Why did Nikon make this camera ?

An affordable alternative to the F series

In 1959, the Nikon F meets the success with professionnal photographers.
Wanting to acquire new market share, Nikon make the decision to produce a more affordable camera compatible with the optics used by the Nikon F (F mount lenses).

Before Nikkormat, the Nikkorex F made by Mamiya

Note : Nikkormat, Nikomat or Nikon FT are names used to refer to the same cameras.

In a first time, Nikon delegated this task to Mamiya which end up with the Nikkorex F in 1962.
But as soon as 1965, Nikon ceased to use the services of a third party and started to produce its own affordable cameras : Nikkormat.

A widely used camera

The Nikkormat series will find a public of enthoutiasts amateurs photographers but also profesionnals who adopted this camera as their emergency or primary camera.

Nikon will produce Nikkormats from 1965 to 1978, upgrading it slightly during these years (FTn, FT2, EL, etc) without changing the core design and philosophy of the original Nikkormat.

A polyvalent camera

Despite being made to be affordable, the Nikon FT2 gives to the photographer every functionnalites he can expect for a professionnal use.

• Vertical metallic curtains shutter (mechanical)
• Manual mirror lifting
• Depth of field tester
• Sturdiness

However, Nikon F series (F, F2, F3) camera are still globally superior (interchangeable finder, better handling and looking).

Like analog Olympus OM series cameras, the shutter speed is set on a ring placed on the mount.

My experience with the Nikon FT2

The Nikon or Nikkormat FT2 (1975) is not a fanciest or a beautiful camera, but it is sturdy and reliable (except the posemeter).
To this day, it is the camera I have used the most.

A pleasant camera to use

Despite its raw shape, the camera hold well in hand and is enjoyable to manipulate.

Setting the shutter speed ring on the mount make also the camera more pleasant to use.

The viewfinder is bright enough and we even can see the selected shutter speed in it.

A sturdy camera

Unlike other cameras (as the Pentax ME super for example), I know I can use it without a lot of care and expecting it to work flawlessly and do not lose any parts.

Still a good choice nowadays

If you want a manual Nikon F mount camera that is reasonnably priced and you don’t bother using an external posemeter (most of this cameras posemeters are now non-functionnal), a Nikkormat/Nikomat/Nikon FT series camera is definitely what you’re looking for.

Nikon EM and FG are also affordable, but they are not as reliable and polyvalent as a Nikkormat.