Nikon F6 serial numbers - post yours!

[Bendj]

Just received my F6 serial 0007634 with grip and E screen. All unused and boxed.

Just picking lenses now. So far have gone for a 35 Zeiss and 50 Zeiss.

Exciting.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Just a note that the Meta 35 is very useful for the F100 as well as it allows setting of all the custom settings from the computer instead of having to work out the codes and functions.

 

[lonelyboy]

Just a note that the Meta 35 is very useful for the F100 as well as it allows setting of all the custom settings from the computer instead of having to work out the codes and functions.

Yes, I am using it with my F6 as well.

 

[Penzes]

0021054, purchased years ago, used, but like in new condition. Use it regularly, always love it!

What's on the bag? by István Pénzes, on Flickr

 

[ChrisLivsey]

By the way, did anyone try using rechargeable battery 3.7V CR123A for the Nikon F6? Does it work properly with the camera? And how is the life of the battery?

Thanks.

I have not personally used the rechargeable but several posters elsewhere have reported very reduced life, down to six rolls, with them. Very brand variable it seems and depends on the lenses used. If you shoot big heavy zooms then the autofocus demands are very draining, same with standard CR123A, adding VR lenses also adds to the power drain, so reports of long life may be from manual focus users. Reading about CR123A generally not F6 specific there are many reports of poor quality and low life with voltage differences it seems to be one type not easily matched to the originals for some reason.
The MB-40 grip with the EN battery lasts seemingly forever, and gives 8fps if that is of interest, some like the bulk and stabilising weight others abhor it.

You should check your serial, before around #18754 ISTR requires updating if not done a firmware update fixed a battery use issue and minor data writing bugs.

 

[Archlich]

There is also this "sudden death" fault happened to some F6s - allegedly to be related to the CR123 batteries, and supposed to have improved with the new firmware after #18754, yet there are still reports about cameras having the same problem after a Nikon service. It's the Achilles's heel of this otherwise close to perfect machine.

So, try to be nice to it. Feed genuine batteries from reputable manufacturers only.

 

[lonelyboy]

I have not personally used the rechargeable but several posters elsewhere have reported very reduced life, down to six rolls, with them. Very brand variable it seems and depends on the lenses used. If you shoot big heavy zooms then the autofocus demands are very draining, same with standard CR123A, adding VR lenses also adds to the power drain, so reports of long life may be from manual focus users. Reading about CR123A generally not F6 specific there are many reports of poor quality and low life with voltage differences it seems to be one type not easily matched to the originals for some reason.
The MB-40 grip with the EN battery lasts seemingly forever, and gives 8fps if that is of interest, some like the bulk and stabilising weight others abhor it.

You should check your serial, before around #18754 ISTR requires updating if not done a firmware update fixed a battery use issue and minor data writing bugs.

Thanks for your advice. May I know how to do a firmware upgrade on my F6? My serial number is 0031535.

 

[frank-grumman]

Well, you all are pushing me over the edge. Worst mistake I made selling my F6. Another one however has popped up at negotiable price. Help me out here, before I plummet: the internal battery is dead, apparently as a function of the owner letting the camera sit around w/o a battery. So, two questions: 1) is a working internal battery required for date/time output via Meta35? 2) Cost involved? any of you all might have info on that, I'll appreciate your advice.

FG

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Thanks for your advice. May I know how to do a firmware upgrade on my F6? My serial number is 0031535.

The firmware is only upgradable by a Nikon service centre, at that serial you will have the latest version,

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Well, you all are pushing me over the edge. Worst mistake I made selling my F6. Another one however has popped up at negotiable price. Help me out here, before I plummet: the internal battery is dead, apparently as a function of the owner letting the camera sit around w/o a battery. So, two questions: 1) is a working internal battery required for date/time output via Meta35? 2) Cost involved? any of you all might have info on that, I'll appreciate your advice.

FG

F6 manual:

Backup battery
The F6 is equipped with a built-in backup battery for the camera’s clock. This charges in approximately 48 hours when 3 V lithium or the optional Multi Power Battery Pack MB-40 (x 166) is supplying power to the F6. When the built-in battery is fully charged, it is able to supply the F6’s built-in clock with power for approx. 4 months.

Depending on the age of the camera a re-charge may be sufficient, if not it's a service centre job.
A good negotiating point if the seller is not familiar with this.

 

[nobbylon]

The MB-40 definitely does not turn the F6 into a "monster".
It is just the opposite: The MB-40 improves the ergonomics and capabilities of the F6 very well:
- perfect handling for vertical shots
- perfect ergonomics with optimal buttons for verticel shots
- improved handling and ergonomics even with horizontal shots
- perfect power supply options with the MB-40 (that alone makes it worth every penny)
- improved speed of 8 fps
- perfect flexibility: I can use the MB-40, but I don't must use it in the cases I don't need it.



