Thoughts on Nikkormat / Nikomat series

[Ste_S]

Considering buying a Nikkormat. Always fancied a F or F2, and the Nikkormats seem to give a version of that for little money. I don't have a mechanical SLR and want something a bit more solid and hopefully longer lasting

A dealer has an FTn, FT2 and EL for roughly the same price and I'm considering the FT2. Anything I need to be aware of ?

 

[M-88]

Personally in my experience

The good:
All-metal, solid, mechanical machine;
vertical shutter (hence 1/125 synchronization speed);
Mirror lock-up (not sure if with all models, but at least with Ft and Ftn);
Possibility to acquire a body that will use Nikkor lenses for dirt-cheap. And most Nikomats will work with non-AI lenses as well either wide-open, or with stop-down metering;

The bad:
Viewfinder is a wee bit dimmer than on Olympus OM-1/2 (or maybe I'm just used to what I prefer overall as a camera);
750-790 grams for body-only is less than ideal for me;
Like most of late-60, early-70's cameras, it utilizes a mercury cell. It may, or may not be a problem. Depends on whether you use "sunny 16", replacement battery, or battery mod;
"Nikomat"/"Nikkormat". Call me stupid, but to me it was the biggest annoyance. I want Nikon to have an inscription of "Nikon", not Nik-something.

EDIT: Please disregard the battery part, FT-2 was upgraded to use 1.5 Volt batteries.

 

[ruilourosa]

FT-3 is even better...

 

[Chan Tran]

Considering buying a Nikkormat. Always fancied a F or F2, and the Nikkormats seem to give a version of that for little money. I don't have a mechanical SLR and want something a bit more solid and hopefully longer lasting

A dealer has an FTn, FT2 and EL for roughly the same price and I'm considering the FT2. Anything I need to be aware of ?

The Nikkormat's are great cameras but their design were significantly different from the Nikon F or F2. So no I do not think the Nikkormats give you a version of the F or F2 for less money but rather a totally different (different not worse in some respect they are better) camera to use the F lenses.

 

[Dan Fromm]

My first real camera was a Nikkormat FTN, bought instead of a Nikon F with Photomic FTN finder for several reasons. Cost. $50 less at the 4 Wing RCAF annual photofair. Balance. To my taste, the F with Photomic finder and 50/1.4 is too front heavy. No perceived need for interchangeable back, finder, or screens. I still don't feel the need.

When my 'mat was stolen in 1986 I replaced it with an FM2n. The FM2n has the same functionality, with higher top shutter speed, a longer-lived metering system (no ring resistor around the lens mount) and is much lighter. The 'mat's only advantage over the FM2n is that it is faster working. Its shutter speed control is concentric with the lens mount so one doesn't have to take the right hand away from the lens to change the shutter speed.

My wife has a Nikkormat ELW, I've had a couple of ELs. The FE2 does the same and is lighter.

Lighter is good.

 

[Toyo]

The FTN and FT2 are cameras that I have, and use.
They are, simple and ultra reliable. I have bought half a dozen of these for student use because they never let me down even after all this time.
I can't understand why they are so cheap, as they are a real masterpiece of quality engineering - made at a time when pride in workmanship was a common practice.
We use the sunny-16 guide for exposure and don't even worry about batteries.
Highly recommended
T

 

[blockend]

Solid, heavy, meter takes non-existent battery, otherwise excellent in every way. Nikon metering is antiquated, use a light meter or a phone app. One of my Nikkormats is dented on every surface and still works perfectly. They don't make them like they used to could have been coined for the NIkkormat.

 

[Ste_S]

Thanks folks. Have taken the plunge with the FT2. It comes with a Soligor 28mm f2.8 which may/may not be ok judging from internet reports, and bought separately a Nikon 35mm f2.8 non-ai for my preferred focal length.
I'll of course get a 50(ish)mm if I get on with the camera.

I can't understand why they are so cheap, as they are a real masterpiece of quality engineering - made at a time when pride in workmanship was a common practice.

Yeah. This one was £49 with the Soligor from a reputable dealer - seems strange that prices haven't crept up.
I suppose people are plumping for the F/F2s, and there appears to be plenty of 'mat's out there unlike something like the S series.

 

[Jim Jones]

The FTN and FT2 are cameras that I have, and use.
They are, simple and ultra reliable. I have bought half a dozen of these for student use because they never let me down even after all this time.
I can't understand why they are so cheap, as they are a real masterpiece of quality engineering - made at a time when pride in workmanship was a common practice.
We use the sunny-16 guide for exposure and don't even worry about batteries.
Highly recommended
T

My experience for over several decades with Nikon F and several variations of Nikkormats confirms this. The Nikon F was a system camera with the ability to use a wide variety of accessories such as a bulk film back, a variety of viewfinder options, and a Polaroid back. The Nikkormat was a durable basic camera without such options. It also had a few peculiarities, such as that shutter speed dial. However, it seemed as durable as the F. The old Nikkorex was a different beast, and less reliable.

 

[blockend]

Thanks folks. Have taken the plunge with the FT2. It comes with a Soligor 28mm f2.8 which may/may not be ok judging from internet reports, and bought separately a Nikon 35mm f2.8 non-ai for my preferred focal length.
I'll of course get a 50(ish)mm if I get on with the camera.

You'll need to learn the Nikon lens mounting trick if you haven't already done so. Set aperture to 5.6 to engage lens fork with pin on body. Then twist to largest and smallest aperture to register metering range, It sounds complicated but becomes instinctive.
Keep an open mind on the Soligor, some off brand lenses are lousy, others like my old Kiron 28mm are excellent. All the pre-AI lenses are good and the 35 2.8 is no exception.

