Nikkormat Ft2 vs Ft3, what is the difference, they look identical...

harlequin · Feb 5, 2021

Hello Team,

Is there a major difference, appreciate opinions
Is one more durable than the other?

I have an old Nikkormat Ftn however the meter crapped out and I am thinking of getting a newer model relatively speaking.

Thanks for your input!

Harlequin

BradS · Feb 5, 2021

The FT3 takes the newer AI lenses only. The FT-2 is pre-AI

Huss · Feb 5, 2021

To be precise, the FT2 can use non AI and AI lenses, the FT3 only AI/AI-S lenses.

BradS · Feb 5, 2021

^^^yes,correct. @Huss ’s answer is much better than the one I offered. Thanks.

SchwinnParamount · Feb 5, 2021

FT 2
FT 3

The FT3 was essentially identical to the FT2 except that it supported Nikkor lenses with the Automatic Indexing (AI) feature (introduced 1977).

SchwinnParamount · Feb 5, 2021

The EL and EL-2 allowed you to flip up the AI tab on the body to mount a pre-AI lens. I love the EL 2.

Huss · Feb 5, 2021

harlequin said:
..

I have an old Nikkormat Ftn however the meter crapped out and I am thinking of getting a newer model relatively speaking.

Thanks for your input!

Harlequin

If you're looking for a gorgeous, with working meter, black FT2... comes with the Buttergrip! (lens extra - check out that awesome Gothic font lens hood!)

SchwinnParamount · Feb 5, 2021

Note that in this picture ^^^ the FT 2 has that proboscus that fits into the "ears" of the pre-AI lens. The FT-3 did not have that thing. It relied on the tab on the lens mount (body side) that engaged with the AI flange of the lens.

Trask · Feb 6, 2021

With the FT3, it’s possible to mount and open-aperture meter with AI or AI-S lenses, and it’s also possible to flip up the connector on the AI/AI-S matering ring around the lens mount so that non-AI lenses can be mounted and used, albeit with stop-down metering. So the FT3 is backwards-compatible.

Huss · Feb 7, 2021

Trask said:
With the FT3, it’s possible to mount and open-aperture meter with AI or AI-S lenses, and it’s also possible to flip up the connector on the AI/AI-S matering ring around the lens mount so that non-AI lenses can be mounted and used, albeit with stop-down metering. So the FT3 is backwards-compatible.

That's what makes the FT2 so great, it meters non AI and AI lenses without having to stop down meter.

BradS · Feb 7, 2021

The down side of the FT2 is that one must do the Nikon shuffle every time a lens is mounted. The FT3 frees one from doing this dance. In general, this is the major benefit of the Nikon AI system - quick, easy, and fool proof lens mounting.

Huss · Feb 7, 2021

BradS said:
The down side of the FT2 is that one must do the Nikon shuffle every time a lens is mounted. The FT3 frees one from doing this quick dance. In general, this is the major benefit of the Nikon AI system - quick, easy, and fool proof lens mounting.

Definitely a waste of 2 seconds.
All kidding aside, I prefer the automatic indexing system, it's just nice to have a camera than can open aperture meter with old and 'new' lenses, when I already have other Nikon cameras that have auto indexing.
I picked the FT2 over the FT3 because it had that, and over the older ones because it had improved features (focusing screen, modern battery etc). A 'regular' Nikon like an FM is an easier shooter, with a more sensitive and useful light meter.
When you use a camera with a modern light meter, it is a bit jarring seeing the Nikkormat's needle pop to the top of the scale because the light levels have exceeded its performance envelope.

Nikkormat Ft2 vs Ft3, what is the difference, they look identical...

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