Nikon F6: The Best There Was, The Best There Ever Will Be.

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CLA'd Nikon F6 on JapanCameraHunter's website: japancamerahunt...
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Area of Focus, Did It Anyway, Parmesan Crust, Saved by the Tell - All by Sam Barsh (Soundstripe.com)

[@BS_Patrol]

Thanks Kai, the $1200 F6 I’ve been saving up for will now be $2000 in a few hours 😂

[@classic.cameras]

Haha true eh.

[@gro_skunk]

Go for an F5 or F100 they're nearly the same just going for $300

[@sordsmen3456]

Now I gotta panic buy one 😭

[@flyingo]

I love the F5 and F100, but there’s just something about an F6.. I’ll need to sell a few of the six or seven Nikon F5s I have and *maybe* I’ll be able to get an F6.

[@tylerfukuda]

FE, F2 or F3.. all you ever need

[@vini20900]

Thanks Kai for helping me sell my f6 for thrice the price I paid for it a couple of year back! Really helped me paying my bills!

[@penchiselcamera]

The F6 can also print capture data on the film strip between the frames. Such an amazing camera.

[@kylemsguy_]

I loved this feature when I got one of the data backs for the F3. I wish more cameras printed data in between frames instead of right on top of the frame.

[@Muldoonite]

The fact that Nikon will still perform maintenance and repairs on the F6 is another great reason to get one. I hope they'll continue to support it for years to come.

[@tchouros]

I don’t know where you live, but Nikon UK, Switzerland and France all refused to service mine two months ago!

[@neerajnongmaithem392]

Nikon Japan ​@@tchouros

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

I've had mine serviced in Taiwan around 6 months ago

[@Muldoonite]

@@tchouros If your camera was sold/purchased in Europe then that's pretty weird. You could try contacting Bellamy at Japan Camera Hunter with the camera serial number and see if he can arrange a service through Nikon Japan. I have heard that the service center may not work on the camera if it was sold/purchased in a different market than where the service center is located. So if you try to get a Japan market F6 serviced at a USA Nikon Service Center, they may reject it. Best thing to do is to call Nikon support, give them the camera's serial number and verify that they will work on it first before sending it in.

[@Muldoonite]

@@tchouros Can ask Bellamy at Japan Camera Hunter to see if your camera can get serviced at Nikon Japan if you give him the serial number. Sometimes a service center won't work on a camera if it was sold/purchased in a different market than where the service center is. Like Nikon USA might refuse to work on a Japanese market camera for example. If you give them the serial number they can check and verify that they'll work on it.

[@gavenevans]

PRESSURE CAMPAIGN TO MAKE NIKON TO MAKE ANOTHER ONE F SERIES

[@fotografalexandernikolis]

I'd guess there would be a huge cost involved in rebuilding the entire production line with SLR mechanisms such as film advance etc. They would probably make a net loss from that.

[@gavenevans]

@@fotografalexandernikolis depends on how they do it. They could probably rework the late DSLR line to accommodate it, and it serves them right! They should’ve never stopped making them 😂

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

I want an F7 with D6 autofocus

[@fotografalexandernikolis]

​@@gavenevans But really, what's the point of making even more new film cameras when old ones are everywhere for cheap? It's not like a new one would bring anything significant over the F6.

[@gavenevans]

@@fotografalexandernikolis I don’t know about that, I think you could make a significantly better camera than you could with 2004 manufacturing. Film is going through a revival and people will appreciate (and pay for) NEW film cameras. If Leica can revive the M6 just for fun, I’m sure Nikon could cook up something incredible. A D6 style body with that level of autofocus and exposure latitude would be great

[@perkristoffersson4153]

Optical viewfinders are so extremely underrated today. Shooting an SLR or DSLR with a good, large viewfinder is such a relaxing experience compared to the EVF's of mirrorless.

[@PenNBrush]

I agree, having used EVFs for 7 years, I recently went back to my F100 and remembered how beautiful shooting with an optical viewfinder is in comparison. Now I’m finding it hard to move back to an EVF.

[@TheTS1205]

2:34 Silent shutters or the "Q" mode on Nikons works if you hold the shutter down! The mirror comes down when you release the button, which can be anytime. With this only the curtain and mirror up are noises you can hear

[@aaronmoore3050]

how does it compare to the 5ds/r silent shutter in volume? the 5ds/r silent shutter really is less annoying to birds, which surprised me, since it doesn't seem much quieter, but the quality of the sound changes.

[@fdequintana]

A face to face between this and the F100 should be following soon!

