F5/F6 weight?

[chip j]

Has anyone handled both cameras? How do they compare in weight? Thanks, Chip

 

[NB23]

The F5 is just way too big and heavy. The F6 is acceptable.

 

[nsouto]

F6 is around the same weight as a F100 or a D200. Close enough I don't notice the difference.
I *do* notice an F5, that's for sure!
As well: the F6 with the optional large battery power handle becomes a lot heavier, although still not the same as the F5.

 

[BMbikerider]

It isn't only the weight it is the bulk of the F5 that has put me off buying one. The fixed motordrive base makes it just that bit too big to use as an everyday tool which is easily carried. I would also love an F6 but they are still a bit too expensive at present so I will soldier on with my F100's and F4 (basic model), but even that is a bit of a 'lump'.

 

[BradleyK]

As others have noted, the F5 has a decided heft to it; while I personally don't find its size problematic (I often carry it around with a 80-200 F2.8D ED attached), others might. The F6, without the optional MB40, is decidedly lighter; I purchased the drive unit shortly after picking up the camera, because I felt it gave the camera better balance and handling with longer lenses. While it added a bit of weight, the package still feels somewhat lighter than the F5 ( I have the two in front of me as I write, but alas, no scale to weigh each). In either case, two cameras with exceptional ergonomics!

 

[DanielStone]

I've *owned* both.

Simply put, the F6 is THE BEST 35mm SLR I've *ever* used. Period. Combine it with the latest G-series(ya, the "neutered"(no aperture ring) ones) lenses, and you are in 35mm HOG HEAVEN!!!

The F5 is wonderful too. If you want FAST slr shooting, and feel like having a beatin-down-the-zombie-apocalypse, then-take-pictures-to-document-the-aftermath camera, the F5 would be my 2nd choice(well after my 2 F4 bodies )

But in hindsight, the F6 was a very straightforward tool. The integrated data back allows for many options(of which I never used any), just read up on it.

ONE drawback(to me): the F6 takes CR-123 batteries. If you travel, you'll want to bring a couple sets of spares. The F/4/F4s & F5 takes AA batteries if you have the AA battery trays for each. AA batteries are plentiful and can be found worldwide, in the smallest of shops. CR123's, not as easily. But to me, that's a VERY MINOR issues. But one to not be forgotten IMO.

-Dan

 

[lightwisps]

I have handled both cameras and definitely prefer the feel of the F5 over the F6. That is why I have 2 F5s and no F6s. For me it isn't the weight but that the F6 seems to have a plastically feel that does not appeal to me. Both are just a personal feeling. Don

 

[damonff]

I love my F6. I have had all of the Fs except the first one. These are my impressions of each:

F2: Best camera I have ever used. I have 2. The only feature I miss on it is auto focus. It has a grand simplicity about it that is unchallenged.
F3: Great meter and very solid. I use mine with the motor drive and the sound is wonderful. It is very heavy though and not good for a walk around.
F4: Very sleek and nice but I did not like the cheap feel and the auto focus is slow. Sold it.
F5: Extremely well made. Extremely everything but unfortunately also extremely heavy and cumbersome. Sold it.
F6: Everything I have always wanted in a camera. Solid F feel, smooth, quiet, fast, lots of customizable options. Pure bliss.

 

[henbo]

The weight without batteries according to Nikons website:
F100: 785 g
F6: 975 g
F5: 1210 g

The F6 has a very nice set of features, the matrix metering with AI lenses, the data printing between the frames, the build quality, the possibility to use a split field focus screen, the possibility to use it both with and without the battery grip, battery performance, data export with data reader MV-1, etc. all lives up to my highest expectations. I find that the metering system of the F6 matches my shooting style the best compared to my other cameras.
I have both a F100 and two F6s and the F100 haven't been used much since I got my first F6. The build quality of the F6 is in another league than the F100 in my opinion.
The battery grip MB-40 is very nice and gives outstanding battery performance with both rechargeable AA batteries and the EN-EL4 battery. When travelling I most of the time leave the battery grip at home and use the F6 with two CR123 batteries only. A fresh set of CR123, last about 10-14 rolls of 36 exposures.

The F6 is the best slr I ever used (including my Nikon D3) imo.

 

[Vonder]

The F5 is quite a bit bigger and heavier than the F6, as others have noted. Whether that matters or not is up to you. In general the F5 is a better choice for longer, heavier lenses. It balances them nicely. The F5 is also a lot cheaper than an F6.

For my money, the best cameras ever made are the Minolta Maxxum 9, the Nikon F6, and the Canon EOS 1-V, in that order. The F6 will run you around $1000 used, while either of the others can be had for $400 or less. The F6 is far and away the best film camera Nikon ever made.

 

[mweintraub]

The weight without batteries according to Nikons website:
F100: 785 g
F6: 975 g
F5: 1210 g

And if you often shoot with the vertical grip, adding it to the F6 will add 35.495 oz [source: KR].
So this means that the F6 + MB-40 will be:
~1010 g.

so a half a lb lighter for the F6, but it will be taller than the F5 with the built in grip.

To each their own. If I had a F6, I'm sure I wouldn't mind, but the price, for me, makes it not possible.

 

[Aja B]

How do they compare in weight?

You haven't researched weight specs on the net? I much prefer the size/weight of the F6 over the F5. The removeable vertical grip of the F6 is a nice feature when wanting a more compact/light body.

