About the Nikon Nikkormat FTN SLR Camera
The Nikon Nikkormat FTN camera, a.k.a. Nikon Nikomat FTN, deserves a quick article because it went through a few improvements throughout its rather long existence.
First, this camera came out in 1967 and its production ended in 1975, the year after the demise of the Nikon F "Apollo".
Center-weighted Metering and Semi-Automatic Meter Indexing
The initial improvement over its predecessor, the Nikon Nikkormat FT, included Nikon's new 60/40 weighted meter improvements found in the Nikon F Photomic Tn, and it featured the "Nikon Shuffle" or "Nikon Twist" which meant, after mounting the lens to the body, the photographer would have to twist the aperture ring back and forth to set the maximum aperture for the light meter. In other words, the Nikkormat FTN allows for semi-automatic exposure meter indexing. Nikon refer to this as the "Click-Click" in their chronicles.
Switch from Type J Screen
At some point before 1973, Nikon switched from a type J screen (a simple center-microprism screen) to the more popular type A screen (a split-image rangefinder screen), but very late copies still have the type J screen so this may have been an option. Also fixed was a slight problem where half-pressing the shutter release button would allow the film to be advanced without actually releasing the shutter.
In either 1974 or 1975, this camera could feature the very popular type K screen. The K screen is a microprism surrounding a rangefinder, so a combination type J and type A. This has been the most popular screen for Nikon over the years that followed. In a copy with serial number 4657801, the K screen had been installed by the factory. A 1974 copy with serial number 4663241 has the J screen installed, so the screen type obviously was an option but the question is, when exactly was the K screen an option? This is unknown. A Nikkormat FTN manual printed in September of 1974 for the US market shows the K screen in use in the pictures.
Shutter Release Accessories
About halfway through the 367xxxx block of serial numbers, this camera's design was changed to allow Nikon F shutter release accessories such as the AR-1. Prior to this, the camera could only accept a cable release threaded into the center of the shutter release button like on the FS/FT before it.
Nikon F2 Cosmetics
In 1973, Nikon added a rubber tip to the film advance lever and the self-timer lever which were first marketed in 1971 with the Nikon F2. Around this time, Nikon also added F2 cosmetics to the Nikon F.
Mercury Cells
All versions of the Nikkormat FTN camera take out-of-production mercury cells, and this is a major problem today. The Nikon Nikkormat FT2 that replaced this camera takes a common 1.55v silver oxide battery. The best solution seems to be to buy the so-called MR-9 adapter, which transforms the 1.55v of a silver oxide battery to the 1.35v of a mercury battery. The second best solution is to shoot black & white film which can be very forgiving to exposure errors. There is a third option, zinc air cells, which are actually 1.45v and do not last as long as silver oxide. These are common batteries for hearing aids.
Some Thoughts
So the Nikkormat FTN has some variation for collectors to explore. Look for clean, perfect copies preferably in black as these are rarer in good condition. Compared to the Nikon F, these Nikkormat cameras are very inexpensive to collect. During its nine year reign, approximately 850,000 copies were made. How many of these had type J / A / K screens???
This camera is often represented as the earlier Nikkormat FT because the serial number begins with "FT" but pay attention to and look for the big "N" near the serial number, which is not present on the older Nikkormat FT.
If searching for correct vintage lenses to go with the FTN, look for the single-coated Nikkor-H 50mm f/2 (reviewed) or the Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.4 (reviewed) for bodies without the F2 cosmetics. For FTN bodies with F2 cosmetics, look for multi-coated lenses like the Nikkor-H•C 50mm f/2 or the Nikkor-S•C 50mm f/1.4 (reviewed), for example. All of these early lenses are plentiful on the used market.
While an inexpensive FTN camera is a great manual camera for a photography student, this camera is not as great an option as a Nikkormat FT2 which is calibrated for common batteries available today. The Nikkormat FT3 is another good option for students, but for proper function of the camera, Ai and Ai-s lenses are required which cost more than earlier Pre-Ai/Non-Ai lenses. The Nikkormat FT3 is considered rare but it is priced low regardless. Make certain the meter works.
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