[@Panacamanana]

The F6 looks like a beast of a camera, but with the F100 and the F4 in arsenal, I think I'm content for the time being. The F100 has been my go to Nikon film camera and it's a fantastic camera. Plus it can save EXIF data internally as long as you have a 10-pin to serial cable but I was able to easily make one after a bit of research. This was tedious and difficult in the early 2000's but today, its insanely easy. Very much enjoy your perspective as always Kai!

[@DavidL5star]

I love my F5.

[@kelseyc203]

Same here; definitely wouldn't trade it for anything else.

[@Caballeroshot]

Same! got one for $250 and laugh every time I see someone recommend an overpriced F6

[@rvbsoundfactory]

F5:professional camera. F6:serious enthusiast camera.

[@SprocketHoles]

I got one 2 years ago, its amazing. I brought it a Z8 and 400mm f2.8 G to Kenya last year. The ektachrome came out amazing.

[@jagerardi]

Never could justify the price of one of these, much as I want it, so I settled for the Nikon F100. About 85% of an F6 at 25% of the price, and I love mine to bits. ..Joe

[@Caballeroshot]

The money you saved buys a lot of film and developer!

[@marrty777]

I love my F100. Really haven't found anything about it that I miss elsewhere.

[@williamm.3981]

F-100 is my favorite film camera!!! ❤❤❤❤😊

[@robdixon5016]

I had 2 F100s. Amazing cameras and I regret selling them. But I bought an F6 in 2006. Its a level above I must say. Super snappy focus and so clean as it winds.You have to try it and decide personally I think.

[@francos8109]

I bought one brand new in Japan for 800 usd. Haven’t regretted a single thing.

[@aaronmoore3050]

With* the yen as it is, there are now lots of japan listings on ebay.

[@bucharestbiketraffic]

The best there was? What about Canon EOS 1V ? :)

[@StevesFilmThoughts]

Just picked up an F6 2 weeks ago. After 9 years of shooting full manual cameras with an external light meter shooting the F6 is a dream! What a camera.

[@brugj03]

If you`re used to nothing everything is an upgrade

[@StevesFilmThoughts]

@@brugj03 Can't argue with that logic! 🤣

[@berndmevers]

Long live the F3

[@jeremyschuh]

THE BEST.

[@phillippugh2161]

Best film camera .......f5 ..drop the , Mike

[@connormazzola9792]

A lot say the F6 was just not what it should’ve been for professional photographers compared to the F5

[@ignorance72]

Pros either stuck with the F5 or went digital. The F6 was designed for hobbyists.

[@headwerkn]

The F6 was a reevaluation of the F5 rather than an evolution like each F camera had been. It was for the (notably) smaller pool of professional photographers who weren’t press, sports, forensic or scientific shooters - they’d already gone digital by then - and needed/preferred quality over speed. Hence less focus on sheer speed. But even then Nikon knew that the F6 would be their F swansong. Kinda amazing it was sold for so long, though perhaps that’s just cause it took so long to sell the production run ;-) Still, I want one, even though I have no need for one. 😂

[@robdixon5016]

@@headwerkn I have had mine for 18 years. Shot a ton of weddings and its a dream to shoot.

[@kevynoliveira]

finally, Nikon F6 - The F Word

[@TomMasonPhoto]

As a bit of a heads up from long term nikon F6 user, pick up some RECHARGEABLE CR123a batteries as it will save you some ££ in the long term and far better for the environment! they also last a lot longer for shooting. The F6 is the GOAT. Long a 35mm 1.4 AF-s G on an enjoy!

[@JamesAllington-Kay]

ah thanks - i've wondered a few times if you can put rechargable ones in

[@MolotovSandvich97]

Canon EOS-1V has entered the chat

[@unclemonkey4699]

Totally agree. Sick of buying clunky and aged manual cameras that have issues. Buy once and cry once. Sold my wonderful F5 to buy the great F6... Canon 1V is equally awesome as well. Have owned them both. Go with whatever system you already own is my advice. Though being a Nikon guy, the 1V is easily the equal.

[@thenry_photography]

Nikon should bring back the D700's censor type into a new camera body. even if they can make it a 24mp sensor instead of 12mp. I have that camera and i love it

[@milo5507]

The viewfinder top looks too pointy. F5 looks better.

[@reneefariasphoto40]

Honestly, I still prefer my trusty F100s.

[@christopherbgriffith]

Love that Pro Image 100. Those reds. ❤ I love my F100. I've thought once or twice about getting the F5/F6 but it felt like overkill. Super fun retro review!

