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.

Similar Products Used:

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.

The body is virtually indestructable. East to use. I learned manual on this camera pretty quickly. The price is right, and there are alot of lenses you can choose from. (it can use canon fd lenses). Its a beautiful machine and built to last!

The ONLY weakness i see is that its a little tiny bit heavy. But i'm a pretty small girl and dont have any problems carrying it around. So - in my opinion not a weakness unless you want a really light camera.

I love this camera. After coming here and reading all the reviews i decided to buy the Ftb. I would recommend this to any beginner wanting to learn manual. I hope i have this camera for the rest of my life!

Customer Service

none needed so far

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minolta maxxum 7

General quallity, sturdiness,a nd flaxability, also the 12%semi spot metering.

Limited film speed, and somewhat low sensitivity on the meter (by todays standards) Solution to this is booster, but it is rather awkward to use.

I love this camera. I have had it for nearly thirty years, and have never had a problem with it. The thing has been dropped, and bumped, bashed and tossed around (not recommended procedures), and has never let me down. This camera has been out west, camping, on three separate occasions. I have a couple of web sites full of outdoor photos taken with my old FTb. I latter purchased an A-1, when they were first introduced, but found myself always using the FTb, with the "superior" A-1 only serving as a back up. It is amazing what can be done with one of these old match needle cameras, but what is even better is what does not need to be done. With an all manual camera, there is complete control, and flexibility in the image making process. I do not have to fight with, or try to fool the auto exposure system, or the auto focus. The camera does what I want it to, and does not think it is smarter than the photographer. These manual cameras are also faster, particularly at focusing, than the automatic types. I dearly wish these cameras, or something like them, were still being made. The heft, sturdiness, and non reliance on batteries make these classics just that much better.

Customer Service

Never had to find out

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pentax K1000, ME, Canon F-1, A-1, TLb, AE1

pro quality, heavy duty, not expensive

The only thing someone can complain about is flash cominsation or something like that. You have to much time on your hand if you start on something like that.

I realy enjoy this camera. I use it in my studio with the 85mm fd lens and it makes excelent portraits. I strugle with selling it along with ALL the fd lenses that have been acumilated over the years. It is a debate between it and my mamiya, I know the larger negative gives larger photos,BUT the 85mm and ftb will give me 16x20 prints also and it can hold 36 exposers over 30 with a 220 roll. Sounds strange but it is true

Customer Service

get another one. no need

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Canon AE 1, AE 1P, A-1, Nikon N-70 N-80 Mamiya 645 J&M

Not difficult to use, inexpensive, classic, extremely durable - i''ve visited a pro''s web site who uses the ftb and he has taken it in extremes from arctic conditions to deserts and everglades and has never had to service it.

It''s a little heavy, but it doesnt bother me and im a pretty small girl. I actually like the weight, it reminds me that it''s made better then the new "candy bars" on the market. The only weakness i''ve found is that it''s supposed to use mercury batteries. As we know, these are no longer made here in the US. There are alternatives, but i''ve found sites online that will sell the mercury and thats what i''ll use until they run out.

This is a camera you can really fall in love with. I did alot of research before buying it. For me it was the best all manual camera i could find for a minimal price range. All of my photos have come back with no problems. It''s easy to use, built like a tank and beautiful.

Customer Service

None needed so far.

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Minolta Maxxum 5