Canon FTb User manual

Canon
INSTRUCTIONS
~ w~m
Engl ish Ed ition

We are hig hly g ratified that you have selected the
Canon FTb-a wise choice that promises you many
delig htful year s of photo graphic experiences. Canon
is recognized
the world over as the foremost pioneer
in
the development of photographic equipment of
the hig hest quality and performance . Whether your
FTb is for the home, laboratory , or for traveling, make
the most of your opportunities!
Before Using .. .
Please read this instruction booklet carefully, and
master the manipulations of the various parts of the
FTb completely . Throughly versed in the correct
handlin g of this camera , you can use the Canon
FTb
to the fullest extent of its capabilities .

Canon Lens FD 50mm F 1.4S.S.C .
F
oc u sing
Meter ~\Ali t ("' h--
Film Rewind
A ccessory Shoe
Bayonet Ring for Cap and Hood
Coupling Pin to F las h·Aut o Ring Ad B.
Stopped · Down
ring / Self · Timer Lever
., Fi lm Advance
Lever
Shu tt er Speed Dia
Film Plane Indicator

Contents
Technical Data 8
Mercury Battery Loading and Checking
10
Film Winding.
12
Shutter and Aperture Adjustment
14
Using Built·in Exposure Meter
18
Exposure Settings .
20
Coupling Range of Buitt·in Exposure Meter
24
Viewing and Focusing.
25
Holding the Camera 27
Film Loading.
29
Film Rewinding.
32
Synchronizing Flash Unit
33
Uses of Lenses .
35
Using Self·Timer
41
Double Exposures
42
Filters
43
Interchangeable Lenses and Accessories.
44
Proper Care of the Camera.
47
5

Follow These Simple Steps
for
Normal Photography
1Load the film with the QL mechanism .
2Set the ASA film speed.
3Wind the film advance lever.
4Remove the lens cap.
"6

5Look through the viewfinder and focus.
6
Determine the exposure by adjusting the shutter speed
dial and the preset aperture ring.
7Compose the picture .
8Press the shutter release button gently .
7

Technical Data
• Type: 35mm slnsle·lens reflex camera with focal plane shutter. Picture size; 24x36mm.
• InterchanpableLenses:
Canon FD series lenses with full aperture slsnallever.
• Standard Lens:
Canon lens FD 55mm F1.2S.S.C., FD 50mmF 1.4S.S.C., FD 50mm F1.8 S.C.
• Viewfinder: Eye·level uslns pentasonal prism. Ansle Finders A, A2 and B, Masnlfler S, Dioptric
Adjustment Lenses can be attached.
• Focuslns Screen: UsinS Fresnel lens and microprlsm screen ranseflnder. With meterIns
beam·spllttlns condenser.
• Fleld-of·Vlew: 94%
of actual picture area. 0.85x with standard 50mm lens at infinity.
• VIewfinder Information: Meter needle
and aperture neadle, red slsnallndicating outside lower
side
of meter coupling ran,e, meter Index for stopped'down meterln, and battery check use,
and coupllns range limit marks.
• Dioptric Adjustment Lenses: Standerd
-1.2 diopter. Interchangeable with +1.5, 0, -2.5,
and - 4.
• Mirror: Shockless quick return system. Mirror can be fixed In upward position. Aperture is
manually operated when mirror Is fixed In upward position.
• Lens Mount: Bayonet type
FD mount. FL and R series of lenses mountable.
• Couplln, Function of Lenses:
FD lenses; full aperture meterln" coupled with .utomatlc dla·
phra,m.
FL lenses; stopped·down metering, coupled with automatic diaphragm. R lenses;
stopped·down meterlns, manually operated dlaphra,m.
• Shutter: Focal plane shutter with speeds from
1/1000 to 1 sec. and B. Multiple series.
Equllnt8rvallndex. X contact
at II 60 " • Shutter release button can be locked.
• Self·Tlmer: Built in. Activate with shutter release button. Approx. 10sec. time lag. Self·
timer lever Is used In common
as stopped·down functlonln,lever. .
• Film
Speed Scale: ASA 25-2000.
• Exposure Meter: Built In. Usln, CdS photocell. Coupled to shutter speeds, film speeds and
f/stop . .Match needle type full aperture measuring mechanism. Central area metering system,
measures 12% of picture area. Stopped·down metering possible. Fixed dot type metering,

