it could just be cross-threaded.
I’ve heard of people drilling two small holes in the battery cover, one on either side of the slot, and using a compass or home made tool to unscrew it, but if there are batteries in there you could drill into them unless you’re super careful.
If you end up messing up the battery cover, used ones in good condition can be had for like $30.
If for whatever reason the meter doesn’t work, you can get a new finder for not much money, or send the camera in to Advance Camera Inc in Portland, Oregon. They’ll fix light meters for pretty much anything
@@kirksealls1912 I solved it, small pliers needed. It was no leaky at all.
its Nikon not Neyekarn
too slow! gotta go !