Canon FTb
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| Canon FTb QL (black) image by John Gateley (Image rights) |
The Canon FTb was introduced by Canon in March 1971. It is a mid-range mechanical 35mm SLR designed to use the FD-fitting lenses from the Canon F-1 range. In fact it is very similar to Canon FT with the difference that it uses the Canon FD mount lenses, allowing it to use FD lenses and the older FL lenses.
The QL badge on the front denotes Canon's Quick Load system; the film is placed across the takeup-spool and the back closed; the film is automatically wound around the spool when the advance lever is operated.
The pentaprism viewfinder has a fresnel matte focus screen with a microprism focus aid. The FTb has open-aperture TTL metering covering an area of 12% in the center of the frame, with a match-needle display in the viewfinder. Metering is powered by a PX625 1.35v mercury battery - now unobtainable, but alternatives are available. Meter film speed range runs from 25 to 2000 ISO. Metering can be done with Canon FL lenses using the stop-down function on the camera.
The self-timer control also acts as a stop-down lever and mirror-up function. The stop-down lever returns to its original position when released, but can be locked. The mirror-up function can only be used when the stop-down lever is locked.
The horizontal cloth focal plane shutter has speeds of 1s to 1/1000s and B. The shutter is fully mechanical, working without a battery.
Standard lenses were 55mm f/1.2, 50mm f/1.4, or 50mm f/1.8.
The second version of the FTb, released in 1973 and sometimes called the FTbn, has an F-1 style stop-down lever and displays the selected shutter speed in the viewfinder on a transparent rotating disc. Other cosmetic changes include a plastic tip to the film advance lever, a slightly different shutter speed dial and a permanent cover to the flash connection.
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| Chrome version image by Maestr0_0 (Image rights) |
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| Canon FTbn QL image by AWCam (Image rights) |
Links
- Manual Camera User's Opinion
- Canon FTb Camera Manual (PDF) : Photo-Manuals.com
- Lionel's Canon FTb QL overview at 35mm-compact.com (in French)
