Nikkormats

Love my Nikkormats, but afraid I fall in with those that prefer the FTn (and later) over the original FT. It isn't just that the ASA setting is a bit weird: every FT thats come my way had either a dead meter or major issues with the ASA ring resistor. My luck's been much better with post-FT variants. Of the couple dozen I've owned (most bought for the lenses on them), the sweet spot in price/condition/practicality was the FT2: the meters usually still work well and they take modern S76 batteries. Despite this, my personal preference is FTn (for the prism styling) and scarce FT3 (for the convenient battery and AI features).

This is my little family of "keeper" Nikkormats: FTn (1st version), FT3, and two FTn "Apollo" versions. Each sports a different variant of of fast-aperture 35mm Nikkor lens. Out of boredom, I was doing a bokeh comparison at close distances yesterday to see how well each 35 tracks with their historical reputation. Under controlled conditions, the reps match my own general experience of each. Bokeh of the 35/2 is best with the scallop-ring Pre-AI O and OC, followed closely by the AI/K, with the AIS being slightly harsher. Minimal differences in real-world use, but the bokeh-obsessed will prefer pre-AI. The 35/1.4 AIS bokeh tracks very close to the 35/2 AIS at the same apertures, but is harsher/busier close up due to the floating element correction.

I need to find a source for my Nikon F3 decal has worn off and nearly gone. Is there any possibility of a repair shop that can fix this for me? Or a place to buy and install myself.

Love my Nikkormats, but afraid I fall in with those that prefer the FTn (and later) over the original FT. It isn't just that the ASA setting is a bit weird: every FT thats come my way had either a dead meter or major issues with the ASA ring resistor. My luck's been much better with post-FT variants. Of the couple dozen I've owned (most bought for the lenses on them), the sweet spot in price/condition/practicality was the FT2: the meters usually still work well and they take modern S76 batteries. Despite this, my personal preference is FTn (for the prism styling) and scarce FT3 (for the convenient battery and AI features).

 

This is my little family of "keeper" Nikkormats: FTn (1st version), FT3, and two FTn "Apollo" versions. Each sports a different variant of of fast-aperture 35mm Nikkor lens. Out of boredom, I was doing a bokeh comparison at close distances yesterday to see how well each 35 tracks with their historical reputation. Under controlled conditions, the reps match my own general experience of each. Bokeh of the 35/2 is best with the scallop-ring Pre-AI O and OC, followed closely by the AI/K, with the AIS being slightly harsher. Minimal differences in real-world use, but the bokeh-obsessed will prefer pre-AI. The 35/1.4 AIS bokeh tracks very close to the 35/2 AIS at the same apertures, but is harsher/busier close up due to the floating element correction.

 

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Wow!!! @orsetto , they look like brand new. :)

Wow!!! @orsetto , they look like brand new. :)

Thats due to the (unpredictable) blemish concealing property of the camera in my ancient Windows 8 cell phone. ;)

The two silver FTn really are mint, an amazing Goodwill find.

The black FTn at bottom is your typical "looks great from two feet away but held in your hand you see lots of paint wear" examples: no dents or deep scratches, but lots of paint rubs and enamel wear. Also the viewfinder is pretty dirty. It was "Frankensteined" out of several broken parts bodies that I got for nearly free, and isn't an accurate reconstruction (the main body is an original FTn, the "Apollo" plastic-tip advance and self timer levers don't really go with it), baseplate and battery cap were donated by an FT2. It works fine despite its patchwork, and was an inexpensive way to acquire a relatively clean black FTn Apollo version (you can find these easily in silver, but most of the black seem to have been run over by a truck and have ludicrous asking prices).

The black FT3 at top would be 100% mint, except some klutz former owner somehow managed to bash in the front of the prism housing. Its like new otherwise, and my favorite Nikkormat to shoot with, but every time I pick it up I want to find the former owner and crack them in the head with it. OTOH, the dent meant I got it for almost nothing: it came attached to a pristine 135mm f/2.8 pre-AI Nikkor.

I used my Dad’s EL to take some snapshots today. Fun camera to use.

(This photo is vertical prior to upload so forgive the horizontal orientation)