Solid as a ROCK. Dependable. Don't leave home without one.

If I were not used to plain microprisms, I'd say this unit could use a split-focus screen, but hey it's still QUITE up to date for its manufacturing date.

I found this FTb in a sandwich bag at a yard sale. I thought it would be good for parts only, or at least the lens would fetch some trade-in points on another lens. But lo and behold, it functions solid as a rock. Cosmetically, the only "defect" is the original owner's drivers' license number engraved on the bottom plate (I have a written receipt from that person for my purchase). I shoot photos at Native American Powwows, following the dancers could be likened to sports photography. Indoor/outdoor/day/evening all-weather dances pose a variety of lighting conditions. No problems with meter accuracy. I like the indicator wheel on the lower left of the viewfinder to show shutter speed, less finder area taken up than a sliding scale. This camera is a bit too old to have split-focus aids, but I am used to the plain microprisms of my late 60's Yashica and Mamiya-Sekor models anyway. I am also used to the weight, I like the solid feel and they are just all-around more rugged than the lightweight, plastic bodies (I have a Fujica STx-1N that feels like a toy in comparison). And the FTb even has a sync cord output.

Customer Service

Out-of-production model, Not Applicable. Did not ever have to use it for the EOS-A2E, either.

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Fujica STx-1N Yashica TL Super Mamiya-Sekor 1000 DTL Canon EOS-A2E

The camera has held up splendidly in jungles, beaches, mountains, rain, heat, you name it. After almost 30 years, I finally brought it in for maintenance so I can keep it running forever. I have other cameras, but this is my favorite. My friends keep changing cameras every couple of years, but my FTb produces solid pictures year after year.

1.35 V Mercury Battery availablity. Solved by adapting camera to new 1.5 battery.

This is the best camera you can own. I bought mine at a military PX in 1974 when I was stationed near Viet Nam. The camera taught me everything I needed to know about photography. It serves the novice through expert equally well. My daughter just used it for a high school photography class and the teacher offered to buy it !

Customer Service

Best camera repair shop in the world is TC camera repair in Lisle, Illinois.

All mechanical like my yasahica&fujica cameras.

Since it's all mechanical . No option for motor drive.

Size is relative to weight compared to my Olympus equipment. Love battery usage compared to Ae-1 program & price.

Customer Service

None at present time.

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Om-2n, Ae-1, Om-10, Nikon nikormat, & Fujica St 701.

heavy duty, Easy to use & all manual!

weight

My first and only camera. I use it for Car & Bike races and after more than 25 years it never miss a shoot. I use it in all european tracks, with snow, rain, d*** hot sun and I had no problem. Now I'm lookin for another FTB and a zoom.

Customer Service

just a mechanical controll & clean ....15 years ago!!

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Nikon EM

The semispot metering system,same as in the F-1. Very easy to overview all the controls. the metering needles,you match them in a second. It work without batteries. And of course the FD lenses!

battery control,it,s easy to forget setting back correct setting.(forget the whole battery test, instead replace the battery every year. the battery is cheap.)

I buy this camere for have a "to-use-everywhere" to avoid using my expensive Canon F-1, but after some months i only use the FTb! It do anything what the F-1 do in the most situations,and it had proven to be absolutely reliable.Since the price vas low, you can take it with you at any places without be afraid of damage it.Howewer, after all theese years i love this beautiful camera, and for a week ago i buy a second! (black body)and the picture quality? the best!!

Customer Service

None! this camera only work and work and.....Yes as your best friend.

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Canon F-1 Canon TLb Canon A-1

Spot metering, depth-of-field preview, mirror lock-up, mechanical (works without a battery), easy to use match-needle meter, "B" setting, large and easy to use controls and dials, built like a tank!

