Great to see this video on the canon FTb. Brought back many memories. My first DSLR was a canon FTb QL that my father helped me buy from a friend of his at Bell & Howell. So I was able to get the FT at employee pricing. The FTb was the camera that I wanted to continue my photography in art school. Oh Bell & Howell was in our home town in Illinois. My father was Senior engineer at Western Electric ( Teletype Corp) and had friends at most of the manufactures around Chicago. My 35mm was (still have it) a Perla 35mm range finder camera, which was a Leica knock off that my father got when he was over seas. After a time in college/art school the QL system would fail to fully engage in wrapping the film tight and scratch the film. I continued with Canon through to day... from the FT, A1 (black bodys), F1, F1n, 5D, 5D MK3, 5D MK4. I added some Sony for longer format video work - Sony A7S III. My favorite film cameras have been Canons, Olympus XAs (excellent little camera), Mamiya Sekor RB67, and my Toyo 4x5 & 8x10 cameras .
The Canon FTb QL had an special cross-compensation of the metering unit. You can use normal 1,5V button cells to get correct metering, but only silver oxide cells deliver constant voltage. Since the FTb works fully mechanical, it is not necessary to use the light meter. There were two versions of the FTb QL. Your one is the first version, which lacks the interior display of the shutter speed. The next version display it at the left lower corner. In my opinion the FTb is along with the old F-1 one of the most reliable cameras Canon sold. And I use all Canon Cameras exclusively more than 40 years.
Btw, a real sleeper Canon is the EF, which is like the F-1 but without the removable prism. It's shutter priority auto, or full manual, and it has an electronic Copal Square shutter that has speeds from several seconds up to 1/2000. It can take modern batteries due to a bridge circuit which automatically converts the voltage, so no adapter needed. And the best part is that the shutter speed dial juts out over the front of the camera, so you can easily turn it without moving your eye from the viewfinder. Plus, it's really cheap. I bought mine in great condition for around $75.
Now, if only Canon had made a version with Aperture priority auto! I tend to use it more often than Shutter priority. One of 3 reasons I really want to get the AE prism for my New F-1. I want to be able to shoot it with aperture priority. Also the meter needles in the regular finder with it seem like they might be out of alignment some. And lastly there is some of the metal bent back along at least one seem. Not sure if that's a potential light leak in the prism, or not.
@@MacPhotoGuy79 yeah, I understand about aperture priority since I prefer it over shutter priority. I just sold a New F-1 in near-perfect condition, with the AE finder. I used it with the chrome nose concave 35mm, and that combo was just too heavy for me. I don't think you need to worry about light leaks from the finder, since you can remove the finder completely without leaks. However, it might affect your metering if extraneous light gets in.
@@andrewrothman7805 I did not know that there would be no leaks with the finder completely removed, that’s a relief! But I get what you are saying about the light meter maybe being off. Like I said, it looks like in full manual the aperture needle just doesn’t even line up right with the other needle, why I wonder if it’s off. I can always get a different finder in better condition if that is an issue, I’d really like to find one of the AE finder. And I get the weight, it sure is not a light camera. I’ve got the motor drive, and it came with the AA battery magazine, which takes 12 AA’s!! You put the motor drive on, kid it with batteries, and even with a light 50mm f/1.8 lens, it’s heavy. Substitute the 35-105mm f/3.5 lens, and it’s in a whole new level of heavy!! Lol But I do love the camera!!
Excellent camera. I have one, I cherish it. Mine works well at standard speeds, in fact for what it cost me originally (under £50), I bought it as a who cares if I lose it travel camera, but is fast becoming a go-to for it's reliability. Paired with a standard FD 1.8 50mm, it's been fun to use.
My very first SLR camera. I bought it new with my own money as 14 year kid for my own photography and I also joined the school yearbook and used it there. Such a great all manual camera and the match needle metering was so easy and worked so well. A real tank, although at the time, it just felt normal. I had only one lens for years, a 50mm 1.8 and it did everything. I put this to bed in 1985 when I got my new Maxxum 7000 (with crossed x’s), and only just woke it up last month. Shot a roll, so we’ll see. At the time, I thought the FTB took the very best pictures of all, until I got my Minolta Maxxum and I would say those pictures were better and sharper. But I still have a great love for my Ftb and would never part with it!
