[Quality?] Advice for a newbie with a N75 & FTb.

First of all, thanks for looking at this post. I would like to direct the

question in such a way that says this camera's characteristics will teach me

the essential basics and allow me to grow as a starting photographer. From what

I've read so far, these two bodies are fair; the N75 and the FTb.

 

I've been searching this website to see if this is the appropriate place to

post a question about the FTb, and I am not sure. Sorry if it isn't, tell me so

I'll post in the correct one in the future. I am fairly new to photo dot net. I

found a majority of the FTb posts were in this forum, so I'll post my inquery

in here.

 

So let's get to it...

 

I am moving on from a SLR that (as some on this forum would say) I got duped by

Ritz's Nikon N75+Quantaray combo sale (~$200). I thought I was getting a real

deal since I knew the guy selling me the cam+lens. The batteries cost too much

for me to keep purchasing on an average 1.5 month interval. I've learned a lot

about this N75, but I could use battery money for other things.

 

I have a FTb with a loose base (does this mean anything?). I'm just going to

tighten the screws. It's fully functional in regards to the manual. I've read

on photo dot net that this is a fair camera. Not too bad, not too good.

 

I have a SEARS MULTICOATED 1:4.0 F=80-200MM 55 AUTO ZOOM lens on the FTb. From

what I've read on photo.net, it's (perhaps) less than fair. It is most likely a

Rikenon, made by Ricoh. However, it is made in Korea...

 

I have a Tristar 1 A 55mm UV Filter which is next to nothing in terms of price.

The filter is minimally stained and I've yet to clean it with a solution. It

makes the blu-ish tones look a little warmer. I've had this identified on the

forums as a gimmick to make the person feel like they're getting a deal.

 

The three above were for $50 dollars. Original asking price was (I believe)

$120, then $90,

then $60. I just told him I had $50 when he said 120. Maybe this was a

steal(?). I've read

some of the posts on photo dot net that $50 is a fair price for the body alone.

Most of these FTbs should be working, and mine happens to be one of those that

is working.

 

I have a Sunpak Auto 231 Flash with a tele-filter TL-4. It works fine. $20. I

don't even know if it's worth the price. I'm not too concentrated on flash at

the

moment.

 

***I guess what I really want to ask is .. gathering from stuff I have, what is

a better setup to start with and really spend time learning about? I am

familiar with my N75/Quant., but how does the FTb/Sears compare? Which causes

less frustration and headaches? I am tight on money, so the lenses have to stay

on (unfortunately). Did I get something good for the price?

 

This post was long, but you've finally made it to the end. Thank you for

reading it.

My humble opinion is that a camera is a camera - it uses apperture and shutter speed to expose film, everything else are extras that you don`t need, but may find very useful. One thing that I can tell you is that on average, you will get a lot more glass for your dollar in the FD mount than in the Nikon, due to the fact that Nikon did not chagne its mount the way Canon did.

My suggestion is that whatever you do, get some better glass. You can get some remarkable lenses for the FD lens in the sub-$50 range, and I think you should start there (applicable to the Nikon as well). If price is ultimately the issue, the FTb will be the far more economical choice that will allow you to learn how to do all the basic things all by yourself, without any electronic help. I my opinion, that`s the best way to learn - but of course the Nikon can be set on manual and do the same thing if you resist the temptation of having it think for you.

Plus, if you decide to sell one to feed the other, the Nikon set up will probably fetch more and the FD prices will yield a better bag of lenses for your Canon.

m duong, the canon FD forum is probably a more appropriate forum and you are likely to get more answers there, although the canon ftb is welcome here. It may have been introduced in 1971 but why quibble. It is the type of camera that is often featured here. First, assuming you have a FTb in decent condition, it is an excellent camera. It requires a 1.35 volt mercury battery, but a competent repairman can easily and fairly cheaply convert it to use 1.5 v silver batteries. I don't know anything about the lenses you mentioned, by canon FD lenses are excellent and generally not too expensive unless you get into "L" lenses. Check cameraquest.com to get a review of the ftb and n75 cameras.

oops! I had a senior moment and thought I was on the classic camera forum. Sorry. You are in the right place.