 

[Charles Escott-New]

Congratulations on your choice, I have far too many cameras including most of the iconic models but if I had to make do with a one camera set up it would be my FT2 with 35 and 105 pre-A1 lenses.Enjoy your time shooting in a really classic way.

 

[Cholentpot]

Battery thing means I use mine with sunny 16. No problems really. It also doubles as a PDW.

 

[guangong]

I have an EL and have not experienced any problem getting batteries. Not familiar with other models. But, as everyone has noted, built like proverbial tank. One problem with many Nikon meters is that the same part dies in all cameras so possibility for salvage from another non-functioning meter is slim. But working models are so cheap, when one goes phooey just buy a replacement.

 

[Chan Tran]

I have an EL and have not experienced any problem getting batteries. Not familiar with other models. But, as everyone has noted, built like proverbial tank. One problem with many Nikon meters is that the same part dies in all cameras so possibility for salvage from another non-functioning meter is slim. But working models are so cheap, when one goes phooey just buy a replacement.

The EL is different from the other older Nikkormat's. It took silver oxide batteries.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

FT2 Nikkormat is the best of all worlds.

The FT2 takes modern batteries, earlier Nikkormats do not. There are modern batteries that work in it: simple 1.5v silver oxide.

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/battery-for-nikkormat-ft2.19904/

In my FT2, the meter matches my Sekonic L-308S every time and has done so in every situation for over a year.

The FT2 meters wide open with both pre-AI and AI lenses, the FT3 requires stop-down with pre-AI.


Also has:

* mirror lock-up
* convenient depth-of-field preview
* self-timer
* shutter speed visible in viewfinder



Great review site:

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

 

[Nick Merritt]

Even better, get the FS! (No meter at all.) The "jumpy" meter needle is a real hassle; the newer the camera, the less likely this will manifest itself, so the FT3 might be your best bet. But my first SLR was an FT2 with the 50/2; great camera (as they all are). And I like the EL series a lot, too.

 

[macfred]

I have three Nikon F2 and I had a Nikon EL2 that I really liked - unfortunately I sold this gem ... I can recommend the EL2 as a reliable tool.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikkormat/elseries/el2/index.htm

Nikon EL2 by Andreas, on Flickr

Nikon EL2 by Andreas, on Flickr

 

[Ste_S]

The FT2 arrived today. Considering it's 40 years old it's in great shape and the build quality is fantastic. Love the shot indicator and top plate light meter gages.
Took it for a quick spin on my lunch break with a test roll of Colorplus and had a blast firing off a few shots. For the most part it's very easy to use, with a slight quibble over the fiddly film speed selector and the shutter speed selector.
Light meter seems spot on - metered a scene with the camera and an iPhone app and they matched each other perfectly.
Hopefully will get a more extended outing with it tomorrow.

 

[dynachrome]

Of my various Nikkormat and Nikomat cameras I use the FT2 models most. The FT-2 used a standard 357/MS76 battery so that's handy. It works well with either pre-AI or AI/AIS lenses. With the FT3 you need to flip up the AI tab and resort to stop-down metering with pre-AI lenses. From what I have seen, the electronics in the EL/ELW/EL2 did not hold up as well as those in the later Nikon FE/FE2 cameras. If I know I will not be shooting with a flash or not needing a higher flash synch speed, I prefer a Canon FTb/FTbN. The Canons have fewer meter problems and also have more of a limited area metering angle. The Canon's mirror lock-up is easier to engage than the one on a Nikkormat. For inexpensive standard lenses, the 50/2 Nikkors and 50/1.8 Canon FDs are both very good. What about the 35/2.8 Nikkors. My favorites are the six element 'K' and first version AI models. I think these are better than the earlier 35/2.8 or the later five element AI/AIS models. Canon did make a 35/2.8 New FD which is not bad if stopped down but still not as good as the six element Nikkor 35s.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

As indicated on these pages for the FT2,

https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikkormat/fseries/ft2/htmls/index.htm

the 12mm circle defines the 60% center-weighted metering area.

 

[Ste_S]

What about the 35/2.8 Nikkors. My favorites are the six element 'K' and first version AI models. I think these are better than the earlier 35/2.8 or the later five element AI/AIS models

The shop in the end couldn't find the non-ai 35mm, and subbed in a more expensive ai 35mm for no extra charge. I think its the six elements/six groups version

 

[George Mann]

From what I have seen, the electronics in the EL/ELW/EL2 did not hold up as well as those in the later Nikon FE/FE2 cameras.

It is actually the EL, ELW and FE models that have failed with time. The EL2 and FE2 are solid.

 

[Jim Jones]

I agree. It didn't take much time for my EL to fail.

 

[flavio81]

I'm laughing over the fear of the Nikkormat EL. It is a reliable camera, if there is an electrical problem, it must be simple corrosion.

The EL2 uses almost the same circuit as the FE which is a proven reliable camera. The FE is a well liked Nikon and the EL2 is like an FE but with much better build quality.

For me the EL and EL2 are some of the best nikons ever.

Now, the Nikkormat are really tough and reliable cameras but the resistor ring around the lens mount should get a CLA a few years so it lasts and work properly. My only problem with then is that the shutter speed selector, at some speeds, interfere with lens mounting, so it makes lens mounting slower.

The FTN is almost as good as the FT2, just use a 675 hearing aid zinc-air battery in place of the original px625, and it will work perfectly.

I do feel the EL and EL2 have a smoother shutter and mirror action than the FTN. The FT2 i can't remember.

 

[George Mann]

The EL2 uses almost the same circuit as the FE which is a proven reliable camera.

Yes, but the FE has a fragile plastic resistor ring which renders the camera into an unrepairable doorstop when it breaks!