Alex, I have a Nikkormat FT2 and I think it's a real hidden gem. I specifically chose this camera because it works with pre-Ai, Ai, Ais, and Nikon D (with aperture rings and mechanical autofocus). I also chose this camera because it has the upgraded, split prism focusing screen, a hot-shoe, and takes the 1.5v LR44 batteries, not the 1.35v mercury cell batteries of the older Nikkormats. I bought mine for $65 several years ago, and it came with an excellent pre-Ai Nikon 50mm f/2 lens, and a halfway decent Vivitar 35-105mm f/3.2-4 lens.
My Dad gifted me his FT2. I still have it and shoot it. It’s a great camera. I used the DeOxit fix to get the jumpy meter needle to settle down. I didn’t think it had worked, but after a couple months of sitting on the shelf, I picked up the FT2 and no more jumpy meter needle!
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto Great thorough review. My Dad also gifted me his Nikkorex F with the still working clip on meter. That thing is a beast. The shutter sound wakes the entire neighborhood. Kerchunk! The Nikkorex still works but I’ve only shot it once.
I have an FTn and adjusting the ASA/ISO is brutal which I could see you struggling with a bit. You nailed this review though. This thing is a gem/tank, that just goes and goes and just gets the job done with all that wonderful glass. I am also a big fan of that shutter advance sound. Just such a pleasing springy metallic shuck as it moves over and coils everything into place.
There are plenty of folks who can fix your meter for a reasonable cost, which will allow you to enjoy the camera's full capabilities. These are a great way to enjoy using pre-AI Nikon glass at a budget -though, honestly, if you are dabbling in old Nikon cameras to begin with, you are more likely to buy an iconic F or F2 (I have both.) That said, these are a wonderful addition to your Nikon collection and a hell of a lot of fun to use.
@@jeffirish3402 Oh yes, there’s a shop near me that can, it’s just a matter of taking it in, hopefully next year I can get it in for repair. Oddly enough I’ve had the hankering to add an F2 back into the toolbox! Thanks for watching 🍻
Hello, luckily I had an opportunity having a one. And I loved it. For me it is the most convenient mechanical Nikon. It came with pre AI 50/2 and at the same time, from the seller I added the AI 24/2,8 lens. Then I bought E series Nikon 75-150/3,5. Well with this lens I have to adjust the needle manually, according to the selected diaphram. Perhaps after I mount then setting the process. Now I have two recently bought lenses. One AI 28/2,8 and the latest one is AI 35/2. Thank you for the review and the video.
I find that the rabbit ears aren't all that necessary on a Nikkormat. The stop down lever is well placed, so I just stop down meter with newer lenses that have no prongs. Since it's manual, I can often meter once and just keep using those settings.
I can that working well, but I have had a bad experience with stopping down the lens to meter, namely the Leicaflex R3, so I tend to avoid that! Thanks for watching 🍻
Nice thorough review. I’m on my second FT2. I had an all-black one, foolishly sold it when I got an F2, missed it, so bought a chrome one. It’s nice that it takes the same eyepiece accessories as the F2 and FM series. I have a right angle finder which is handy for macro. Speaking of macro, the one ergonomic con of this camera is that the shutter speed ring tab makes it hard to reach the mirror lock up switch at low shutter speeds. You have to set the shutter speed after you lock up the mirror. An advantage of the Nikkormats compared to the F, F2 and F3 is the higher flash sync speed owing to the vertical Copal square shutter. I forgot about that when I photographed some equestrian jumpers with an F3 and needed fill flash. 1/125s would have helped.
I have over three dozen Nikons, but I have a go to Domke bag that holds an F2 and a Nikkormat Ft2. The lens selections changes with what I will be doing. Two great cameras!
I bought my Nikkormat Ftn in 1982 second hand.Late model with plastic tip on the wind on and metal removable flash mount. The 35 mm f2 is great as a standard lens. It is an old Ai'd pre Ai lens with scalloped focus ring . Moved on to an F3 eventually which has excellent metering. I miss the wind on power switch of the Nmat.
I mounted a Vivitar Series1 35-85mm 2.8 on my FTN back in the 1970's.....I was shooting film for television and it turned out to be a workhorse combination for still shots .... It handled the extreme cold in Northern Ontario very well (Sault Ste. Marie)....The FTN cost me about $150 used and the lens $700 new ....I still have them to-day.....A big expense was buying those very large filters ....If you ever find a good Series 1 35-85mm Vivitar , I highly recommend it......John (west coast, Can.)
