CAMERA REVIEW: Canon FTb QL

[@kevinrobertgrinder5320]

In 1975 after a summer of detasseling corn (I am from Iowa) I bought the Canon Ftb with the 50mm f1.8 FD lens and a Honeywell 110 flash, it was my first SLR camera. I not only still have the camera, but I still use it.

[@pinanay]

Wow! That’s amazing. I’m thinking of buying one used that’s why I’m here.

[@kevinrobertgrinder5320]

@@pinanay you won't go wrong with the Ftb, I have the QL (quick load) which adds to the ease of use.

[@robitybopity]

got one with a whole bunch of lenses from goodwill for like $70. needed a little tlc but got it functional and i’m obsessed with it

[@Weezot97]

My first SLR as well. My Father bought it for me in the early 70's. I recently had a CLA done along with conversion to 1.5v batteries. Once dropped it 3 feet onto brick steps, just a little dent but kept on going. I think it will outlive me...

[@adambaney9582]

Just bought an FTb (my first film camera), and I’m super excited to try it out!

[@Spodsie]

The colour rendered by those FD lenses is just lovely.

[@roberta.6399]

I had this camera new in the 70's. It was a real workhorse. Held up to rough use. Lots of great photos from it.

[@mikelostcause]

5 minutes with a cotton swab and some iso alcohol would clean that camera up quite a bit and make it look so much nicer. The FTb is a great camera - I enjoy shooting mine.

[@flowermaze___]

Great video. They’re amazing cameras! So smooth and simple to shoot ❤

[@nvrumi]

Nice review of an old camera. I used a pair of Canon AE-1s about 30-years ago and really liked them. They did require a battery though, so I kept spares in my kit. I really preferred the old SSC lenses to the new FD group. I thought they were better built and some had more character than the newer versions, the 50mm f/1.4 SSC being one of my favorites. When I got started, my mentor was a Canon shooter and had a F-1 that I really lusted after. I couldn't afford one, being a poor college student. If he's still alive, I'd bet he still has that camera. It's a shame your Minolta died. That's one of the things that makes me a little nervous about old electronic shutter bodies. I have a few of them, but prefer the mechanical cameras. I just bought a Nikon F2AS that I hope will be delivered later this week. I'm looking forward to working with it.

[@GONZOFAM7]

Nice review. I was given one a couple months ago. Unfortunately the mirror stays up at speeds below 500. The 50mm and 135mm it came with are clear and bright.

[@daintyasia8152]

Wow Wow Wow Canon FTb

[@thirtyfiveeyes]

Thanks for watching!

[@David-hk3ly]

Professional quality at a bargain price. Ftb rocks!

[@thirtyfiveeyes]

You're absolutely right!

[@kahhowong3417]

QL refers to Quick Load, of the automatic quick Film Cassette Leader spooling mechanism,

[@captainbedworthy]

The FTbn has a plastic tipped wind advance, even more durable build, and less clunky stop down lever.

[@yamakawa511]

I have the FTb-N which is a slightly newer version of this. Very solid and smooth, built like a tank. Y

[@postgarodegoogle2389]

an insane mechanical camera but, cloth focal plane shutter. Less durable than mechanical shutter... ? it would have been perfect with that ! like the late praktica m42 mount

[@danieljimenez1989]

Have a look at the Autoreflex T2 by Konica, same vintage, mechanical shutter, better build quality, but also quite a bit heavier than the FTb... It's my favorite camera.

[@mortimersnerd8044]

What? You list the fact that thr meter on your camera is broken as a con for the camera as a whole? How did you figure that, hilarious.