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Posted by Aurore on January 06, 2002 at 13:29:21:
In Reply to: Re: HELP! PX625 ? and old camera info posted by George Leifer on January 06, 2002 at 02:49:57:
: : The FTb is a rock-solid monster from the past, and noone makes cameras like this today. Concerning the battery, it is IMPOSSIBLE to recalibrate a camera for alkaline cells since these cells do not have a constant voltage over time. Most cameras can be recalibrated for silver-oxide cells but these are not available in 625 format.
: : All you can do is
: : - use the MRB625 Wein cell (available from Micro-Tools and other sources)
: : - use the MR-9 battery adapter which regulates the voltage of a silver oxide cell inserted into it to the proper voltage required by a camera designed for mercury cells.
: : If you plan to buy another 70s SLR I would recommend you to stick to Canon. All the FTb lenses will work on later models such as the AE1 (with some functional restrictions) but you won't have to buy another set of lenses
: --------------------------------------------------
: If you want a great step up from the FTb,go for the Canon A1; also a manual model, but a model many professional photographers have used. It will use all of your lenses, and offer you more exposure modes. Used, it will cost about $200 to $300,for one in good condition, with no shutter squeak, a condition,common to many later Canon manual models, indicating the need for a maintenance cleaning.
: The investment is worth it,however,and your A1 can use both Silver and Alkaline oxide batteries.
: Don't ditch your FTbn, the purchase of the Wein cell, or other replacement cell,will still let you use your metering system w/ reasonable accuracy w/ most print films, because most permit a pretty decent latitude or margin of exposure error;in some cases as much as 1 to 2 f stops,when using ASA 100 to 200 color print film. Many Pro's only use film whose ASA rating is 100 or below. And, some employ a method called Pushing the film,to achieve even wider latitude, but that subject is one for a later discussion.
: Yout FTBn, is also a great camera to keep,because it is not dependent upon batteries to function,except for using its light meter, and it has QL or Quick Load which let you quickly load your film. I don't know why Canon stopped offering it in its later manual models, like the A1, unless it was to cut production costs.
: I've owned two FTBn's and I have an A1 that I bought used (seven years ago) upon the recommendation of the photographer at my wedding.
: Believe me, I regret previously having sold my FTBn's, but not the purchase of my A1. Too bad I don't still own both. Good luck!
: George
Thanks for all the great info. Glad to know my camera is not recalibrated. I plan on using the PX 625, either getting it through european relatives (if they can find it) or online. I LOVE my FTb QL, I plan on keeping it forever. I got it in PERFECT condition at a pawn shop for FIFTY dollars, with a 50mm F:1.4 lens. Now that I know more about it I realize what a great deal I got. I only wish I could find a replacement nob for the rewind button so I could make double exposures. I was thinking I would just get a better canon, so I wouldn't have to buy more lenses, thanks for the suggestion. I HATE using a flash, so although I try to keep my ASA low, I usually use 400, because I take a lot of low light pictures, in clubs where my husband plays Saxophone, there's never any light in there. As far as pushing goes, I don't have that option just yet, though I'm working on acquiring darkroom equipment, maybe one day. Wish I knew someone with a darkroom setup! I've got about 30 undeveloped rolls of film, because I won't let my film be developed at Walgreens, but the pro labs are so expensive... Well, thanks for the info, I'm off to look at A1 prices on Ebay, but I'm also going to keep my eyes open at my favorite local pawn shop, maybe I'll get another steal. :)
Aurore
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