Nikon F6 ... time to move?

[Keith]

Enjoy the F6! One thing, it's about the same size as the D700, weighs about the same, but the grip is a little different. I prefer the F6's to the D700.

Thanks! I'm really looking forward to having both cameras in hand.

They should compliment each other perfectly and I may even get a Leitax adapter for using a couple of my Zuikos ... the 50mm f1.2 comes to mind!

 

[italy74]

Keith
I have both F6 and F100 so I can compare and relate to both.
Short answer: get the F6
long answer: F100 has a somehow more "impressive" autofocus (it's noisier yet it gives you the impression of a dragster) while the F6 is silk smooth.
While you can find 1 million F100 around the world, F6 is a camera for life.
First, it fits my hands better than any else F or D I ever had, D700 included which has already a great handgrip. Second, it's versatile like a D-SLR with its menu (and possibility to save shooting data for many and many rolls, define non-cpu lens data etc) and - at least imho - AF points are just fine. I've never seconded the latest Nikon trend with more and more AF points whose more powerful are anyway and always in the centre. Nikon - flood aside - should keep in mind basics first, as my old teacher said. Basic, first, then and only then, "fronzoli" (bells and whistles).
I'm sure you will enjoy your F6 for many years to come. Get it.
If you were in Italy, I could suggest you one of the most reputed sellers over here which often have a F6 (here sells for much less than there, the latest one was 880€ while an F5 sells for 300/350, an F100 from 200 to 300 and a FM3A for 350/400)

That said, F100 is the second camera I'd get (again, money-wise) after the F6...

 

[ronnies]

The F100, F5 & F6 (or any Nikon with two finger controls on the body) can accommodate "G" lenses.

The F4 (and similar vintage bodies) can also accommodate "G" lenses BUT only in S or P modes.

Ronnie

 

[cee]

FWIW, I bought a F100 on a whim this summer for a song and love it to death. I've taken some of my best photos with the camera in a very short period of time.

I love how it feels in hand. I'm sure the F6 would be similar if not better.

 

[shadowfox]

Isn't GAS support roughly 90% of the posts here and most forums?

Apparently more so for some than others 🙂

I'm just trying (in futility of course 🙄) to imbue some sense into the discussion. But it's Keith's business and his money in the end. I could be just as happy cheering him on from the sideline.

 

[Hatch]

Apparently more so for some than others 🙂

I'm just trying (in futility of course 🙄) to imbue some sense into the discussion. But it's Keith's business and his money in the end. I could be just as happy cheering him on from the sideline.

Sacrilege.😱

Everyone knows that a "good" photographer will not be swayed by such a mundane thing as common sense.

Art requires one to rise above such things. 😛😛

As a side note I prefer the F5.
But that's only because I sometimes use the waistlevel finder.
And it's easier to use different focussing screen.

But I'm still looking for the kit to be able to use non AI lenses on the F5 so I'll probably get an F4 for that instead.

AH GAS 😱

 

[wjlapier]

Sacrilege.😱

Everyone knows that a "good" photographer will not be swayed by such a mundane thing as common sense.

Art requires one to rise above such things. 😛😛

As a side note I prefer the F5.
But that's only because I sometimes use the waistlevel finder.
And it's easier to use different focussing screen.

But I'm still looking for the kit to be able to use non AI lenses on the F5 so I'll probably get an F4 for that instead.

AH GAS 😱

Send the F5 to Nikon and they will modify it to accept non-ai lenses.

 

[Hatch]

Send the F5 to Nikon and they will modify it to accept non-ai lenses.

I tried a while ago but they told me they'd never heard of the mod ? and in any case they did not have the parts for it. :bang:

Admittedly Nikon were doing some reorganizing then.
Perhaps I should try again.

 

[nobbylon]

Apparently more so for some than others 🙂

I'm just trying (in futility of course 🙄) to imbue some sense into the discussion. But it's Keith's business and his money in the end. I could be just as happy cheering him on from the sideline.

