Nikon Nikkormat FT2 (1975–1977)

Name: Nikon Nikkormat FT2
Brand: Nikon

One of the last all-mechanical Nikkormats, and the one that finally gave the line a proper hot shoe.

Overview

The Nikkormat FT2 arrived in 1975 as a refined version of the earlier Nikkormat FT series. It stayed in production only through 1977, which is a short run by Nikon standards. It was sold as the "Nikkormat" in North America and select regions and as the "Nikomat" in Japan, and it sat deliberately beneath the professional Nikon F and F2. The pitch was aimed at advanced amateurs and semi-professionals who wanted reliable, fully mechanical operation with improved exposure metering. They preferred tactile control and mechanical simplicity over the automation wave that was starting to sweep the market.

In practice that meant a 35mm film single-lens reflex camera with a Nikon F bayonet mount. The F-mount gave FT2 owners access to more than 45 Nikkor interchangeable lenses, from 6mm Fisheye Nikkor to 2000mm Reflex Nikkor, along with more than 250 precision accessories. Standard glass was the Nikkor 50mm f/2, 50mm f/1.4, or 55mm f/1.2. The mount accepted both pre-AI and AI lenses, though AI glass required manual indexing on the FT2. Nikon's own literature from the period framed the FT2 as an entry point into the Nikon system. It noted that should an owner someday step up to a Nikon camera, the same lenses and most accessories would continue to serve.

The camera is a substantial object in the hand. The primary documentation gives approximately 700 g body only, without battery, though an alternate spec sheet lists 880 g without lens. Dimensions are also reported two ways: 148 × 91 × 50 mm in one source and 148 × 96 × 54 mm in another. Either way, it's a bigger, denser body than the compact mechanical SLRs that followed. The chassis is die-cast brass top and bottom plate under chrome or black leatherette covering.

Key Features

The ISO 518 Hot Shoe

The biggest change from the FTn was the replacement of the accessory shoe with a built-in ISO 518-compatible hot shoe. It allowed direct connection of electronic flash units without external sync cables. This addressed one of the most common user complaints about the earlier camera, which lacked a built-in flash sync terminal. The camera also kept a threaded synch terminal, and synchronization used automatic MX switchover with the shutter speed setting. The range of synch is specified as M, FP - 1/1000 to 1/250 sec., 1/30 to 1 sec and B; MF - 1/30 to 1 sec. and B; X - 1/125 to 1 sec. and B.

Center-Weighted Through-the-Lens Metering

The FT2's documentation gets murky on metering. The primary research page describes an improved silicon photodiode (SPD) light meter with a slightly expanded sensitivity range and more stable performance under varying temperature and battery conditions compared to earlier models. An alternate spec source describes a through-the-lens CdS meter, center-weighted at full aperture, coupled to both the diaphragm and shutter speed dial, with a needle visible in the finder and atop the body plus plus and minus markings. These are different sensor technologies, and the two accounts cannot both be right. Both agree on the behavior: center-weighted average metering, with the metering prism carrying a split-image rangefinder and microprism collar. Nikon's period literature explained that two light-sensitive cells measure the brightness of the entire picture area as it appears in the viewfinder but draw most of their information from the central portion where the main subject usually sits, an area clearly outlined in the viewfinder. As Nikon framed it, center-weighted metering accommodates more varied lighting situations with greater accuracy than other systems, and works equally well whether the camera is held horizontally or vertically.

The metering range is specified as EV3 - EV17 (for example, f/1.4 at 1/4 sec. through f/11 at 1/1000 sec. at ASA 100 with a 50mm f/1.4 lens), with an ASA range of 12-1600, maximum aperture range of f/1.2 - f/5.6, and aperture coupling range of f/1.2 - f/32. Exposure is manual only, with stop-down TTL metering. There is no aperture-priority or shutter-priority automation here.

Fully Mechanical Shutter

Shutter speeds run from 1 sec to 1/1000 sec, plus B. The shutter is fully mechanical and works without batteries at all speeds except for metering. A dead meter doesn't stop the camera. The shutter type is another point of conflict: the primary research page describes a horizontal-travel cloth focal-plane shutter, while an alternate spec source describes a metal focal-plane shutter with vertical (downward) movement. Both accounts are single-source claims, so the exact curtain construction is an open question. Verify it against the specific body in hand. The film transport is not in dispute: a single-stroke winding lever with a 20° stand-off angle and 135° winding angle, which also serves as the meter on-off switch. Rewinding is crank type, and the frame counter is additive with automatic reset to "S," two frames before "0."

