Canon FTb

Canon FTb #611340

The Canon FTb was introduced in 1971. The principal advantage of this camera, with respect to the FT which it replaced, was the addition of open-aperture metering. Open-aperture metering allowed the photographer to set exposure while the lens remained at maximum aperture for precise focusing. The basic design and features of the FTb are extensions of the design which was first introduced as the Canon FX. The differences are outlined below.

Light Meter

The light meter of the FTb is of the TTL (through-the-lens) type and the switch is mounted on top of the camera, concentric with the rewind crank. This switch replaces the range selector of the FX, which is not required with the improved meter of the FTb.

New Lenses

The FTb was designed to use the FD series of lenses, which was introduced concurrently with the FTb. The FD lens mount adds an additional lever to communicate the current aperture setting to the camera. This allows the FTb to calculate the proper aperture/shutter speed combination while the actual lens opening remains at maximum aperture. Older Canon SLRs (such as the FT) required the photographer to close the lens to the selected aperture in order to check exposure.

The older FL series of lenses can be used with the FTb, but require the photographer to use the stop-down metering technique, as is done with the older Canon SLRs.