Just leaving a comment here: I made this video many years ago and was pretty new to film so some of what I said is probably not correct so don't hold me to it. I didn't enjoy making videos so you won't find much more on my channel. I'm still shooting film though of course. Anyway, the ftb is still a great camera if you can find one. Happy shooting.
Nice video!! The FTb is a great camera. I bought one about 2 years ago with the same 1.4 lens in an antique store for $45 usd. For an all mechanical camera it has alot of features; aperture preview that can be locked, mirror lock up, and for long exposures (like, say, a 4 hour exposure of the north star) you can press the shutter release in bulb and spin the shutter lock around. Usually this is used as a safety to prevent accidentally releasing the shutter, but on this camera it will hold the shutter button down until its unlocked. Anyhow, this camera is a tank and I love mine!
I bought one of those, it’s in then shop for seals and service. I also have a TX which is real simple. I like that these cameras are all mechanical and can shoot without batteries. My favorite lens is the Macro, for closeups of flowers and such Thanks for the video
When I joined a university student photography department in the mid 1970's they were using Canon FTb cameras (along with a broken Pellex). They were pretty chewed and I thought - as a neophyte - that Canon was just bad stuff. Then another student who personally owned an FTb joined and I realized that the FTb was an excellent camera, and probably a bit better than the Nikkormat FTn if only because you didn't have to manually index a lens when you mounted it on the camera. Indexing meant setting the lens to f5.6 and pulling the index lever all the way over. Once mounted you then opened the lens to its maximum aperture (f2 or whatever). Anyway the Canon FT lenses were great, as good as the Nikkors, but until the Canon F1 came out were not playing in Nikon's League system wise. This level of camera by the way is a much better choice for photographers who want to get into film photography. I read all of the time about the Pentax K1000 and it was never a good camera. It has no depth of field preview and was the last of the K series Pentax cameras - the Flagship was the K2. There are tons of used film cameras that are a lot better than a K1000 and can be had for about the same amount of money.
Thanks for commenting that is great insight! I often hear that these cameras were/are not super popular but I happened to come across someone selling this and picked it up. I've shot a handful of rolls on it and it has served me well so far, easy to handle, consistent metering and I love the shutter sound. I think the advantage we have these days is that we have a plethora of information online to guide us through these systems and photography in general allowing us to make our own judgement and it seems to be as you said, these cameras aren't as bad as some people think.
Nice video, Dean! It's a very nice camera, and that glass is great too. The AE-1 program is also a favourite. I would also like to have those Vietnamese prices on film and development, though! 😂
I just found my grandfather’s old camera (the FTb) and I thought it was a rare relic 😂. Very useful video, and also, can the camera take pictures without the battery or is the battery absolutely necessary? I know it is necessary for the exposure meter but what about just snapping an exposure? Thanks!
If you don't have the battery everything works, except the light meter. You can calculate the exposure using the Sunny 16 rule. Here is a video ruclips.net/video/yhViAnM1MjM/видео.html
Whereabouts are you based? And what is wrong with the camera? If it's light leaks for example it could be repaired at home pretty easily. If it's shutter related you'd need to find an old camera shop to have them take a look.
I’m in the Navy as well out in Japan. Just recently purchased an FTb QL shot with it for the first time today photos are developing now :) I found batteries for it online
@@burnedandstoked find some film grain overlays online, some people have recorded film grains so you can download them. Apply them over the video with transparency. If i recall it's just a blue square made in premiere pro.
@@DeanRTaylor I agree, not practical for weddings. But anything else, portraits, general photography, as you said, street photography, landscape, cityscape photography, photo-journalism, no problem. Remember, any camera is just a box, the lens is most important, and the photographer of course..Personally, I love this camera..the only issue is the original battery (the PX625 mercury battery) which is no more available, though you can find substitute with a slight different voltage, no big deal as you can calibrate it. It is just for the lightmeter. My self I always use external lightmeters (Pentax spotmeter V, and a Sekonic L-398 Deluxe incident meter), both calibrated. Enjoy your photography and let film survive..