@@johnmckenna8989 Nice! The Soo, interesting city, I passed there one year heading for the Photostock event in Harbor Springs MI. Those Vivitar Series 1 lenses were real sleepers, I’ve worked with the 70-210mm f/3.5 lenses before. I think my father-in-law has the 35-85 2.8 in K-Mount. Thanks for watching 🍻
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto ....Then you know....I would like to 'pick your brain' here....I've been away from photography/cinematography a very long time....The last time I bought a battery for the Nikkormat was in the mid 1990s (V625PX) , so what are you using now ? ....Personally, it's the only camera I've ever owned that requires a battery , and I've owned everything from 4X5 Crown Graphic to Ikoflex twin lens , Bronica S2A and a first edition Pentax (slow shutter speed dial on the front of the body)...among several others...I actually have a new 1970s Gossen Luna Pro meter that I've never used....Back to the battery, I don't feel the need for the meter in the FTN but if I use a modern replacement battery I feel I can always adjust the ASA setting to compensate for the different voltage....Is that the reason you have for shooting your 400asa film at a setting of 320 ? ....Sorry it took a while, but I finally reached my question , lol ....If I decide to start using my Luna Pro , I would make the same ASA adjustment , as it shares this same battery issue as the Nikkormat.......Interested in your thoughts....John (west coast,Can.) ...
@@johnmckenna8989 The battery I use is a modern silver cell in the camera works great. As for shooting at 320 it had to with the developer, Formulary FX-2!
Never heard that terminology used to describe this sort of meter display before! It’s always been match needle for everthing! Thanks and thanks for watching 🍻
Will this camera work with out the battery? I found my fathers NIkkor film 🎥 camera just like this and I’ve always wanted to shoot with it. Awesome channel.
An informative video slightly marred by the background music. FT2's are great cameras - pity that the shutter speed ring doesn't have nice finger grips like the OM-1
I don't have a Nikkormat but I do have a F and F2 and I love my 180mm f2.8 and a 200m f4. They are both wonderful lenses. The 180mm f2.8 is bigger and heavier than the 200 f4 but I believe it is much sharper optic.
Alex, I have a Nikkormat FT2 and I think it's a real hidden gem. I specifically chose this camera because it works with pre-Ai, Ai, Ais, and Nikon D (with aperture rings and mechanical autofocus). I also chose this camera because it has the upgraded, split prism focusing screen, a hot-shoe, and takes the 1.5v LR44 batteries, not the 1.35v mercury cell batteries of the older Nikkormats. I bought mine for $65 several years ago, and it came with an excellent pre-Ai Nikon 50mm f/2 lens, and a halfway decent Vivitar 35-105mm f/3.2-4 lens.
Nice! And yes they are hidden gems! Thanks for watching 🍻
Excellent review of this beast of a camera, Alex! Although I’m a Pentaxian at heart, I’ve got an FT2 that I love! What a rock solid camera!
Thanks! Yes it’s a solid beast! Thanks fore watching 🍻
The Nikkormat is a very handy weapon, in times of need ...and it takes some excellent photos too! ...
Zombie apocalypse camera! Thanks for watching 🍻
My Dad gifted me his FT2. I still have it and shoot it. It’s a great camera. I used the DeOxit fix to get the jumpy meter needle to settle down. I didn’t think it had worked, but after a couple months of sitting on the shelf, I picked up the FT2 and no more jumpy meter needle!
Awesome! Family cameras are something special. Also glad the jumpy meter sorted itself out. Thanks for watching 🍻
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto Great thorough review. My Dad also gifted me his Nikkorex F with the still working clip on meter. That thing is a beast. The shutter sound wakes the entire neighborhood. Kerchunk! The Nikkorex still works but I’ve only shot it once.
I have an FTn and adjusting the ASA/ISO is brutal which I could see you struggling with a bit. You nailed this review though. This thing is a gem/tank, that just goes and goes and just gets the job done with all that wonderful glass. I am also a big fan of that shutter advance sound. Just such a pleasing springy metallic shuck as it moves over and coils everything into place.
And to think the FT2 improved that film speed adjustment! And yeah the Nikkormat’s look and sound wonderful! Thanks for watching 🍻
Those images from the 105mm f2.5 look fantastic!
It’s an amazing lens! Thanks for watching 🍻
There are plenty of folks who can fix your meter for a reasonable cost, which will allow you to enjoy the camera's full capabilities. These are a great way to enjoy using pre-AI Nikon glass at a budget -though, honestly, if you are dabbling in old Nikon cameras to begin with, you are more likely to buy an iconic F or F2 (I have both.) That said, these are a wonderful addition to your Nikon collection and a hell of a lot of fun to use.
@@jeffirish3402 Oh yes, there’s a shop near me that can, it’s just a matter of taking it in, hopefully next year I can get it in for repair. Oddly enough I’ve had the hankering to add an F2 back into the toolbox! Thanks for watching 🍻
Very informative. Loved the video and pictures
Cheers and thanks for watching 🍻
Hello, luckily I had an opportunity having a one. And I loved it. For me it is the most convenient mechanical Nikon. It came with pre AI 50/2 and at the same time, from the seller I added the AI 24/2,8 lens. Then I bought E series Nikon 75-150/3,5. Well with this lens I have to adjust the needle manually, according to the selected diaphram. Perhaps after I mount then setting the process. Now I have two recently bought lenses. One AI 28/2,8 and the latest one is AI 35/2. Thank you for the review and the video.
