Nikon F6 serial numbers - post yours!

So I've been wanting an F6 since they came out. Never left film completely but have been shooting mostly medium format alongside digital. Bought an F100 last week, but it failed mid first roll. Luckily the seller took it back without discussion. But those 18 or so frames really made me realise how much I missed a 35mm autofocus body.

But there is a used (rated condition 9,5/10 by the seller) F6 available locally. There serial number is really low 0006xxx but has only had a total of 7 rolls put through it (apparently you can check this via the menus). It comes with the MB40, which I really have no need for.

The price is almost 7x what I paid for the F100. At around $1590 it is a lot of money, but about the same buying internationally and adding freight and import duties.

Apart from dropping an insane amount of money on a used film camera, is there any reason to worry about this being one of the earlier cameras being produced?

Any other advice?

Cheers!
 
I have an early model - no issues yet. Not sure you can really check it through the menu. I thought the rolls can be deleted. Not sure where the shutter actuations are recorded. The price seems on the high side, but then, if you can swing it and maybe even know the seller, a local deal is a local deal.
 
Photon42 said:
I have an early model - no issues yet. Not sure you can really check it through the menu. I thought the rolls can be deleted. Not sure where the shutter actuations are recorded. The price seems on the high side, but then, if you can swing it and maybe even know the seller, a local deal is a local deal.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input, and I agree, the price could be lower. I'm still undecided about it.
 
I've got #0031229
I've had it about a year and it's a favorite. I really love all the features packed into the relatively small form factor & ability to matrix meter w legacy lenses. Definitely a keeper.
 
sputnik said:
So I've been wanting an F6 since they came out. Never left film completely but have been shooting mostly medium format alongside digital. Bought an F100 last week, but it failed mid first roll. Luckily the seller took it back without discussion. But those 18 or so frames really made me realise how much I missed a 35mm autofocus body.

But there is a used (rated condition 9,5/10 by the seller) F6 available locally. There serial number is really low 0006xxx but has only had a total of 7 rolls put through it (apparently you can check this via the menus). It comes with the MB40, which I really have no need for.

The price is almost 7x what I paid for the F100. At around $1590 it is a lot of money, but about the same buying internationally and adding freight and import duties.

Apart from dropping an insane amount of money on a used film camera, is there any reason to worry about this being one of the earlier cameras being produced?

Any other advice?

Cheers!
Click to expand...

That price seems crazy high. Especially seeing it is a very old/early production model.
What are your import duties? Used they start at the mid $700 range.
 
Huss said:
That price seems crazy high. Especially seeing it is a very old/early production model.
What are your import duties? Used they start at the mid $700 range.
Click to expand...

Import duties are 25% on selling price AND shipping. So a $700 camera from abroad is around $940 delivered. Unless it is shipped within the EU, then there is no import duties. Still a fair bit less then this particular camera, but again local and also mint in box with MB40.
 
sputnik said:
Import duties are 25% on selling price AND shipping. So a $700 camera from abroad is around $940 delivered. Unless it is shipped within the EU, then there is no import duties. Still a fair bit less then this particular camera, but again local and also mint in box with MB40.
Click to expand...

He is still asking 50% more than what you can import one for. Perhaps he can lower the price...
Also remember that if it is an early serial # it can actually be a very old camera relatively speaking.

Ultimately do what makes you feel comfortable. There is something to be said about checking it out in person vs mailing from a foreign country. I have had many bad experiences buying from Japan.
 
James24 said:
European prices for most things photographic are higher in Europe than the US or Japan. But there are a few F6's to be found....this one in Germany looks ok to me, although I can't understand the Deutsch. It appears to be from a dealer so presumably there is a bit more buyer protection.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-F6-Body-Gehause-Ankauf-Verkauf-ff-shop24/383444984337?
Click to expand...

Now we are talking! I did not see this when browsing the other day. Definately worth looking into. Time to brush off that school german 👍.

Thanks!
 
Huss said:
He is still asking 50% more than what you can import one for. Perhaps he can lower the price...
Also remember that if it is an early serial # it can actually be a very old camera relatively speaking.

Ultimately do what makes you feel comfortable. There is something to be said about checking it out in person vs mailing from a foreign country. I have had many bad experiences buying from Japan.
Click to expand...

Yes, pros and cons to both options really. But having slept another night as well as having talked to the local seller, I’m leaning towards a newer body from an international seller.

Cheers!
 
sputnik said:
Now we are talking! I did not see this when browsing the other day. Definately worth looking into. Time to brush off that school german 👍.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Description reads "slight traces of use on body, fully functional". Includes box, instruction manual, strap". S/N is 34471.

Price looks ok to me.

Cheers
Ivo
 
Photon42 said:
Description reads "slight traces of use on body, fully functional". Includes box, instruction manual, strap". S/N is 34471.

Price looks ok to me.

Cheers
Ivo
Click to expand...

Thanks for the translation.

I talked to the seller to get a better understanding of the condition since the description is somewhat short and the images not quite hi res enough to judge. And he doesn’t offer any returns. There are some stains on the leatherette but no dents or dings. One owner.

What to do, what to do...
 
I am very tempted by F6, but I don't have any AF lenses, only manual to go with my F2 and FM3A, so I know that if I buy F6 it will lead to more GAS... May the force be with me, I have to resist.
 
valdas said:
I am very tempted by F6, but I don't have any AF lenses, only manual to go with my F2 and FM3A, so I know that if I buy F6 it will lead to more GAS... May the force be with me, I have to resist.
Click to expand...

The F6 is fantastic with mf lenses. As good, if not better, than any of my other Nikons (f, f2, f3 etc etc)

Weird that Nikon did not make a DSLR that worked as well (looking at you DF..) seeing they could with an AF film SLR.
 
Huss said:
The F6 is fantastic with mf lenses. As good, if not better, than any of my other Nikons (f, f2, f3 etc etc).
Click to expand...

I am sure it is fantastic with mf lenses, but having F6 would be so tempting to try that super fast AF. And that means more lenses. And more and more...
 
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