C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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slr-35mm
The FTb-N (also written FTb-N or "FTb New") is a 1973 running-change update to the original Canon FTb (1971). Canon did not redesign the camera; the mechanical horizontal-cloth shutter, TTL center-weighted partial CdS metering with open-aperture FD readout, and QL Quick Load film loading system all carry over unchanged. The principal addition is a shutter speed scale visible inside the viewfinder, so the photographer can confirm selected speed without lowering the camera. Minor ergonomic refinements to knobs and dial clicks accompanied the revision.
Reference
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
C41
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
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Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
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Before you buy used
About this camera
A modest 1973 refresh of the FTb — shutter speed in the viewfinder, same proven mechanical core.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm |
| Mount | Canon FD (FL stop-down compatible) |
| Years | 1973–1976 |
| Shutter | 1s – 1/1000s + B, mechanical horizontal cloth |
| Flash sync | 1/60s |
| Meter | TTL center-weighted partial CdS, open-aperture with FD |
| Modes | Manual only |
| Weight | ~750 g |
| Battery | 1x PX625 mercury (meter only; shutter runs without) |
Canon introduced the FD mount in 1971 simultaneously on the F-1 (professional) and FTb (mid-range). The FTb sold strongly but photographers accustomed to Nikon's Photomic finders -- which showed shutter speed in the viewfinder -- pointed to the omission. The FTb-N addressed this with a small shutter speed indicator visible in the finder. Both FTb and FTb-N were superseded in 1976: the AE-1 (shutter-priority AE, electronic shutter) replaced the consumer slot, and the AT-1 (a fully manual, budget-oriented body) took the entry-level position.
For practical purposes the FTb-N is interchangeable with the FTb -- same mount, same metering, same lens compatibility. The viewfinder shutter speed display makes it slightly more convenient to use in the field. Both are bought today as cheap, mechanically robust entries into the Canon FD lens system. The FD line (50/1.4 SSC, 35/2 SSC, 85/1.8 SSC, 100/2.8 SC) remains optically excellent and undervalued relative to comparable Nikon F-mount glass.
The FTb-N is often indistinguishable from the FTb in secondhand listings; buyers should look for the shutter speed scale inside the finder to confirm the variant. Prices are functionally identical.
Canon FD mount: any FD or FDn lens. FL lenses (pre-1971) mount but require stop-down metering. PC sync terminal for studio flash. QL Quick Load simplifies film loading; no dedicated motor drive for this body class.
BW
Ilford HP5 Plus is a flexible ISO 400 black-and-white film with classic grain and strong push-processing tolerance.
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Kodak Ektar 100 is a fine-grain C-41 color negative film with saturated color and high sharpness.
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