I have always shied away from Canon cameras. At one point, I seriously considered Canon EOS as my main system when I was getting into the digital SLR realm, but the arrival of the Nikon F80 pushed me in that direction. Since then, I have had a smattering of Canon SLRs that have come through both for review and ownership, for almost all of Canon’s SLR models; only the original R-Mount is missing. The Canon FTb, I can say, would have been a camera that, if I had gone down the road to Canon earlier, would have been in my system. And now I can proudly say I own an FTb, and it is a fantastic camera! Thanks to Bill Smith, who originally loaned me his FTb for this review, and to Loraine Slade for gifting me her father’s FTb with several lenses, which now sit proudly in my camera locker.
Nikon D750 – AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm 1:2.8
Camera Specifications
Manufacturer: Canon
Model: FTb
Type: Single Lens Reflex
Format: 135 (35mm), 24x36mm
Lens: Interchangeable, Canon FD-Mount
Shutter: Cloth Horizontal travel focal plane shutter, 1s-1/1000s + bulb
Meter: Centre Weighted CdS TTL Metering, EV2.5 ~ EV18 @ ASA-100, ASA-25 – ASA-2000
Dimensions (WxHxD): 144x93x43mm
Weight: 750g (w/o lens or battery)
Power Source: 1x PX625
Year of Manufacture: 1971-7
Background
Before Canon was Canon, it was founded in 1933 as Precision Optical Instruments in Tokyo, Japan, with the goal of researching high-quality cameras. They chose the Leitz Leica II to study, stripped it down to its basic components, and released a prototype camera in 1934. In 1936, Canon released a 35mm rangefinder camera that featured Nikkor lenses. A year later, the company officially became Precision Optical Instruments G.K. The first Canon lenses under the Serenar brand began selling in 1939. The company participated in war production like other optical companies in Japan. Canon factories avoided major damage during the Allied bombing campaigns, allowing them to return to production quickly as part of the post-war reconstruction. Improved rangefinders: the Canon J and Canon S II were released in 1945 and 1946, respectively and in 1947 they rebranded to Canon Camera K.K. The company continued to focus on producing rangefinders, 8mm cameras, and lenses through the mid-century, and these products were quickly picked up for export to support economic recovery. In the 1950s, the SLR began to rise in popularity with the release of the Asahiflex and Nikon F. Canon would release its first SLR, the Canonflex, in 1959.
Like its contemporary, the Nikon F, the Canonflex is a system camera that lets photographers customise the camera through accessories; it also introduced the new R-Mount for interchangeable lenses. The R-Mount used a breech-lock bayonet mount and allowed for automatic diaphragm control but had no support for coupled meters. Canon addressed this in 1964 with the release of the Canon FX; the new SLR featured the FL-Mount, and while similar to the older R-Mount, the two were not compatible. But with the introduction of the Pentax Spotmatic, Canon rushed to achieve TTL metering, which came in 1966 with the Canon FT; however, because of the restrictions of the FL-Mount, the FT was reduced to stop-down metering. Canon solved the problem in 1971 and introduced the FD-Mount, which not only allowed open-aperture TTL metering but also shutter-priority metering. Canon introduced an updated version of the FT, the Canon FTb, in 1971. The FTb is the same camera as the original FT, but with an FD mount instead of the FL mount, allowing users to move up to the improved platform easily. Canon released a minor update in 1973 that added a plastic tip on the film advance, shifted the shutter speed dial placement, improved the self-timer lever, and improved the viewfinder. By the time production of the FTb ended in 1977, Canon had produced 1.8 million copies.
Impressions
The FTb is a camera from a different time, and once you realise the camera is based on the older FT model, you can still see that 1960s style. The camera is big and much heavier than I expected, as I remember. This model is a revised version, so it has a few additions that make it a little nicer to work with. The 1973 version has a plastic protector over the film advance, and the shutter speed dial is a little better placed. But even so, the FTb is still a great camera to use. Yes, you’ll need a good strap around your neck to make it easier to carry for longer periods. And I do recommend using a strap; the camera has mechanical brilliance, with a solid shutter sound and good feedback from all the control surfaces. The controls are well laid out, and the screen has plenty of feedback, with your shutter speed on display along with a big match-needle for metering (when you have a copy with a working meter). The one thing missing in the viewfinder is the aperture display, which would be a nice touch on a fully manual camera. But you cannot have everything. Another thing to note is that the FTb came in both a fully black finish or in the ‘panda’ two-tone, I’ve always preferred the two-tone look for these older cameras.