[@marrty777]

Agree. F100 has everything really.

[@blainehale]

For folks that don't want to spend the money, I guarantee the F100 will do 98% of what you'll EVER do with a film camera for a fraction of the price.

[@mynameisben123]

Agree they are bloody amazing

[@-420-]

yup, F100 the second best film SLR ever made, even better than the F5 imo.

[@BBEEKKAY]

This makes me want to repurchase the 50mm 1.4 afd again. Along with the rest of my afd lenses.

[@japancamerahunter]

Cheers Kai. come back soon.

[@thinkpadx60]

I have gone back into film and the F6 is a dream along with my Fm3a and FM2Ns

[@k0pper]

So. So. So glad I bought one last month sub $1k lol

[@aleoli.photography]

How does it compare with the (under rated?) Minolta Dynax/Alpha 9?

[@DaraM73]

Olympus OM-1 ffs!

[@chris2939]

Agree 100%

[@bananaskin7527]

Ektachrome 100 exists. Thanks for doing this. I just may try film photography again.

[@richperspective2999]

A truly great camera. It's quieter than some DSLRs, which is impressive considering it has to wind the film too.

[@Emma-zk6it]

I love the form factor of the F6 but for me the Minolta Alpha 9 is the king.

[@iuiuiu565]

Fm2n and fm3 is the best

[@mberggren9768]

I bought one a couple of years ago, but didn’t like it at all. Probably not because of the camera, but my lack of good Nikon lenses. And I hated that there were so many lenses that only worked partially, when it came to autofocus, programs and so on. My Canon cameras doesn’t have any of those problem. If it’s an EF lens, it works on every EF-mount camera. And my 1VHS and 1NRS both are a lot faster than the F6, even with the grip mounted. It was just to different from how I use my Canons. Sold for more than I payed a couple of months later, so no regrets, and the man who bought it is still happy with it.

[@robdixon5016]

I have F6 and EOS1V, and EOS1RS. I guess I disagree because my F6 is super smooth and crisp.

[@wl7915]

What a mark of the time, what a tons of memories, the state of the art camera once out of reach is 20 years old and affordable to me, yet I will never buy one and develop films in my DIY kitchen lab as I was young. As I can tell I used to owned a F2AS in bad shape, F3HP which is alright just the LCD number is not too well. Then for some part time job reason I put a rental F4E on my neck for the whole day and remember that pain and sorrow til this day. But I never seriously use a F5 and F6.

[@totoroutes5389]

For next topics: nikon FE, nikon FA, nikon D700

[@shanwen88]

Never liked the cameras from F100, F5 and F6 onwards. It was too "good" and felt like a cookie cutter machine. So incredibly boring to use and makes me feel like I'm using a digital DSLR. I stick with my F4 and have been using it for 6 years already. 🤣

[@TheCoolProfessor]

So sayeth Brett "Hitman" Hart!

[@Iareawesome100]

Kai buy some hand cream

[@RotlochStudio]

Will the newest lenses work on it? I got Nikon F60 and the aperture and auto focus didn't work on most lenses, some claimed that only on F100 and F6 they will work, but I think it is a big risk to buy one and get disappointed. Has anyone tried some of the newer lenses on the body?

[@PeterTheTyke]

I seem the F5 had a similar silent mode.

[@sonyviva308]

The holy trinity back then : Canon EOS 1v. Minolta A-9. Nikon F6.

[@JonackFilm]

Can we talk about HOW MANY PEOPLE are there? Jesee this is full.

[@StudioBonn]

Unfortunately no changeable finder like the F3...

[@ThePwig]

I think the F5 is better and much easier to obtain than the F6

[@manugeee]

Ridiculous! I have the F100 and this one is at least 100/6 times better! 😜

[@SuhendraSukiman]

Still own f2

[@oh_aces]

There is no Fujifilm film supply shortage. They're done making film since their digital bodies caught fire on tiktok or something.

[@TSGEnt]

Indeed, a beautiful camera.

[@BenjaminSandness]

Love my F100, maybe one day I’ll pick up an F6 if I find the right deal. I also really love film SLRs with the ergonomics and look of the DSLR era. F6>Df any day.

[@DrGerard66]

I have both the F100 and F6; the F100 is the one I reach for more often for reasons I can't entirely explain.

[@bybenoit5593]

hopefully brings down prices of F100...

