shutter/mirror slap and vibration FT3

[Bill Clark]

Oh, sure, I’ve developed film made with my Nikkormat camera. I own a few Nikkor lenses as well

I bought it new in 1971 when I was in the military. I also bought other stuff as well, a 144 piece Sasaki hand cut crystal set of glasses and a five piece place setting for twelve Noritake china. All mailed back to my parents for free compliments of the U.S. Government.

The camera has tagged along with me and has been to quite a few places

 

[Muggins]

The shutter sounds like slamming a car door but with a little attention, more than forty years after the last one was built, they will last for forty more. Nothing else sounds like a Nikkormat, enjoy your FT3.

Mine always make me think of the sound effects in French Revolution movies...

If you want a hairy shutter sound, try the fast speed on a Purma Plus - the camera physically bounces as it slams shut!

 

[pixelated]

I've not noticed that my Nikkormat is particularly loud. But the SLR camera I use more often is a Hasselblad. So, I guess the Nikkormat is quiet in comparison.😉

It's interesting that the Nikkormat has such a reputation for reliability, for years I did not think of them that way. Way back in high school, I bought a used one as my first 35mm camera. It jammed after about a week of use, and the dealer took it back and gave me credit for what I had paid against a new plain prism F. Little did I know then how prized those would come to be. Unfortunately for me, the F got stolen during my time in the military, and got replaced with an F/FTN from the PX.
I bought another Nikkormat FTn a few years ago for nostalgia, but I don't use it much.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I've been using Nikkormats (FTn) quite a lot in the '70s. I still have one. They are noisy, but are truly professional cameras. I can't remember I've ever had a problem with them. I very much like the look of the FTn in black paint. The styling of later versions is not so nice. The Nikkormat EL is technically a horror, like all the electronic SLR's of that period. The FTn has a great meter built in.

Erik.

gelatine silver print (nikkor h 50mm f2) nikkormat ftn

 

[Hans Berkhout]

FTn great clunker, bought mine @ Satina in PCHooft some time ago.

 

[hap]

It's the truth....

....and kicks a bit like a 12G shotgun.

 

[Muggins]

The Nikkormat EL is technically a horror, like all the electronic SLR's of that period.

What were they thinking of with that battery compartment?!

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

I've been using Nikkormats (FTn) quite a lot in the '70s. I still have one. They are noisy, but are truly professional cameras. I can't remember I've ever had a problem with them. I very much like the look of the FTn in black paint. The styling of later versions is not so nice. The Nikkormat EL is technically a horror, like all the electronic SLR's of that period. The FTn has a great meter built in.

Erik.

gelatine silver print (nikkor h 50mm f2) nikkormat ftn

Lovely image Erik. There's something about old boats and black and white film I find irresistible whenever I see one. I'm not a big Nikon user (though I do take a fairly tidy F out, occasionally). But when I spotted an immaculate black FTn at a local market a few years back for just $50 AUD—I almost ripped the pocket off my jeans whipping out my wallet. Couldn't buy it quick enough. Got it fully working again too. It's got the "Nikomat" badging, I don't mind. Years later it is still the only really decent camera I have ever seen for sale at that location so luck was kind that day.
Cheers
Brett

 

[KoNickon]

I think the placement of the battery compartment in the EL is pretty slick, myself. Don't need any tools to get at the batter either. Just push the door farther open and it will nudge the battery out.

Oh, and I have several ELs, all working perfectly. I've never understood the bad rap this camera gets. Now, I love the "F" Nikkormats, but trying to find one now without a jumpy meter is difficult. And a jumpy meter is really annoying.

 

[nikon_sam]

I recently bought a FT3, mainly for the 50mm f/2 Ai lens mounted on it. Seller noted that the meter was iffy and the needle jumpy...it came with a new battery and so far the meter has been solid.
I replaced the door and mirror foam and don't have any issues with the sound, to me its fairly quiet...one cannot compare the FT3 to the Nikon F...that's not fair to either as the Nikon F is quieter than a mouse farting in church...
I wasn't sure I'd be okay with the shutter speed dial placement but so far its not that bad...decent solid body,

 

[hap]

I recently bought a FT3, mainly for the 50mm f/2 Ai lens mounted on it. Seller noted that the meter was iffy and the needle jumpy...it came with a new battery and so far the meter has been solid.
I replaced the door and mirror foam and don't have any issues with the sound, to me its fairly quiet...one cannot compare the FT3 to the Nikon F...that's not fair to either as the Nikon F is quieter than a mouse farting in church...
I wasn't sure I'd be okay with the shutter speed dial placement but so far its not that bad...decent solid body.

Very nice pictures! I looked in the mirror box and there is a rubbery bumper for the mirror to hit. It seemed fine. I don't know of any other seals or foam to check out.

I took my n80 of the shelf and dry fired it at all sorts of speeds. I was flabbergasted how quiet that shutter is. Quieter than my F3 or F100. Getting close to my M4P. It's the screw drive that sounds like someone running a file over steel or revving one of those bikes you shot.