Viewfinder and Focusing

The finder is a fixed eye-level pentaprism with 0.90x magnification at 50mm focused at infinity. The focusing screen is a matte Fresnel field with a central microprism/split-image rangefinder of K-type. Nikon's literature made much of the three-way focus option - central rangefinder spot, microprism collar, or any part of the matte screen area - as a way to ensure pin-point sharpness with lenses of all focal lengths, from ultra-wide to extreme telephoto. It's a good finder for manual focus, and owners tend to praise it after decades of use.

Mirror Lock-Up, Depth-of-Field Preview, and Self-Timer

The FT2 carries an instant-return mirror with an independent mirror lock-up control, a depth-of-field preview button, and a self-timer lever. These features were typically reserved for higher-end models. The documentation does not specify whether the mirror lock-up is a dedicated control or integrated with the self-timer, and it gives no self-timer delay duration. Verify operation on any body you're considering.

Historical Context

The FT2 was released during a transitional period in SLR development, as manufacturers began integrating electronic automation while maintaining mechanical reliability. Nikon faced increasing competition from Japanese rivals: Canon with the AE-1 on the horizon, Minolta introducing the XD series, and Pentax with the K1000 and ME. All of them were moving toward aperture-priority and eventually program modes. The FT2 remained steadfastly manual.

Its release followed the success of the Nikkormat FTn and addressed the missing flash sync terminal that users had complained about. Within the Nikkormat family, the FT2 belongs to the all-mechanical group - FT, FS, FTn, FT2, FT3 - which is distinct from the electronic Nikkormat siblings EL, ELW, and EL2. The electronic models bear little resemblance to the all-mechanical Nikkormats, and the two types are not easily confused. The FT2 was discontinued in 1977, succeeded by the Nikkormat EL series and later by the Nikon FM, which began the transition toward more compact, lightweight mechanical SLRs. In that sense the FT2 was a bridge between the fully mechanical Nikkormats and the coming generation of compact manual-focus cameras like the Nikon FM and FE.

Collectibility & Value

Today the Nikkormat FT2 is regarded as a solid, collectible mechanical SLR, particularly among enthusiasts of vintage Nikon gear and those seeking a reliable, repairable film camera. It is not as rare or highly sought after as the Nikon F2, but it has a niche appeal because of its build, manual operation, and standing as one of the last fully mechanical Nikkormats. In excellent working condition, prices typically range from $150 to $300 USD. Recent listings run considerably lower: a body-only example in chrome has sold in the $99.99 range, a working-meter body around $85.72, and a body with a Micro-Nikkor 55mm lens as low as $50.00. The spread reflects condition and included glass more than any premium on the model itself.

Know the failure points. Degraded light seals are common and should be replaced to prevent film fogging. Sticky shutter curtains show up, especially at 1/1000 sec, and sluggish shutter speeds from dried lubricants are a standard age-related issue. Worn leatherette is cosmetic but nearly universal on bodies this old. The meter is the trickiest problem. The camera relied on mercury batteries, now obsolete, and modern substitutes used without voltage adjustment can lead to inaccurate readings. Inaccurate metering from aging components is also a known concern. The battery situation is documented inconsistently: one source specifies a single 1.35V mercury PX625, another a single 1.5V silver-oxide, and the manufacturer's manual specifies CdS cells, which typically use 1.5V silver oxide, contradicting the primary fact sheet's mercury PX625. Modern replacements listed for the camera are the 1.5V alkaline 625A or silver oxide SR625SW, and the higher voltage may cause slight overexposure, adjustable via camera modification or exposure compensation. The shutter is fully mechanical and does not require batteries, so a dead meter never means a dead camera.

On inspection, verify that the shutter fires consistently across all speeds, that the light meter responds to light changes, and that the film advance and rewind mechanisms operate smoothly. The camera benefits from periodic CLA (clean, lubricate, adjust) servicing by a technician experienced in vintage Nikon equipment. Because of its modular design and parts commonality with other Nikkormat and Nikon F-series cameras, sourcing replacements is relatively straightforward, and repairs are generally straightforward for experienced technicians. A 1976 manual is archived online.

Among the contemporaries the source material names, the Pentax K1000 offers similar fully mechanical operation and rugged build with a student-friendly reputation. The Minolta SRT-101 is known for its advanced CLC (Contrast Light Compensation) metering and sturdy construction. The Yashica FR-I is a Nikon F-mount-compatible SLR built under license with similar mechanical controls and metering.

eBay Listings

See all Nikon Nikkormat FT2 on eBay

As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.