Canon FTb is my first manual exposure SLR when I started venturing out to film photography 8 months ago and prior getting a Nikon F it's my workhorse, solidly build, simple to use and repair, reliable, and accompanied me to different parts of my country. Mine is June 1971 batch paired with its original lens, FD 50 mm f/1.4 chrome nose. Meanwhile, all of the features, including the light meter still works (after recalibrating and cleaned the battery compartment), the match needle nature is intuitive and fun to use. Absolutely joy to use, got satisfying feeling and sounds when operating it and minimal camera shake. The only downside is, it's quite heavy.
My first SLR camera I bought in 1975 at 15. I used it for HS yearbook pictures and everything else. I recently pulled it out of storage after not being used since 1985, and shot a roll of Acros II. Feels so great in my hand again!
Great video and shots, Azriel. I'm looking forward to following your grain elevator project more closely. I hope you also hit some of the elevators in Saskatchewan! Cheers, Doug.
@ grain elevator project: "Not knowing what to shoot" can be a great obstacle. A project can help to bypass that and allow for a focus on the "how", the place where all our creativity resides;-) However "telling" someone to "do a project" will very likely sound as intimidating as "what to shoot"! Watching you doing your project will certainly give people a lot of ideas! The abstract idea gets a pulse!
Azriel, I really love your creative grain elevator shots. They're an endlessly varying subject for changing light, shadow play, shapes-forms...We have lots of grain silos and concrete company (gypsum) silos here around Buffalo, New York. I've been working with them inside and out for decades and never get tired of them. The sunset "golden hour" shots are the best. You do those very well, sir. Black & white colorized shots are interesting too, and I like what you did there also. There is beauty in simplicity sometimes...
I own 3 of these. I keep different film stocks in each and I love them. I’ve checked the meters against my Sekonic and they are all quite good. The felts and light seals are all easily replaced. The shutter on all of mine works great. I’m sure there are bad ones out there but I really like these. Oh, I use the mercury air batteries with good results. They don’t last so long but they def last me a season or two of shooting at any altitude lower than a mile up. I tried them at 9,000 ft in Colorado last Fall and they just didn’t work. Came back to sea level and no problems.
I've put 120-150 rolles through a FT QL (the slightly earlier predecesor to the FTb) and it's one of my favorite cameras. As you mention, FD glass is great (and the older FL lenses also work stopped down). They're simple, reliable, have everything you need and love the solid weighty build. I've used the 1.4V hearing aid batteries in the camera and they've been fine - Cheap, easy to get, accurate enough and last probably 6 months+. I've shot a few rolls recently through the T70, which is great in some respects, but I prefer the manual match meter needle of the FT/FTb. Whilst there are other similar SLR's of the era, such as the Minolta SR-T's, Pentax Spotmatic/K's, Nikkormat FTn, Olympus OM-1, Praktica LTL, Rolleiflex SL35 etc. and they're all great in their own rights, I try to stay within the a few brands and avoid collecting 50 differnt lenses. It's too easy to end up with a shelf of different SLR's and 50mm lenses which do the same thing basically. If you've got Nikon glass and like it, stick with Nikon as the F mount has been used for decades.
Thanks, my FTb is being overhauled. I also own a TX and a EF. The EF uses standard batteries and the FD lenses ! Oh! Loved the grain elevators. I think there are some in Oregon I might try!
I was a Nikkormat FTN user in college, while a classmate used a Canon FT. The Canon was faster to load film and change lenses; the Nikon was faster to meter. I sorta wish that electronic digital cameras were as basic and simple, but featuritis is a given for silicon photography.
I had one and theyre great. Like all old cameras, i highly recomnend a service then theyre like butter. Currently my canon is an A1 with a Tokina 24-40 2.8 which is great if you like wide zooms. I dont but was gifted from wifes uncle so its treasured and serviced. Fab video tho 😎
Lovin’ the Grain Elevator project, keep ‘em comin’. I too have long term projects that I am working on, keeps me motivated to shoot for myself, in addition to paid work. These retro Canon episodes, as I cut my photographic teeth on Canon gear are dear to me, even though I have moved on from Canon after 36 years, defecting to Fuji’s siren call.
I have both the FT and FTb. The FT used the old stop down metering system and the FTb was Canon’s first use of TTL metering. They were both expensive as well as heavy units. Used both FD and FL lenses.
