Nikon Nikkormat FT (same as Nikomat FT)

The Nikkormat FT, sold alongside the Nikomat FT in international markets, represents a significant step for Nikon in the late 1960s by bringing professional-grade SLR features to a more accessible enthusiast level. Sharing core technology with the groundbreaking Nikon F but housed in a more compact and slightly less complex body, it established itself as a reliable and versatile workhorse. Its key innovations included a robust die-cast alloy body offering excellent durability, coupled with Nikon's renowned through-the-lens (TTL) metering system using a match-needle system visible in the viewfinder for precise exposure control. Unlike the F's separate prism and meter, the FT integrated the meter into the body with a removable hinged head, making it lighter and easier to handle while maintaining compatibility with the vast F-mount Nikkor lens system.

Positioned firmly between the professional Nikon F and the simpler Nikon FM (introduced later), the FT appealed to serious amateurs and advanced users who required reliability and full system flexibility without the F's premium price and bulk. Its sturdy construction, accurate center-weighted TTL metering, and smooth mechanical controls made it a favorite for general photography, travel, and even some professional work where ultimate ruggedness wasn't paramount. It cemented Nikon's dominance in the enthusiast SLR market and served as the foundation for subsequent Nikkormat and Nikon FM series cameras, significantly popularizing the F-mount system globally.