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  • Vintage Nikon Nikkormat FT3 35mm SLR Film Camera, 1977-79, 50mm & 200mm lenses 1
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  • Vintage Nikon Nikkormat FT3 35mm SLR Film Camera, 1977-79, 50mm & 200mm lenses 2
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  • Vintage Nikon Nikkormat FT3 35mm SLR Film Camera, 1977-79, 50mm & 200mm lenses 3
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  • Vintage Nikon Nikkormat FT3 35mm SLR Film Camera, 1977-79, 50mm & 200mm lenses 4
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  • Vintage Nikon Nikkormat FT3 35mm SLR Film Camera, 1977-79, 50mm & 200mm lenses 5
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  • Vintage Nikon Nikkormat FT3 35mm SLR Film Camera, 1977-79, 50mm & 200mm lenses 6
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  • Vintage Nikon Nikkormat FT3 35mm SLR Film Camera, 1977-79, 50mm & 200mm lenses 7
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  • Vintage Nikon Nikkormat FT3 35mm SLR Film Camera, 1977-79, 50mm & 200mm lenses 8
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  • Vintage Nikon Nikkormat FT3 35mm SLR Film Camera, 1977-79, 50mm & 200mm lenses 9
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  • Vintage Nikon Nikkormat FT3 35mm SLR Film Camera, 1977-79, 50mm & 200mm lenses 10
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  • Vintage Nikon Nikkormat FT3 35mm SLR Film Camera, 1977-79, 50mm & 200mm lenses 11
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  • Vintage Nikon Nikkormat FT3 35mm SLR Film Camera, 1977-79, 50mm & 200mm lenses 12
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Description

Introduced in 1977, the Nikkormat FT3 was Nikon's top-of-the-range camera aimed at serious amateurs and semi-professionals (the demographic they now call "prosumers") but retained that crown for only a couple of months before the all-singing all-dancing new Nikon FM appeared on the scene: the FM, being one of the first truly modern SLRs and much easier to use, had been developed to compete with arch-rival Canon's Canon AE-1 which, being the first camera with an embedded microchip in history, was arguably the world's most advanced camera. The FM soon proved to be a much better seller (though not as much as the AE-1), so after only two years production of the FT3 ended and, as a result, it's become one of the scarcer vintage Nikon SLRs.

Though scarce now, somewhere in the region of 140,000 FT3 bodies were sold. As with all the cameras in the F series, serial numbers followed a simple pattern: the FT started at 3100001, the FT2 at 5000001 and the FT3 at 6000001; this one is 6126222, making it the 126,221st produced and thus a late example. It's a camera of firsts and lasts - the last model Nikon ever produced under the Nikkormat name (or Nikomat in Japan) and the first to use Nikon's brand new range of Auto Indexing lenses, preventing the need for the old-fashioned "rabbit ears" mechanical lens-to-body coupling - though many of the earliest AI lenses, including the two supplied with this FT3, retained it so that they would be backwards-compatible with pre-AI bodies. This has a secondary advantage: it's often said that, as Nikon have used the same F-mount lens/body interface since 1959, it's possible to use any Nikon lens on any Nikon body, but this isn't in fact true - while all F-mount lens and F-mount bodies will physically fit one another, there are numerous compatibility issues which at best limit functionality or prevent the camera working at all and at worst cause serious damage to the shutter mechanism; however, by stopping down the lens aperture, you can use (almost) any pre-AI lens made between 1959 and 1977 and AI/AI-s lens made from 1977 to the present. One final improvement, shared with its FT2 predecessor, was the use of a 1.5V watch-type battery which is still widely available rather than the earlier 1.35V mercury-oxide battery which has been banned for many years.

Another reason the Canon AE-1 proved the winner in the sales wars is that back in the mid-70s, it looked like it came from the future - and it's still a very good-looking camera today. The FT3, on the other hand, looks rather old-fashioned, which is by no means a criticism and increases desirability for many users, especially in this all-black variant: it's all angles and the front and back are slabs of almost pure black, broken only by "Nikkormat" on the prism cover and "Nikon" just above the film compartment cover - aesthetically, it has more in common with a pre-WW2 Leica than with anything made since the AE-1. The exposure meter, showing through a little window on the top panel next to the film rewind, looks old-fashioned too, but if you use the FT3 on a tripod with a remote shutter release, you'll soon be wishing all cameras had the same layout - it's right there in front of you, clear and easy to see without having to risk altering the camera's position by peering through the viewfinder.

Always intended to be a prosumer model, the FT3 very rapidly earned a reputation for excellent build quality, a tough and rugged reliable workhorse of a camera which soon became a popular choice among professionals who needed something that could take a few hard knocks. This example is testament to that: it's seen some action and has its fair share of scars as a result, including a dent in the bottom plate of the casing and some rubbed paint around the more exposed corners - yet it remains in full working order, and is every bit as much a joy to use as reviewers said it was 45 years ago.

Despite those scars, the camera is in very good condition: everything works, including all controls, the shutter, the mirror-up mechanism, the film advance and rewind (there's no option to add a motor drive to the FT3), the hot shoe and everything else, while the light seals are showing their age but still doing their job. To sum up, it's not a museum piece (though it's not too far off it), but if you want a vintage FT3 for regular use this is the camera for you - and thanks to that legendary build quality, it'll in all likelihood keep on going pretty much forever. Just add a battery, put in a roll of 35mm andhave fun.