 

[Chan Tran]

I love my F6. I have had all of the Fs except the first one. These are my impressions of each:

F2: Best camera I have ever used. I have 2. The only feature I miss on it is auto focus. It has a grand simplicity about it that is unchallenged.
F3: Great meter and very solid. I use mine with the motor drive and the sound is wonderful. It is very heavy though and not good for a walk around.
F4: Very sleek and nice but I did not like the cheap feel and the auto focus is slow. Sold it.
F5: Extremely well made. Extremely everything but unfortunately also extremely heavy and cumbersome. Sold it.
F6: Everything I have always wanted in a camera. Solid F feel, smooth, quiet, fast, lots of customizable options. Pure bliss.

I like the F3 for when I want to go light as it's the smallest F series camera without the motor drive.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

I like the F3 for when I want to go light as it's the smallest F series camera without the motor drive.

Yup. Happens to be the size of a Nikkormat FT series camera.

-J

 

[damonff]

I like the F3 for when I want to go light as it's the smallest F series camera without the motor drive.

Yes, the F3 without the motor drive is fabulous. The winder is so smooth and silky. And aperture priority makes it very easy to shoot. Awesome camera.

 

[vpwphoto]

At risk of being coy... just get an F100 and calll it done, and use the money saved on a trip to use the gear.

 

[chip j]

At risk of being coy... just get an F100 and calll it done, and use the money saved on a trip to use the gear.

I have a F100, but the cheap plastic catches on the back broke, and I'll never get another one. My N90s has metal catches.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Plus, for the most part, you might save only enough to buy a couple rolls of Provia 400X by getting an F100 over an F5. There's not much difference in price between the two.

-J

 

[Weasel_Loader]

I've owned the F100, F5, and now F6. I also have a D700 for low light and high shot count stuff.

My F6 with no grip weighs about the same as the D700 without grip. Heavy, but manageable and has a great quality feel to it.

Nikon F5

Pros

• Built like a tank
• Bargain for a pro quality camera
• Can use different prisms if that is your thing
• Matrix meter is outstanding

Cons

• Focus points are difficult to see
• Custom functions are a little clumsy
• Full-time pro body form factor
• Cannot use Nikon CLS systems
• Mushy rear command button

Nikon F6

Pros

• More focus points and highlighted in red
• Removable grip when needed for hiking, etc
• Can use EN-EL4a battery in the grip
• Nikon CLS compatible
• Matrix metering for Ai lenses and can be upgraded to take pre-Ai lenses
• Command selector on back is more responsive
• Setting custom functions is much easier than F5s

Cons

• Pricey, but worth the cost if you love film
• No interchangeable prisms (not an issue with me)

One other fact I love about the F6 is the ability to download exif data with the MV-1 (I think F100 and F5 have the same capability). With the F6, it is super easy and I simply convert to excel spreadsheet, print out and store with my negatives.

The F100 is also an excellent camera and great if you only occasionally shoot film or don't need the features of F5 or F6. The F5 is a beast and takes just photos just as good as my F6. The F6 is just a lot more user friendly and since I shoot my F6 much more than my D700, switching from the F5 to the F6 was an easy decision.

Nikon F6, 50mm f/1.4G, Fuji Provia 100F


Sample of exif data I printed out.

 

[John Koehrer]

F5=1210gr
F6=975 gr

 

[JimCee]

Yes, the F3 without the motor drive is fabulous. The winder is so smooth and silky. And aperture priority makes it very easy to shoot. Awesome camera.

I completely agree! I recently started using my Nikon F3HP (purchased new in 1983) again, after a hiatus of several years with my Nikon DSLR's. I took my MD-4 motordrive off the camera, which made the camera heavy as a brick, and fitted it with the bottom portion of a CF-21 case (purchased in new condition on eBay). It's now a light, elegant and relatively compact camera, easy to carry

My first roll of film, a Fujicolor 160S Pro that I'd kept in the frig, was run through the camera and came back very nicely exposed using only automatic aperture exposure. What a nice camera, still a young 30 years old!

Jim

 

[John_Nikon_F]

I completely agree! I recently started using my Nikon F3HP (purchased new in 1983) again, after a hiatus of several years with my Nikon DSLR's. I took my MD-4 motordrive off the camera, which made the camera heavy as a brick, and fitted it with the bottom portion of a CF-21 case (purchased in new condition on eBay). It's now a light, elegant and relatively compact camera, easy to carry

My first roll of film, a Fujicolor 160S Pro that I'd kept in the frig, was run through the camera and came back very nicely exposed using only automatic aperture exposure. What a nice camera, still a young 30 years old!

Jim

Nice. I suspect my F3P will spend a lot of time in F3 Limited mode. Even though there's no cable release socket, the camera does handle pretty well as a non-motorized camera.

Attached is a pic of my previous F3P with an 85/1.8 K-version Nikkor attached. Shown in the non-motorized configuration.

-J

 

[mweintraub]

John_Nikon_F, I havn't seen a Viewsonic tube monitor in a while. I miss tube monitors.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

mweintraub,

If you're anywhere near Seattle, I have a good working 21" Mitsubishi that you can have. Got it after said Viewsonic committed suicide. Now use a Macbook as my main computer, so I don't need it.

-J

 

[mweintraub]

mweintraub,

If you're anywhere near Seattle, I have a good working 21" Mitsubishi that you can have. Got it after said Viewsonic committed suicide. Now use a Macbook as my main computer, so I don't need it.

-J

No, not near and wife would not like me getting it either.