Nikomat/Nikkormat FT3
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| Black Nikkormat: FT3 serial-number prefix image by John_Nikon_F (Image rights) |
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 attract many more customers.
There are basically two ranges of Nikkormats: mechanical cameras (FS, FT, FTn, FT2 and FT3) and cameras with an electronic shutter (EL, ELW and EL2). The former are particularly rugged.
The FT3 was launched in 1977. The camera is 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, until 1979, to be replaced by the FM.
Features
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. A usable modern-day battery is the Energizer EPX76.
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.
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| Nikkormat FT3 with 50mm f/2 AI image by Patrick Verbessem (Image rights) |
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| Nikkormat FT3 with 55mm f/1.2 AI'd image by Patrick Verbessem (Image rights) |
Links
- Nikkormat FT3 on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
- Nikon FT3 instruction manual - English at at M.Butkus' www.orphancameras.com
