Nikomat/Nikkormat FT3

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This camera, released as the Nikomat FT3 in Japan, was released as the Nikkormat FT3 elsewhere.

Manufactured from 1977 to 1979, this was the first Nikkormat camera to use AI lenses; thanks to wider and newer lens availability, this makes it a more attractive choice today than its predecessors. It is still possible to use non-AI lenses through use of the stop-down button to close aperture manually.

Six years after the introduction of the professional F, the introduction of the Nikkormat in 1965 allowed Nikon to reach out to a much larger potential customer base.

The camera combined an exceptional build quality with top rated mechanical precision.

There were basically two ranges of Nikkormats: mechanical bodies (FS, FT, FTn, FT2 and FT3) and cameras with an electronic shutter (EL, ELW and EL2).

The FT3 was launched in 1977. The camera was basically identical to its predecessor, the FT2, except for the automatic maximum aperture indexing (AI) system for lens-body meter coupling. Due to the redirection of SLR user requirements towards more compact cameras (such as the Olympus OM1 and Pentax MX), the Nikkormat FT3 barely lasted for two years and retired from the Nikon list of products in 1979, to be replaced by the FM.

Features

A usable modern-day battery is the Energizer EPX76.

Metering: TTL, turned on when the film advance lever is flipped out 20 degrees. Viewable through viewfinder, and on the top of the body next to the film rewind lever.

Shutter speeds are bulb, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, and 1/1000 second. Film speeds from ASA 12 to 1600 are selected on the lower portion of the shutter speed adjustment ring.

Mirror Lock-up is accessible through lever on the upper left side of the lens base.

Release cable compatibility: Multiple threads allow for Standard AR-3, AR-1, and AR-2 cables to be used.

The self-timer lasts 8-10 seconds when fully wound; it is not cancelable.


Links

Nikon Cameras