Nikon F6 serial numbers - post yours!

Well, if I look at the serial number of the F6 from a friend, who bought his new one in late 2015, and the most recent one here reported on rff (serial no. 0035306), then the average production per month is in the 16-20 units range.

Big kudos to Nikon that they keep production running even on that very low volume!

But that is another reason why I can recommend every Nikon film shooter only to buy a new one now!
Because no one knows how long Nikon can keep the line running.

Cheers, Jan
 
Like some other members here, I came to the conclusion that one F6 is not enough :rolleyes:

I did not want to stretch the budget that much and fetched a used one on ebay to accompany my first one from March.

Serial number is 18350. The internal storage contained film data back to November 2007. At that pint the previous owner already had shot at least 80 rolls, if the film numbering is taken as sequential. I have seen in the big serial number list that in 2008 the numbers already passed 29k units, so this would fit and I assume that this F6 is from 2005/2006.

For both cameras I also bought a MB-40 grip. A new one with serial 231123 "Made in Japan" (recent Nikon design for packaging with black/gold box) and a used one for the second F6 with serial 206915 "Made in China" (gold box with older design like the F6 box).

I have never seen before that Nikon shifts the production from China to Japan, especially not for accessories like battery grips.

Checking ebay only used MB-40 grips made in China can be found up to serial numbers of 21xxxx. Nikon usually leaves a gap between different charges of production caused by small changes or location shift, so I would guess that after the first batch of grips with serial up to potentially 219999, the new range started in Japan with 23xxxx.

But this is pure speculation unless we start to collect serial numbers of MB-40 grips, too.

--
Dennis
 
DeSassmann said:
But this is pure speculation unless we start to collect serial numbers of MB-40 grips, too.

--
Dennis
Click to expand...

Dating F3 motor drives is also difficult, shooters seem to want to know the month of the body production (which is coded inside the body) but don't seem interested in the year of the drive.
Still, my MB-40 is China 208931 bought S/H with the BL-3 door, which I did want having a few D3 batteries to share.
 
I have #0022409.

It was mentioned on a previous page that no 004xxx numbers have been recorded. Ming Thein reviewed the F6 in 2013 and there is a pic with camera #0004232.
 
In the article linked by Bill Pierce today, in the commentary, a Christopher May mentions the F6 being produced by two dedicated employees at Sendai.

Gee thanks fellas now you all have me looking at the F6 and how beautiful it would be on the shelf alongside my other Nikon stuff. :)
 
Contarama said:
In the article linked by Bill Pierce today, in the commentary, a Christopher May mentions the F6 being produced by two dedicated employees at Sendai.

Gee thanks fellas now you all have me looking at the F6 and how beautiful it would be on the shelf alongside my other Nikon stuff. :)
Click to expand...

" . . . it would be on the shelf . . ." !!! :eek: . . . on the SHELF ! ! ! :eek: :eek: :eek: OMG! Pleez, the F6 is for 'shooting' with. NOT for 'looking' at :bang: :mad:

I doubt very much if Nikon are making any profit from producing the F6, so it would be a travesty to not use (probably) the last of the great film cameras.

So pleez, 'shoot', don't 'look' at your great F6. :)
 
Yes sir. All working cameras I own get used at least once per month. I carry at least one camera at all times. I even use my phone camera occasionally. :D
 
DeSassmann said:
Like some other members here, I came to the conclusion that one F6 is not enough :rolleyes:

I did not want to stretch the budget that much and fetched a used one on ebay to accompany my first one from March.

Serial number is 18350. The internal storage contained film data back to November 2007. At that pint the previous owner already had shot at least 80 rolls, if the film numbering is taken as sequential. I have seen in the big serial number list that in 2008 the numbers already passed 29k units, so this would fit and I assume that this F6 is from 2005/2006.

For both cameras I also bought a MB-40 grip. A new one with serial 231123 "Made in Japan" (recent Nikon design for packaging with black/gold box) and a used one for the second F6 with serial 206915 "Made in China" (gold box with older design like the F6 box).

I have never seen before that Nikon shifts the production from China to Japan, especially not for accessories like battery grips.

Checking ebay only used MB-40 grips made in China can be found up to serial numbers of 21xxxx. Nikon usually leaves a gap between different charges of production caused by small changes or location shift, so I would guess that after the first batch of grips with serial up to potentially 219999, the new range started in Japan with 23xxxx.