Not using the F6 for about 2 years? That's a crime 🙄 .
This outstanding camera is made to be used, not made for being an unused shelf queen.
If you don't use it, sell it.
There are enough photographers out there who appreciate this unique camera and want one to take lots of photographs with it!
Give it to them.
Or start using your F6 again 🙂 .

Cheers, Jan

Jan,
monster in size, I'll stand by that statement!
The ergonomics are just fine as is and the pack makes it more cumbersome and more obtrusive.
8fps! honestly how many times is anyone going to use plus 2 or 3 apart from showing their mates how fast it can run.
I have never run out of power with standard batteries however I will say that I did use battery packs on the 700's for wedding photos as they would run all day on 2 lithium standard batteries.
The 24-70 and 70-200 work well with the bigger cameras but using a 28, a 50 or the 85 just doesn't require any more camera to hang on to.
regards john

 

[HHPhoto]

Hi John,

Jan,
monster in size, I'll stand by that statement!
The ergonomics are just fine as is and the pack makes it more cumbersome and more obtrusive.

And from my long experience for years with the F6 and the MB-40 I have to strongly disagree.
The F6 with MB-40 is not more "monster-size-like" than a F5, F4 with vertical grip, F3 with motor or a D810 with grip or a D5.
And for vertical shots the ergonomics are just perfect, and a lot better than shooting vertical shots without the grip.

8fps! honestly how many times is anyone going to use plus 2 or 3 apart from showing their mates how fast it can run.

I need it quite regularly for wildlife, car races and air-shows.

I have never run out of power with standard batteries however I will say that I did use battery packs on the 700's for wedding photos as they would run all day on 2 lithium standard batteries.

I am using the outstanding Panasonic Eneloops AA cells in the MB-40 (and all of my other modern cameras and flashes). Depending on the lens and shooting situations, I get 35-40 36exp. rolls from one charge.
So I am always safe with power.
And with the Eneloops having a life cycle of about 1000 charging runs my power costs are about zero.

Cheers, Jan

 

[beltz6]

Mine is s/n 0033923, purchased used in January 2017.

 

[frank-grumman]

Mine just now purchased is said to be in the 22's. I'll post an exact # when I get it 🙂BTW, the one I got, I bought from the classifieds here, not the one about which I had posted earlier.

 

[NIKON KIU]

It was a good price, very close to my magic number.
So Frank, does this mean you have 2 of them?

I'll update the numbers when you post yours.

Kiu

 

[HHPhoto]

Hi,

I've seen a F6 on ebay today with the lowest serial number we've seen so far:
0000455

Record 😀 😉

Cheers, Jan

 

[frank-grumman]

Kiu, no I have only one. Just purchased from Doug Reilly, the kind of Seller that you hope for in doing an online transaction. The F6 I got from him is simply beautiful. Its serial # is 0022592 and it is a USA model. I am one very, very happy camper 🙂 🙂

 

[Timmyjoe]

It somehow feels strange to spend that much of money for an analogue camera in 2017, but it is for sure worth it.

From what I've been told, and I cannot prove this, but the Nikon F6 cameras are each hand assembled by a small group of technicians in Japan. Now compare that to another high end film camera still in production, the Leica M cameras (MP, MA, M7) which are now made more by automation than the hand assembled M3 & M2 of old, and they cost almost twice as much as the Nikon F6. So, looking at it that way, the Nikon F6 is quite a bargain.

 

[HHPhoto]

From what I've been told, and I cannot prove this, but the Nikon F6 cameras are each hand assembled by a small group of technicians in Japan.

That is right. There have been reports about that in the French photo print magazine "Chasseur d'Image".
They have visited the Nikon factory in Sendai, where the F6 is produced.

Now compare that to another high end film camera still in production, the Leica M cameras (MP, MA, M7) which are now made more by automation than the hand assembled M3 & M2 of old, and they cost almost twice as much as the Nikon F6. So, looking at it that way, the Nikon F6 is quite a bargain.

A new F6 is indeed one of the best bargains on the market. Because you get a "once in a lifetime" camera: If you handle it normally, and take at least a little bit care of it, you will have a camera which will serve you very well for the next 35 years (probably even more).
So 1,800€ (or 2,200€ with MB-40) for 35-40 years: Per year it is next to nothing!!

Cheers, Jan

 

[jonmanjiro]

That is right. There have been reports about that in the French photo print magazine "Chasseur d'Image".
They have visited the Nikon factory in Sendai, where the F6 is produced.

CNET Asia visited Sendai Nikon too in February 2012 (link to article in the wayback machine here. At the time they reported Nikon was making 50 units per month. However with the serial numbers we know now, working back from the serial number 34,130 from a recently purchased new F6 reported in this post on another forum in September 2012 indicates that Nikon has only made around 1,000 units since August 2012, so 15-16 units per month since then (thought I doubt production has been constant over that time).