Nikkormat FT2 Review
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- The FT2 is the successor to the FTn, was produced in far smaller quantities and is harder to find and costs more to purchase, so is it worth it? My bottom line: if it has a good, reliable light meter, then yes the premium is worth it. Otherwise, no.
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As a humble student attending The Maine Photographic Workshop, I was in need of a reliable 35. I found my first FT2. All Brass with black. Heavy camera. School required hundreds of rolls of film to be used during my two years there.
My Tank Built Brass FT2 provided a reliable cheap camera that still works today!
Thank You for bringing this old dog to light.
Oustanding information rich videos about these models. I am thinking about getting my first film camera and I learned so much in a short time.
A friend bought this new and he is still using it. He makes the best cow pics ever.
The FT2 was Nikon's belated effort to drag the Nikomat/Nikkormat line of cameras into the modern age. This involved dropping their dependence on mercury batteries and a few minor style updates. (Why screw up a good thing!) I bought one in Japan in late 1976, and used it until the first FM was sold a couple of years later. Although few would agree with me, one of the best and most overlooked Nikon bodies was the FT#, which retained all the virtues of the robust Nikkormat line while dating to the then-new AI lens mounting and metering. I fairly rapidly went through an FM, an FM2, and settled on a FE2, which I used for another ten+ years. I put a lot of mileage on those cameras with no issues at all, ever. For old times, I bought a minty FT3 a few years ago - nice!
That was my first camera body. Bought it at Adolf Gasser's in San Francisco along with a 50mm f/2 and a 135mm f/3.5 lens. It was the start to a life long love affair with Nikon cameras and lenses.The FT2 was one of my prized possessions. I bought it in 1975. I didn't realize that that was the first year of production. I'm very much enjoying your videos!
Thank you Brian. I hope to meet some day. Thank you sincerely
The weakness of all these Nikkor/Nikomats is the collar shutter speed internals. Sooner or later the contact that touches the circular slider will start to clog and loose function. I've tried to remedy this on an early body and discovered it was a nightmare to work on. I gave up on that body. Now I have a very nice FT2 which works, but the metering needle already is starting to get jumpy when I touch the shutter speed lever. Maybe it'll get better with more use again. Apart from that it feels really solid.
This solution is used by Olympus' OM-1 too, and I'm sceptical about these models too.
My advice is still: Go for an F2 or F3 instead of the Nikkormats if the price is similar.
Thx for your talk, again, Brian.
The FT2 has the advantage of a modern 1.5 volt battery vs a discontinued 1/3 volt, hot shoe and plastic advance lever which was an improvement over the FTn, and for about the same price on e-bay. This is a great camera to tap into the older Nikon lenses.
I love your reviews and your book is well worth the price for the helpful information
The Nikkormat is an excellent camera, that still makes a lot of sense today. Most users do not require the system versatility of professional film Nikons in 2020, many of which lead hard lives. The Copal square shutter is probably the most reliable vintage mechanism available. Nikkormats represent a high point of engineering and build quality in prosumer cameras, surpassing that of the FM and FE series IMO, though without their convenience.
On the downside the 'Mats are a lump to carry, heavy with sharp corners. Mechanical metering linkages are quirky even if they work, which as you say they probably will not. The baseplate seems to be of thinner gauge material than the rest of the body, and otherwise clean examples often have a dinged base. All that said, the Nikkormat is probably the definitive glove box or car footwell camera, capable of taking regular abuse that would leave most film cameras and all digital models needing professional repair. Prices reflect their unfashionable nature in a film market obsessed with boutique compacts and rangefinders. Raymond Moore used one: czcams.com/video/WrtaFo_tWIM/video.html
Borderlands Well said, this is my experience also.