But this is pure speculation unless we start to collect serial numbers of MB-40 grips, too.

--
Dennis
Click to expand...

Welcome to the club :).

And I can confirm your observations:
I bought my first brand new F6 also with a MB-40, which was "Made in China" and has a serial number 21xxxx.

My second F6, lately bought and also brand new, has a MB-40 which was "Made in Japan" and has a serial number 23xxxx.

So Nikon has transferred the MB-40 production to the Nikon Sendai factory, where all the professional Nikons including the F6 and the higher end accessoires and flashes are made.
This factory is very flexible and can produce with highest quality even very small volumes.
 
I bought 00034395 new about four years ago, and having discovered on a recent trip with two OM-2ns how nice it is to have one body with colour film, and another with B&W and with 28mm and 85mm lenses that can be swapped back and forth, I've just acquired #00020744 so I can do the same with a pair of F6s.

C.
 
taka said:
No. 0035362 in possession!
Click to expand...

Congrats!!
This is indeed the latest / highest serial number reported so far.
May I ask when and where you have bought it? At which price? Have you also bought the MB-40 vertical / battery grip?

Cheers, Jan
 
HHPhoto said:
Congrats!!
This is indeed the latest / highest serial number reported so far.
May I ask when and where you have bought it? At which price? Have you also bought the MB-40 vertical / battery grip?

Cheers, Jan
Click to expand...


Order placed June 2nd, B&H photo, NYC, after seeing "more on the way"on their website for over 6 months. Was told there would be no eta; could be weeks to months. Decided to wait it out. Nikon USA had zero in stock despite their web site allowing the F6 to be placed in cart. Received shipping notification from B&H July 30th. In hand on the 31st! No MB-40 yet. Wanted to first take test roll and make sure all is functioning properly! $2,449.00 + $211.23 NY tax.

Cheers!
 
taka said:
Order placed June 2nd, B&H photo, NYC, after seeing "more on the way"on their website for over 6 months. Was told there would be no eta; could be weeks to months. Decided to wait it out. Nikon USA had zero in stock despite their web site allowing the F6 to be placed in cart. Received shipping notification from B&H July 30th. In hand on the 31st! No MB-40 yet. Wanted to first take test roll and make sure all is functioning properly! $2,449.00 + $211.23 NY tax.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Looks very similar to the situation here in Europe: Here most retailers don't have the F6 in permanent stock and just transfer the order directly to Nikon.
So you place an order, then the order is sent to Nikon Japan by your retailer, the camera is made on order for you and then shipped to you via your retailer.

Cheers, Jan
 
taka said:
No. 0035362 in possession!
Click to expand...

Mine just arrived and is about 20 numbers higher than that. So they're not making them in huge quantities.

Did yours come with a Nikon USA sticker?

NikonUSAsticker.jpg


All my previous Nikons had that sticker, but my F6 did not. Was wondering if Nikon is no longer putting those on the cameras.

Best,
-Tim
 
Thought I'd posted, but on checking . . . ho hum, better late than never ;) So my F6 s/no is # 0006653, bought new.
 
Spotted these two at Yodobashi Camera in Shinjuku (Tokyo) earlier tonight. Recently received brand new on the shelf stock.

35405

35442
 
Timmyjoe said:
NikonUSAsticker.jpg


All my previous Nikons had that sticker, but my F6 did not. Was wondering if Nikon is no longer putting those on the cameras.

Best,
-Tim
Click to expand...

As a follow up. I came across another F6 and when you flip the little back door open, it has the sticker I referenced above on the inside:

DoorUSA.jpg


Both cameras pictured were purchased in 2012. Does Nikon still put these USA stickers on the cameras intended for the US market? Anyone who has bought a USA warranted Nikon F6 new in the last two years, did your camera come with one of these stickers on the inside of the little back door? Previously, NIKON USA wouldn't service any camera that didn't have one of these stickers. I'm trying to find out is that is still the case. When I talked to NIKON, they were very vague about it.

Best,
-Tim
 
Talked to a number of different sources and found out that Nikon no longer puts those stickers on USA cameras, and they no longer have the Yellow Faced warranty card for USA products. Now the cameras come without the stickers and with a plain white faced warranty card.

So there you go.

Best,
-Tim
 
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