Nikkormat Ftn Serial Numbers
Description and information on Nikkormat FTn its history and how it works. Hi everyone, I own a Nikkormat FTN, and I was wondering if there is any way to track down what year it was manufactured based on the serial number.
The first serial number was 6400001 and upon the literature the last serial number was 7451052. Higher serial numbers up to 7464xxx are found on spare part top covers.
Nikkormat FTn The story of Nikon begun in 1917 when three of Japan's leading optical manufacturers merged to form a comprehensive, fully integrated optical company known as Nippon Kogaku K.K. (1988 Corporate name changed to Nikon Corporation.) In 1965 Nikon introduced the Nikkormat FT.
This camera was the first in a popular series of successful Nikon mid-range cameras. Nikkormat FTn was based upon the body of the original Nikkormat FT. Many of the users who could´nt afford the more expensive and professional system oriented Nikon F & F2, used this camera as an entry model into the Nikon SLR system. It accepted all the interchangeable Nikkor lenses during those time and is still usable with many of today's AI & AIS lenses.
It differs from the more sophisticated Nikon models only in that it does not accept the motor drive backs and has a non-removable pentaprism viewfinder and fixed focusing screen, which has a 4 mm circular microprism surrounded by a 12 mm diameter matte surface Designed with sharp and clear-cut lines, still seen in Nikon FM3a (Introduced in February 2001), the external appearance of the Nikkormat camera body gives an overall feeling of mechanical precision and dependability associated with professional use. The FTn was introduced and marketed in 1967, continued to serve even after later models were introduced.The 2nd generation of the Nikon F, the F2 was eventually discontinued in 1975, that has shown how popular it was.
The camera body is made of die-cast aluminum alloy and finished in chrome plating and assembled of 685 separate components. My FTn belogs to the later versions because it has black plastic covers both on the film advance lever and the self-timer lever. For identification among the rest of Nikkormats is quite easy, a 'FT' precedes the serial number on the camera body' and the letter 'N' is inscribed next to the film rewind knob and above the light meter window on the top of the camera. Nikkormat FTn was available in satin chrome or black finish.
The lens in a picture is Nikkor H-C Auto 1:2,f = 50mm. In an early Nikkor lenses you can find these markings. H is for hex which is Latin and translates six (6) and it indicates that the lens construction has six lens elements and the letter C means that the lens is coated. Weight: 765g (1.68 lb) (body) Nikon EM Nikon EM was introduced in 1979. It was Nikon´s weapon against Olympus OM-10 and other middleweight SLR cameras of various brands.
EM has aperture priority auto only, which means that after you have set the lens aperture the camera sorts out exposure for you. Easy and convenient. Perhaps not so professional at that time when the camera was introduced. EM is light because Nikon has used averagely polycarbonate on it which does not mean that it feels fragile, on the contrary it is perceptibly sturdy camera. If you want to compensate for exposure, just press the button and you get a 2 stops compensation for the back light situation or you can use the conventional method (those days) and adjust the ASA/ISO film speeds to fool the camera metering.
Today it looks silly and you might wonder why. Specifications: Type: 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR), aperture-priority automatic Metering range: EV 2 to EV 18 (i.e., f/2 at 1 sec.
To f/16 at 1/1000 sec. At ASA/ISO 100 and with 50mm f/1.8 lens) Lens mount: Nikon bayonet type Film speed range: ASA/ISO 25-1600 Shutter: Electronically controlled, vertical-travel, metal focal-plane shutter; step less speeds from 1 sec. To 1/1000 sec.(auto mode);1/90 sec.
Mechanical speed when set to M90; B Exposure compensation: + 2 EV when exposure compensation button is kept depressed as shutter release button is pressed Film winding lever: choice of one continuous stroke or series of shorter strokes Power source: One 3V lithium battery or two 1.55V silver-oxide batteries Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism,TTL exposure meter; shutter speed scale and exposure needle visible inside, 1/90 sec.; finder coverage approximate. 92% of picture field. Battery power checker: LED lamp lights up to indicate sufficient power availability when power check button is pressed Reflex mirror: Instant-return, non-lockable.
Flash synchronization: Built-in ISO-type hot-shoe, automatic flash sync at 1/90 sec. Flash sync at 1/90 sec Self-timer: approx.10-sec.
Delay Measures: 135mm(W) x 86mm(H) x 54mm(D) Exposure measurement: TTL center-weighted exposure metering at full aperture.
I thought it would be very simple to find a Nikon guide to serial numbers, but it seems it's not that simple. For later years, Nikon used the first digit as a country code, 3=USA.
Some say that the next two digits are the year, and IF that's true that means your camera is from 1978. Obviously that can't be true as production ended in 1975! It's starting to look that Nikon serial numbers might be as jumbled as those from Darlot and Wollensak are. Do you have the lens that came with the camera?
Nikkormat El
Sometimes you can date cameras that way.