The FT-2 was my first Nikon SLR back in 1976. I always thought it was an absolute tank with build quality right up there with the Pro F-2. I always regretted trading it in for a Nikon FE sometime around 1984. Well, just last week, I was poking around Craigslist and found a EXC++ FT-2 with a 50mm F2 AI lens for $90!!! Even better, it was just recently refurbished with new foam, internal cleaning and Lubing. Yep, I jumped on this one in a heartbeat and now, my 45 years a devoted Nikon shooter is once again complete! 😀😀😀
Thank you very much for making this video. I now feel very fortunate to have found one 90% with working meter for $20.
You are fortunate indeed, that's a great deal for a great camera. Well done!
Seen a few of your vids and subbed! 👍🏻
welcome aboard!
I picked up a FT2 month ago it sold with a Nikon auto HC 50mm f2.0 and a Nikon 80-200mm f4.0 ais lenses and a third party flash all in great condition for $99.00. Fully functional and accurate light meter all ready taken and developed 2 rolls of film that came out great. the only rub mark is on an edge on one side where the camera strap is. Great FT2 can be found if you are patient. It is the odd camera controls that I just love with this series.
Sounds like you got a great deal. Well done!
Just now received an FT2. (Chrome). Its a great camera waiting to run some film. Meter is malf but have a hand held. Thx for the review.
Just ordered an FT2, I already have an F3, and FM, but I a also have a few Pre AI lenses that I plan on using with this body.
Good timing I just cleaned up and put new light seals in a newly acquired Nikkormat FT and with a new battery, the light meter works :D Love the tactile feel and sound of this camera; the film advance is so satisfying
I did have the FT2 but sold it (big mistake) but I now have several Nikkormats including the Ft,FTn and the FT3 since 1987. I also have a few Nikonmat EL's.
Once I opened the lens mount ASA/Shutter speed assembly and had a gander inside. I was slightly taken aback at the finnicky solution Nikon went with on these models.
But most of the time it works well, but not user friendly at all. I now have the FT2. Meter works really well.
Thanks for taking the time , I've just sold my last leica and am left with my trusty Ft2 as you say build like a tank and not so expensive that you feel guilty about owning it .
Well said
Very good review. Thanks.
My recent purchase is an all black ft2. Mine has a black battery lid.
I have a ai 50mm f1.4 s-c and a 105mm 2.5 ai lens for it.
All my other cameras are now sulking and will be up for sale.
I love the Ft2 more than any of my other 25 cameras.
I found one at a garage sale and didn’t know anything about it. I’m researching this camera now and I was wondering why you like this camera so much. I’ve been shooting digital for a while and want to start using film. This was a random find for me at the garage sale and I want to start using it. So I guess my question is this. Why is this your favorite camera? Thank you in advance
@@markmcnamara608 I love the look and the weight of the Nikkormat ft2 and features like it takes lr44 batteries. It has a meter needle window on the top plate as well as in the viewfinder. The operation of the the shutter is quieter then my other slrs. I do have a Nikon FE as well which is smaller and lighter but the Ft2 is just so much better in use.
I hope you enjoy your Ft2 as much as I love mine.
@@neilpiper9889 thank you for your reply.
Extremely interesting ! Thank you !
Great review,thanks,love this camera!!!
Great video! Thx 🙏
I started into Nikon with a Nikkorex F in 1062. After college, I tok the plunge with a Nikomat FT2 and several lenses purchased on a Japan trip. I still have the FT2 and recently acquired a minty FT3, as all my lenses are now AI mount. I do not use my Nikkormats regularly, but they are a solid fall back in 35mm.
Hi Randell, wow! You bought your Nikkorex in 1062 AD. I purchased mine in 1066, but it was stolen by William the Conqueror during his invasion of Britain. Undeterred, I grabbed a new Nikkormat FT, but Robin Hood swiped it and gave it to the poor.
These are terrific survey's! LIked and sub'd..! Thank you.
The FT3 has a shutter lock. Just push the lever fully to rest position when you had advanced the film. If you havent advanced the film before....the shutter can be pressed....wierd but it is what it is
Nice video, Thanks, lots of good info.!
Thanks for this review, it was extremely informative and have just subscribed to your channel. I have the FTN which was passed down to me from my father and absolutely LOVE it. I have however, lost the coupling pin.. it just seemed to have fallen off at some point. How easy would it be to find a replacement for it, do you think? Thanks in advance.
