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Posted by George Leifer on January 06, 2002 at 02:49:57:
In Reply to: Re: HELP! PX625 ? and old camera info posted by Winfried on January 06, 2002 at 00:47:26:
: 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
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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
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