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

[harlequin]

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]

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

 

[Huss]

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

 

[BradS]

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

 

[SchwinnParamount]

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]

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]

..

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.