This was my very first film camera that I used extensively, the Canon FTb QL. I was given this camera from my father when I took a photography course in high school. The requirements for the course were that the camera had have all manual controls. Ever since high school I carried that camera with me everywhere! it came to collage with me, back packing up mountains in Alberta and British Colombia and to Nova Scotia Canada, and of course around town where I reside today.
The Canon FTb QL was the replacement of the Canon FT QL and was made in 1974 to 1977 and took 35mm film, according to its serial number this particular camera was made in February of 1974. It was marketed for the advanced amateur or semi-pro photographer and was launched along side with the professional series Canon F1.
The Camera had a few features including mirror lock up, self timer and multiple exposure. Even though multiple exposures are able to be made it’s a tricky and lengthy process. The Camera also had a built in light meter using match needle mechanism, one needle was coupled with the aperture ring on the lens and the other needle with a circle in it (looking like a match head) was coupled with the shutter speed and film sensitivity. You would then line both needles up to produce a proper exposure.
The Specs:
Type of camera: Manual miniature single lens reflex (SLR)
Film/picture format: 35mm film producing a picture format of 24x36mm
Lens Mount: Canon FD Bayonet ring
Lenses: Manual focusing FD prime and zoom lenses
Shutter: Horizontal cloth Focal plane shutter with shutter speeds from 1/1000 of a second to 1 second with 1/3 increments including Bulb setting.
Exposure metering: Provided through viewfinder
Viewfinder: Fixed Viewfinder with 94% coverage of image area
Focusing screen: Split image
Reflex mirror: Automatic instant-return with lock up capability
Depth-of-field preview: Yes, with use of lever on lens
Frame counter: additive type
Power source: yes 1.3v mercury battery cell to power exposure meter
Camera Back: fixed hinge.
Body Finish: Chrome with black leatherette