Canon FTb / FTb-N
If you've ever seen the icon of a camera used on a computer screen, you've seen the Canon FTb. Even with that, however, it'd be a stretch to call the Canon FTb an iconic camera. Its design and function could best be described as "basic," but as any good film photographer knows, the camera body itself is generally of less importance than the lenses and that's where the FTb can hold its own.
The Canon FTb was released in 1971 along with its more professional counterpart the Canon F-1. In terms of looks, the two cameras don't have much in common. More importantly, they do share Canon's new FD lens mount. The FD mount is very similar to the older FL mount, but the FD lenses allow for automatic aperture operation through the camera body. The F-1 may ultimately have a sturdier build, but the FTb is no slouch in its engineering.
The Canon FTb also introduced Canon's QL system, which helped keep the film flat and pinned against the take-up spool as the user closed the back door. This seemingly simple innovation would appear on several other cameras from Canon, but for some reason it didn't take hold with other camera makers.
For any shortcomings the Canon FTb has in looks, it more than makes up for them in performance. The FTb shares the same metering system as the F-1, which is a 12% spot-centered CdS meter. As is common with cameras of this era, the meter is meant to powered by a 1.35 volt mercury battery. In order to use the modern 1.5 volt alkaline battery, it's important to have the camera serviced and have the meter re-calibrated. Given the age of these cameras, it's definitely worth the little bit extra to have them overhauled.
When the great book of cameras is written, the Canon FTb isn't likely to win any design awards. Images from the FTb, however, can be as sharp and well-exposed as images from its more expensive stablemate and at a lower cost. While many photographers might turn up their noses at the idea of such a pedestrian camera, these are well worth the search. Leave the fancy design to other people; you've never been that flashy.
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