Like a few others here, I have and love both cameras. I would argue that the most obvious difference between the two is the shutter speed / ASA control. The FM has the traditional knob on top of the body, whereas the FT2s shutter speed is set via a collar on the lens mount. The ASA is set by pulling out a little tab on the collar with a fingernail and sliding a little "window" to the desired film speed.
I bought an FT2 and later an FM when the were new. I still like the heft of the Nikkormat and the needle meter display. The lighter FM is more convenient to haul around. I suspect that if you go into rough places and get slammed around, the Nikkormat is more durable. After a few upgrades, I ended up with an FE2, which I still have. The advantage of the Nikkormat FT3 today for me is that all of my pre-AI lenses were converted to AI, and I much prefer normal full aperture metering to the having to crutch my FT2 with stop-down metering.
I have an all black Nikkormat ft2 with a 50mm f2 lens. I love the size. I love the metering on the top plate. I also have a Nikon FE which takes all my F mount lenses.
I own all three versions of the Nikkormat and there are a few other things which might be worth considering as well. 1. None of the Nikkormats have a film memo holder on the back, so if you load up a few different types of film in the different cameras you need to keep a note of what went where. 2. All the Nikkormats have their shutter speed dials on a collar surrounding the lens mount (like on Olympus) which I find is more fiddly than the standard top plate dial common to other Nikons. 3. Although all 3 Nikkormats have had minimal usage and are in vgc two of the three have a black "fluff" encroaching into the viewfinder as if some seal or padding is deteriorating. The fact that the same problem is in two versions of the same series suggests this is a potential problem with all Nikkormats rather than a once off fault? (Actually it's the FT2 and FT3 which have this problem, the earlier FTn is clear?) Hope this helps any potential purchasers.
I've got a video about the Nikkormat quirks where I talk about some of this stuff. As for the viewfinder fluff, that's likely dry-rotted mirror foam and happens to almost all old SLRs.
@@BriansPhotoShow Hi, yes just after watching the Nikkormat quirks video and you cover the things I mentioned plus some other things I hadn't known. Is that silver camera the pre FTn version because it's even spelt differently "Nikomat". I don't think that it's mirror foam in my viewfinders. It appears like black felt is deteriorating on the walls behind the eyepiece, and it's definitely between the focusing screen and viewfinder. The mirror box foam is in good condition and even if not I cannot see how it would travel past the focusing screen? I'll probably have to search for some "how to remove the top plate on a Nikkormat" videos. Great content though and thoroughly enjoying the channel. Thanks.
Hi Brian, thank you very much! Based on your reviews I just bought an FT2. I have a Nikon EM, but that has not the ability to set the shutter speeds manually and if its electronics fails, I can’t use it anymore. Best wishes, Ralf
I have a Nikon FM camera which I purchased back in 1980, which I dearly love. I have accrued several lenses over the years for my FM. However since I'm a Nikon fan, I have an interest in the older Nikon/Nikkormat film cameras. Spotted a Nikkormat FT2 yesterday on a local camera dealer 'used gear' shelf and while I did not examine it closely, giving some thought to taking another look at it and picking it up if the price is right and it is in good shape, 'just because'. Will my Nikon AI lenses work on it? (they all have the meter coupling 'fork' on them). I understand that already having an FM; the Nikkormat would be redundant but I just like old, solid mechanical SLR cameras just for collection standpoint.
I have never owned or used an FM, so I can't speak to it. FT2 was my first 35mm SLR that I got back in 1980 as a Christmas gift. The size and weight didn't bother me. I actually prefer having some heft as I find it easier to keep the camera steady. I'm not sure why anyone would be using motor drives in 2021. If you need quick successive shots for action photography digital cameras are hard to beat. As to the usability of the FT2, the shutter speed ring was my biggest gripe. On multiple occasions I had the shutter speed accidentally knocked to a different setting while I was doing flash photography (i.e., not using meter) and didn't notice. That really irked me. I will always choose having the shutter speed dial on top as opposed to being a collar around the lens mount. I always thought that the mechanism to set the ASA/ISO was very poor from a usability standpoint. Same for the mechanism to open the film door. I never did use mirror lock up. The build quality of the FT2 is top notch. It's extremely durable.
Had same choice... got Nikkormat FT2 + Nikkor s 50mm 1.4 mint condition for 107$. Simply because it was in better condition then FM (body only). Btw first Nikkor s 50mm 1.4 :D. Hope I don't regret it and don't put camera on the shelf.
The Nikon F was the pro camera. We called the nikkormat s....the poor man s camera.....but pro s did use the nikkormat s as a second camera. The Nikon fm/fe fm2/fe2 used what was called....PLASTIC POLY FIBRE CARBON body......just like the Canon. When the silver wear away.....you would get a yellow finish. That the poly finish. The motor MD12 ( yours ) was an improvement over the MD 11. Check that out.
I'm sorry but I believe you are mistaken. The FM line did not use plastic body panels. When the chrome or black finish wears, the yellow underneath is brass, not plastic.
Hi Brian; I have both, use both, love both. I would probably not ever get rid of either camera. Thanks for video!
Like a few others here, I have and love both cameras. I would argue that the most obvious difference between the two is the shutter speed / ASA control. The FM has the traditional knob on top of the body, whereas the FT2s shutter speed is set via a collar on the lens mount. The ASA is set by pulling out a little tab on the collar with a fingernail and sliding a little "window" to the desired film speed.