Experience
One of the best features Canon used in their cameras is the Quick Load feature, or QL. You’ll find it on a lot of cameras, but far fewer than I would have expected. Thankfully,y, the FTb did include this means of quickly and easily loading film into your camera. Now it isn’t foolproof, but it does work, and you don’t have to try and feed the film end into a clip on the take-up spool. If you do have one with a functioning meter/powered battery, the match needle system is easy to use; line up the circle with the needle on the right side of the viewfinder. Your shutter speed is displayed in the lower left corner, but you don’t have the aperture displayed, which is a sticking point for me but not a deal breaker. Your focusing aid isn’t a split prism, but it still works well enough, and unless you’re using your fast lenses wide open, you can be a bit off and let the depth of field deal with the rest. The camera, despite being heavy, is well balanced and offers good feedback; the film advance is short enough that you can quickly fire and advance, and the controls are well laid out, so you can quickly change your settings. If you have a copy with a powered battery, it has a dedicated on/off switch, which is a nice touch. The battery powers only the meter so that you can use a wide range of light meters. Since the camera has a hot shoe, you can use an accessory meter or a handheld one. For the new images, I have been using the PocketMeter.Pro app with great results.
Optics
The Canon FTb has a wide range of excellent OEM and third-party lenses with the FD mount. FD-mount lenses come in two types: the older collar-lock and the button-style FD mount. Both these types work with the FTb, but there is a catch. These lenses can be used on cameras with semi-automatic operation (Canon EF, AE-1, AE-1 Program and New F-1), so there’s an “A” position on the aperture ring. Since the FTb doesn’t have any semi-automatic functions, the lens will not mount with the aperture ring set to “A”. It’s best to move it off that mark to around f/8 to allow the lens to mount. Cost is also a factor on these lenses; the FD mount has become popular for rehousing or adapting for cine cameras, so some lenses carry a higher price on the used market. As I mentioned in my review of the AE-1, you cannot go wrong with some of the more affordable options: the 28mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.8 S.C., and the 135mm f/3.5 make for a great starter three-lens kit. There are some good third-party options. I now have a good Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm (Tokina-Made), which is an excellent long lens and a Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135mm, which is a beast of a lens but gives me that 35mm option, which I love. I want to add some more Canon lenses as I see things come up: something wider and something between the 50 and 135.
The Lowdown
The Canon FTb tends to fly under the radar when people are looking at cameras. Most new photographers look at either the AE-1 or AE-1 Program; both are good cameras but are a bit overpriced these days. Plus, you have a group of photographers who want that all-manual mechanical experience and gravitate toward the Pentax K1000, Olympus OM-1, Nikon FM2n, and similar, but these are also expensive options. The FTb is a great choice that fills the gap; the only trouble is the cost of the lenses these days. If that cost turns you off, consider the Nikkormat FT2 and pre-AI lenses. Another problem with the FTb is the battery: the camera is designed around the PX625 mercury battery, which lasts a long time, but when it fails, you cannot replace it because the batteries are no longer made. Unlike the EF, there’s no bridge circuit. However, you can get modern rechargeable PX625 batteries, which are new to the market and work well. Or use the camera without the battery, since it only powers the meter, and there are plenty of alternatives out there.
Video Review Coming December 2026!
Further Reading
Don’t just take my word on the Canon FTb; you can check out the reviews by other awesome camera reviewers!
Aly’s Vintage Camera Alley – Canon FTb QL Review
Ken Rockwell – Canon FTb Review
Greg Pak – A Love Letter and Guide to the Canon FTb: The Best First Film Camera Ever?
High 5 Cameras: Canon FTb Review
The Noisy Shutter – Classic Camera Review: Canon FTb QL
Sam Mallery – The Canon FTb SLR: My New Camera (From 1971)
2 Comments