Film cameras
Canon FT QL User manual
User manual for Canon FT QL. 43 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Canon
- Model / document
- Canon FT QL
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 43
- File size
- 3.6 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
We are highly gratified that you have selected
the Canon FT-a wise choice that promises you
many delightful years of photographic experiences.
Canon is recognized the world over as the fore-
most pioneer in the development of photographic
equipment of the highest quality and performance.
Whether your new FT is for the home, labora-
tory, or for traveling, ffiake the most of your
opportunities !
Before Using . . .
Please read this instruction booklet carefully, and
master the manipulations of the various parts of
the FT com pletely. Once thorough ly versed in the
correct handling of this camera, you can use the
Ca non FT to the f u llest extent of its ca pa bilities.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 3Page 8 · Read text
Follow these simple steps for normal photography : I f-o.a the film simply with the QL mechanism' 2 Set the ASA film sPeed. 3 Wind the film advance lever Remove the lens caP. :View original page 8
Page 9 · Read text
5 Look through the viewfinder and focus.
Compose the picture.\.6
7 Determine the exposure with built.in meter.
ter release button gently.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 9Page 10 · Read text
Mercury Battery loading and Checking The built-in exposure meter of the Canon FT functions only when the mercury battery is properly loaded. I Insert a coin into the groove of the battery compart- I ment cover and turn to the left to remove. Face the central contact of the m€rcury battery in',L wards and insert. Replace the cover by turning it to the right. Central ContactI r,r Before inserting, wipe all battery poles clean of finger' prints or stains with a dry cloth. Unclean poles may cause corrosion and damage the contact points of the camera. r A 1.3v M2O (*6251 mercury battery should be used- equivalent to Mallory RM-625R, Eveready E625N, Burgess He-625R. r Be sure the battery is inserted in the correct direction by referring to the diagram on the compartment cover. Othenvise, the meter will not function properly and the cover cannot be screwed in. r When the camera is not to be used for a long period, remove the mercury battery and keep in a dry place.View original page 10
Page 11 · Read text
Battery Gheck
Check the mercury battery after loading it. Especially
when loading a new battery, be sure to check the voltage.
I Set the film speed scale at ASA 100/DlN 21 and the I shutter speed dial at " X ". For the film speed setting,
lift up the outer ring of the shutter speed dial and turn.
See page 16.
r An accurate check cannot be made if settings other
than those mentioned above are used.
,) Turn the battery check lever on the outer side of the
L film rewind crank to " C " index.
lf the meter needle inside the viewfinder swings up to ? r l' or over the ' o " index, the battery has suff icient
power. lf the needle stays below the edge of the " o" at index, voltage is insufficient and the battery must be
replaced.
r Life of the battery in normal use is approximately one
Year.
Sufficient Power
t
I
lnsufficient Power
(Must be replaced)
www.orphancameras.comView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
tilm Winding
The film advance lever winds the f ilm, cocks the shutter,
and prepares the aperture and mirror for the next shutter
release all in one motion. f I Turn the film advance lever until it stops. The film
I' will be advanced one frame and the shutter cocked. i, .idqo.L
The frame counter is simultaneously advanced to the {i next number. i
I,- Whenflips up,the theshutterdiaphragmrelease simultaneouslybutton is pressed,closesthe mirrordown
to the pre-set f/stop and the shutter operates. After the
shutter is operated, the advance lever can be wound for
the next frame.
r Be sure that the safety lock lever is set at " A ".
r Winding may be done by moving the lever with several
short strokes.
r After loading the film, make another wind, since the
first winding may not be complete.
r The shutter will not f unction when pressing the shutter
release button unless the winding is completed. In such
a case, check the winding once more.
Frame Gounter
Each winding will advance the number of the frame
counter, indicating the number of pictures taken. When
the back cover is opened, the indicator automatically
returns to starting position " S ".
10View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
Safety Device for Shutter
When the safety lock lever around the shutter release
button is turned to the " 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 Gable Release
Optional Canon Release can be attached to the FT by
screwing it into the threaded hole in the center of the
shutter release button. Even if the safety lock lever is at
" L" position, the shutter will operate by using the cable
release.
11
www.orphancameras.comView original page 13Page 14 · Read text
Shutter and Aperture Adjustment
Exposures are adjusted by the shutter and aperture. The
shutter controls the exposure time and the aperture con-
trols the amount of incoming light. The Canon FT uses
the zero-adjustment coupled meter, a very simple 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 UlOOOsec., 1/5OOsec., etc.
r The shutter speed dial does not revolve between the
indexes "B" and "X".
I Be sure to set the index at a position where the click-
stop catches. In case of " B " index, adjust it to the
white dot just below the " B " index.
r " 8 " indicates bulb exposure, and is used when making
exposures of more than one second. When the shutter
speed dial is set at " B ", the shutter remains open as
long as the shutter release button is pressed.
r When time exposure is necessary to make an exposure
over an extended time, first set the shutter speed dial
at " B ". Keep the shutter release button pressed, and
turn the time lock lever to " L ". The shutter remains
open even if the finger is removed from the button.