First off, kudos for the hair donation. You've made life a little better for someone who is probably going through a lot. A lot of cameras from that era have the 1.3v battery requirement. I have it on my Olympus OM-1. I put LR-44 1.5v batteries in with some aluminum foil to fill the remaining space, just to see what happens. The OM-1 readings are off by about 2 stops, so for a 250 ISO film I have to set the meter to 400 so it reads properly. Then I put a small mark on the body next to the 250 and use that as the new ISO setting spot. I've tested it against a light meter and my Canon EOS RP meter, and it works like a charm. I've been a Canon shooter for decades. I've not tried the FTb, but now it's on my radar. The only Canon that I haven't liked is an A-1 that belonged to my father. That's the only reason that I still have it. I've tried shooting with it, but I just can't warm up to it, so it sits on a shelf while I shoot with my OM-1.
I have one of these battery adaptors for my Canon F1. They allow you to use the more common LR43 batteries. It steps the voltage down from 1.55 to 1.3.
Can I mention a feature of the FTb that is really useful and got lost in the A series: mirror lock-up. Also, if you get the meter working reliably (as stated below there are adaptations for cameras designed for a 1.3V mercury-cell: Wein cell, zinc-air [1.4V] cell + spacer etc), the centre-weighted metering patch is clearly visible in the viewfinder making accurate metering quite straightforward.
You can use a zinc-air battery in a 625 adapter which will give you basically the exact voltage you want. Plus the batteries last for ages when not “activated” as there is a tab you peel off of them before you use them
Another option for the meter is to have the meter recalibrated for the higher voltage. However, I use the MR9 battery adapter in my FTb with a silver oxide battery and it does very well. Also, don’t forget about type 675 zinc-air hearing aid batteries as well as Wein cells. Those are 1.33 volts and have the same discharge curve as a mercury battery. Azriel, you forgot to mention that the FTb has a mirror lockup! 🙂
My first proper camera was a Canon FTb-N & this was my main camera for many years. I formed a strong bond with this camera & it remains one of my favourite film SLR cameras. It has a nice weight, it offers everything you really need, & it is reliable. Regarding the battery for this camera, it is readily available at camera stores & on Amazon. Based on my experience, using a 1.5V battery will have little to no affect when using negative film. One item that I believe you forgot to mention is that the timer/DOF preview dial also has a mirror lock-up function. I'm happy that you can appreciate why many people like this camera. To me, it was the perfect camera to learn about the basics of photography.
I really liked the photos you showed. And I ordered your 'zine. Nice work, and a good review. I donated my pony-tail back around 2000. Canon and Nikon were in tight competition and were the top tier for lenses. Sure, there are excellent examples from Olympus, Pentax, Konica, Yashica and Minolta, but Nikon and Canon were more consistent producing top-tier lenses. Competition is a good thing.
Well ya I am not going to jump in saying that the FTb might be the best camera in the world, but a few things could be added to its pro side of the list. It has a quite sophisticated set of functions combined with the self timer that can be helpful: the lever also acts as mirror lock up and aperture preset function. The last can be used to mount also older FL-lenses so you have some more to choose from. Stoped down to working aperture the lightmeter can be used with them too. Speaking of the lightmeter a simple hearing aid battery will do the trick. Although it needs to be changed frequently due to it's chemical construction (zink/air) these things are soooo cheap that changing the battery will not break the bank. If you care about not using too manny batteries one can share this one zink/air type between multiple cameras that all require 1.3 V - that should minimize the waste. And if we stay with the glass for one more second: "not the best in the industry" only is a valid point as long as you do not include the "L" Line of Canon lenses that started to be released right during the lifetime of the FTb. Starting with the meanwhile totally overpriced 55 1.2 ASPHERICAL and the even more expensive 85 ASPHERICAL and then going into the full lineup of L-glasses for every need. Nikon and others never segregated their lens linup that way. So comparisons between high end Nikkor lenses should be made not with just plain FD lenses but with FD-L lenses at least. Trying them is more than worth it. On the con side: These FTbs are heavy as they are 100 % mechanical (wich also could ad as a pro regarding sustainability and longevity) but then I would always lean more towards the infamous Canon EF wich is a truely elegant though not completely mechanical camera of the same era.
@@AzrielKnight Is this a phishing attempt? I am talking about the other person (with a phone number for name) in this thread, I see he replied to multiple people on this video.
I use a voltage adapter in my OM-1, it works well and batteries are cheap. In other old cameras I use 1.5 volt batteries, n adapter, and the meters work fine.
In its generation, the FTb was nearly as popular as the AE-1 was for the following generation. I never owned one, but several friends did. Very basic, solid build, using the FD mount lenses. It suffered from Canon's practice of orphaning a series of bodies by changing up non-compatible lens mounts.
