Canon FTb's, Gotta Love Them

[Uncle Bill]

There's a story here. When I got serious with my photography, I got a Canon AE-1 17 years ago and learned through burning through a lot of rolls of Agfa APX 400. I got out of Canon FD around the time I inherited my dad's Leica M3 and Nikon F. I traded my AE-1 for a Nikon F Photomic TN and later a F2, Nikkormat Ftn, you get the idea. Well Canon FD mount wasn't done with me, a friend gifted me a chrome Canon FTb in 2009 along with some FD lenses.

It became full circle, I picked up another AE-1, a pair of F-1N's and an EF. I then grabbed a black FTbn off Ebay dirt cheap as in the shipping was more expensive than the camera. I sold off my second AE-1, turns out I fell out with A-series SLRs, I know people love them. Me, on the other hand, love the mechanical simplicity of the FTb. The other thing, like Nikkormats, they are dirt cheap.

Canon FTBn by Bill Smith, on Flickr

Camera: Canon FTb, FD SSC 28 f2 lens and 50 f1.4 lens.
Film: Agfa Vista 400

Leuty Ave Lifeguard Station Under Blue Skies and Puffy Clouds by Bill Smith, on Flickr

Red and Blue Seats by Bill Smith, on Flickr

Cone Structure by Bill Smith, on Flickr

Wooden Sunshine by Bill Smith, on Flickr

 

[Mackinaw]

An FTb was my first quality 35mm camera I bought brand spanking new back in 1971. Great camera. I took this pic back in 1974. FTb with an FD 28/3.5 on Tri-X.

Jim B.

 

[pagpow]

It's about time we get some love for the fd mount Canons here. I, too, started out with an FTb. Loved the way it handled and how solid it was, not to mention its hard-edged metering area that made it so easy to master. Then I graduated to an F1, that marvelous modular machine,

 

[zuiko85]

Really top notch all mechanical cameras and lenses are still so cheap. Never got into the FD mount (OM is my choice) but worked at a camera store in the 70's and FTb's flew out the door, real popular camera. I was there when the F1 came out, caused quite a stir among Canon owners. Then later the AE-1 arrived and Canon went after a less experienced market. I remember one old time Canon customer was incensed that it had plastic top and bottom plates. We tried to tell him they were plenty tough but he was just sure Canon was going downhill. Didn't matter, they sold like hotcakes.

 

[Mark A. Fisher]

I used an FTb exclusively while getting my M.A. in Black and White Photography in 1981-82. Still have the camera, will never part with it. It's a bit beat up and dinged, like me, but it still functions! (Me, not as well)

 

[analogangler]

When I started travelling overseas a lot, I considered my options and I ended up taking a chrome FTb with me most of the time as it was relatively inexpensive if lost/stolen/damaged but dependable to perform as required on the whole.

I used it with the 50mm f/1.4, 35mm f/2.5, 28mm f/3.5 and 200mm 3.5 FL lenses. After the first year or so I added a second chrome one to the collection as backup, then a black one, and then added an F-1 to the mix as well.

I love the almost-kinda spot-like match-needle analog meter, easy stop-down/self timer/mirror-lockup combo lever, independance on batteries (meter-only) and tactile feel of the shutter speed dial. The FL lenses also have a great feel to them though I've switched most to FD lenses for a bit more sharpness/contrast. You can also just about load the camera one-handed while on rocking a boat, back of elephant, tuk-tuk...

Size is compact, though not what you might call light. Still a pleasure to use and a great break from the daily grind. Also not as conspicuous as some other cameras, and occasionally a good conversation starter.

Mostly they are a source of many fond memories of people met, places experienced, and moments captured...mostly on vivid slides so that I can revisit them again and again as I like.

Cheers to the FTb!