Alex, I have a Nikkormat FT2 and I think it's a real hidden gem. I specifically chose this camera because it works with pre-Ai, Ai, Ais, and Nikon D (with aperture rings and mechanical autofocus). I also chose this camera because it has the upgraded, split prism focusing screen, a hot-shoe, and takes the 1.5v LR44 batteries, not the 1.35v mercury cell batteries of the older Nikkormats. I bought mine for $65 several years ago, and it came with an excellent pre-Ai Nikon 50mm f/2 lens, and a halfway decent Vivitar 35-105mm f/3.2-4 lens.
I have an FTn and adjusting the ASA/ISO is brutal which I could see you struggling with a bit. You nailed this review though. This thing is a gem/tank, that just goes and goes and just gets the job done with all that wonderful glass. I am also a big fan of that shutter advance sound. Just such a pleasing springy metallic shuck as it moves over and coils everything into place.
My Dad gifted me his FT2. I still have it and shoot it. It’s a great camera. I used the DeOxit fix to get the jumpy meter needle to settle down. I didn’t think it had worked, but after a couple months of sitting on the shelf, I picked up the FT2 and no more jumpy meter needle!
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto Great thorough review. My Dad also gifted me his Nikkorex F with the still working clip on meter. That thing is a beast. The shutter sound wakes the entire neighborhood. Kerchunk! The Nikkorex still works but I’ve only shot it once.
Hello, luckily I had an opportunity having a one. And I loved it. For me it is the most convenient mechanical Nikon. It came with pre AI 50/2 and at the same time, from the seller I added the AI 24/2,8 lens. Then I bought E series Nikon 75-150/3,5. Well with this lens I have to adjust the needle manually, according to the selected diaphram. Perhaps after I mount then setting the process. Now I have two recently bought lenses. One AI 28/2,8 and the latest one is AI 35/2. Thank you for the review and the video.
I have over three dozen Nikons, but I have a go to Domke bag that holds an F2 and a Nikkormat Ft2. The lens selections changes with what I will be doing. Two great cameras!
Nice thorough review. I’m on my second FT2. I had an all-black one, foolishly sold it when I got an F2, missed it, so bought a chrome one. It’s nice that it takes the same eyepiece accessories as the F2 and FM series. I have a right angle finder which is handy for macro. Speaking of macro, the one ergonomic con of this camera is that the shutter speed ring tab makes it hard to reach the mirror lock up switch at low shutter speeds. You have to set the shutter speed after you lock up the mirror. An advantage of the Nikkormats compared to the F, F2 and F3 is the higher flash sync speed owing to the vertical Copal square shutter. I forgot about that when I photographed some equestrian jumpers with an F3 and needed fill flash. 1/125s would have helped.
I bought my Nikkormat Ftn in 1982 second hand.Late model with plastic tip on the wind on and metal removable flash mount. The 35 mm f2 is great as a standard lens. It is an old Ai'd pre Ai lens with scalloped focus ring . Moved on to an F3 eventually which has excellent metering. I miss the wind on power switch of the Nmat.
Never heard that terminology used to describe this sort of meter display before! It’s always been match needle for everthing! Thanks and thanks for watching 🍻
An informative video slightly marred by the background music. FT2's are great cameras - pity that the shutter speed ring doesn't have nice finger grips like the OM-1
I find that the rabbit ears aren't all that necessary on a Nikkormat. The stop down lever is well placed, so I just stop down meter with newer lenses that have no prongs. Since it's manual, I can often meter once and just keep using those settings.
I can that working well, but I have had a bad experience with stopping down the lens to meter, namely the Leicaflex R3, so I tend to avoid that! Thanks for watching 🍻
Will this camera work with out the battery? I found my fathers NIkkor film 🎥 camera just like this and I’ve always wanted to shoot with it. Awesome channel.
I don't have a Nikkormat but I do have a F and F2 and I love my 180mm f2.8 and a 200m f4. They are both wonderful lenses. The 180mm f2.8 is bigger and heavier than the 200 f4 but I believe it is much sharper optic.
