Nikomat FTN on the way!
Nov 9, 2022 14:55:09 #
Found one on eBay with a lens and am just waiting on the arrival now. Seller claims it works so we shall see. Hoping that finding a battery won't be too much of an issue as I found it *might* be. Ilford HP5 on order as well. It's been about 35 years since I shot proper film. I'm looking forward to the experience again.
Nov 10, 2022 11:42:55 #
Nov 10, 2022 15:19:51 #
StanMac wrote:
Thank you! I actually found a direct replacement for the original battery that provides the correct voltage and has a little spacer attached. Made by a company called "Wein". It's a pX625 but a zinc battery.Nov 10, 2022 15:24:32 #
StanMac wrote:
Nov 17, 2022 16:06:57 #
For anyone following, the above battery works great and the results of the metering in the camera seem to be spot on.
Nov 18, 2022 12:08:53 #
If you care about the meter you shouldn't get the FTn. The battery would make paying extra for the FT3 a bargain.
Nov 19, 2022 14:28:47 #
BebuLamar wrote:
If you care about the meter you shouldn't get the FTn. The battery would make paying extra for the FT3 a bargain.
Meh, it works for me. I'm liking this old Nikon, so might get a different one next.
Apr 9, 2023 18:34:52 #
SteveInConverse wrote:
Found one on eBay with a lens and am just waiting on the arrival now. Seller claims it works so we shall see. Hoping that finding a battery won't be too much of an issue as I found it *might* be. Ilford HP5 on order as well. It's been about 35 years since I shot proper film. I'm looking forward to the experience again.
I have an FTN and since I don't want to mess with conversions of old Mercury batteries, I just use an external light meter. You can get a phone app that works pretty well. Or you can refamiliarize yourself with Sunny 16 that works really well for black and white film.
Erich
Apr 27, 2023 13:07:14 #
When you get the camera, do a very thorough check of the meter, ASA/ISO control, and shutter speeds, as well as a test for light leaks. In other words, run a couple of test rolls of film through it. Use a high and low speed film. Test all shutter speeds and apertures to be sure the lens auto diaphragm mechanism is working properly.
The Nikkormat/Nikomat FTn is a very old camera. I bought one new in 1968, when I was 14. It was not very well sealed. The glass film resistor that surrounds the lens mount and contains the ASA/ISO control and shutter speed switch is not well shielded against dust. It cannot be replaced with a new part, so once it gets scratched with a grain of sand or dirt or whatever, it's kaput.
The Nikkormat/Nikomat FTn is a very old camera. I bought one new in 1968, when I was 14. It was not very well sealed. The glass film resistor that surrounds the lens mount and contains the ASA/ISO control and shutter speed switch is not well shielded against dust. It cannot be replaced with a new part, so once it gets scratched with a grain of sand or dirt or whatever, it's kaput.
May 17, 2023 09:30:49 #
I have a Nikkormat FTn was checking it out the other day. I did not film tested it, don't have any film. Everything still workies fine on the camera. Last time I use it was two years ago. Forget the mercury battery thing, go with Sunny 16. Using Sunny 16 I had no problems with color film.
May 17, 2023 10:21:49 #
BebuLamar wrote:
If you care about the meter you shouldn't get the FTn. The battery would make paying extra for the FT3 a bargain.
The Nikomat/Nikkormat FTn has a weak metering resistor that surrounds the lens mount. It is highly susceptible to dust and grit intrusion, which ruins it over time. If the meter needle jumps around in a jerky fashion when you change the aperture or shutter speed, it means the resistor is damaged.
(I had one in the 1970s that bit the dust that way, quite literally!)
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