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Page last updated: Saturday, May 17, 2008
The Nikkormat FT (1965 to 1967)
The Nikkormat FT proved to be a more worthy companion to the Nikon F than the FS was. The FT included one feature the basic F lacked; a built-in light meter! Unfortunately, the FS had neither the light meter, nor a mirror lock up, resulting in poor sales. Still, at least 144,000 FT's were manufactured (based on serial number surveys on on-line auction sites) in just three years. Given that Nikon rarely released manufacturing numbers, there could be far more out there.
I've had a fair amount of success collecting FT's. Some folks out there think they are priceless, merely based on their age. After all, they all more than 40 years old. A recent on-line auction had a $300 reserve for an early FT with a 50mm f/2 lens. I've averaged getting FT's for less than $30 apiece, not including shipping. Sadly, most are in pretty sad shape when found on-line. Still, of the four varieties, I've latched on to both chrome and black Nikkormats. Neither has been cleaned up yet, but here are their photos "as-is" right now. As you can see, the ASA indicators are on the outside of the selector ring, as opposed to later models where it is found inside.
"The Nikkormat FT has the main features of the later model Nikkormat FTN with the principal exception being in the exposure-metering system. The Nikkormat FT measures all the light falling upon the entire framed-in picture area of the viewing screen. The Nikkormat FT does not have the visible shutter speed settings through the viewfinder."
And Comon and Evans (Who were Comon and Evans?)
"This first of the Nikkormat series has a fixed pentaprism with through-the-lens (TTL) exposure metering. The meter needle is visible both in the viewfinder and on top of the camera. It features flash sync at 1/125 because of the Copal Square shutter. It was designed to accept many of the Nikon F accessories. Identify by: 1) 'Nikkormat' inscribed on the front of the prism housing. 2) 'FT' preceding the serial number on the top of the body."
The price guide indicates the FT had a list price of $184 in chrome, and $194 in black.