Nalcom FTL 1000 Synchro Zoom

Nalcom FTL 1000 Synchro Zoom

Year: 1973-76

Weight: 1573 g

Lens: Shinkor Zoom 1,8 / 6,5 - 65 mm (removable lens)

Split Image Focusing

Auto / Manual Zoom with 2 Speeds

Frame rates: 18, 24, 36 + single frame

Manual / Auto Exposure

Flash contact

Fades

Remote control socket

No sound

Made in Japan

Instruction manual online: http://www.mondofoto.com/manuals/nalcom+ftl+synchro+zoom+1000+pro/

Original price in England (in the year of introduction): £176

Prices on eBay:

• eBay USA:
  • US$196 in 08/1999
  • US$152 in 10/1999
• eBay Germany:
  • EUR 131,00 (+EUR 7,00 shipping) in 06/2007
• eBay UK:
  • £19,00 (+£30,00 international shipping, camera located in Sweden) in 03/2012 - sold as "for spares or renovation"

Comments

Body has a large lens thread, adaptor "SLR-Lens Adapter Model-101" was available to convert to an M42 (42mm thread). Source: http://www.filmshooting.com/scripts/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6955

Another SLR-Lens Adaptor converts to Nikon bayonet.

Repair instructions:

• Internal filter repair

Reviews

This camera is incredibly small and portable, especially with no added lens. The body has a built in F1.8 fixed lens that I believe is 25mm. Then whatever lens you attach becomes the new lens, however to use other lenses aside from the Shinkor, you need a specific adapter that converts the lens mount AND has a piece of optical glass in it. You can use any kind of grip with this camera, but there is a grip made for it that includes an interval timer and a remote trigger. It also sits very nicely on a tripod. The design of the camera is not unlike a Leicina or the Fujica ZC 1000: it's a low profile, sturdy metal box. The run button has the electronic zoom built in so that it is easy to zoom while filming. There's a button on top that says "H. ZOOM", I have no idea what it does. The camera has a screw mount on top which is also the 85A filter. By removing the lens and unscrewing the filter key you get to see the filter being inserted into the lens path, which is pretty cool.

The Shinkor lens is okay, I know some are big fans of it but I am not. A couple of things I noticed is that it does not appear to be multicoated, and it does get very nice lens flares. I do recommend trying other lenses with it because with a good lens your results will be very sharp and have nice contrast. It's a nice camera to travel with because it's so small and easy to pack.