The Canon FTb is a 35 mm single-lens reflex camera manufactured by Canon of Japan from March 1971 replacing the Canon FT QL. It features a Canon FD lens mount, and is also compatible with Canon's earlier FL-mount lenses in stop-down metering mode. Launched alongside the top-of-the-line F-1, the FTb was the mass-market camera in the range.[1] Its QL designation referred to the Quick Load feature introduced by the FT-QL (more fully-described in the article about that camera) which allowed changing film in the middle of the roll to change types of film, as well as making film loading easier.
 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Maker | Canon |
| Type | 35 mm Single-lens reflex still camera |
| Released | 1971 Canon FTb; 1973 Canon FTbn |
| Production | 1971-1976 |
| Lens | |
| Lens | Canon FD-mount interchangeable |
| F-numbers | On default 50 mm lens: f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16 |
| Sensor/medium | |
| Sensor type | 135 film |
| Sensor size | 24×36 mm |
| Recording medium | 135 film |
| Focusing | |
| Focus | Manual |
| Shutter | |
| Shutter speeds | X, B, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 sec. |
| General | |
| Dimensions | 144 x 93 x 43 mm |
| Weight | 750 g |
History
editThe FTb was primarily intended to be a camera for the advanced amateur photographer, offering many of the same features and same build quality as the F-1, but without the option of interchangeable prisms, focusing screens, or motor drives. The Canon FTb was released in Japan at a retail price of ¥35,000 (equivalent to ¥105,704 in 2019) for the camera body, and US$99 (equivalent to $744.82 in 2023) in the United States.[1]
When the FTb entered the US market, it was only available through Sears.[2]
In 1973, the FTb design was revised slightly. The camera was given a plastic tipped film advance lever. The stop down lever was changed to the same style as that found on the F-1. The PC sync socket was given a spring-loaded plastic cover. The ring around the outer edge of the shutter speed dial was changed from a scalloped design to a diamond textured design. Finally, a shutter speed display was added in the lower left hand corner of the viewfinder. This model was marketed as the FTb-N, although the camera's nameplate did not reflect this.[3]
Specifications
edit
The FTb has an all-mechanical horizontally traveling focal plane shutter with timed speeds from 1/1000 to 1 second and bulb. The FTb has rubberized silk shutter curtains rather than the more durable but more expensive titanium curtains found on the F-1.
It offers a 10-second self-timer, as well as mirror lock-up.
The meter is of the 12% (1/9) partial type with the metering area indicated by a slightly darkened box in the center of the finder area. It is fully coupled to shutter speed dial and aperture ring on FD lenses in the match needle style. The meter was designed to be powered by a single 1.35 volt 625-type mercury cell, specifically the Mallory PX-625 and the Eveready EPX-625. While these batteries are obsolete, modern replacements include the Wein zinc-air cell PX625, available at large online retailers. Alternative options for replacement are to use a 1.5 volt silver battery either through a voltage dropping adapter or recalibrating the meter. Using modern zinc air batteries provide the original voltage, but have a relatively short life.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Canon Inc. "Canon FTb". Canon Camera Museum. Archived from the original on 2012-02-12. Retrieved 2007-10-04.
- ^ The Calgary Herald. The Calgary Herald. October 13, 1976. p. 27.
- ^ "FTb-N - Canon Camera Museum". global.canon. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
External links
edit
Media related to Canon FTb at Wikimedia Commons