If all you need is a coupling pin then I'd look for a Nikkormat advertised as inoperative for parts only. You'll probably pay more for shipping than for the camera itself.
BRIAN! As the resident Nikkormat historian on YT, I am really hoping you can answer a quick question. Do you happen to know if the FT2 uses the same battery cover as previous generations? I know the battery type was changed but cant find out if the cover changed as well. I need to find a battery cover for a FT2, so would love to know what my options are!! Please if you see this, I could use some guidance in the right direction.
I went ahead and pulled the trigger and ordered an FT2. I guess I'll see in about a week how this works out.
You won't be disappointed. Well, unless the meter doesn't work.
@@BriansPhotoShow It's KEH Excellent grade. They usually state if the meter is inoperable. Thanks for the reply.
No mention of Nikkormat FS ,,, VERY rare early model because of its total lack of a light meter. A handheld meter is a must-have.
The FS is highly collectible and prices reflect this. Functionally, there's no difference between an FTn or FT2 with a busted light meter and an FS.
I have one that arrived in a lot, I don’t see anything special about it except scarcity. Mine is not very well finished compared to later models.
@@jonlouis2582 If the shutter fires, it's worth selling. If not, I'd donate it to a local shop for parts.
Hi Brian, Should do a comparison video of K1000 and FT2. FT2 seems so undervalued compare to K1000.
Agreed 100%. I am, however, completely unwilling to overpay for an overrated K1000 just for one video.
@@BriansPhotoShow You don't need to buy one just do it with your hand yellow specs sheet:) If I lived in US I could have send my k1000 to you but I live in New Zealand.
FT3 has silicon metering as opposed to FT2 having cds metering
I'm sorry, but I don't believe that's correct. The FT3 is merely an FT2 with the new AI meter coupling system.
Great review! I have a NIKOMAT FT2 And it doesn’t have the split image focus screen - this is supposedly the Japanese version but otherwise the same. Do all Nikkormat FT2s have split image as far as you know?
I had thought that all FT2's were sold with the split-image focusing screen. Indeed, some late production FTn's have one as well. I've never heard of an FT2 without one.
Same here, I just purchased a Nikomat FT2 at an online auction site, and it doesnt have a split image focusing screen.
Is there a way to reset the timer without taking a picture?
So we can go shoot 35mm slr cameras. I have too many
this Nikon virus is contagious ....
like your channel
Thanks for the video. Does FT2 take Ai or Ai-S lenses or later F mount lenses?
The FT2 has full functionality with any F-mount lens equipped with a metering prong. It can mount and meter in stop-down mode with any F-mount lens that has an aperture ring.
@@BriansPhotoShow Wow! How much should I expect to pay for decent shape FT2?
@@georgehuman7253 Under one hundred dollars
@@georgehuman7253 honestly, if you want a camera that can use pre-ai lenses, has a better and more durable light meter, uses newer batteries than the old mercury ones, and has solid build quality, I would get the Nikon FE or FM.
(Brian would choose the FM and I prefer the FE because it has automatic mirror lockup, aperture priority mode, and an exposure compensation dial). In February I picked up an FE in mint condition on E-bay for $69 shipping and handling so I know good deals can be found. But even if you can’t get a steal on one, they’re still not much more than the pre-ai cameras. As I’m typing this there’s an FM listed as Excellent Condition for $89 on E-Bay.
IMO, the only disadvantage to these two cameras is you have to use stop-down metering with pre-ai lenses but I think that pales in comparison to all of their advantages.
@@alexblaze8878 I already own FM and FE with Nikkormat FT2 :D
canon F1 for starters mechanical engineering
How do i use these lens for my fujifilm xt100
I don't know. I've never owned a Fujifilm mirrorless camera.
@@BriansPhotoShow ohhh thanksss
Tony Northrup has a video going over how to use old Nikon glass on fuji mirrorless