Canon FTb 35mm SLRs
Canon FTb 35mm SLRs
|
[Apr 03, 2002]
Gerald Morrison
Intermediate
Strength:
pro quality, heavy duty, not expensive
Weakness:
The only thing someone can complain about is flash cominsation or something like that. You have to much time on your hand if you start on something like that. I realy enjoy this camera. I use it in my studio with the 85mm fd lens and it makes excelent portraits. I strugle with selling it along with ALL the fd lenses that have been acumilated over the years. It is a debate between it and my mamiya, I know the larger negative gives larger photos,BUT the 85mm and ftb will give me 16x20 prints also and it can hold 36 exposers over 30 with a 220 roll. Sounds strange but it is true Customer Service get another one. no need Similar Products Used: Canon AE 1, AE 1P, A-1, Nikon N-70 N-80 Mamiya 645 J&M |
|
[Mar 10, 2002]
9Jen11
Intermediate
Strength:
Not difficult to use, inexpensive, classic, extremely durable - i''ve visited a pro''s web site who uses the ftb and he has taken it in extremes from arctic conditions to deserts and everglades and has never had to service it.
Weakness:
It''s a little heavy, but it doesnt bother me and im a pretty small girl. I actually like the weight, it reminds me that it''s made better then the new "candy bars" on the market. The only weakness i''ve found is that it''s supposed to use mercury batteries. As we know, these are no longer made here in the US. There are alternatives, but i''ve found sites online that will sell the mercury and thats what i''ll use until they run out. This is a camera you can really fall in love with. I did alot of research before buying it. For me it was the best all manual camera i could find for a minimal price range. All of my photos have come back with no problems. It''s easy to use, built like a tank and beautiful. Customer Service None needed so far. Similar Products Used: Minolta Maxxum 5 |
|
[Oct 11, 2001]
Charles Mancini
Intermediate
Strength:
Easy to use and learn on.
Weakness:
They don''t make the right battery for it anymore, which effects the light meter, and subsequently, your photos. This IS a great camera to learn with! However they don''t make the Mercury batteries anymore, so you have to substitute Lithium or Alkaline. Subsequently, the light meter is effected! A way to compensate is to move the ASA down a quarter. (If I remember correctly from using it during photography class... I have a Canon AE-l nowadays). Similar Products Used: None |
|
[Aug 14, 2000]
Clark Irwin
Intermediate
Strength:
High quality, reliability. Rugged, metal construction. Dead battery affects only metering. Accepts fine Canon FD lenses like the 24mm/f2.8 and 50mm/f1.4. Good screen.
Weakness:
Heavy. Original-issue batteries can't be sold in USA now, so you must either import or use a substitute. A sturdy classic that can produce nearly anything a normal duffer would want from a 35mm platform. With good, used bodies typically priced under $200 and the sharp 50mm/f1.4 lens under $150, an FTb package is also an economical way to start a young person in the craft of user-controlled photography. Customer Service None needed. A few professional cleanings have kept it in fine shape since purchase for news-correspondent work in 1976. Similar Products Used: Notably inferior Mamiya SLR. Otherwise, never had any reason to use anything else, except small, fixed-lens RFa for casual trip shots. |
|
[Aug 13, 2000]
Joe Chang
Intermediate
Strength:
friendly viewfinder information design, rugged, and somehow easy to use.
Weakness:
to heavy to carry if you don't have good arm strength. the shutter speed is somehow not fast enough as only up to 1/1000 I've got this pretty camera from my Dad 2 years ago. As this camera is older than me, i feel warm while using it. Comparing to the other one ( Nikon FG-20) i have, this camera is somehow more friendly for me to use. I don't have to look at the shutter speed dial nor the aperature ring to get the right exposure as i have to do so with my FG-20. You can see a circle and a elevating arm through the viewfinder. Each of them means the aperature and the shutter speed setting. When these two icons fit together, you will get a exact exposure. this is some how a good design to a mechanical camera. Customer Service have not tried yet Similar Products Used: nikon FG-20 |
|
[Aug 05, 2000]
Zobaney Hobarey
Professional
Strength:
Very high quality
Weakness:
Weight !! too much Well .. I really love this camera ... I used it for 20 years .. And all of these years are pleasure for me Similar Products Used: None |
|
[Sep 01, 2000]
Peter Brodeur
Intermediate
Strength:
Bomb-proof construction and smooth, simple operation. Many great lenses available used.
Weakness:
heavy by today's standards I bought my FTbN new in 1977 and it has never let me down. It needed service only once (meter switch). I now have an AE1P and ElanII, but I still love to shoot with the FTb. A great camera for any student today. Similar Products Used: None |
|
[Aug 28, 2000]
Klaas Wiersma
Casual
Strength:
Strong camera, many different functions (all that I can think of), not depending on battery's (exept light metering but that one has lasted for 3 years allready)Never fails.
Weakness:
Ring on which lens is connected gets loose; 1/250, 1/500 and 1/1000 make half pictures; view gets very dark. I payed a little bit to much for it but I'm really happy the camera. A perfect camera to learn a lot of skills in outdoor-fotography. After 3 years I'm looking for a lighter camera with exactly the same features. Customer Service still works Similar Products Used: None |
|
[Nov 13, 2000]
Joel/Lipkin
Intermediate
Strength:
Reliable, quality shots, sturdy. This camera has been through the Vietnam War and it still works as well today as it did back then.
Weakness:
Weighty by today's standards, but that's why real metal cameras last 30 years. If you ever see one in a camera shop, BUY it. You'll love the feel of a real camera in your hands. Customer Service It has never been in the shop!! It still works fine. Similar Products Used: Pentax K1000 |
|
[Nov 17, 2000]
Charles Richmond
Expert
Strength:
The FTb is indestructable with steel and brass construction. It is a basic match needle metering camera that can run without any batterries and which has (had) some supurb lenses available.
Weakness:
Heavy, no motor drive or other frills. If you are traveling into the outback where solid construction and high quality optics and independence from electricity are important, then go find one of these in a used camera store. I really regret giving mine away. Customer Service This camera did not need customer service in the +20 years that I used it. Similar Products Used: Miranda Sensorex |