BATTERIES: Batteries (PX13 and PX625) no longer available in USA. Replacement mercury-free cells have different voltage causing slightly inaccurate meter readings. Often not a problem when shooting flash or when using wide-latitude print film. Very much a problem when shooting chromes. FD LENSES: None made by Canon any more, very few made by after-market manufacturers, used inventory beginning to get old and expensive. REPAIR: Canon has abandoned the F-Series. Parts and qualified independent technicians becoming harder to find and very expensive. Basic repair starts at about $75 and goes up fast. WEIGHT: Very heavy and bulky by today's standards. (can also be viewed as a virtue)

I purchased my first FTb($180 used)in 1978, my second FTb (gift)in 1986 and my third FTb($130 online auction)in 2002. I used all three to shoot a wedding in October, 2002, with excellent results. In my opinion, arguably the best all-around camera ever made. Solid as a rock. I have shot weddings, sports and special events for the last 25 years and these cameras have never let me down. I take them along on overnight hikes, mountain biking, out on boats, to the seashore, to NASCAR races and every family function since 1978. NOT A POINT-N-SHOOT CAMERA and not for the faint-at-heart. It's big and heavy and all manual (manual exposure, manual advance, manual focus, no autowind capability). But if you like photography "without a net" then this is the camera. Excellent for a student or beginner who wants to learn the fundamentals. Excellent for a collector of vintage cameras. Excellent back-up but capable as a primary unit.

Customer Service

If you are considering buying one today then check for the following: Most common need is replacement of the film door light-seals and mirror cushion after about about the first 25 years. Sometimes the hot shoe pressure clip will fall out and can be lost ( not important if you shoot flash off-camera from a bracket). Less common (but can happen) is the shutter curtain can delay causing uneven exposure over the focal plane. ALL ISSUES VERY SERVICABLE ONCE YOU FIND A QUALIFIED REPAIR SERVICE and PARTS.

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Canon F-1n, Canon AT-1, Canon A-1, Canon T-70, Canon EOS Rebel 2000, Minolta SRT 201

Solid construction. No problem hiting the floor.

i don´t know yet.

I am sorry i don´t have a review, but my father just gave me this camera, and told me he was never disapointed with it. Great camera for outdoor photos.

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I love my Nikon FE, i hope i will love this to.

-solid feel wide selection of quality (although used) -lenses -like a tank -encourages full understanding of how a camera works -12% light meter system -reliability

It is heavy, but I've hauled mine everywhere on foot. If you think its too heavy, drop your FTb on the ground then drop your new plastic gizmo on the ground. Pick em up and see which works. Wanna know why it is so heavy and you ex-new camera isnt?

My uncle bought this camera in the 70's for his forest fire-fighting days. He made over 1000 jumps into fires with it. Then he became a white-water kayak instructor and brought this camera in a dry-bag along with him. In 1987 he gave it to me for a photography class. Its ran somewhere between 20,000 and 30,000 photos without letting up! I took it to South America, walked through the jungle in 107 degrees F, climbed in the Andes at 19,000 feet and subzero temperatures. I took it to the top of Mt. Mckinley (aka Denali) in temperatures so cold everyone elses camera stopped working. My light meter stopped (the only part battery-operated) but I could still take pictures and guessed the settings and bracketed for excellent images. I dropped my camera in Yosemite, it filled with dust in Nevada, I leave it outside the tent when winter camping. All in all, even if I wanted to I couldnt kill this camera. It really is unstoppable. Get it if you never want to buy another camera and still take proffessional level pictures.

Customer Service

It will live longer than you will.

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Canon A1 Nikon FM

mechanically is very strong and in every climate & situation it does its job: desert, savane, Alps.

heaviness

it has been the school camera for me and my sons but in the same time is the perfect object for a professional photographer. It has many particulars imposibble to be found on others cheap cameras: preview of deep of field and block of the mirror.

Customer Service

Curtain has broken only 1 time in 1984 on Mont Blanc (4000 meters)

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This is my first and only camera nowadays

Build Quality Lens Range and Quality Accessories Match-Needle System Joy to Use and Learn with!

Weight!

My first camera. Grandfather gave it to me a couple of years back, and I learnt everything I know on it. Spoilt me for future camera's as far as their lifespan will go. My FTb-N is beautifully constructed, sturdy, tough, and comfortable to use. It was dropped a few months back - the shutter speed dial got a dent, and the viewfinder cracked - I cried! I would buy another in an instant if I knew it had been as well cared for as mine. I have a large collection of strictly Canon lenses and accessories which further my enjoyment of this camera. This beautiful 35mm manual SLR made me a Canon fan for life.

Customer Service

My Canon agent first gave it a full service, then replaced my cracked viewfinder with some F-series one which was different. Made it unuseable and cannot focus clearly with some lenses. I bought a jun

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Asahi Pentax Spotmatic with Takumur lenses.