I do have a soft spot for the Canon A1, I have a couple of minty editions by keep around just look at, and periodically drag them out into service for quick blast of fun. Will have to try one of the FTB's at some point as they looks quite nice. Not a problem for the battery adapter, will probably whip something up on the lathe, and pop a diode in there to drop it down to 1.3v, that's all the adapters are anyway. Currently got a 'new in box' T90 that I need to get out and test, so maybe after that. All the best, Aston.
I have the FTb, perfectly good camera but I don't use it often. The mercury cell still works. If it was my only camera it would do the job just fine, but I tend to reach for a Nikkormat if I want heavy metal, or a the A-1, or a rangefinder. In fact I prefer the AT-1 which is the Canon full manual A-series equivalent, but somewhat lighter.
This camera is a true sleeper. A high school classmate gave one to me a few years ago. Build quality on Canon’s to me has never been great. But it is on this camera. It’s a tank. Ironically I started shooting with it again last week, and I love it. Maybe the best FD camera I have ever used. I use an air zinc battery in the light meter, which I think is excellent. I’ll take this over an AE1 all day long.
I hope I'm not starting a war, but I just don't get why the AE-1, and the AE-1 Program are so popular?? I kind of get the AE-1 Program slightly more, but Canon has several other cameras I like a lot better that have a program mode. And I have actually had 2 different AE-1's, though I only had to pay for one. My grandma gave me an AE-1 with a couple lenses that came into her possession as collateral for a personal loan that was never paid off. I got the 2nd one mainly to get the lenses that came with it, and the whole pacakge was only $40. Sadly the mirror/shutter locked up on one, but I still have the other. I rarely ever use it today, and I have thought off and on about selling it, or trading it in to a place like KEH to get something else for my other FD mount bodies, or to help fund the purcahse of a EOS 1/1n/1n RS/ Iv, or a Nikon F4/F5.
@@MacPhotoGuy79 Same here.While I don’t bash the AE1 for its shutter priority (so easy to reverse engineer on the fly), I do bash it for its build quality, including the horrendous battery door. And yes, it’s plastic body. Not to mention The Canon Squeal.
@@ArthurJS123 the Canon squeal doesn’t bother me too much, guess I’ve just gotten used to it?? But yes, certainly the battery door is an issue. They used that same, or a very similar door on the A-1 if I’m not mistaken. I have seen so many examples of both camera with broken battery doors online. Even though I’m not 100% enamored with the battery cover on the New F-1, I like it’s a lot better than the swinging battery door. I don’t really dislike the AE-1/AE-1 Program, there’s just several bodies I like a lot better. People probably think I’m crazy, but when it comes to Canon FD mount cameras, my heart belongs to the T series. My 2 favorites being the T70, and the T90! The T70 was our family camera, and the first serious SLR I learned on. Thankfully it’s now mine after my dad decided he didn’t want it anymore. The T90 is almost the pinnacle of what I think a high quality manual focus camera should be. Only thing it’s lacking is a true metered manual mode with a meter bar, but that can be over come by sunny 16, or external metering easy enough.
@@MacPhotoGuy79 The FTB is truly the first Canon camera I felt could play in the same arena as Nikon, Minolta, etc. It feels more like an instrument, and less like a toy.
I still have the FTbn I bought new in 1974. You can look for the MR-9 battery adapter, which lets you use a modern SR44 1.5V battery, and it converts the voltage to 1.35 volts. It's expensive (about $35), but you can use it on all those old mercury cell cameras. You can also use a 1.35 volt hearing aid battery, with a small rubber O-ring around it. But the hearing aid batteries don't last long (same with the overpriced Wein cells). Even though the mirror bumper isn't a light seal, it will likely turn to a sticky mess or disintegrate into dust, which will get into the camera guts, and yiu don't want that. Better to remove it with some alcohol and Q-tips, and replace it with some adhesive backed foam.