[@giovannibistolfi515]

For all Nikon nerds out there: how does the F6 compare to the F100? I'm especially interested in the viewfinder size/clarity. Some manuals report the f100 as having a 0.7x magnification, while others state 0.76x :/

[@gewglesux]

FA,F3T, LEICA MP thank you very much

[@sputumtube]

The last desperate hurrah of Nikons formerly glorious (film) past that nobody really wanted. Buy an F2AS or an F3 instead and spend the remainder on a decent lens. If you can't do without all the auto-trickery, just buy a well sorted F5 which was the choice of professionals the world over.

[@soapybacon4358]

Honestly as a canon user for ever I've always dribbled for a mint Nikon f2 photomic. Love that camera that has to be the most iconic best ever Nikon, just can't be arsed with developing

[@TexasStormChaser]

Laughs in Canon Elan 7NE with eye controlled autofocus that is vastly superior to the F6 in both speed and low light accuracy. Also has ETTL II metering and works with every modern flash sold today for Canon mirrorless cameras including all the fancy remote ones. Works with all Canon EF mount lenses, and their image stabilization works as well. The Canon Elan 7NE uses the electronics straight out of a Canon 10D DSLR. Sounds old, but for a film camera it's the most advanced ever produced by any brand. IYKYK

[@GOLDDYNACO]

F6 the ultimate analog 135-film camera? Now perhaps owners of Canon EOS-1N, Minolta Dynax 9 or, for example, a brand new Leica M6 should join the discussion?

[@ErrorTH]

I love my F4 because of how ridicolous this crossover of past and future looks. Motorized rewind, still has manual knob. A S P M modes but still has shutter speed dial. DXcodes but still has ISO dial. Detachable prism. It's insane.

[@GiancarloBenzina]

LOL, the best, as if Kai ever believed in what he said. The greatest is the Nikon F, the best is the R9. The ultimate real world was the F5, then came the digital, the F6 came too late and nobody wanted it, aside from Nikon. And with all that said, the greatest film camera ever, by the produced greatest photos, shot by the greatest photographers can be debated between the Nikon F, F2, F3, F5 vs. The M3, M2, M4, M6, still being sold and continuing to be the greatest, but sadly mostly wasted on people like you and me, not so often to great photographers. Those actually moved to digital M, meanwhile, if not professionally using a sony or panasonic or a japanese camera with a russian labelled bajonett - Z.

[@thebrowncrew]

No professional used it. We moved to digital and no vert grid killed it.

[@Photoandcargeek]

Great camera and I own an F5 in my collection... But I still think the two best film cameras were the canon EOS 3 (I have owned mine from new, the AF is phenomenal) and the Minolta Dynax 7. Both were revolutionary, to a certain extent the F6 is the response to the Minolta with it's back screen and shoots more FPS than the EOS 3... But this EOS 3 être autofocus works insanely well with my eye and has only been beaten by mirrorless AF or the EOS R3 eye controlled AF... And as the owner of an R5, I really miss the eye controlled AF.

[@PierreBurnaugh]

Sorry, people who think the F6 is the best have never used or owned an F5. Among the features that make the F5 the best SLR ever made (and so much better than the F6), are the removable finder and the incorporated grip/drive. Also, the F5 has a feel (that "Nikon Feel") that the clunky F6 with its separated body and grip could not attain. Ask any news or sports pro who shot Nikon in the "analog" era. :)

[@maximgonzo3733]

I bought my F5 back in 2014 for 200 dollars and still using it, dont actully understand F6 camera, F5 is cheaper and has a prism that you could get off to shoot with action finder, plus you get 8 batteries AA what makes easier to replace and find.

[@MeowjinBoo]

just because something is theorically the best doesnt mean its actually the best. I sold my f5 for a contax g1 and a ricoh gr1s and they are both inferior, but yet better cameras. (35mm film cameras that is... if we are talking about MF i think the ga645zi is the ultimate film camera ever made) 6:10 I'm pretty confident fuji is done making film. I havent been able to buy provia or velvia for over a year.

[@FreedomCompatriots]

You know the best thing about screwdrive linkage lenses? In my experience I have yet to have a AF motor burn out in the camera body. I have an F5 that I purchased new way back in 1998 and it has yet to need to have the AF motor serviced/. I have had the silent wave motor burn out of numerous lenses. Too numerous to count actually and its a very expensive repair. I try to buy screwdrive lenses as a consequence whenever possible.