. using stopped·down metering lever. Locking of lever possible. Powered by one 1.3v M20
(#625) mercury battery. Battery checker built in.
• Exposure Meter Coupling Range: With
ASA 100 film , EV 2.5 (f/1.2 at 1/4 sec.)-EV 18 (f/16
at 1/1000sec.) .
• Ultra·low Illumination Metering: Metering possible between
ASA 100 film EV 10 (f/22 at
1/2 sec.) and EV - 3.5 (f/1.2 at 15 sec.) with use of Canon Booster.
• Flash Synchronization:
FP and X contact. Automatic time lag adjusting type. Flash socket
on front side of body. Two exclusive contacts on accessory shoe.
• Canon Auto Tuning (CAT) System: Aperture control by recharging power level signal and
distance signal. .Proper aperture obtained by meter matching needle system through connection
of Canon Speedlite
1330, Flash Coupler A2/B2 and prescribed FD 50mm F 1.4 S.S.C., FD 50mm
F l.8 S.C. , FD 35mm F 3.5 S.C. or FD 35mm F2 S.S .C. lenses.
• Synchronizing Range: FPclass ;
1/1000-1/125 sec., 1/ 30 sec. or under. Speedlite; 1/60
sec. or under. M, MF class; 1/30 sec. or under.
• Film Loading: By opening back cover. Accepts any standard
35mm film roll in cartridge. QL
mechanism for quick loading of film.
• Film Advance Lever : Single operation
174 ' . Short·stroke winding possible.
• Film
Rew i nding: Performed by rewind button and crank.
• Double Exposure : Possible by operating
film rewind button and crank.
• Frame Counter: Self'resetting type activated by opening back cover.
• Size:
144 x 93 x 43mm (5" .. x 3" .. x 1 ~ .. ).
• Weight :
750g (1.46Ibs . )-body only.
Subject to alterations .
"Spectra Coating" and "Super Spectra Coati ng"
shall be abbreviated as "S .C." and "S .S.C ." res ·
pectively.

Mercury Battery Loading and Checking
The built ·in exposure meter of the Canon FTb functions
only when the mercury battery is properly loaded.
1
Insert a coin into the groove of the battery compartment
cover and turn it to the left to remove.
2Face
the central contact (8 ) of the mercury battery
inwards and insert.
3Replace the cover by turning it to the right.
• Before inserting, wipe off the fingerprints or stains from
the battery poles with a dry cloth. Otherwise, the meter
may not function due to imperfect contact, and dirty poles
may cause corrosion and damage the contact points of the
camera.
• A
1.3 v M20 (# 625) mercury battery should be used-
equivalent to Mallory PX · 625 , Eveready EPX·625 .
• Be sure
to insert the pattery in the correct direction by
referring to the diagram on the compartment cover. Other·
wise, the cover cannot be properly screwed in,
• When
the camera is not to be used for a long period, reo
move the mercury battery and keep the camera in a dry
place.
10

Meter Needle
Sufficient
Insufficient
eM ust be replaced )
Battery Check
Check the power level of the mercury battery after loading
it.
1Set the film speed scale at ASA 100 and the shutter
speed dial at" 1000". For setting the film speed, lift
up the outer ring of the shutter speed dial and turn . (See
page
19.)
• A correct check cannot be made if other settings are
used.
2Turn
the meter switch , on the outer side of the film
rewind crank , to the" C" index.
3
If the meter needle inside the viewfinder swings to the
meter index, the battery has sufficient power. If the
needle stays below the meter index , voltage is insufficient
and the battery must be replaced.
• When
removing your finger from the meter switch, it will
automatically return to the "OFF " index from" C ".
• Life of the battery in normal use is approximately one
year.
11

Film Winding
The film advance lever winds the film , cocks the shutter ,
and
prepares the aperture and mirror for the next shutter
release all in one motion .
1
Turn the film advance lever until it stops . The film will
be advanced one frame and the shutter cocked. The
frame counter is simultaneously advanced to the next
number.
2When
the shutter release button is pressed, the mirror
flips up, the diaphragm simultaneously closes down to
the preset f/stop and the shutter operates . After the
shutter is operated , the advance lever can be wound for the
next frame.
• Be sure to set the shutter lock lever at " A" .
•
Winding may be done by moving the lever with several
short strokes.
• After loading the film, make another wind, because the
first winding may not be complete .
• The
shutter will not function when pressing the shutter
release button unless winding is completed. In such a
case,
check the winding once more.
12