I actually have the previous version, the Canon FT OL. It's a great little camera. Sadly there was a battery left in the batter chamber, and it had a lot of corrosion in there, so not sure I'll ever be able to use the built in light meter, but that's ok. It did come with a few Canon FL lenses, but sadly I think all 3 of them have fungus growing on the glass elements. Thankfully I do not see any fungus on the camera's mirror, focusing screen, or in the view finder. It was in a leather bag in a garage of a guy that passed away, and his family had donated a lot of the electronics to the Amatuer Radio club I'm in. Knowing I'm a big photography guy, they set the bag aside for me. I love Canon FD mount cameras a lot, and have a small collection myself. I have all of the T series now except the T60, and T80, an A-1, and a very well worn New F-1, with motor drive. I'd say my favorite is the T90, though the T70 is special. It was the family camera when I was growing up, and the first "serious" SLR I ever learned to use. When my dad decided he didn't want it any more, he let me have it. It spent more time with me anyway! lol
Hey, love my broken meter FTb. The QL mechanism also lets it use sprocketless film, including the Kodak 2468 I sent you for FortKnight (foil wrapped with red color base). Given its ASA of 0.8, you’re not using the camera meter anyways. If you still have the film, which is a direct positive microfilm developed in BW chemistry, and you still have the camera, would love to see what you do with it.
Great review! But the battery is REALLY not an issue. I’ve put in contemporary 1,4 volt hearing aid batteries in my FTbs and that works just perfect! This battery is a bit smaller in size than the battery compartment was made for, but you can support it by rubber bands or a plastic ring (i.e cut a slice of thick pencil that makes a ring) or some cotton. Whatever! The slight voltage difference between 1,4v and 1,35v is of no significance. 😊👍🏻
I shoot with my father's TL-b which is the simpler FT-b. I am lucky that my local photo store stocks the correct battery. I do have an FT-b as well that I picked up a few years ago but the light meter is dead.
The only problem with a crumbling mirror damper foam is that tiny bits of foam can land on the mirror and to the focusing screen, making the view a bit dirty. At least this is the conclusion I have come to.
How would you say your books blacks came out? Doing darkroom print would you say your photos hit absolutely black in the areas you wanted? I would be interested in a comparison between a darkroom print and a large print zine
hi, i once almost got an FTb, instead i bought an EF which i think is a better camera, also very simple like a light F1, and it uses 1.5v batteries. regards!
The EF has the same voltage compensation as the FTb. So you can use 1,35V or 1,5V of the right diameter. Prefer silver oxide cells. The EF has sometimes some issues with an capacitor of the electronic system, so it doesn't work with shutter times of 1 second and longer. The 1/2 second is provided mechanical instead.
When I was 23 in 1970 getting ready to marry and go on a honey moon to Quebec. I wanted a good camera, always want a Nikon, went the Nikon store in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was there about an hour no own seem to want to wait on me, Left and went to the Camera Center, bought the Ftb qi , Durst enlarger, chemical, paper and film developing equipment, camera still look and works like new, granddaughter needed a film camera for a class she was taking at her university, Loaned her the Ftb.
PSA - there is a site on the internet now where you can buy genuine Mercury batteries. They aren't especially expensive either, about the same price as the crappy alkaline ones from Amazon. I got one for my yashica. Just got to make sure to recycle them when they are done, but from what I've read they last for years and years:)
Hello Jeremy. Could share the link where we could get the mercury battery for the Canon FTb, which I own along with the Canon F1. I have this battery problem. Thank you for your assistance. Take care
People spoke really highly of it so I want to make sure I get a solid copy of it, which means spending a little more. I also have a bunch of cameras I have been neglecting to review, and two of those are Nikon, so it'll be a bit.
@@AzrielKnight I get that you have had the FTb QL for a while and have wanted to review it. But I thought the whole point to getting a secondary camera to your Nikon F100 was to maintain essentially the same level of features/functionality and, above all, lens compatibility. Maybe the FTb QL is a great camera, and I know from experience that the Canon FD lenses can be excellent, but are you really going to want to have a backup that uses a different set of lenses? The FTb QL just doesn't fit the brief. This feels like a placeholder video while you sort out getting your hands on some of the other Nikon options that folks have recommended. All that being said, are you excited about Calgary Flames winning their first playoff game against Dallas this week?
The cameras that I have on hand here are ones that I have found while searching thrift stores and garage sales. I test them before reselling them by making first impressions videos. The channel would be pretty boring if all I reviewed were cameras for me, but more importantly, it's expensive and time consuming to buy specific cameras off eBay my budget is limited.
@@AzrielKnight I don't know about Ebay in Canada, but Ebay sold listings I can see show the Nikon N80/F80 sells for $40-80 USD. I paid about $50 USD for mine 3-4 years ago, so prices aren't substantially different now, and not likely to strain even a limited budget. This is especially the case if you already have compatible lenses for your F100.
@@AzrielKnight right!, i love the free frames, but after I moved to this from the AE1 I had to buy all new sleeves for 40 frames this camera was putting out.
