Canon TX and FTb

[alexkerhead]

Got these two a while back. I threw my old FT in for a trio effect.

Pics:

[PeterW]

Hi Alex,

You've certainly been busy with your acquisitions. I like the Mamiya. I worked with a pro photog who used one for years with no problems. Lovely results.

I also like the two Canons, especially the FTb. My guess is that even with very hard use they'll outlast the Pentax!.

PeterW

[casualcollector]

Nice, Alex! That's my favorite Canon series and one of the most elegant looking 35 SLRs. I'd say second place to the Pentax Spotmatic.

I see you have the first series FTb and not the later and more common FTb-n. Good find!

[Just Plain Curt]

Some nice Canons there Alex. Keep up the good work.

[alexkerhead]

Thanks all!
I do believe these are some of the best built cameras I own. All of them have great glass too!

[drako]

Ha! Interesting conversation: I just acquired a Canon FT and a pristine Spotmatic. Along with a Canon 35mm f/2.5 FL - all for $25.

Alex, my FT came with the exposure booster unit. Do you have one of these? Does anyone have experience with it? I love the "contraption" look of the thing.

Comparing the two, they are both tanks, but the Pentax is a half-track compared to the Canon monster. I like the wind lever action on the Pentax.

This is my first Pentax screwmount. When the lens is in place, the focus and aperture reference marks are not at the 12 o'clock position, but more like 11:45. Is this common for these cameras or is there something wrong with mine?

[mickeyobe]

Johnny,

I have the Canon Booster. I bought it for my FTb QL years ago. I never much cared for it as the needle moved extremely slowly and I never quite knew when it had arrived at where it was supposed to go. I tried valiantly to work with it but we were not compatible. It now sits grey and batteryless on the shelf next to the FTb QL and the FTb looking very impressive but I know better.

Mickey

[casualcollector]

No firsthand experience with the Canon booster but I think it's fairly straightforward. The battery comes out of the FT battery well and goes into the booster along with another PX-628 type cell. The booster's cord plugs into the FT (or Pellix QL) battery well. Exposure metering is then performed via the readout on the booster unit. A tripod makes all of this a lot more convenient!

Really good deal on the Spottie and FT! Two great cameras of the 60s. One extremely successful, the other less so despite a long list of virtues.

[Deleted]

nice cameras.
i have an FTb, and an old style 1.8.
maybe you or someone else can tell me what the small lever on the mounting ring is for?
it has two positions an red L and a white dot.?
thnaks

[mickeyobe]

Nov 21, 2009 20:04:15 GMT -5 @camerabob said:

nice cameras.
i have an FTb, and an old style 1.8.
maybe you or someone else can tell me what the small lever on the mounting ring is for?
it has two positions an red L and a white dot.?
thnaks

Bob,

This from the FTb manual:
"In the case of the lens which has a manual aperture lock lever, turn the automatic aperture lever of the lens counterclockwise all the way and set the manual aperture lock lever to the "L" position before mounting the lens. This manual aperture lock lever locks the automatic aperture lever and the diaphragm can be opened or closed by turning the preset aperture ring. For releasing the lever, return the manual aperture lock lever to the original position (white dot).
With the use of this lock, photography using a manually operated aperture can also be performed on other Canon's single lens reflex cameras ....."

This gives you manual (non automatic) control over the aperture by turning the aperture ring. It is useful when you are using extension tubes or bellows.
DO NOT FORGET TO RETURN IT TO ITS AUTOMATIC SETTING (WHITE DOT).

Mickey