Nikkormat FT2 shutter speed adjustment

[Trond]

Hello,

I have a Nikkormat FT2 where the all the shutter speeds above 1/125 are very slow (way off what they are supposed to be). Does anyone here know how to adjust the shutter?

Thanks,
Trond

 

[Xmas]

Use avery label on back with actual speeds or replace camera.
Make sure the foam is in prime condition if it is dusty or sticky Google

Jon Goodman foam

Don't fire the camera until new foam in place including mirror box foam.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Or send PM to Jon Goodman here, re: the foam. With respect to the shutter, more likely there's something that's slowing down the closing curtain. I had an FTn that a tech went overzealous with the "L" part of CLA. Overlubed the shutter, which, eventually required that I buy a replacement shutter during an overhaul I had done about 11 years ago.

I wouldn't bother overhauling one, unless you have sentimental value in it and don't intend to sell the camera anytime in the next 10 years or so.

1) They're still extremely common. So, they're worth almost nothing.

2) Due to that, it's cheaper to buy another FT2 that's in good working condition, then chop yours up for parts, instead of repairing yours.

If you want something similar, but don't mind losing the mirror lockup and mainly have AI or newer lenses, consider picking up an FM. A bit more modern, but still has the Copal Square S shutter.

-J

 

[Trond]

Thanks for the advice! Yes, I agree, it's makes more sense to just get another working one since they are so common and inexpensive. I was just thinking that it might be fun to take it apart one cold winter night, just to see if I managed to fix it! Possible not very likely, but then again...

Trond

 

[mweintraub]

I have an FT2 that does the same thing below 1/60. Actually it gets stuck open and you have to move the shutter speed ring to get it to close again.

 

[John Koehrer]

Thanks for the advice! Yes, I agree, it's makes more sense to just get another working one since they are so common and inexpensive. I was just thinking that it might be fun to take it apart one cold winter night, just to see if I managed to fix it! Possible not very likely, but then again...

Trond

You have to remove the mirror box assembly to access any adjustments.
Adjusting it needs a shutter tester, I don't think you could eyeball it but if you're in
it for the fun(!) it's not that hard a camera to work on.

 

[Mikkornat]

I have a few of those cameras. I have one that works well, and the other two are in need of work. The first problem I found was getting the right screwdriver to take it apart.

I am going to use a FE instead of the FT2, and my FE's shutter is off by about 2 seconds at the slower shutter speeds. I'd like to know how to fix that too. I really don't want to always be referencing the actual speed on paper, I just want to point and shoot!

 

[John Koehrer]

Tools? Microtools has good quality camera repair stuff.