Single lens reflex cameras (SLRs) began arriving on our shores from post-war Japan during the mid-1950s. Though reflex viewing systems have been around since the first camera obscura was introduced, in 1676, consumers had to wait until 1936 when Exacta introduced the Ihagee Kine, the first consumer 35mm SLR. Other companies soon joined the party. In 1959, Nikon raised a number of eyebrows when it introduced the Model “F”, a camera that set the standard for quality camera gear to this very day. Six years down the line, Nikon introduced the Nikkormat FT, which quickly became known as the “poor man’s Nikon F.”
The Nikkormat FT was soon replaced by the FTn, followed by the FT-2 and, finally, the FT3. Each model featured progressive improvements to the metering systems and the addition of a hot shoe, along with a number of internal tweaks.