When the lever is returned to " A ", the shutter closes.
r Time exposure is also possible by using the lockable
cable release.
12
4View original page 14Page 16 · Read text
ring to the index. The diaphragm will close down to the
pre-set f/stop only for the instant that the shutter is re- I ndex
leased. Except for that instant, the diaphragm remains
fully open. Pre-SetAperture Ring
7 Manually Operated Aperture: When the A-M ring L set at " M ", the diaphragm closes down to anyis
desired f/stop by turning the pre-set aperture ring and A-M Ring the depth-of-field at the time of shutter release can be
checked. When the A-M ring is reset at " A" the dia-
phragm again returns to maximum opening. FL 50mm F 1.4
Lens with Manual Aperture Ring
Pre-Setting of Aperture: Set the desired f/stop on I I the pre-set aperture ring to the index. Then set the
index of the manual aperture ring to this pre-set f/stop.
The diaphragm will close down to the pre-set f/stop only I ndex
for the instant that the shutter is released.
,) Manually Operated Aperture: When the manual aper- AperturePre-Set Ring
Man ual
Ring 3 ture ring is turned in the direction of closing down Aperture
the diaphragm, after setting the desired f/stop on the
pre-set aperture ring to the index, the diaphragm will
close down to the pre-set f/stop and the depth-of-field
can be checked. The manual aperture ring cannot be
turned when set at the maximum f/stop.
F 1.8 r Refer to pages 32-33 concerning depth-of-field. FL 85mm
l4View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
Relationship Between the Shutter, Diaphragm, and Mirror
Press the shutter release button. The shutter clicks. The diaphragm returns
The diaphragm closes to maximum opening.
down to pre-set f/stop.
Mirror begins to snap up. Mirror is up. Mirror returns to
the former position.
l5 www.orphancameras.comView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
Using Built-ln Exposure Meter
The Canon FT provides the most accurate light measure-
ment possible with it's unique TTL (Through-The-Lens) sys-
tem. The CdS photocell of the exposure meter is placed in
the closest position to the beam-splitting condenser lens.
The semi-spot meter reading system enables accurate
measurement of the main subject even in counter-light
conditions. The rectangular frame in the viewfinder rep-
resents 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.
Film Speed Setting
Set the ASA,/DIN film speed scale to the speed of the
film being used. Film speeds are normally shown on the
fifm box cover andior explanatory sheet.
Lift and turn the film speed set ring around the shutter
speed dial. lf the film is ASA 1O0, for example, make
the correct setting by showing lOO in the small window.
r The following film speeds may be used :
(32) (40) (64) (80) 025) (160) (250) (320) (s00) (640)
ASA 25..50. 100 .200..400..800
DIN 15 18 21 24 27 30
(28) (29) (16) 07) 09) (20) (22) Q3) (25) Q6)
0000) 0250) (2000)
1 600
33 (31) (32) (34)
Figures in parentheses represent intermediate film speeds.
16View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
r When ASA 25/DlN 15 appear in the small windows,
this is as far as the film speed set ring turns to the left.
White dots at the right turn extremity read ASA 20OO and
DrN 34.
Metering Lever
The exposure can be properly measured by pressing the
metering lever towards the lens.
The metering lever can be fixed for continuous light meas-
urement by pressing it towards the lens after setting the
metering lever lock at " L" position. lf the lock is returned
to its original position (white.dot) the metering lever will
return to its original position.
r Correct exposure value cannot be obtained unless the
metering lever is pressed.
r With the fixing of the metering lever, telephoto lenses
can be conveniently handled. Also when shooting subjects
with different light intensities, continuous light measure-
ment is possible.
r 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.
r When not using the camera, attach the lens cap so as to
prevent unnecessary consumption of the mercury battery.
How to "Average " Exposures
When measuring a subject with greatly differing dark and
bright parts, take two measurements, one each of the dark
and bright parts. Then obtain the average value and set
the f 'stop or shutter speed accordingly.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 19Page 20 · Read text
Exposure Settings
The built-in exposure meter, which is of the zero'adjust-
ment type, is coupled to the shutter speed dial and pre-
set aperture ring. The exact exposure is easily deter-
be mined according to the brightness of the subject to
photographed. There are two ways of determining the
exposure-eitherbyfirstselectingtheshutterspeedor
by first selecting the f/stop of the aperture'
r With this latest FT, the meter needle may move even
when the metering lever is not pressed. When the meter
needle indicates the change of light volume, readjust
settings to obtain the correct exposure value by pressing
the metering lever.
Shutter Speed Priority Method
I Set the shutter speed dial at the desired speed.