I always try to impart sense to others when choosing gear. I never follow it myself😀
The nice thing about questions like this F6 thread is that it creates a debate in ones own mind and allows me to indirectly and hyperthetically spend someone elses money with them.
Why do some like apples and some oranges? who knows but in the end the F6 is a great camera as are all the other single digit F's. The F100 is the only other that having used I thought was superb as well.
I remember lusting after an F2 when I was a schoolboy and thanks to digital and the resultant fall in s/h values I've been able to try them all and experience what fine machines the F's are. The F6 is the one I have not had and maybe when prices suit me I'll try it.
I can read as many articles and read as many posts by others but in the final analysis there is only one way to find out.
Enjoy your new F Keith,
regards John

 

[Keith]

I always try to impart sense to others when choosing gear. I never follow it myself😀
The nice thing about questions like this F6 thread is that it creates a debate in ones own mind and allows me to indirectly and hyperthetically spend someone elses money with them.
Why do some like apples and some oranges? who knows but in the end the F6 is a great camera as are all the other single digit F's. The F100 is the only other that having used I thought was superb as well.
I remember lusting after an F2 when I was a schoolboy and thanks to digital and the resultant fall in s/h values I've been able to try them all and experience what fine machines the F's are. The F6 is the one I have not had and maybe when prices suit me I'll try it.
I can read as many articles and read as many posts by others but in the final analysis there is only one way to find out.
Enjoy your new F Keith,
regards John

And this even applies to the F6 ... as expensive as it seems used.

A friend of mine in Sydney has one that I tried to steal for a song until he wised up and realised it wasn't the useless piece of junk I was trying to convince him it was! 😀

He paid close to $4000.00 here in Oz for the camera when he bought it new, only to find that within a couple of years of getting it he was having trouble finding film for it locally as he had done with all his previous cameras. I almost had him convinced to sell it to me for a few hundred dollars until he actually went and checked what he'd paid for it. The ridiculous thing is it now sits unused in it's original packaging in a cupboard while he takes his family snaps with a D700! :bang:

😀

 

[Keith]

And I meant to add:

To all those in this thread who told me what a great camera the F6 is and I should definitely get one ... you are 'GAS' legends!

To those who tried to make me see sense and take the cheaper option ... you did your best and I appreciate your efforts and common sense approach. Better luck next time! 😀

 

[jonmanjiro]

To all those in this thread who told me what a great camera the F6 is and I should definitely get one ... you are 'GAS' legends!

We are only here to help, Keith 😀

On a different note, one of the things I loved about the F6 is the built in data back that "prints" shooting information onto the film. Really handy IMO 🙂

Some samples here:

 

[maddoc]

Prices for meet did not change significantly it seems ! 🙂

We are only here to help, Keith 😀

On a different note, one of the things I loved about the F6 is the built in data back that "prints" shooting information onto the film. Really handy IMO 🙂

Some samples here:

 

[eric rose]

I have an F5 and a buddy was selling his F6 so he gave it to me to try out. I used it for a couple of months but found the F5 did everything I wanted or needed. I gave the F6 back to my buddy even though he would have practically given it to me.

 

[Keith]

One of the things I really love about this place is the chain of events that can occur when you start a thread like this.

Post #11 from Jonmanjiro read:

Keith, I spotted an F6 in mint condition in Tokyo today. It was 89,000 yen. I damn near bought it

If you want me to grab it for you, LMK!

From then on resistance was futile!


I remember when I started a thread on 'Pentax 67 Gas' I got a PM from Jim (Barnwulf) offering me a mint P67ii and couple of lenses for way less than I was expecting to pay. The end result is getting the camera you want for less than expected with no bullsh!t and no eBay!

Life's good around here! 🙂

 

[kdemas]

You're going to love it Keith.

 

[ricnak]

One of the things I really love about this place is the chain of events that can occur when you start a thread like this.

Post #11 from Jonmanjiro read:

Quote:
Keith, I spotted an F6 in mint condition in Tokyo today. It was 89,000 yen. I damn near bought it

If you want me to grab it for you, LMK!
From then on resistance was futile!


I remember when I started a thread on 'Pentax 67 Gas' I got a PM from Jim (Barnwulf) offering me a mint P67ii and couple of lenses for way less than I was expecting to pay. The end result is getting the camera you want for less than expected with no bullsh!t and no eBay!

Life's good around here! 🙂

I can feel an avalanche of similar threads starting.

 

[Keith]

I can feel an avalanche of similar threads starting.

In case you hadn't noticed, GAS threads are pretty abundant here already Helen!

 

[ricnak]

I have noticed and I think GAS is GREAT!

 

[philosomatographer]

Nope, 3Ti finder is better 🙂

Nope, 3Ti finder is better 🙂

When he loaded his very first film in that camera and we took a look through the finder we were astonished about that clearness and that perfect designed function controls.
Well I think the F6 has the "best" prism-finder over all cameras I know, even the EOS 1V I own by my self.

That's fair comment, but the F6 viewfinder is substantially inferiour to the Olympus OM-3Ti viewfinder. Have a look and you'll see 🙂 The F6 is marvellous - perhaps second- or third best when it comes to 35mm SLRs, but the 3Ti is king of the hill, no questions asked.