@@DeanRTaylorok, I just noticed that you corrected yourself. Indeed, you can get very very professional results with this camera, but not very practical nowadays for weddings as you said fior several practical reasons..enjoy the FTb..
@@DeanRTaylor not exactly but it looks identical! ☺️ and i got my ftb about a week ago, still waiting on my first roll to be developed, i didnt know about the battery issue, im pretty sure i have a modern one in so now im a bit worried if the exposure is going to be off
@@spicytunaproductions5566 haha cool, don't worry too much you do have quite a range when it comes to exposure as long as they got roughly enough light. If you want to check your light meter you can download a light meter app on your phone and use that. I use it for my other camera that doesn't have a light meter.
Just leaving a comment here: I made this video many years ago and was pretty new to film so some of what I said is probably not correct so don't hold me to it. I didn't enjoy making videos so you won't find much more on my channel. I'm still shooting film though of course.
Anyway, the ftb is still a great camera if you can find one. Happy shooting.
It's a masterpiece of a camera still today. Solid gold!
Nice video!! The FTb is a great camera. I bought one about 2 years ago with the same 1.4 lens in an antique store for $45 usd. For an all mechanical camera it has alot of features; aperture preview that can be locked, mirror lock up, and for long exposures (like, say, a 4 hour exposure of the north star) you can press the shutter release in bulb and spin the shutter lock around. Usually this is used as a safety to prevent accidentally releasing the shutter, but on this camera it will hold the shutter button down until its unlocked.
Anyhow, this camera is a tank and I love mine!
Perfect advice. that is for the Time mode whihc is literally unknown to others. That T setting is also available on Pentax ESII!
I’m going to have to try that long exposure lock
3:42
I bought one of those, it’s in then shop for seals and service. I also have a TX which is real simple. I like that these cameras are all mechanical and can shoot without batteries.
My favorite lens is the Macro, for closeups of flowers and such
Thanks for the video
Me too there's something absout a fully mechanical camera that just feels trustworthy. Thanks for commenting.
I still have the one I bought in 1970. Had my own dark room back then.
When I joined a university student photography department in the mid 1970's they were using Canon FTb cameras (along with a broken Pellex). They were pretty chewed and I thought - as a neophyte - that Canon was just bad stuff. Then another student who personally owned an FTb joined and I realized that the FTb was an excellent camera, and probably a bit better than the Nikkormat FTn if only because you didn't have to manually index a lens when you mounted it on the camera. Indexing meant setting the lens to f5.6 and pulling the index lever all the way over. Once mounted you then opened the lens to its maximum aperture (f2 or whatever). Anyway the Canon FT lenses were great, as good as the Nikkors, but until the Canon F1 came out were not playing in Nikon's League system wise. This level of camera by the way is a much better choice for photographers who want to get into film photography. I read all of the time about the Pentax K1000 and it was never a good camera. It has no depth of field preview and was the last of the K series Pentax cameras - the Flagship was the K2. There are tons of used film cameras that are a lot better than a K1000 and can be had for about the same amount of money.
Thanks for commenting that is great insight! I often hear that these cameras were/are not super popular but I happened to come across someone selling this and picked it up. I've shot a handful of rolls on it and it has served me well so far, easy to handle, consistent metering and I love the shutter sound. I think the advantage we have these days is that we have a plethora of information online to guide us through these systems and photography in general allowing us to make our own judgement and it seems to be as you said, these cameras aren't as bad as some people think.
Nice video, Dean! It's a very nice camera, and that glass is great too. The AE-1 program is also a favourite. I would also like to have those Vietnamese prices on film and development, though! 😂
With adapters I can use my FD lenses on my newer Canons
I just found my grandfather’s old camera (the FTb) and I thought it was a rare relic 😂. Very useful video, and also, can the camera take pictures without the battery or is the battery absolutely necessary? I know it is necessary for the exposure meter but what about just snapping an exposure? Thanks!
