Nikomat

[hphilkennedy]

I have a Nikomat I acquired in the mid 70. I have used it all these years but really know nothing about it.

I have attached photos cuz there is virtually no marking which indicated model etc.

Can someone tell me what I have please?

Phil Kennedy

 

[Chan Tran]

Can you check the top of the camera or the back of the camera where the serial number is?

 

[abruzzi]

It looks like an FTn. If you look at the top plate on the left side, you should see an FT followed by the serial number and a little offset, an N.

 

[ts1000]

Nikomat was the name used in Japan, while Nikkormat is a more familiar name for folks in US (and most Europe, I think...)

If you check the top of your camera (like the 2nd picture of this blog post)
https://www.35mmc.com/29/07/2019/nikkormat-ftn-review/

you would see the 'FTXXX' and N on top of the window (this is left side of the camera).
This would indicate that you have Nikkormat FTn = Nikomat FTn

If your model also has a split image viewfinder (rather than just circle) -- then you have latest models
of this thing.

Another history page:
https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikkormat/html/history.htm


Great camera, great single coated lens. Hope you are enjoying the pictures it makes.

 

[hphilkennedy]

Can you check the top of the camera or the back of the camera where the serial number is?

Yes, it looks like a serial number on top "FT4055095"

 

[tomkatf]

Is there an N above the little window which is above the serial number?

 

[hphilkennedy]

Here is an image

 

[jimjm]

Yep, it's an FTN. Very solid & reliable cameras, as you probably already know.
Aside from the name plate, Nikomat and Nikkormat versions are identical. Here's a good overview.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

These are rugged, reliable, solid cameras. The 1.4 lens is excellent optical quality. You have a nice kit there!

 

[hphilkennedy]

These are rugged, reliable, solid cameras. The 1.4 lens is excellent optical quality. You have a nice kit there!

Thank you very much for your input. In the mid 70's I was managing a hotel in Ohio. GE was a good client and rented a small meeting room. Before I went home for the day I checked the meeting room and as I was locking up I was this camera. By this time it was 7:00-7:30 so had to wait until the next day to call I called the organizer at GE and he said the camera likely belonged to one of the Japanese attendees but that they had all flown back to Tokyo. He tried to locate the owner but never did so I kept the camera. My first SLR.

I'm in the process of selling a lot of my old photographic equipment and accessories but I think I will keep this one.

Thanks again

 

[hphilkennedy]

Yep, it's an FTN. Very solid & reliable cameras, as you probably already know.
Aside from the name plate, Nikomat and Nikkormat versions are identical. Here's a good overview.

Thank you very much for your input. In the mid 70's I was managing a hotel in Ohio. GE was a good client and rented a small meeting room. Before I went home for the day I checked the meeting room and as I was locking up I was this camera. By this time it was 7:00-7:30 so had to wait until the next day to call I called the organizer at GE and he said the camera likely belonged to one of the Japanese attendees but that they had all flown back to Tokyo. He tried to locate the owner but never did so I kept the camera. My first SLR.

I'm in the process of selling a lot of my old photographic equipment and accessories but I think I will keep this one.

Thanks again Jim

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Hint: open the battery compartment now. Make sure there is no battery leakage.

 

[hphilkennedy]

thanks but I removed the battery some years ago

 

[dourbalistar]

Thank you very much for your input. In the mid 70's I was managing a hotel in Ohio. GE was a good client and rented a small meeting room. Before I went home for the day I checked the meeting room and as I was locking up I was this camera. By this time it was 7:00-7:30 so had to wait until the next day to call I called the organizer at GE and he said the camera likely belonged to one of the Japanese attendees but that they had all flown back to Tokyo. He tried to locate the owner but never did so I kept the camera. My first SLR.

I'm in the process of selling a lot of my old photographic equipment and accessories but I think I will keep this one.

Thanks again

Very cool backstory! "Nikomat" was the name used for cameras sold in Japan, so it makes sense that it might have belonged to one of the Japanese attendees. Meanwhile export models (sold in the US and elsewhere) were named "Nikkormat". Supposedly, black Nikomats are more rare.
http://www.nicovandijk.net/nikomat.htm

 

[flavio81]

I have exactly the same camera, but in silver version.