Nikkormat FTn
This camera was a great find. It was buried deep beneath some bottom-shelf vintage leather knife sheaths and sandals in an antique store. I could see it was pretty banged up, but I knew I could clean it. As for the internal workings, I had already begun repairing cameras, so I took a $15 chance and brought it home.
The lens attached was one I hadn’t heard of before, and I thought it was rather an odd focal distance: 43-86mm f3.5. But I learned as soon as I got home under some good lighting that it was in superb condition. Even though it had no lens cap and was on a bottom shelf over a cement floor, there was no damage to the glass.
The other bit of exciting news I learned when I got home (arguably the best news a camera collector can find outside of shutter operation) was that the meter was still working! I put in a battery and she reacted to light immediately. No tinkering needed! What’s more, is that she’s pretty accurate.
This was my first camera with coupling prongs and, even though all my f-mount lenses will fit this camera, I wanted to use the fun new feature so I promptly bought a Tokina 28mm f2.8 and my highly coveted Nikkor 50mm f1.4.
My “dream” camera was always a Nikon F, or F2, for no other reason than Linda McCartney used one and she was my very first photographer hero. (My husband did find me an F2 in a thrift store but that is another story for another day) This camera is the same idea in a “more affordable” model. That still stands for today I suppose, because for one reason or another Nikon F series cameras are everyone’s dream film camera and the market demands $200-$300 for a working one.
The Nikkormat was produced for the non-professional who still wanted a nice camera and, I know there will always be elitists, but this gem of a camera is no worse than the more expensive counterpart. It is one of the best cameras I own.
