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Page last updated: Sunday, May 18, 2008
The Nikkormat FTn (1967 to 1975)
Far more Nikkormat FTn's were made than all the other Nikkormats combined. While Nikon has never released firm production numbers, the first FTn was numbered 3500001, and the highest number I've seen to date is well over 4700000. This could mean that over 1.2 million FTn's were produced during their nine year run. The best I can figure, only about 1 million other Nikkormats were produced. So much for my plan of owning every Nikkormat ever made!
What Cooper and Abbott Had to Say (Who were Cooper and Abbott?)
"The Nikkormat FTN uses the same type of through-the-lens exposure metering as the (Nikon) Photomic TN. Both use the same "center-weighted" system, which takes light entering the camera through the lens and measures its presence in the form of an image on the viewing screen. Both of these center-weighted light-metering systems concentrate on a 12mm circle in the center of the image area while giving a lesser light-reading prominence to the remainder of the image area. In use, the built-in meter is preset for film speeds ASA 12-1600. The automatic exposure system is made ready by presetting either the shutter speed or the lens diaphragm without stopping the lens down. Correct exposure-setting combinations of speed and aperture are then to be seen in the finder itself while looking at the subject, as indicated by a needle. Indications of the overexposure and underexposure are shown, depending upon the position of the needle. Alternatively, the needle can be seen in a window on top of the camera body. While looking through the viewfinder, one can see the selected shutter speed flanked by the next higher and lower shutter speeds. The Nikkormat FTN embodies a unique lens indexing feature. Once the meter system has been preset for a particular ASA film rating, it need not be reset when changing lenses. When a new lens is attached and it diaphragm range is rotated to maximum aperture, this automatically relates the film speed setting to the new lens. The noise-free focal plane shutter is all-metal of six-bladed design. X-flash synchronization is possible up to 1/125 sec. Shutter speeds up to 1/1000 sec. can be used with flash bulbs."
And Comon and Evans (Who were Comon and Evans?)
"This model features center-weighted TTL metering and a vertical traveling focal plane shutter. There is a simplified method of setting the ASA/ISO and the shutter speed is visible in the viewfinder. Identify by: 1) 'Nikkormat' inscribed on the front of the prism. 2) 'FT' preceds (sic) the serial number and the letter 'N' is inscribed on the top of the body beside the rewind knob above the external light meter window."
The price guide indicates the FTn had a list price of $275 in chrome, and $285 in black.
Many duty-free shops, such as military PX's world-wide carried Nikon cameras and equipment. These cameras were not imported via regular channels as were normal Nikkormats, nor were they marked for the Asian market, as was the case of the Nikomat. A solution to this was a simple <E-P> mark on the camera's rewind knob (as shown in the photos below). In May 2008 I saw my first <E-P> Nikkormat, and purchased it for about the same price as a regular FTn in similar condition. The camera is still in the mail. Come back soon for some pics of my FTn <E-P> camera! (The photo below is an example, not mine.)
