Canon launched the FTb in March 1971, the same month as the F-1, as the amateur's way into the new FD system. It meters through the lens at full aperture with FD lenses, reading a central 12% patch with a match needle, and older FL lenses still work with stop-down metering. The cloth shutter is fully mechanical from 1 s to 1/1000 s, so the 1.35 V mercury cell only runs the meter. QL on the front stands for Quick Load, Canon's system for loading film without threading the leader. In July 1973 Canon revised it as the FTb-N, with shutter speeds in the finder, a bigger release and a plastic-tipped lever, though the nameplate didn't change. At 750 g it's a solid, heavy camera, with a hot shoe on the prism and a square eyecup that still takes common Canon parts.
The variants
The July 1973 FTb-N adds shutter speeds in the finder, a bigger shutter button, a plastic-tipped advance lever and a diamond-textured speed dial, but the nameplate still reads FTb. Metering, shutter and battery are the same.
Battery
Many meters from the 1960s and 70s were built for 1.35 V mercury cells like the PX625, which held a steady voltage until almost flat. Mercury cells went off sale after EU and US laws in the 1990s, and a 1.55 V silver-oxide or alkaline cell can throw readings off in a meter that doesn't regulate voltage. There are three fixes. Zinc-air hearing-aid cells give 1.35 V but die within a few months. An adapter like the MR-9 uses a small circuit to drop a silver-oxide cell to 1.35 V. Or a repairer can recalibrate the meter for silver oxide. More on batteries and meters.
The meter was designed for a 1.35 V PX625 mercury cell, so it reads off on a plain modern cell unless you use a zinc-air cell or an adapter. Fifty-year-old foam seals are usually due for replacing.
Buying guide
We'd buy an FTb titled tested with an FD 50mm lens, and the $94 kit with an f/1.4 is the one we'd take. There are at least 180 listed, mostly US kits, and most ask $85–180 delivered, with bare bodies from $30. The shutter is fully mechanical, so it fires at every speed with no battery, and the cell only runs the meter. That meter was built for a 1.35 V PX625 mercury cell, so a 1.5 V silver cell reads off unless you use a zinc-air cell or an adapter. Ask for a back-open video at 1 s and 1/1000 and a photo of the light seals, which are usually due for replacing on a body this old. If you'd rather start with the work done, the CLA'd FTb-N body from Japan asks $200 delivered.
![Canon FTB 35mm SLR Film Camera Body, Chrome [Made In Japan]](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/9ggAAeSwlSFqx~D1/s-l500.jpg)
$29.99delivered
The lowest delivered FTb here, a chrome body only for $30 with free shipping from a US seller. There's no test claim, but the shutter is mechanical, so a back-open video at 1 s and 1/1000 tells you most of what you need.
Canon FTB 35mm SLR Film Camera Body, Chrome [Made In Japan]
$94.40est. delivered
Titled tested, with an FD 50mm f/1.4, at $94 delivered from a US seller. Other f/1.4 kits here ask $106–214 delivered, so ask for a backlit photo of the lens and buy it if the glass is clear.
Canon FTb QL 35mm SLR Film Camera with FD 50mm F/1.4 Lens - Tested
$65.00delivered
Titled not working, with a 135mm f/2.8, for $65 with free shipping, well under the band. The 135mm may be the useful part if its glass is clear.
vintage canon FTB camera ( not working) W/ 135mm 2.8.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$29.99delivered
$29.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$29.99
Good buy
Chrome body only, with no test claim.
Seller: thecameraoutlet
99.7% positive
Used$94.40est. delivered
$79.95 + $14.45 shipping
Buy It Now$79.95
Good buy
Titled tested, with an FD 50mm f/1.4.
Seller: bucky1776
99.5% positive
For parts$65.00delivered
$65.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$65.00
Project piece
Titled not working, with a 135mm f/2.8.
Seller: jamesbond7232
100% positive
Used$48.16est. delivered
$39.99 + $8.17 shipping
Buy It Now$39.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
QL body only, titled tested.
Seller: shopmiaba
98% positive
Used$63.00delivered
$63.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$63.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Body only, titled meter works. Exc+ is the Japan dealer's grade.
Seller: optic.fable.tokyo
100% positive
Used$112.92est. delivered
$98.47 + $14.45 shipping
Buy It Now$98.47
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Untested, with a 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C., two flashes and a bag.
Seller: thrifts_n_antiques
100% positive
Serviced$200.39est. delivered
$125.39 + $75.00 shipping
Buy It Now$125.39
Our take
Late FTb-N body, titled CLA'd. Mint is the Japan dealer's grade.
Seller: dub0804-55
99.7% positive
Used$230.18est. delivered
$192.89 + $37.29 shipping
Buy It Now$192.89
Priced high
Silver body with three prime lenses and no test claim. About twice the median.
Seller: lerocket99
100% positive
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