Canon FTb

The Canon FTb is an SLR camera for the 35mm format. It was introduced by Canon in the early 1970s. In 1973, a revised version of the camera followed with the FTb-N.

The camera was aimed at the mass market, which did not want or could not afford the top model, the Canon F-1, which was released in the same period. The price for the body-only camera without lens was 35,000 yen in Japan, about half what you had to spend for a Canon F-1 at the time.

The Canon FTb offers the possibility of interchangeable lenses. Lenses with a Canon FD bayonet can be used, which can also be used with the Canon F-1. You have to focus the lens by hand. The 35 mm camera does not have an autofocus function.

The 35mm camera has a light meter. This is designed for an ISO range of 25 to 2000. The exposure meter is designed to measure the exposure through the lens of the camera. The exposure time can be set manually. The aperture is also freely selectable.

The Canon FTb has, for example for long exposures, a Bulb mode. Here, the shutter can remain open for a variable time. An external flash can be connected to the PC flash port or hot shoe for pictures.

The Canon FTb has a built-in self-timer and a connection option for a cable release. Additionally, there is a thread for a tripod. The camera weighs in at 750 grams. The dimensions are 14.4 x 9.3 x 4.3 cm. The camera requires a 1.35 V mercury battery.

Films for the Canon FTb

The Canon FTb is designed for the 35mm format. 35mm films are still produced by various manufacturers. A nice film for color images is the Fujifilm Superia 400* and for black and white images the Ilford Delta 100*.

The color film is developed using the C-41 process. C-41 film can be developed by most photo labs. For example, you can take your film to most drugstores for development.

The photographer must wind the film manually. Canon’s QL system helps to wind the film. This process is also mechanical, as is the entire film transport.