Unintended consequences: considering an F6

If you are at all considering the 58/1.4G, you almost have to choose the F6. That lens notoriously needs AF correction on all bodies, and you can't do it on film cameras. I have tried to enjoy it's wide open performance on my F100 but it frequently misses, it's just not up to the task. The F6 should be better, though not as good as the D750 sadly. With F6's so cheap on Fleabay from Japan, it's hard to say no.
 
That is a very good observation - all the f/1.4 lenses require accurate AF, so microtune is useful. I think it will have to be an F6 for this reason alone.

Thanks!!! Can I borrow your credit card? 😉
 
Ken Ford said:
That is a very good observation - all the f/1.4 lenses require accurate AF, so microtune is useful. I think it will have to be an F6 for this reason alone.

Thanks!!! Can I borrow your credit card? 😉
Click to expand...

There is no AF fine tuning on any of the Nikon film bodies.
But the AF in the F6 is the best of the lot. As is its manual focus abilities.
 
papaki said:
Before handing out so much for a camera like that, check to see first if they can be repaired and try to estimate for how longer there will be repair services for them.
Click to expand...

The F6 is still in production, so no issues there.

But, Nikon USA will only work on/provide parts for official Nikon USA cameras. So if u buy one from Japan, you might not be able to get it worked on here.
The way to tell if your camera is a USa model is to see if it has the gold Nikon sticker on the back of the metal flap that covers the menu buttons.
 
F6usa_zpssegckjcn.jpg
 
Ok, after thinking about this I've decided to hedge my bets - a F100 with MB15 is on order, I'm looking for a D80 (don't ask) and I'm going to start searching for a reasonable F5. At some point I'll probably grab an F6, too - but it won't be any time soon.

NAS at it's finest.
 
I found a clean, high serial number F5 for reasonable money this morning. I'll decide whether to keep the F5 or the F100 at my leisure, or even keep both. And I'm still looking for a clean N80 for a truly lightweight body that can fit in the front pocket of my Domke F2 bag - having a film body on me will result in more use.
 
OK, I have both the F100 with MB15 and the F5 in hand. The F100 has a problem with the metering mode switch and is going back regardless, but I have to say that all in all I prefer the F5.

The F100 definitely has several strong points - especially the light up focus points and the main control wheel on the MB15, but the overall rigidity and operation of the F5 appeals - it's very much like shooting with my D1 (which is a good thing.)

So, the F100 is going back and won't be replaced. I do have a N80 on the way, maybe that can serve as my lightweight film body for G lenses. But the F5 is a keeper, I think! And I'll definitely keep an eye out for an F6 to fondle. It'll be awhile before I could justify an F6, though - I need to cool off from my recent gearapalooza.
 
I sold my F6 and still have the F100.

Haven't seen mentioned...

The F6 supports Nikon's CLS on the latest flash units, which is nice. I also liked that the F6 can print exposure information between frames.

The only downside for me with the F6 is that I'm left-eyed and my nose always moved the focus point. Drove me nuts.
 
jackbaty said:
I sold my F6 and still have the F100.

Haven't seen mentioned...

The F6 supports Nikon's CLS on the latest flash units, which is nice. I also liked that the F6 can print exposure information between frames.

The only downside for me with the F6 is that I'm left-eyed and my nose always moved the focus point. Drove me nuts.
Click to expand...

Really? I am left-eye dominant too. Never had a problem like that... ???

You mentioned the CLS and you are right, very cool thing that is for a lot of things.:angel:

Check out this rig! Great blog too...😀
 
jackbaty said:
The only downside for me with the F6 is that I'm left-eyed and my nose always moved the focus point. Drove me nuts.
Click to expand...

But all u have to do is rotate that little switch and lock out the focus dial.

I once had a steering wheel coming out of my pants. It drove me nuts.
 
Leica 2 cam lenses are relatively cheap and with the Leitax mount you can use it on Nikon bodies. The advantage of the F6 is matrix metering with the Leitax converted lenses and focus assist for old guys with bad vision like me. I can focus a 90 Summicron-R up close perfectly with focus assist without my glasses and blind like a bat.
 
Ray, that's a whole different problem for me - I've been resisting picking up R gear for years, successfully so far. I've wanted an R8/9 since they were new!
 
I'm still making my way up the food chain - got an FM2n this week

I feel like a kid in a candy store with current prices
 
Ken Ford said:
Ray, that's a whole different problem for me - I've been resisting picking up R gear for years, successfully so far. I've wanted an R8/9 since they were new!
Click to expand...

I am an R user but can't focus the R8 (and I have one) due to its low magnification and my poor eye sight. Originally I got into R for the digital back but since focusing was hit and miss for me I gave it up and went back to M. RF focusing is much easier. So with the Leitax conversion I can shoot digital Nikon with R lenses with perfect focusing. The D700 is a great camera. After shooting digital for a while and converting files to b/w for printing I realize I much prefer traditional prints from b/w film. Since the converted R lenses are perfectly usable on the F6 it was a natural progression.
 
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