Nikon F6

[Roughcollie]

Hi, just a quick question,I have a Nikon F5 and I love the camera although it is a bit heavy,and it does take some really super photos, my question is: is it worth buying a Nikon F6? putting aside the weight of the F5, is it really worth the investment, or should I put the money to a new lens?
Any comment would be really appreciated.

 

[alexandru_voicu]

The F6 is a gorgeous camera. Without the battery pack, it is significantly smaller and lighter than the F5. With the pack, it's actually a little bit larger and heavier than the F5. Is it worth the investment? That's a question only you can answer.

 

[keytarjunkie]

I've borrowed one a few times, and found it to be a really wonderful camera. Perhaps the "best" large, full-featured 35mm SLR, subjectively. But have you considered the F100? It's fairly similar to the F5 but smaller and lighter without the bottom grip. It's like 90% of the F6 at 20% of the price. Definitely worth considering if you are investing a lot of money in a 15+ year old electronic camera.

 

[kshapero]

I've borrowed one a few times, and found it to be a really wonderful camera. Perhaps the "best" large, full-featured 35mm SLR, subjectively. But have you considered the F100? It's fairly similar to the F5 but smaller and lighter without the bottom grip. It's like 90% of the F6 at 20% of the price. Definitely worth considering if you are investing a lot of money in a 15+ year old electronic camera.

The F6 is by far the best SLR film camera ever made. But I would go for an F100 and buy a new lens.

 

[valdas]

F6 is till on my list and I think I will buy it when this lockdown is over (don't want to take any risks with postal service disruptions those days). One thing that you have with F6 vs F100 is full metering options (including matrix) with older AIs lenses.

 

[Filter Factor]

I've borrowed one a few times, and found it to be a really wonderful camera. Perhaps the "best" large, full-featured 35mm SLR, subjectively. But have you considered the F100? It's fairly similar to the F5 but smaller and lighter without the bottom grip. It's like 90% of the F6 at 20% of the price. Definitely worth considering if you are investing a lot of money in a 15+ year old electronic camera.

Consider though that the F6 is still in production at Nikon's Sendai factory so the electronics are brand-new and not fifteen years old!
Demand in fact is increasing because the F6 is a considerable bargain. I'm of the opinion that every Nikon photographer needs one.
I eventually bought a second one.

Cheers, Robert

 

[SaveKodak]

The F6 is the last Nikon you'll ever need. Buy it without hesitation! Your photos and your back will thank you.

 

[keytarjunkie]

Consider though that the F6 is still in production at Nikon's Sendai factory so the electronics are brand-new and not fifteen years old!
Demand in fact is increasing because the F6 is a considerable bargain. I'm of the opinion that every Nikon photographer needs one.
I eventually bought a second one.

Cheers, Robert

Hey Robert. I've not seen any evidence of an increase in demand. Nikon produces these cameras in batches and they are always backordered. The only way to get one is to wait, or buy used. I wouldn't discourage someone from buying one either way, but it's worth considering that the electronics were designed in 2003/2004 - the same year as the Motorola Razr and HDMI standardization, ancient history in terms of technology. It is unknown how long Nikon will continue to produce or support the F6. If it dies, it could be a very expensive brick. I am merely recommending a much less expensive potential brick.

I disagree that every Nikon owner should have a F6. If you are coming from a F5 or D700, you will feel right at home with the F6. I will stick with my much lighter (relatively) original F with non-AI lenses. To each their own. The F6 is still a very capable camera.

 

[nikon_sam]

I have the F thru F5 and for the most part have no desire for the F6 at this time...you will read how great this camera is and it would be the LAST camera you'll ever buy/own/need/want...etc etc etc...
But then as others have already said...It's up to you...maybe rent or borrow one and find out yourself before investing a lot of time and money...
Good Luck...

 

[Huss]

If I had an F5 I'm not sure I would get an F6 (which I own) unless you feel the need to scratch that itch. The F6 does fit superbly in the hand, so if you find it more comfortable to use than the F5, then that would be a big plus.
I have looked at a few F5s and they all (3 of them) had electrical issues. I'm not sure if it was just mine I looked at (which is why they were being unloaded) or prevalent to that model when they age.

I have owned an F100 in the past and find the F6 superior in many ways, including being much more comfortable to hold. The F100's grip is just a big bulky thing while the F6 feels perfectly formed. Also the F100 is notorious for breaking its film back latches (which is why I sold mine off while it was still good) and Nikon unbelievably made them out of plastic. Even the EM's are made out of metal.