No it's not necessary! :))
If you don't have the battery everything works, except the light meter. You can calculate the exposure using the Sunny 16 rule. Here is a video ruclips.net/video/yhViAnM1MjM/видео.html
Bought my FTb when in the Navy, love it. Where can I get it fixed?
Whereabouts are you based? And what is wrong with the camera? If it's light leaks for example it could be repaired at home pretty easily. If it's shutter related you'd need to find an old camera shop to have them take a look.
I’m in the Navy as well out in Japan. Just recently purchased an FTb QL shot with it for the first time today photos are developing now :) I found batteries for it online
Nice Vid, I have the Canon FT and i love it :D.
It's a great camera, i love the simplicity. Do you use instagram?
1.5 usd!!! Here in Chile is around 5-6 usd
I have 2 of them --i hope so!
Battery's for old cameras are stil produced you can get them on Amazon for $6.
What kind of battery would u get?
Nice vid
Good review. I just ordered another FT. Subbed for the hot accent.
how do you do the blue background with grains?
@@burnedandstoked find some film grain overlays online, some people have recorded film grains so you can download them. Apply them over the video with transparency. If i recall it's just a blue square made in premiere pro.
So you just ignore the in-camera photometer and always use an external one, right?
Hey, i always use the in camera meter if it is working. For my Mamiya RZ67 i use an app on my phone for light metering that works well.
Does it have aperture priority or shutter prioty mode? Will the camera work without the battery is it only for the meter?
It doesn't have any priority modes unfortunately and yes it works without a battery. You can just easily use an external light meter. Hope that helps!
Hello from vietnam
Hello. Could you please tell me why you cannot use the Canon FTb Ql, for professional work? Thank you
You could actually but it depends on what you're doing. Weddings? Probably not, general portraits and personal photography, yes.
@@DeanRTaylor I agree, not practical for weddings. But anything else, portraits, general photography, as you said, street photography, landscape, cityscape photography, photo-journalism, no problem. Remember, any camera is just a box, the lens is most important, and the photographer of course..Personally, I love this camera..the only issue is the original battery (the PX625 mercury battery) which is no more available, though you can find substitute with a slight different voltage, no big deal as you can calibrate it. It is just for the lightmeter. My self I always use external lightmeters (Pentax spotmeter V, and a Sekonic L-398 Deluxe incident meter), both calibrated. Enjoy your photography and let film survive..
@@DeanRTaylorok, I just noticed that you corrected yourself. Indeed, you can get very very professional results with this camera, but not very practical nowadays for weddings as you said fior several practical reasons..enjoy the FTb..
We have the same first film camera, same philosophy book and same watch 😂 great video!
That's amazing! You have an orient day date as well?
@@DeanRTaylor not exactly but it looks identical! ☺️ and i got my ftb about a week ago, still waiting on my first roll to be developed, i didnt know about the battery issue, im pretty sure i have a modern one in so now im a bit worried if the exposure is going to be off
@@spicytunaproductions5566 haha cool, don't worry too much you do have quite a range when it comes to exposure as long as they got roughly enough light. If you want to check your light meter you can download a light meter app on your phone and use that. I use it for my other camera that doesn't have a light meter.
this is a pretty old camera. Finding a serviceable one is going to be hard. Go with an A series you can still get the required battery
Yes, the a series are very good i also own an ae-1. Luckily this one i picked up is in great condition.
Wein cell makes batteries for these. The down side is that they don't last as long as the originals. I believe they are called air cell batteries.
@@DeanRTaylor would you recommend the ae1 or ftb for a beginner in film? Asking for my bf - wanting to get him a film camera for Christmas :)
@@hannahkar Absolutely, both are great for beginners. The ae-1 especially as it has the program function but I'd have both as my first again!
Hello from VungTau ))))
Silver halide / film photography isn't an analogue process. The FTb is a good choice though.
Can you give me the address of the coffee shop you mentioned?
It's in ho chi minh city, I'll send it to you
@@DeanRTaylor thank you
That looping "voice" in the background is very disturbing !!
Sorry dude! 😂