Canon FT QL

The Canon FT QL is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera introduced in 1966 as part of Canon's FL-series lineup, bridging the gap between earlier models and the revolutionary Canon F-1. It featured a sturdy metal body, a Canon FL bayonet mount, and a top shutter speed of 1/1000th second. A key innovation was the "QL" (Quick Loading) system, which simplified film loading onto the take-up spool, addressing a common frustration of the era. The camera offered through-the-lens metering via a CdS cell coupled to a needle match needle display in the viewfinder, providing accurate exposure information without the need for interchangeable pentaprism metering prisms required on earlier Canon models like the Pellix. It represented a significant step towards full aperture metering becoming standard in mid-range SLRs.

While lacking the full professional specifications or iconic status of contemporaries like the Nikon F, the FT QL was a robust, reliable workhorse for enthusiasts and advanced amateurs. It offered a complete system with a range of Canon FL lenses and accessories. Its combination of solid build, convenient features like stop-down metering and mirror lock-up, and competitive pricing made it a popular and significant camera in Canon's evolution during the late 1960s and early 1970s, cementing their position in the SLR market before the introduction of the F-1.