Yeah the F6 is great - Nikon USA still services them. I know this because my AF failed.... But I actually like my F4 more! It just clicks with me.

 

[nikon_sam]

.... But I actually like my F4 more! It just clicks with me.

Huss...The F4 has the old school dials on them, so easy to use and fits like a glove...I have the MF-23 back on one of mine and at last count probably over 50,000 images taken with it...
I understand why you like it more...

 

[Pál_K]

For someone who likes the camera-control ergonomics of the F5 and Nikon digital cameras, I would say a new F6 (rather than used) is a worthy choice. I base this on expectations of it having a much longer life after purchase.

I have the F, F2, F3, and F4 and the FM series. I like discrete controls. The many electronic subsystems of the F4 worry me, though I love the camera.

The F6 is the culmination of Nikon's film camera achievements and almost certainly to be their last advanced-level film camera. I have been seriously tempted to buy one as a show of support and appreciation. I've been tempted to buy both an F5 and F6 - I've been offered great deals. But I know I'd never use them.

 

[Hari]

I got an F with plain prism and an F2 with the silicon blue meter.
Plus an F4 I've not used. The F2 Nikon motor could be easily
separated from the battery pack, either to keep it next to the
body or even when the camera is set outside a window, for
example. I think the Nikon F could do it too, but you couldn't
take the motor off the F mid-roll like the F2. Nikon dropped the
wire connected battery with the F3. The F2 was the only Nikon
to have a 100 foot roll film back. They are expensive now.

 

[kshapero]

I have had an F, F2, F3HP, F4. No interest in the F5, but the F6 is on my bucket list, someday.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Like Akiva, I've had a few Nikon F cameras. Two different Nikon F bodies, one Nikon F2, one Nikon F3HP, one Nikon F4s, one Nikon F5, and one Nikon F6. By far the Nikon F6 is head and shoulders above the previous versions. My only complaint, unlike the F, F2, F3HP and F4s, whenever I change my old Nikkor primes around on the F6, I have to always remember to enter in the lens info, which is kind of a pain in the backside. Can't remember how that worked on the F5 as I had that nearly twenty years ago, and used it with autofocus AF-D lenses, but I really wish the F6 could be used without having to enter in the AI lens info every time you switch lenses.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Pál_K]

One nice thing about the F6, I'm led to believe, is that it allows you to record exposure data between the frames.

This can be done on a few other Nikon cameras only with the use of a particular data back (such as the MF-23 on the F4).

 

[keytarjunkie]

One nice thing about the F6, I'm led to believe, is that it allows you to record exposure data between the frames.

This can be done on a few other Nikon cameras only with the use of a particular data back (such as the MF-23 on the F4).

Yes, you can do this with the F6, and it's even customizable. It's one of my favorite features as well. See below.

 

[Laterna Magica]

Hi, just a quick question,I have a Nikon F5 and I love the camera although it is a bit heavy,and it does take some really super photos, my question is: is it worth buying a Nikon F6? putting aside the weight of the F5, is it really worth the investment, or should I put the money to a new lens?
Any comment would be really appreciated.

In my experience it is worth it.
I am using both the F5 and F6. The F6 is significantly improved in more than 25 different aspects in comparison to the F5.
The F6 is the better camera. Period.

 

[Huss]

IThe F6 is significantly improved in more than 25 different aspects in comparison to the F5..

Which are?

 

[Laterna Magica]

Which are?

- more robust body (the changeable viewfinder of the F5 is a week spot, that is the reason why all manufacturers have abandoned changeable viewfinders)
- vertical grip optional = better flexibility
- improved metering
- better compatibility with AI and AI-S lenses
- more robust rubber-leathering
- i-TTL
- much better ergonomics
- no more this stupid security locks
- integrated data back
- more options of data recording
- better compatibility with MV-1
- better AF sensor indication in red
- better autofocus system
- more autofocus points, better positioning of these points
- much better dynamic autofocus
- better dampening of shutter and mirror
- much more silent operation
- better viewfinder
- better, bigger knobs, easier to operate in the cold with gloves
- more custom functions
- the control options using in vertical operation with the F5 are very limited; with the F6 you have much better control
- F6 is much more silent
- info monitor on the back
- EXIF data visible on the back monitor, not only in the stored data (via MV-1)
- more refined mechanics
- high speed TTL / TTL FP with SB-800
- Func button
..................and even some more improvements.
Have a look also here
https://filmbodies.com/cameras/camera-reviews/nikon-f6-review.html
and here
https://f6project.com/