[@husshardan3511]

My F6's AF failed - and I babied it. Started to extreme front focus. Nikon Los Angeles service center fixed it and said it was common w the F6. I still use it, and it is nice. But that was very disappointing. Also... once the internal battery that saves the memory settings and clock fails, you need to take it to a service center to have that fixed as the camera needs to come apart to get to it. Nikon didn't really think that through, did they?

[@DrGerard66]

The idea that the dead clock battery drains the main battery is a myth, as I and many others have experienced. With the dead internal battery the camera functions perfectly, with normal battery life (about 13 rolls) - all that is different is that you have to reset the clock whenever you change the main battery (if you even care about the clock). In other words, it's a complete non issue.

[@rossxjohnson]

and the prices on ebay have already increased...

[@NeillRobinson]

Nice but I don't think I could ever love anything more than my F4S - I feel like i'm on assignment for nat geo just taking snaps of my cat in the living room. The thing is a beast!

[@JaviBear001]

It would be so good to have an f6 as the ultimate modern film camera. But damn, it feels like buying a few rolls and developing them would cost almost as much as an F6

[@odemirbilek]

F6 is one of best but probably F3 is better in terms of having less vibration - means sharper image - and less noise while camera works..

[@Skidoo22]

The Nikon FE is better with it's auto meter and clocked long exposure for night shots.

[@gasdive]

No, sorry, the peak of film cameras was the NIKONOS RS AF

[@LunarCatOnAir]

F4 team! Broken back and shoulders will prevail🥴

[@mbarzegar99]

Well done Kai! The F6 has become my favourite street workhorse over the last 5 years. The metering is infallible! Focus is fastest I have seen on a film camera, except zone focusing of course. The AF-S G lenses (50/1.4 and 85/1.4) are sublime. I couldn't say a bad thing about the F6, except that it's on the heavy side if you are used to mirrorless or rangefinder. I can easily skip a gym session after going out with a pair of F6s for a few hours. Brilliant overall.

[@aaronmoore3050]

Have you compared the eos-1v?

[@mbarzegar99]

@@aaronmoore3050 No but have read several comparison reviews. It would be worth shooting them side by side. F6 focusing is quite good but Canon’s might be better. F6 will be better at metering for sure.

[@lucajungemann5738]

I have the F601. Amazing camera. Not as nice as the F6 but somehow a F6 lite 😅

[@noseyparker6622]

If you wanted to shoot film, why would anyone choose a fully automatic camera like this? Choose an F2 and do it properly.

[@unknownKnownunknowns]

I will sell you my F6. I cannot get any of the batteries to charge. Can anybody suggest a soft? I have cleaned the contacts , etc, etc

[@ShtopoRrr]

It is not THE BEST film SLR. Because Kiev-88 i mean Hasselblad!

[@PanditaP]

This was made up until 2020?! That’s insane

[@Caballeroshot]

Why spend $1200 when the F100 at $200 does the SAME THING!

[@Grainphase]

Nikon’s F6 “little brother” F100 is a good bang for the buck,imo

[@n0w3lly90]

The shutter is silent, but the mirror isn't... so, technically, not misrepresentation 😊

[@CorkBouldering]

Best Nikon film camera ever made is F801s and it takes AA batteries , full stop.

[@thatsbrutal]

F100 and AA Batteries for the win. D700 if you really want to save money.

[@thegorillaguide]

Fantastic camera - and yet the Nikon FM2n is still far more delightful to use

[@GilchristRyan]

Phenomenal camera, but the OM-2n will always be the greatest for me.

[@NCSTalkid]

yes. but pricewise, i prefer get d780 or d750 secondhand lol. for advanced film cam. i can just get f5 or f100 or f90

[@robdixon5016]

Not always about price though. My F6 is a great camera

[@NCSTalkid]

@@robdixon5016 f6 :D

[@NCSTalkid]

@@robdixon5016 thats f6

[@ehababdelkarim5186]

here for the Bret hart quote

[@Being_Joe]

Love my F100 but would love me a F6. The F5 is nice but just too big.

[@chu0nthat]

Yasss, more film reviews! Keep on going with more of the F series

[@JenHamon]

My wallet can't sustain burst mode film consumption

[@GilbertCarosinPhotography]

going back to film ? many photographers like myself are returning back to film .... nikon i hope you are listening because pentax is ...i still think the f5 is a better camera

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

That's why you don't really know and have used the F6 😊

[@douglasquaid2548]

Been waiting for years for these to go down in price. Guessing the lowest point is now...

[@slr7075]

Nikon D700, the digital F6 for a fraction of the cost.

[@bimmerfan2126]

ah yes, tourists in kimonos :P