I bought an FT2 and later an FM when the were new. I still like the heft of the Nikkormat and the needle meter display. The lighter FM is more convenient to haul around. I suspect that if you go into rough places and get slammed around, the Nikkormat is more durable. After a few upgrades, I ended up with an FE2, which I still have. The advantage of the Nikkormat FT3 today for me is that all of my pre-AI lenses were converted to AI, and I much prefer normal full aperture metering to the having to crutch my FT2 with stop-down metering.
I have an all black Nikkormat ft2 with a 50mm f2 lens. I love the size.
I love the metering on the top plate.
I also have a Nikon FE which takes all my F mount lenses.
Still have it?
@@splootan no alas.
I am into Ricoh GR digital now. Much more porttable and free
Am I glad I secured the bulk of my Nikon gear years ago, before prices went off the charts. Love the form factor of the FM. Truly a perfect body.
Thanks for the video very informative I'm a nikormat man
Myself there such a Sherman tank
Of a camera I have three ft2
Thanks again, Brian. As always very informative video.
Glad you enjoyed it
I own all three versions of the Nikkormat and there are a few other things which might be worth considering as well.
1. None of the Nikkormats have a film memo holder on the back, so if you load up a few different types of film in the different cameras you need to keep a note of what went where.
2. All the Nikkormats have their shutter speed dials on a collar surrounding the lens mount (like on Olympus) which I find is more fiddly than the standard top plate dial common to other Nikons.
3. Although all 3 Nikkormats have had minimal usage and are in vgc two of the three have a black "fluff" encroaching into the viewfinder as if some seal or padding is deteriorating. The fact that the same problem is in two versions of the same series suggests this is a potential problem with all Nikkormats rather than a once off fault? (Actually it's the FT2 and FT3 which have this problem, the earlier FTn is clear?)
Hope this helps any potential purchasers.
I've got a video about the Nikkormat quirks where I talk about some of this stuff. As for the viewfinder fluff, that's likely dry-rotted mirror foam and happens to almost all old SLRs.
@@BriansPhotoShow Hi, yes just after watching the Nikkormat quirks video and you cover the things I mentioned plus some other things I hadn't known. Is that silver camera the pre FTn version because it's even spelt differently "Nikomat".
I don't think that it's mirror foam in my viewfinders. It appears like black felt is deteriorating on the walls behind the eyepiece, and it's definitely between the focusing screen and viewfinder. The mirror box foam is in good condition and even if not I cannot see how it would travel past the focusing screen? I'll probably have to search for some "how to remove the top plate on a Nikkormat" videos.
Great content though and thoroughly enjoying the channel. Thanks.
FT2 you can see the meter from the top of the camera also. This can be quite useful. FM does not have that feature.
That is correct. I should have mentioned that.
you would have if you were thinking objectively.
Hi Brian, thank you very much! Based on your reviews I just bought an FT2. I have a Nikon EM, but that has not the ability to set the shutter speeds manually and if its electronics fails, I can’t use it anymore. Best wishes, Ralf
I am very happy that you found my videos helpful!
Brian's Photo Show Today it has arrived! Mounted my 50mm on it! I really enjoy to use it!
I have a Nikon FM camera which I purchased back in 1980, which I dearly love. I have accrued several lenses over the years for my FM. However since I'm a Nikon fan, I have an interest in the older Nikon/Nikkormat film cameras. Spotted a Nikkormat FT2 yesterday on a local camera dealer 'used gear' shelf and while I did not examine it closely, giving some thought to taking another look at it and picking it up if the price is right and it is in good shape, 'just because'. Will my Nikon AI lenses work on it? (they all have the meter coupling 'fork' on them). I understand that already having an FM; the Nikkormat would be redundant but I just like old, solid mechanical SLR cameras just for collection standpoint.
I have never owned or used an FM, so I can't speak to it. FT2 was my first 35mm SLR that I got back in 1980 as a Christmas gift. The size and weight didn't bother me. I actually prefer having some heft as I find it easier to keep the camera steady. I'm not sure why anyone would be using motor drives in 2021. If you need quick successive shots for action photography digital cameras are hard to beat. As to the usability of the FT2, the shutter speed ring was my biggest gripe. On multiple occasions I had the shutter speed accidentally knocked to a different setting while I was doing flash photography (i.e., not using meter) and didn't notice. That really irked me. I will always choose having the shutter speed dial on top as opposed to being a collar around the lens mount. I always thought that the mechanism to set the ASA/ISO was very poor from a usability standpoint. Same for the mechanism to open the film door. I never did use mirror lock up. The build quality of the FT2 is top notch. It's extremely durable.
Good cameras... both. A photographer will get great pictures right off and only get better as time goes on.
Had same choice... got Nikkormat FT2 + Nikkor s 50mm 1.4 mint condition for 107$. Simply because it was in better condition then FM (body only). Btw first Nikkor s 50mm 1.4 :D. Hope I don't regret it and don't put camera on the shelf.
The Nikon F was the pro camera. We called the nikkormat s....the poor man s camera.....but pro s did use the nikkormat s as a second camera. The Nikon fm/fe fm2/fe2 used what was called....PLASTIC POLY FIBRE CARBON body......just like the Canon. When the silver wear away.....you would get a yellow finish. That the poly finish. The motor MD12 ( yours ) was an improvement over the MD 11. Check that out.
I'm sorry but I believe you are mistaken. The FM line did not use plastic body panels. When the chrome or black finish wears, the yellow underneath is brass, not plastic.
Paul Green the FM and The FE series DO NOT use plastic covers... the EM, FG and FG20 did.