Nikon F6 ... time to move?

philosomatographer said:
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.
Click to expand...

Ever tried a Leicaflex SL? Makes the f6 pale in comparision, and this from a 40 y/o camera.
 
Teuthida said:
Ever tried a Leicaflex SL? Makes the f6 pale in comparision, and this from a 40 y/o camera.
Click to expand...

It's nice - but it's like an Olympus OM-1 / Pentax MX - big and bright, but does not have nearly the clarity, acutance and contrast that a OM-3Ti (or 4Ti fitted with the same 2-series focusing screen) has, sorry 🙂

Still, we are really spoilt for choice. All these film cameras under discussion have amazing viewfinders through which to create our compositions, putting most DSLRs to shame. Also, in good light, there is something really special about even the plain old Nikon F finder. I actually didn't want to turn this thread into a viewfinder pissing contest, I was just sayin' 🙂
 
jonmanjiro said:
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:





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This is very interesting. Does the F5 data back do similar?
I like the 2nd photo a lot,
regards john
 
Eos 1v does similar thing prints all the data on the beginning of the film what camera number of film etc, handy in the digital age when we are all looking at exif data. The data back for the F5 adds a fair bit of bulk, I'm pretty sure I had one when I still had the F5 but may be thinking of the F4 data back, its quite hard getting a good one now as the LCD screens are all fading due to the age and I don't think nikon can repair.
 
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You guys have got to stop this!! 😀 I so enjoy my F5, though I confess its weight is often times an issue. FYI, there is a gentleman on photo.net who has an F6 available for $1300. I didn't inquire if it's still available. By way of inquiry: what are your thoughts on buying what appear to be mint condition F6's from China/Japan vendors? A couple of them on the SleezeBay have them listed for prices that seem "too good to be true," though their seller ratings are 100%. Thanks for your help.

tony
 
nobbylon said:
This is very interesting. Does the F5 data back do similar?
I like the 2nd photo a lot,
regards john
Click to expand...


Yes, it does. The F5 with the Mf28 databack is the ONLY way to go with an F5. Still not an F6 though, but a damned good F5!:angel: You can still find NIB databacks on ebay from time to time like I did.
 
anthony_semone said:
You guys have got to stop this!! 😀 I so enjoy my F5, though I confess its weight is often times an issue. FYI, there is a gentleman on photo.net who has an F6 available for $1300. I didn't inquire if it's still available. By way of inquiry: what are your thoughts on buying what appear to be mint condition F6's from China/Japan vendors? A couple of them on the SleezeBay have them listed for prices that seem "too good to be true," though their seller ratings are 100%. Thanks for your help.

tony
Click to expand...


I spotted those and a couple of them seemed very reasonable and as you say the sellers had good ratings. I was almost prepared to go that way until Jon stepped in with the F6 in Japan.

As much as they're a desirable camera it's a lot of money for a film SLR ... there are only a few listed at any given time on eBay and I've noticed they don't shift that quickly!
 
anthony_semone said:
Keith, are the ergonomics of the F6 substantially different compared to the F5? It appears to be a less cumbersome body.
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Others can tell you better Anthony ... I haven't handled either camera yet but I do love the ergonomics of my D700 and I gather the F6 is very similar.

I'm keen to get my hands on it ... I have a trip to Western Australia coming in up in a few weeks and it would be an ideal way to get to know it.
 
Hi Keith,

I've worked with all the mentioned alternatives here, F100, F5 and F6.
I've bought a brand new F6 with MB-40 vertical grip and MV-1 datareader some years ago and have shot many hundred rolls with it.
It's by far the best 35mm SLR I have ever used. Simply a dream machine.

Compared to F100 and F5 the F6 has the following advantages:

- much better ergonomics
- improved viewfinder (the best viewfinder I've ever seen on a SLR or DSLR)
- shutter is better dampened, significantly less vibration, resulting in sharper pictures at longer shutter speeds
- more precise autofocus, better AF coverage
- more precise focus with manual lenses (with my manual Nikkor and Zeiss lenses I get sharper pictures with the F6 compared to my manual Nikon bodies); F6 and Zeiss glass fits extremely well
- full compability with manual lenses, all exposure modes and matrix-metering working
- i-TTL flash system (and that is outstanding)
- built-in data back
- full exif data, either on back LCD and / or via datareader MV-1
- excellent flexibility: light-weigt and smaller without MB-40; excellent ergonomics and full power (8 fps) with vertical grip MB-40
- silent mode
- improved MLU

At that time I hesitated for a long time, also because of the price.
Since I have it I know the hesitation was wrong. I should have bought it much earlier.
The camera is worth every cent, I think it is even worht much more.
For me it is a lifetime camera: I will use it till I die.

Here are some other test reports about the camera:

http://www.nikonlinks.com/equipment_film_f_Series.htm#f6

Cheers, Jan
 
Agreed on the ergonomics. I've mentioned this elsewhere, but it feels more like the F6 decided to grip your hand rather than the other way around.

For any D700 owners, it's the perfect pairing if you want to carry both bodies around. They're both similar enough ergonomically along with the control layout that you can pretty much seamlessly between the two.
 
Cant speak to the F6, but if its half the camera the F5 is, I want one!

I love the F5. Digital age AF and matrix metering and you get a NEGATIVE!
 
Keith,
I know both D700 and F6. D700 is somehow bulkier and looks even steadier once you have it in hands, yet I prefer the slightly different and unique grip that has the F6. It's just ..better!
 
italy74 said:
Keith,
I know both D700 and F6. D700 is somehow bulkier and looks even steadier once you have it in hands, yet I prefer the slightly different and unique grip that has the F6. It's just ..better!
Click to expand...


Hi Dino,

Yes ... and even better you get to open the back and pop a roll of film in it when you want to take photos! 🙂

The anticipation is killing me! :bang:

😀 😀 😀
 
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