Nikon Nikkormat FTN

this camera will allow anyone to become a very compitent photographer the nikkormat has all the bells whistles except automation

The Nikkormats have been around and dependable for quite some time (Since 1965). It's now 2008. They're still being used by purists 43 years later. What more can be said? I use my AFS lenses with it. It's a great combination.

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.

the nikkormat series FS,FT,FTN was the fore runner of the small modern nikon bodies such as the FM,FE,FM2,FG etc.It is a great back up to these cameras as well as the F3,F100,F4,and F5.

the camera will only be able to meter with lenses that have the meter prongs, but there are still many of those around today second hand.the lenses that fit the FTN will fit the pro cameras with stop down metering.

it doesn't need a battery to work the camera,only the meter.the battery is getting hard to find these days as its a mercury based one. but you can use the 1.5 volt hearing aid batteries in it with a little rubber "o" ring or the "wein" cells.

its a solid camera made out of brass and glass not plastic and therefore holds its re sell value with collectors as well as users.it was brought out to sell to amateur photographers the same time that the last F and first F2 cameras were on the market.

the meter is a match needle that is hard to see in dim light. but it has the good 40/60 center weighted metering system. shutter speeds go to 1/1000 and 1600 iso on the meter.the shutter speeds can be seen in the viewfinder, it also has mirror lock up, self timer and dept of field preview.

on the top of the camera on the left hand side it has a port to see the meter reading as well as in the viewfinder.

it may not sing and dance like the new auto focus but its been around for twenty years and most likely another twenty years.