nikon nikkormat ftn review

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Average Ratings

Photograph Quality	9.7/10
Features	8.7/10
Ease of Use	7/10
Value for Money	8.8/10
Reviewer Rating	9/10
Overall Rating	9/10

100% Recommended4 out of 4 Reviews

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By meterprong on 19th Jan 2008

meterprong's Ratings

Time Camera Owned	Over 1 Year
Photograph Quality	10/10
Features	9/10
Ease of Use	10/10
Value for money	10/10
Overall value	10/10
meterprong's recommendation

Good Points

Durability,simplicity,and access to the Nikkor lens system. I think it worth mentioning that I have found the Nikkormat cameras to be unsurpassed for cold weather work. When temperatures drop to below 0, they still continue to work smoothly without any problems associated with frigid weather. The film advance remains buttery smooth in artic like conditions,and the shutter and aperture controls function well. This is perhaps the most rugged of the classic mechanically controlled,(springs,levers,gears), cameras ever made. I still use 2 of them that are about 40 years old. Even if the battery dies the camera is still fully functional,..except for the light meter...and us old guys that started using cameras before they were made with light meters don't consider that a problem.

Bad Points

Takes a while to get used to the shutter speed ring located on the lens mount. Also,since the asa/iso film speed control is on the bottom of this ring it can be easy to forget to change the film speed setting when the situation arises.

General Comments

The shear dependability factor is what convinced me early on that the Nikkormats were a winner. When the stakes were high and you only get one chance at that "1 in a million exposure" the Nikkormat has proven to be a tangible asset. I've never used another brand or model that gave me that sense of reliability as the Nikkormats do. They even rival the Nikon F2. I feel lucky to have lived during that classic age of the 35mm SLR. Although, I didn't buy my 1st used Nikkormat until 1986. I've been an avid user since. Yeah,..I use a digital camera when the need for instant image transfer demands it. But otherwise when I go afield camera in hand you more than likely see me toting a Nikkormat. Everything is second nature. I don't have to think about what I'm doing. It just comes natural. Lastly, I often recall a comment I once heard an young camera repairman make pertaining to the Nikkormats years ago..."They're like little tanks!,..it's sad because they don't make many like them anymore",he said. They're an ikon of photographic history. If you have one enjoy it. If you don't,..grab one...you'll love it.

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