I find that the rabbit ears aren't all that necessary on a Nikkormat. The stop down lever is well placed, so I just stop down meter with newer lenses that have no prongs. Since it's manual, I can often meter once and just keep using those settings.
I can that working well, but I have had a bad experience with stopping down the lens to meter, namely the Leicaflex R3, so I tend to avoid that! Thanks for watching 🍻
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto Stop down work well on some cameras and not others for sure.
I adjust the stop down needle manually, always following 5,6. Perhaps takes attention and time.
Nice thorough review. I’m on my second FT2. I had an all-black one, foolishly sold it when I got an F2, missed it, so bought a chrome one. It’s nice that it takes the same eyepiece accessories as the F2 and FM series. I have a right angle finder which is handy for macro. Speaking of macro, the one ergonomic con of this camera is that the shutter speed ring tab makes it hard to reach the mirror lock up switch at low shutter speeds. You have to set the shutter speed after you lock up the mirror. An advantage of the Nikkormats compared to the F, F2 and F3 is the higher flash sync speed owing to the vertical Copal square shutter. I forgot about that when I photographed some equestrian jumpers with an F3 and needed fill flash. 1/125s would have helped.
Ah yes, we all have those cameras we regret selling then having to pick one up again later. Thank you for the kind words and for watching 🍻
I have over three dozen Nikons, but I have a go to Domke bag that holds an F2 and a Nikkormat Ft2. The lens selections changes with what I will be doing. Two great cameras!
Excellent choices on the F2 and FT2! Thanks for watching 🍻
I bought my Nikkormat Ftn in 1982 second hand.Late model with plastic tip on the wind on and metal removable flash mount.
The 35 mm f2 is great as a standard lens. It is an old Ai'd pre Ai lens with scalloped focus ring .
Moved on to an F3 eventually which has excellent metering.
I miss the wind on power switch of the Nmat.
Those Pre-AI 35/2 are nice pieces of glass! I have the AF-D version. And yeah the FTn is a great camera! Thanks for watching 🍻
I mounted a Vivitar Series1 35-85mm 2.8 on my FTN back in the 1970's.....I was shooting film for television and it turned out to be a workhorse combination for still shots .... It handled the extreme cold in Northern Ontario very well (Sault Ste. Marie)....The FTN cost me about $150 used and the lens $700 new ....I still have them to-day.....A big expense was buying those very large filters ....If you ever find a good Series 1 35-85mm Vivitar , I highly recommend it......John (west coast, Can.)
@@johnmckenna8989 Nice! The Soo, interesting city, I passed there one year heading for the Photostock event in Harbor Springs MI. Those Vivitar Series 1 lenses were real sleepers, I’ve worked with the 70-210mm f/3.5 lenses before. I think my father-in-law has the 35-85 2.8 in K-Mount. Thanks for watching 🍻
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto ....Then you know....I would like to 'pick your brain' here....I've been away from photography/cinematography a very long time....The last time I bought a battery for the Nikkormat was in the mid 1990s (V625PX) , so what are you using now ? ....Personally, it's the only camera I've ever owned that requires a battery , and I've owned everything from 4X5 Crown Graphic to Ikoflex twin lens , Bronica S2A and a first edition Pentax (slow shutter speed dial on the front of the body)...among several others...I actually have a new 1970s Gossen Luna Pro meter that I've never used....Back to the battery, I don't feel the need for the meter in the FTN but if I use a modern replacement battery I feel I can always adjust the ASA setting to compensate for the different voltage....Is that the reason you have for shooting your 400asa film at a setting of 320 ? ....Sorry it took a while, but I finally reached my question , lol ....If I decide to start using my Luna Pro , I would make the same ASA adjustment , as it shares this same battery issue as the Nikkormat.......Interested in your thoughts....John (west coast,Can.) ...
@@johnmckenna8989 The battery I use is a modern silver cell in the camera works great. As for shooting at 320 it had to with the developer, Formulary FX-2!
Great review. Like Nikkormat FTN and FT2 and FT3.
🍻
It's actually a center-the-needle meter. The meter in the FE/FE2/FM3A is match-needle. It's a great camera and I love mine.
Never heard that terminology used to describe this sort of meter display before! It’s always been match needle for everthing! Thanks and thanks for watching 🍻
Will this camera work with out the battery?
I found my fathers NIkkor film 🎥 camera just like this and I’ve always wanted to shoot with it.
Awesome channel.
Yes! As a fully mechanical camera it works at all speeds without any battery. The battery only powers the meter. Thanks for watching 🍻
An informative video slightly marred by the background music. FT2's are great cameras - pity that the shutter speed ring doesn't have nice finger grips like the OM-1
Yes, I would have loved to see the same style finger grips as the OM series. Thanks for watching 🍻
I don't have a Nikkormat but I do have a F and F2 and I love my 180mm f2.8 and a 200m f4. They are both wonderful lenses. The 180mm f2.8 is bigger and heavier than the 200 f4 but I believe it is much sharper optic.
The 180/2.8 is legendary! I want to borrow one to review, as buying them these days is a costly investment! Thanks for watching 🍻