Canon introduced the FTb in 1971. This was Canon’s first SLR designed to use the new FD lenses. The difference between the FL and the FD lenses was an updated lens-to-body coupling, which permitted full-aperture metering. FL lenses could still be mounted on the FTb, but the aperture ring must be moved off the “A” setting.
The FTb closely resembles the FT, retaining such features as the QL quick loading feature, the same range of shutter speeds and the selective-area metering system. Additional features that came with the FTb included a hot shoe and a multi-function lever that controlled the self-timer, mirror lock-up, and lens stop-down.
The multi-function lever is positioned adjacent to the lens mount and is quite ingenious. When facing the camera, rotating the lever fully counter-clockwise activates the self-timer, which is fired via the shutter release. Pushing the lever clockwise stops the lens down to check depth of field, but only if the lens is off the “A” setting. Moving the small knob on the bottom of the assembly to the “L” position and pushing the lever clockwise locks the lens in the stopped-down position. Moving the small knob to the “M” position raises the mirror. To re-set everything, just move the small knob back to its original position.
The shutter is an all mechanical horizontally travelling rubberized silk focal plane. Shutter speeds range up to 1000th of a second. The metering on this camera is powered by a single 1.35 volt 625 type mercury cell (such as the Mallory PX-625 or Eveready EPX-625). The CdS light meter was of the “Match Needle” variety in which the user had to set both shutter speed and aperture so that the Meter Needle lined up with the Aperture Needle.
The Canon FTb is a solid 35mm film camera, still admired and used by photographers looking for a quality mechanical camera.
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