F6

Theo Sulphate · Jul 19, 2015

RidingWaves said:
...
SO, this leads me to consider the possibility and potential that Nikon will release an F7 in the near future. I don't see to recall any official notice the the Nikon would definitely be the last Nikon film camera, so perhaps there is hope.

There will never be an F7.

If you read Thom Hogan's website, you'll see he keeps a good watch on the industry and Nikon's performance. For quite a few years now, sales of DSLRs have been declining quickly and sales of point-and-shoots have collapsed due to cellphone cameras. That leaves Nikon's only choice for growth (as well as everyone else's ) as being the mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. It's smaller, lighter, easier to manufacture, and theoretically more reliable (no mirror mechanism).

I hate to see that, because I love SLR's, even if they're digital.

Nikon is being extremely selective in where they spend their R&D money and resources. Customers have been clamoring for a D400 replacement for the D300s and yet for years it seems Nikon ignores them, hoping they'll switch to full frame.

For these reasons, I believe the chances Nikon will consider any future film camera is exactly zero.

Christiaan Phleger · Jul 19, 2015

Well at least we now have your opinion on internet record just in case you're wrong! Just kidding. I think I was of that mindset before the F6 was announced and especially in 2004 before the F6 came out I would have agreed with you.
Nikon doesn't always follow what people expect from them; not only with the F6 but the S3 Millennium was also a surprise not to mention that quirky Df.
Also keep in mind (and this was a surprise to me) that the F6 has actually had a pretty good run, apparently some 30,000+ F6's have been made. Consider that while yes its a niche product it would be using existing AF TTL and shutter units from the D4 (soon to be D5) series. The profit margin on an F7 would be astounding, since Nikon had no problem asking and getting top dollar for the F6. Don't forget also that the company Nikon was and challenges that Nikon faced in 2004 are not the same as the Nikon of today; they've been enjoying a great success of superior digital bodies and a whole stack of stellar lenses released. Nikon knows their pro's do use film, I told NPS all the time so I know they hear it from me and my other NPS buddies.
So; I will not be surprised when the F7 is announced alongside the D5. (or the D5s ha!)

BradleyK · Jul 19, 2015

MartinCrabtree said:
I'm afraid if I try an F6 I won't love my F5 anymore.

A momentary concern I also experienced. But I took the plunge anyway. Go ahead, it's almost certainly Nikon's last film offering.

blockend · Jul 19, 2015

If Nikon ever make an "F7" it will probably look remarkably like a plain Prism F, come with three brand new design pre-A1 lenses, cost about £3k (body only), and have a production run in the low four figures, thus ensuring every one made is pre-sold.

The only film market is a retro one. If you doubt it, look at the price of a nice used F5 compared to original retail and taking into account inflation.

MartinCrabtree · Jul 19, 2015

BradleyK said:
A momentary concern I also experienced. But I took the plunge anyway. Go ahead, it's almost certainly Nikon's last film offering.

That will happen eventually. The thing is if I do it will be new even though stellar deals are available for a nice used F6. Never had a new camera other than a point and shoot digital. Gotta do it once. 'Tis only money after all. See signature.

Richard S. (rich815) · Jul 19, 2015

blockend said:
The only film market is a retro one. If you doubt it, look at the price of a nice used F5 compared to original retail and taking into account inflation.

Heck, that applies to F, F2, F3 and F4 too.

At least many of those cameras typically sell for three digits. Look at this:

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2015/07/shelf-life.html

MartinCrabtree · Jul 19, 2015

I'm strange in that I purchase items with the intention of using until they are no longer usable. I have a 35 year old dirt bike that is worth more than it cost new even accounting for inflation. And we won't even talk about the Harleys. Buy good stuff and it will last you.

blockend · Jul 19, 2015

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:
Heck, that applies to F, F2, F3 and F4 too.

