p.2 #1 · Anybody have experience with the Nikon F6?
Well, that's what I kind of figured but wasn't sure how you return to where you left off. Maybe put a lens cap on and shoot through to where you left off and not double exposé your previous photos?
I think I remember a contax SLR doing that automatically or something close to it.
p.2 #2 · Anybody have experience with the Nikon F6?
jphendren wrote:
"I used poor choice of wording. when I meant limited run I meant usage. they didn't/don't sell that well. just a little rise when first introduced and then pretty much a flat line from then till now. its a product you gotta really want to buy and the one you get might have a little dust on the box too.
sorry about that"
Nothing to be sorry about, I just wanted to point out that it has not been officially discontinued. I have read recently that Nikon still makes small batches of them (F6's) at their Sendai factory. No modern camera has interchangeable viewfinders, in fact I read that Nikon reported only 1 accessory finder per 6,000 F5's was sold, so it seems that it was not that useful to most F5 shooters. I would think that a camera without a interchangeable finder would be more resistant to moisture and dust, a feature that Nikon touts as a strength of the F6. The F6 is quieter than the F5, which I see as a strength.
"and of course the split grip trying to be like Canon type setup."
The F5 is the only pro Nikon F body that has the battery pack built in, all of the others are like the F6. Yes the EOS-1V is also this way as well. I shoot landscapes, I don't need the larger battery, or 8FPS. So for me this is a plus. CR123's last forever when you are shooting single frame, and manuel focusing. I haven't replaced my batteries in years, how many DSLR guys can say that. When I took my D2h to Yellowstone back in 2007, I had to bring an inverter to keep my battery charged so that I could continue shooting for a week. Now with my F6, I can get through a whole week of shooting on 1 set of CR123's, and shoot with them at home for a while when I get back. Same with my F5 by the way, it's just a lot heavier. I have to admit that the F5 fills my needs quite well, but the F6 is just a little better in quite a few areas.
As far as focusing D type AF lenses, the F6 is as fast, it just ramps up the torque and then ramps down. Whereas the F5 nails the lens with full torque, which gives the perception that it is faster/stronger. Nikon says that refinement is what the F6 is all about. The F6 can leave the leader out, can matrix meter with AIS glass, can imprint shooting data between frames, none of which the F5 can do out of the box. The F6 has better ergonomics, angled command dials like the D2 series, etc... The price stays high because there is nothing newer to supersede it. ...Show more →
the F4s was sold as a pretty much one piecer. I rarely saw a F4 (version in the wild) though it did exist. the few I saw were converted from the F4s using the partial grip that was available separately.
I would say the better ergonomics were nominal at best. yes the F5 did require the Data back that also had the other options that both had. it was a shuffle around. the F5 could also leave the leader out too. using the additional functions in the photo secretary. mine was set for that on day one.
p.2 #3 · Anybody have experience with the Nikon F6?
"Well, that's what I kind of figured but wasn't sure how you return to where you left off."
Yes, find a shady place, put the lens cap on and shoot at 1/8,000 at f/22 until you get to the frame where you left off. I've done it several times, works fine.
p.2 #4 · Anybody have experience with the Nikon F6?
If you have an F 6 and use 123 batteries, go to a Lowes as they sell Surefire? 123 batteries for about $ 5 or $ 6 for a two pack. A lot of places around here sell those batteries for $ 8 or so for one.
p.2 #5 · Anybody have experience with the Nikon F6?
After watching ebay for the past few days, I couldn't really find any outstanding deals. Got curious and checked B&H used dept and found one for just under $900. Logged in and chatted with sales rep and he confirmed it comes with box, strap, and manuals. Figured I'd splurge and buy the MB-40 grip as well. Could have held out for used one, but those are even more difficult to find as most are sold with the F6.
I'll be using AA rechargeable batteries in the grip for now. I plan to use the F6 about 50/50 with grip. It is great to have the option of removing when I go out hiking. Hated that part about my F5. I also use my D700 grip about 50/50. The EN-EL3 batteries for my D700 give me plenty of power, so I may hold off buying a set of EN-EL4a batteries and charger. That's about a $200 expense that will buy me a lot of film.
Sad part was boxing up my F5 as part of a compromise. Actually sold it on ebay for $100 more than I paid for it just a few months ago.
p.2 #8 · Anybody have experience with the Nikon F6?
"Got curious and checked B&H used dept and found one for just under $900. Logged in and chatted with sales rep and he confirmed it comes with box, strap, and manuals."
You did WELL! I bought mine from B&H as well back in 2009, only I paid $1,399 for the body with body cap, and manual, no box or strap for me : (. I've considered buying the MB-40 for mine as well, but one of the biggest benefits of the F6 to me is that it is an F5 in a F100 sized package. I carry mine in an old Galen Rowell Chest pouch, with either my tiny AF 28-70 f/3.5-4.5, or an old 50mm f/1.4 AIS. Either of those combinations is quite small and light, perfect for hiking. I don't know if you are a member of Flickr, but this new group just started last week.
p.2 #9 · Anybody have experience with the Nikon F6?
I'll have to check out the flickr group. I do find having a grip helpful on my D700 when using the 70-200/2.8. Never needed a grip for faster shooting or longer power. They were mostly just for better hand hold and portrait shots.
I'll have to checkout getting one of those 28-70/3.5s. Right now my travel lenses are the 28/1.8 and 50/1.4.
p.2 #10 · Anybody have experience with the Nikon F6?
Price aside, the F6 or F100 without the grips make a lot more sense, most people really don't want to fast frame rates especially if we are paying for the film and scanning it ourselves. When the F5 was the sports photographers' camera it made sense since the client paid for the dozens of rolls you'd shoot during a game... now a dozen rolls would swamp me for a couple of weeks!
p.2 #11 · Anybody have experience with the Nikon F6?
frankpetronio wrote:
Price aside, the F6 or F100 without the grips make a lot more sense, most people really don't want to fast frame rates especially if we are paying for the film and scanning it ourselves. When the F5 was the sports photographers' camera it made sense since the client paid for the dozens of rolls you'd shoot during a game... now a dozen rolls would swamp me for a couple of weeks!
So true and couldn't agree more. Digital really changed so much. Most of us non-pros during the film days never had a need for super fast speeds. Seems to me, Nikon understood this going into the design of the F6.
Actually sold it on ebay for $100 more than I paid for it just a few months ago. 