This is one of my FTb QL cameras (Serial No. 103262) with my FD 50mm f/1.8 “Chrome Nose” (Serial No. 25815).
Canon FTb QL
When Canon introduced the FT QL ( QL is for Quick Load) camera in 1966 it finally came out with a solid practical manual SLR and the first Canon camera with through the lens metering. But there was a problem: the FT came with the FL lens mount which meant that through the lens metering had to take place at the aperture setting to be used for the picture.
You see, the FL lens mount could not communicate to the camera the maximum aperture of the lens. This meant that the lens was focused wide
open, then it had to be stopped down to the desired aperture for the picture for the exposure measurement. Light measurement could not be done at full aperture, unless of course, you were going to shoot wide open.
Things changed in 1971 when Canon introduced the F-1 camera and with it the new FD lens mount. FD lenses had a button on the back whose height is governed by the maximum aperture of the lens. A small lever in the camera body could now sense the height of the small button and know the maximum aperture. That meant that the camera could measure light with the lens wide open and then the exposure could be calculated for any given aperture and shutter speed combination.
The front of the FTb showing the open mirror-box. The small finger that senses the height of the max aperture button can be seen at the 5 o’clock position just inside the mounting ring.
The back cover is plain with no holder for film information. The eyepiece looks like it is supposed to come with a rubber eyecup but it did not.
We have a Newsletter
There is a Newsletter for thecanoncollector.com to keep you up to date on what we are posting. Try it!
Under the rewind crank on the left is the On-Off switch to prolong battery life and the “C” position is for the Battery Check feature. Note the “hot shoe” for camera sync.
Note on the bottom there is no provision for a power winder. With this camera your thumb was your only option. As I said, a mechanical camera.
This is the Manual for the original FTb which contains operating instructions for this camera. The camera is very intuitive and an advanced user will seldom need to resort to the instructions.
The FTb was introduced in the same year as the F-1 with which it bears a close resemblance. It was aimed at the advanced amature user who did not need the professional options available on the F-1.
Metering was performed at maximum aperture. The FD lenses could be set to “A” (auto) in which case the camera would chose the correct aperture for any shutter speed chosen by the user. If the lens was set to “M” (Manual) the user could chose shutter speed and aperture by matching the meter needle to a circular marker in the viewfinder.
The shutter was an all mechanical horizontally travelling rubberized silk focal plane. Shutter speeds range up to a 1000 of a second. The metering was the only automatic feature on this camera and was powered by a single 1.35 volt 625 type mercury cell (such as the Mallory PX-625 or Eveready EPX-625). These batteries are now banned due to the toxicity of the mercury they contained.
The was an On-Off switch under the rewind crank to conserve the battery. There was also a position on the switch to check the battery level.
There were other small changes made such as the addition of flash contacts in accessory shoe but at the same time the PC Socket on the front of the body was retained. Another was the changes to the self timer lever to allow a depth of field stop down check and a mirror lockup ability. All of this is described in the User Manual which is available on the left to read or download.
The camera was offered in silver or black finish on the top and bottom plates.
The FTb was a very capable manual camera. It was solidly built with a wonderful feel of quality and precision in the hand. And it is excellent fun to shoot with it.
Here are the FTb (Chrome) and FTb-n (Black) side by side. They are essentially the same camera with minor upgrades and cosmetic changes. Examples are the finish on the edge of the shutter speed dials and the updated self timer / stop down preview lever.
Canon often upgraded a camera model during production without great fanfare. This they did with the FTb in 1973. The model name did not change but the changes to the camera were visible making these cameras easy to recognize.
The film advance lever got a black plastic tip, presumably for a better grip when winding the film. The stop-down lever/self-timer lever was changed to the same style as found on the F-1. It still functioned as before but more closely related this camera model to the F-1 flagship.
The PC sync socket was given a spring loaded plastic cover. Just a cosmetic touch.
This is my Black FTb-n (Ser. No. 925080) with the kit lens, FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. (Ser. No. 571398) often included with this camera.
Beside and to the right of the 50mm lens is the cover over the PC Socket. On the end is the screw-in cover for the 1.35 volt mercury cell.
This view shows the updated Depth of Field Preview/Self Timer Lever. You can also see the new diamond pattern on the edge of the shutter speed dial.
The small sticker on the back of the top deck gives the settings for the battery check. One sets the shutter to 1/1000th, the ASA to 100 and then the switch under the rewind crank to “C”.
The top deck of the FTb and FTb-n are the same when seen from above. The obvious and only difference is the plastic tip on the film advance thumb lever. Note the electrical contacts in the accessory shoe.
The ring around the outer edge of the shutter speed dial was changed from a scalloped design to a diamond textured design. And, finally, a shutter speed display was added in the lower left hand corner of the viewfinder on later production copies.
As I said, this camera did not receive a new name as it was essentially the same camera. Unofficially amongst collectors it is known as the FTb-N or FTb-n or FTbn.
Inside the camera the Quick Load mechanism is readily apparent. This was the last SLR camera model in which Canon installed the QL feature.
The spring loaded PC Socket cover is plainly visible in this image. This is one of the identifying marks for the FTb-n. The FTb has no cover.
This is the Manual for the FTb-n. Black or Chrome the manual is the same and almost identical to the one for the FTb.
Using the FTb
In the interests of full disclosure, I have to say that I love the F Series of cameras. They are the last of Canon’s manual SLR’s before the introduction of the electronic A Series. F Series cameras will operate without a battery, all be it without the lightmeter. That means that most of them still work or can be resurrected easily.
The FTb is very much like a junior F-1 with the same finish and feel. Because of the FD lens mount light measurement is easy. Whether in Manual Mode (“M”) or Automatic Mode (“A”) the lens remains at full aperture except for the moment of exposure.
I like the trigger release. It is solid and crisp and takes very little pressure. The shutter is noisy and I imagine this would be distracting when photographing weddings or golf tournaments. But, to be honest, I love the sound it makes. Cameras with silent shutters bother me. I like to have confirmation that the shutter has worked. I rely on the noice for confirmation.
The FTb is designed for Canon’s CAT (anon Auto Tuning) system of flash photography which I really do not understand. And then it can use FP, M and MF flash bulbs and the Speedlite 133D. The User Manual covers use of the various flash sources. In fact, the User Manual will give you complete instructions on the use of the camera. Read it before using this camera with film. I may save you a wasted roll. In truth, I am not a “flash” user and have never really mastered the art.
The FTb is a great camera for the film user and especially someone wanting to get into film photography. It is a camera that will stand up to real world use and give you great images.
This page is not a review of this Canon equipment but rather a record of an item in my collection. I have no connection with Canon and receive no remuneration nor benefit for this listing. It is for my own use and possibly your enjoyment!.