I,) Face the camera towards the subject, lock into the
L viewfinder, and press the metering lever'
? Either keep pressing the metering lever or lock the t lever and turn the pre-set aperture ring.
index within the I Set the meter needle at the " o" .l viewfinder for correct exposure.
18View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
f/Stop Priority Method
1 set the pre-set aperture ring at the desired f/stop.
,) Face the camera towards the subject, look into the
L viewfinder, and press the metering lever.
? While pressing or locking the lever, turn the shutter t speed dial.
I Set the meter needle at the " o" index within the t viewfinder for correct exposure.
r Since the shutter speed dial cannot be set at the inter-
mediate positions, the shuttqr speed priority method is
recommended when exposure accuracy is a crucial factor.
r Light measurement at " B " and " X " of the shutter
speed dial is not possible with the built-in exposure meter
because " B " is used for long exposures over one second,
and " X " is for the electronic f lash unit.
r When the built-in exposure meter is outside the coupling
+ange, the meter needle will point to the top of the view-
finder and will indicate that proper exposure cannot be
obtained. Refer to "Cogpling Range of Built-ln Exposure
Meter " on the following page.
r Do not leave the camera on the conditions mentioned
above since the battery discharges in maximum current
and makes shorter the life. To prevent discharging be
sure to re-adjust the shutter speed dial.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 21Page 23 · Read text
Focusing
The center of the viewfinder (circular section) is a micro-
prism screen rangefinder made up of microscopic prisms
Focusing for fast and precise focusing. Ring
While looking through the viewfinder, rotate the focusing
ring. lt is in focus when the image in the rangefinder
becomes sharp and clear.
t An optical curve may sometimes be visible in the lower
part of the viewfinder according to tlre angle of the incom-V ing light. This is a reflection of tfre beam-splitting mirror
added onto the condenser lens in the TTL light measure-
ment system.
Out of Focus ln Focus
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Composition
The exact picture image to be photographed can be seen
on the focusing screen of the viewfinder without any
parallax. This enables you to determine the exact com-
position cf your scene before pressing the shutter release
button.
I Canon's Angle Finder A can be attached to the eyepiece
for copying, macrophotography and photomicrography. In
these cases, images are reversed between left and right.
r Dioptric adjustment lenses are available as optional
attachments. When a dioptric adjustment lens isat-
tached to the viewfinder eyepiece, those who are far- or
near-sighted can take pictures without glasses. Four
available.different diopters of +- 1.5, O, -2.5 and -4 are
191View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
}|olding the Camera
Hold the camera firmly in order to take a clear picture.
Hold the camera either in a vertical or horizontal position,
look through the viewfinder, and focus. Then press the
shutter release button gently. The following steps are
im porta nt.
1 Hotd the camera snugly in both hands. The camera I should be pressed firmly to your cheek or forehead.
,) When the camera is in a horizontal position, both
3 elbows should be firmly. pressed against the body,
and at least one elbow should be resting against the body
when in a vertica I position.
sh utter release button ? Hold your breath and press the U with a smooth, steady stroke. Otherwise, you will
have a blurred picture.
t When using slow sh utter speeds below 1/30 sec, the
use of a tripod and cable release is recommended.
I When taking pictures against the light, always use a
lens hood.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 25Page 26 · Read text
QL Cover
Sprocket Window
QL Shaft
Film Set Mark
Sprocket
Cartridge Compartment
Direction in which film is Placed(emulsified surface facing the back of the lens)View original page 26Page 27 · Read text
tilm Loading
The Canon FT accepts any standard 35mm film roll in
cartridge for daylight loading. When loading a new film,
always avoid direct sunlight.
I Raise the back cover lock and make a half turn counter- The cover will rise slightly. ( I clockwise. ., Open the cover fully. When the back cover is opened,
r--f 3 the QL cover opens simultaneously.
r The QL cover automatically opens and closes with the
back cover. Do not touch the QL cover.
up. ? Raise the film rewind crank and pull it all the way l, Face the film cartridge as illustrated, and insert it
into the cartridge compartment. Push the crank back to
its former position again. The crank fork will slip into
the axis of the film cartridge. In case the crank does
not fully return, turn it slightly to the left or right.
so .lt Hold the film cartridge down with the left hand that it does not rise, and lay the tip of the leader
above the " red " film set mark.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 27Page 28 · Read text
by 5 Bring down the QL cover to hold the film in place u closing the back cover. Look through the sprocket
window to see if the film is correctly engaged on the
sprocket.
from n Press down on the back cover to prevent it U rising, and turn the back cover lock clockwise.
r lf the film is sagging, the cartridge will rise and the
back cover will not close.
1 Leave the lens cap on and make three blank shots, I each time turning the film advance lever. The frame
counter will advance from the " S " mark to " O ". With
one more advance, the camera will be ready for the first
shot.
il
rr*fi
26View original page 28From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.