We're supplying this one complete with two lenses, some accessories and a leather case. The first lens is a Nikkor 50mm 1:2, a reliable six-element/four-group manual-focus prime made between 1964 and 1979 and, from 1972 onwards (like this one), with a multicoated objective lens to limit glare and other unpleasantness, a six-blade diaphragm and 52mm filter thread. It's been looked after and benefits from a UV filter, which has kept the front end clean, and there is no appreciable wear to the mount nor visible dust or fungus inside it. The second is a Panagor Auto Tele f=200 1:3.5, with five elements in five groups and an eight-blade diaphragm - which is something of a rare beast as it's a prime rather than a zoom, and it's F-mount whereas the vast majority of Panagor lenses are either M42 or OM mount. Like the nifty fifty, it's been looked after and remains in superb usable order; it doesn't have a filter (62mm, if you want to add one) but the objective lens is clean, and while there is a modicum of wear to the metal mount and a couple of specks of duct inside the barrel, neither of these will affect use.

In addition, the 50mm lens has a metal Hoya hood with a nasty dent, though this can probably be straightened out. Also supplied are a compatible Hoya 2x teleconvertor, a 26cm remote shutter release, a set of Cokin square coloured filters and screw-on holder, a square graduated Cokin filter, a very 1970s camera strap, the leather carry case as seen in the photos (which has been damp at some point, but remains usable) and one half of a protective leather body case which is so horrible you'll probably throw it straight in the bin.

Due to the nature of this item it is not always possible for us to identify any missing parts.
For this reason we ask that you please check the pictures carefully, as these show everything that is included.

This item has been very kindly donated to the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Our ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. Our aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

100% of the money raised from this sale will go to the charity.

Our sales team do their best to check each item and ensure that the description and pictures provided are as accurate as possible.

Feedback is extremely important to the charity so if you are not fully satisfied with your purchase please give us a chance to resolve any issues by contacting us prior to leaving feedback.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us via eBay messages, we will make sure that your message is responded to promptly, usually within three working days. Messages sent over the weekend will be responded to on the next working day.

If this item is not quite what you were looking for but you would still like to help our cause, please consider providing us with a donation which can be done via our eBay Charity Profile linked below.

Donate via Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Profile

We only accept payments made through one of eBay's many approved methods. Please make sure to complete your payment within 96 hours of winning an item. Once your payment has been received we will dispatch your item as soon as possible, usually within two working days.

Delivery times are calculated in working days (Monday to Friday). If your order is placed after 1pm, the next working day will be considered the first working day for delivery. In case of bank holidays and during the Christmas period where delays are more likely, please allow an extra few days for delivery.

Domestic Delivery

We aim to dispatch orders within two working days. If for any reason there is an unexpected delay in dispatching your order we will make sure to inform you of this as soon as possible.

We use Hermes to deliver the majority of our parcels. If you would like to specify a preferred neighbour, or safe place for the parcel to be left, please leave the details in a message when placing your order.

Some low-value items will be sent by Royal Mail 2nd Class. Some items of higher value are sent by Royal Mail Signed For or Special Delivery, which requires a signature. If you are not present at the time of delivery, a card will be left instructing you to arrange a redelivery, or to collect your order from the local sorting office.

International Delivery

International orders are handled by eBay's Global Shipping Programme.

For full details please see the following eBay help page: Buying internationally with the Global Shipping Programme.

Items can be collected from our Retail Hub at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, Eastern Counties Leather Industrial Estate, Pampisford, CB22 3EE during our opening hours of 10:00 to 16:00, Tuesday to Saturday. If you would like to collect your item please contact us in advance to arrange this.

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Arthur Rank Hospice Charity uses the eBay Returns system to make the process as easy for you as possible. For full details about the process, and for information on how to begin a return, please see the following eBay help page: Return an item for a refund.

Change of Mind

If when you receive your order you are not completely satisfied, you may return the items to us within 30 days for a refund. Returns will be processed within three working days once the goods have been received by us.

Items must be returned to us in the same condition as they were received by you. This includes, but is not limited to: original packaging, original boxes, packaging materials, manuals, blank warranty cards, accessories and documents. We reserve the right to refuse a return or deduct an amount for lost value where the item is returned in a different condition.

We strongly recommend that you fully insure your package that you are returning, as well as using a carrier that can provide you with tracking information or proof of delivery.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will not be held responsible for returns lost or damaged in transit.

Please be aware that it is the responsibility of the customer to cover any delivery charges for returning an unwanted item.

Incorrect/Damaged Goods

We try very hard to ensure that you receive your order in pristine condition. In the unlikely event that your order arrives damaged or faulty, please contact us via eBay immediately, this will be given special priority and you can expect to receive a response within 48 hours, Monday to Friday. Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will cover the cost of domestic return postage for any incorrect or damaged items, subject to the cost of the chosen return method being reasonable. Please contact us before proceeding if unsure.

About Arthur Rank Hospice Charity

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Its ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. The aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

Around 4,000 patients are cared for each year at the Hospice in Cambridge, the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre in Wisbech and in patients’ own homes via the Arthur Rank Community Team. This care supports people to improve their quality of life and fulfil their end of their life choices.

Alongside the care provided by the Inpatient Unit, Living Well services and Hospice at Home teams, patients can access: patient and family support; lymphoedema care; complementary therapy; medical and pain outpatient clinics; and advice from the clinical nurse specialists within the Specialist Palliative Care Home Team. Programmes are practical, holistic and tailored to the individual patient, family member or carer and may also include rehabilitative support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological support.

It will cost £10.5 million in 2021/2022 to run services, which are provided free of charge to patients and their loved ones. Contracted services from the NHS are budgeted at £6.98 million, meaning that £3.52 million needs to be raised through donations, fundraising activities and trading. The Charity is extremely grateful to the local community for the continual dedication, commitment and generosity they show in supporting towards meeting this target.