Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I just got the latest B&H cattledog in the mail ... and they still have the F100 and F6 listed!
Surprising! ... I wonder if they actualy have stock?
Surprising! ... I wonder if they actualy have stock?
amateriat
We're all light!
Keith: THe F6 is very much a production item (albeit limited). The F100 is probably based on what stock Nikon still has in the warehouse. (Rememeber, the F3HP remained in the Nikon catalog until just a few years ago.)
- Barrett
- Barrett
akremer
Established
They could make something more like a G2.
I'm seeing something G2 like with an M mount, a big bright 1:1 finder, proper manual focusing option...
akremer
Established
G2's finder already has an adjustable diopter
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Well if that's the case it (the F6) has to be the last 'serious' film camera when you consider what it's capable of. As quaint as the Bessas, M7's, Ikons etc are they aren't in the same ballpark!
amateriat
We're all light!
Keith: The problem with film-based SLRs, as I saw it, was that the manufacturers had painted themselves into a corner by the late 1990s. From TTL metering to AE to multi-mode AE to TTL flash to multi-pattern metering to integral motorization to AF, manufacturers always had something new to dangle in front of photographers, at least for a ten-year period. Trouble was, by about 1998-2000, the trick-bag was about empty: you could shoot close to ten frames per second and have (presumably...I've seen otherwise) perfectly-expose, in-focus images. And there wasn't much more to go after. Worse, for those not interested in pursuit of the bleeding edge knew that most of the issues surrounding mechanics and optics had largely been licked years before, the only variable being the film one put into the camera. this was great for Kodak, Fuji, Ilford, Agfa et al, but not so hot for the Nikons, Canons, Minoltas and Olympuses of the Industry. Digital turned that around in a number of ways, several of which I personally find appalling (rapid obsolescence and stupid-proprietary RAW formats being just two examples). Now, just the insecurity that comes seemingly naturally with a fully-digital workflow is enough to keep people trading "up", especially if you're among the dwindling number of individuals eking out a living in this racket.
The Nikon F6 doesn't offer a major improvement over the F5's trick-bag as much as it reshuffles the deck in response to a changed market: the F6 offers, for lack of a better term, a more "rounded" high-end SLR in a world where most front-line pro SLR shooters went digital a while ago, and those still shooting film might want something other than the usual ten-foot-tall, monster-truck approach of years past. If I were still using SLRs as my Main Axe gear, I'd have had a pair of F6s already. Instead, I went with a pair of Hexar RFs because I felt the need for a bigger (and, ahem, smaller) change. It wasn't a manifesto. I just felt the need to roll differently.
- Barrett
The Nikon F6 doesn't offer a major improvement over the F5's trick-bag as much as it reshuffles the deck in response to a changed market: the F6 offers, for lack of a better term, a more "rounded" high-end SLR in a world where most front-line pro SLR shooters went digital a while ago, and those still shooting film might want something other than the usual ten-foot-tall, monster-truck approach of years past. If I were still using SLRs as my Main Axe gear, I'd have had a pair of F6s already. Instead, I went with a pair of Hexar RFs because I felt the need for a bigger (and, ahem, smaller) change. It wasn't a manifesto. I just felt the need to roll differently.
- Barrett
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
To their credit, B&H don't let you order stuff that is not actually in stock (e.g., Panasonic-Leica 25mm Summilux in 4/3 mount
). There are active "add to cart" buttons still showing for the F100 and F6, and for the F6 you can still get either an imported or Nikon USA version
.
fotomeow
name under my name
I voted "no" on the poll, but on second thought, I think Leica may produce one last film camera, make it a limited edition for collectors or something, and charge ridiculous prices, making it a prestige issue.
Juan Valdenebro
Truth is beauty
I think Leica will do it. And Nikon too. And maybe Voigtländer...
Cheers,
Juan
Cheers,
Juan
jawarden
Well-known
Contax G2 did that, with their optional data back. If I recall correctly you could reserve the last frame on the roll for a report, or have the data burned between frames. Neat trick.
I sure hope someone continues to produce new film camera designs, or at the very least continues to make the current crop of excellent film cameras. They're not better or worse than digital, but they're sure different, and I like the difference.
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
So does the Fuji GA645Zi.
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
That Fuji camera is nice to see.
I bought two of those F3HP's when they were still available. Use one, one still in the box.
I bought two of those F3HP's when they were still available. Use one, one still in the box.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
If film hadn't died in the arse so to speak I wonder what Nikon would/could have offered with an F7 ... hard to imagine what they could do to improve the F6. I still hanker for one occasionally though common sense tells me that the F100 is a more logical choice financially and I do have an N90s that really isn't too far behind the F100.
I just think an F6 would look damned fine sitting in the cupboard next to my D700 ... and I have a 35mm f2 ZF Zeiss Distagon arriving in the mail today ... I hope!
I just think an F6 would look damned fine sitting in the cupboard next to my D700 ... and I have a 35mm f2 ZF Zeiss Distagon arriving in the mail today ... I hope!
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Serious yes, but mainstream no...
I wonder if we will ever see a new mainstream film camera again...
I think we will. I mean, vinyl records made a little bit of a comback and turntables made there way back into mainstream stores for awhile there... why not film too?
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
Well, if it follows the vinyl trends (where "audiophile", pro/DJ and very basic turntables survived or even came back, but the mid- to high-price consumer market has apparently vanished for good), film will have its comeback, but not in the market once defined by 35mm system SLRs.
Sevo
thegman
Veteran
Mainstream, look at Lomo, shops all over the world *only* selling film cameras.
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
I agree. Turntables nowadays are either extortionately expensive (ultra hi-fi) or very cheap. The latter mainly for copying to digital with built in USB ports for X-sake, rather like those cheapo film scanners. The scanner market is going the same way.
Several seem to discount the Fuji/CV offerings (MF) as not being serious? I rather think they are, but then again I´m an amateur, and I´ve not got a cabinet full of Leicas.
DGA
Well-known
35mm - yes, no more new stuff
MF/LF - no, there're still no digital replacement for those formats. At least not affordable ones.
MF/LF - no, there're still no digital replacement for those formats. At least not affordable ones.
Exactly what I'm saying...