Nikkormat FT2 (1975/7)

The tank. If ever you wanted to go into combat and take out a few enemies by wielding this around you on the end of it’s strap – this would do the job! Years ago I dropped this on my foot, it bent the extended shutter release (reminds me of a miniature version on the Tower of Pisa) as you can see in the photo on the left – apart from that the camera carried on as if nothing had happened. My foot however did not. I got a hematoma and had to wear my slippers to work for a couple of days!

The “Nikkormat” line of cameras (there were many) started in 1965 as an “amateur” (budget) alternative to the Nikon line of cameras. Both were manufactured by Nippon Kogaku K. K.

The FT2 was made from 1975 to 1977, like all the “mats”, it’s designed to take the Nikkor F series of lenses. Many more recent Nikon lenses will fit, even some AF lenses, but only offer stop down metering. The very latest lenses use an electronic aperture control, in other words don’t have a mechanical aperture so don’t work at all! Even so it’s quite something to be able to put a lens made in 2000 on a 1965 camera and be able to use it! Can’t do that with Canon!!

The FT2 offered some improvements over the FT and the FTN. The battery was changed to the usual pair of LR44/KS76’s away from the mercury cells. A regular hot shoe was made part of the camera. The focussing screen was changed to the more standard “K” type, that’s the split screen focussing we all know well. Shutter speed is selected around the neck of the lens – like the Olympus range of OMs. Here however there is a small lever to help the turn! Speeds are 1000th down to 1 sec then B. Between the shutter release and the pentaprism is the button to close down the lens, Depth of Focus preview. Frame counter, rewind release, wind on, self timer are all as we’d expect, and are now common place. Unlike the Olympus’ the FT2 has metal shutter blades not cloth, also unlike Olympus is the weight. OM2 (520g) FT2 (773g).

Superseded by the FT3, but that was only manufactured for a few months. It seems that in 1977, the Nikkormat line ended, and from then on the name Nikon was used for all cameras. I suspect that must have been in their minds at the time. Mine clearly has “Nikon- Japan” stamped on the back under the wind on!

You know the routine here by now – I popped on a lens – the Nikon F 28mm and set out to make a few photo’s….

I developed the FP4 in D23, 20 °c for 10 mins. Almost no correction in photoshop, mainly just re-sizing for internet use. A very likable camera, easy a straight forward to use. Built like a tank – I’m sure it will out-live me! It ‘s one of those that with say a 28mm and a 135mm to make a kit – it’s all I need. But why have one camera when you can have 20!!