Frame Counter
Each winding will advance the number of the frame counter,
indicating the number of pictures taken . When the back
cover is opened,
the counter automatically returns to
starting position " S " .
Safety Device for Shutter
When the shutter lock lever around the shutter release
button is turned to .. L " position , the shutter is locked
and
will not move. This device may be used when the
camera is carried in a wound condition.
Attaching the Cable Release
Optional Canon Release can be attached to 'the FTb by
screwing it into the threaded hole in the center of the shut ·
ter release button . The use of a cable release is recom-
mended
when photographing with extended time exposure
or slow shutter speeds, and for copy work.
Even
if the shutter lock lever is at .. L" position, the
shutter will operate by using the release.
13

Shutter and Aperture Adjustment
Exposures are adjusted by the s hutter and aperture . The
shutter controls the exposure time and the aper ture con·
trois the amount of incoming lig ht . The Canon FTb uses
a
match needle meter , a very s imple method of obtaining
proper exposures.
Shutter Speed Dial
Adjust the shutter speed by turning the shutter speed dial
to the desired index number . The index on the dial shows
the denominators of 1/1000sec ., 1/500sec., etc .
• The
shutter speed dial does not revolve between indexes
"1000" and "S" .
•
Se sure to set the index at a position where the click ·
stop catches. In case of " S " index , adjust it to the white
dot just below the" S" index .
• "
S" indicates bulb exposure , and is used when making
exposures of more than one second. When the shutter
speed dial is set at " S " , the shutter remains open as long
as
the shutter release button is pressed.
• When
time exposure is necessary to make an exposure
over an
extended time, first set the shutter speed dial at
" S ". Keep the shutter release button pressed, and turn
the time lock lever to " L " . The shutte r remains open
even
if the finger is removed from the button . When the
lever is returned to " A ", the shutter closes.
•
Time exposure is also possible by using the lockable
14

Green Ma rk
Ape r ture ( For EE
Scale photography )
Preset
Aperture Ring
Index
EE Lock Pin
cable release.
•
It is possible to perform a long· time exposure measure·
ment by attach i ng the optional Canon Booster, the auxilia·
ry meter for measuring subjects under dim light .
•
The " 60 " index is used for synchronizing an electron ic
flash
unit such as Canon Speed lite . It is equivalent to
a very short exposure time dur ing the flash of the flash unit.
Aperture
Incoming light and depth·of · field are adjusted by turning
the preset aperture ring to the desired f/stop.
• As the f/stop number gets larger, the amount of light
reaching the film plane becomes correspondingly less. For
each
f/stop up , the light is reduced one·half . Accordingly,
when
the aperture is increased by one f/stop, the exposure
is doubled, and when
it is increased by two f/stops the
exposure is quadrupled.
• Certain lenses, however, have no
relation to the bright·
ness halved between the maximum and the next f/stops on
the preset aperture ring .
• The
ratio between the aperture and the amount of ex·
posure,
using f/2 as the basis, is as follows :
f/stop:
1.2 1.4 1.8 2 2.8 3.5 4 5.6 8 11
16
22
Exposure Ratio:
3 2 1.25 1 1/2 1/3 1/4 1/8 1/16 1/32 1/64 1/128
15

• The preset aperture ring can also be set between two
f/stops .
Presetting of Aperture
In the case of the FD or FL lens, the field · of ·view can always
be seen
through the viewfinder at full aperture opening even
after the f/stop has been set with the preset aperture ring .
Set the desired f/stop on the preset aperture ring to the
index . The diaphragm will close down to the preset f/stop
only for the instant that the shutter is released. Except
for that instant, the diaphragm remains fully open.
Manual Control of Aperture
1By
pressing down or locking the stopped·down functioning
lever and turning the preset aperture ring , the diaphragm
can be closed down to any f/ stop and the depth·of · field at
the time of shutter release can be checked. When the lever
is returned to its original posit ion, the diaphragm again re-
turns to maximum opening .
• The
aperture is manually stopped down also when per-
forming close-up photography and macrophotography.
2When an accessory is used between
the lens and the
camera body, turn the automatic/manual aperture lever
of the lens counterclockwise all the way before mounting
the lens. This locks the lever and the diaphragm can be
opened
or closed by turning the preset aperture ring. For
releasing the lever, turn it clockwise.
16
FD 50mm F l.4 S.S.C.
Automatic / Manual
Aperture Lever

FD 50mm F 1.8 S.C.
an uaI Lock Lever
Automatic / Manual
Aperture Lever
3 In case of Canon FD Lens 50mm F 1.8 S.C., turn the
automatic aperture lever of the lens counterclockwise all
the way and set the manual lock lever at " L" position be-
fore mounting the lens. This manual lock lever locks the
automatic aperture lever and the diaphragm can be opened
or closed by turning the preset aperture ring . For releasing
the lever, return the manual lock lever to the original posi-
tion (white dot).
With the use of this lock, photography using manually oper-
ated
aperture can also be performed on Canon single-lens
reflex cameras like FX besides the TLb, FTb, FT QL and F-1.
But do not use it together with Canonflex R, RP , RM and
R2000 .
4 When using the lens attached reversely to the macro-
photo coupler for duplicating photography , macrophoto-
graphy , etc " set the automatic aperture lever of the lens in
the position for manual operation , attach the macrohood
of the macrophoto coupler to the mounting section of the
lens, and turn the bayonet ring until it locks.
17

Using Built -in Exposure Meter
Canon FTb provides the most accurate light measurement
possible with its unique TTL (Through·The ·Lens) system .
The
built ·in exposure meter, which is of match needle type,
is coupled to the ASA film speed scale, shutter speed dial
and
preset aperture ring.
The CdS
photocell of the exposure meter is placed in the
closest position to the beam·splitting condenser lens. The
central area metering system enables accurate measure·
ment of the main subject even in counterlight .
The
rectangular frame in the viewfinder represents the
light measurement area of the CdS photocell. Place the
main subject within this frame and measure the intensity
of light so as to obtain the proper exposure.
• The
correction of the full aperture opening of the lens is
performed automatically. Therefore, the operation does
not change regardless of the speed of the lens used. An
FL lens can be used only with stopped·down metering.
• Due to the characteristics of the CdS photocell, the
movement of the meter needle may occasionally become
slack,
owing to changes in the degree of light.
• Metering at "B" on the shutter speed dial is not possible
with the built·in exposure meter, because" B " is used for
long exposures over one second.
• Always use a lens hood when
shooting against the
light .
18
I
-e
•
I

• When not using the camera, set the meter switch at
.. OFF" or attach the lens cap so as to prevent unnecessary
consumption of the mercury battery.
Film Speed Setting
Set the ASA film speed scale to the speed of the film being
used. Film speeds are
normally shown on the film box cover
and/or explanatory sheet.
Lift and turn the film speed set ring around the shutter
speed dial. If the film is ASA 100, for example, make the
correct setting by showing" 100" in the small window.
• The
following film speeds may be used:
(32) (40) (64) (SO) (125) (160) (250) (320) (500) (640)
ASA 25·· 50 .. 100 .. 200 .. 400 .. 800
DIN 15·· 18 .. 21·· 24·· 27·· 30
(16) (17) (19) (20) (22) (23) (25) (26) (28) (29)
(1000) (1250) (2000)
.. 1600 .
33 .
(31) (32) (34)
Figures in parentheses represent intermediate film speeds.
•
When" 25" appears in the small window, this is as far
as the film speed setting ring will turn to the left. The
dot at the right·turn extremity reads ASA 2000.
19

Exposure Settings
Full Aperture Metering
Full aperture metering can be performed with an FD lens
which has an aperture signal lever and pin.
1 Set the meter switch at .. ON ".
2 Set the shutter speed dial at the desired speed.
3Face
the camera towards the subject, look into the view·
finder, and check the position of the meter needle and
aperture needle.
•
The meter needle is coupled to the film and shutter
speeds, and moves vertically according to the brightness
of the subject. The aperture needle, with a round circle ,
is
coupled to the preset aperture ring of the FD lens.
4
Turn the preset aperture ring and align the aperture
needle with the meter needle.
•
The green mark (circle) on the preset aperture ring is for
Servo EE Finder with Canon F·l use only.
• In the case of f/stop priority, turn the shutter speed
dial and
align the meter needle with the aperture needle.
Be
sure to set the shutter speed dial at the click · stopped
positions .
5 If the aperture needle does not align with the meter
needle by turning the preset aperture ring, it means
that the shutter speed is not properly set. In this case,
20