At least many of those cameras typically sell for three digits. Look at this:

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2015/07/shelf-life.html

No arguments with the link, digital cameras are landfill once the love dies, even if they still work ok. The point I was making is nobody would pay new prices for an F5, and very few do for a new F6, but they might for an F with all the trimmings. Especially if it was called an F7 an had a few well hidden tricks to complement 60s engineering with C21st technology. They might even buy one without a chip in complete 1959 fettle. Add pre-AI scallop ring lenses with 2015 optical coatings and performance, and you would have fans bursting their braces and overdrafts for a set of F1.4 primes. 28mm, 35mm, 50mm and 80mm shall we say? Pure unobtainium on the used market without very deep pockets but new..? Who wouldn't want a pristine black pointy prism F in a brand new box?

Christiaan Phleger · Jul 20, 2015

Some of you seem to have missed the point that Nikon has managed to sell 30,000+ of this camera that you all think no one wants.
If you think the film camera market is dead look at the fact that Leica is still making M series Film cameras new and just go ahead and see what they are going for new.
I know for a fact that the Contax 645 is in very high demand from high end wedding shooters. Go ahead, go do an eBay search on completed listings for them.
Whether or not YOU buy the forthcoming Nikon F7 is your deal, go re-read my comments about how I (as an active film and digital wedding photographer) decided not to buy the F6 5-7 years ago. Would I buy an F7? Maybe, but knowing how I tend to purchase F series cameras 2-3 versions behind the current one means I'll most likely be getting an F6. Even now $6-800 for an F6 is an astounding deal for the tool you get. On that note, I did get my well worn low serial number F5 for $200 and the guy threw in 3 pro packs of Fuji 400h, so at easily 30 per pack I only really paid about 110 for the camera with free shipping.

Theo Sulphate · Jul 20, 2015

While I still don't believe Nikon will devote resources to an F7 project, I like the idea of an F7 being a newer version of an earlier F-series camera. Nikon hasn't completely forgotten its heritage: designing the Df to accept non-AI lenses was a nice feature.

My choice for an F7 would be something like:

- essentially an F2 body, plain prism, same controls
- matrix metering in the body, not the prism
- prism could be replaced by specialty finders
- viewfinder like FM3a
- interchangeable screens
- motor drive could be added
- manual focus only
- works with non-AI lenses (stopped down), AI, AIS, AF (except G, 'gelded', lenses)
- aperture priority by selecting 'A' on the shutter speed dial
- will work without batteries (meter and aperture priority disabled)

mweintraub · Jul 20, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
While I still don't believe Nikon will devote resources to an F7 project, I like the idea of an F7 being a newer version of an earlier F-series camera. Nikon hasn't completely forgotten its heritage: designing the Df to accept non-AI lenses was a nice feature.

My choice for an F7 would be something like:

- essentially an F2 body, plain prism, same controls
- matrix metering in the body, not the prism
- prism could be replaced by specialty finders
- viewfinder like FM3a
- interchangeable screens
- motor drive could be added
- manual focus only
- works with non-AI lenses (stopped down), AI, AIS, AF (except G, 'gelded', lenses)
- aperture priority by selecting 'A' on the shutter speed dial
- will work without batteries (meter and aperture priority disabled)

I was thinking that Nikon would 100% NOT make a F7....... but you bring up a good point. I could defintily see them make a F7 or whatever it would be called. (D500F?)

GarageBoy · Jul 20, 2015

For a while, I wanted one of each- F3 for old school cool, F4 for the AF confirm/Matrix Meter with AI lenses and the 1980s cool, and the F5 for the breath taking AF- then I realized- the F6 does everything I want (Matrix Meter/good AF/F100 size)...
Gotta save my pennies, though- Pretty sure I can have an F3/F4/F5 for the price of F6

megzdad81 · Jul 20, 2015

I still love my F5--the hard part is finding reasonable E6 developing shops. However, I am probably just greedy.

I'm just not sure what to do with the F3HP ...

MartinCrabtree · Jul 20, 2015

Blue Moon Camera does E6 for $10 US a roll.

mweintraub · Jul 20, 2015

MartinCrabtree said:
Blue Moon Camera does E6 for $10 US a roll.

Looks like it's $12 now.

Dwaynes is less

MartinCrabtree · Jul 20, 2015

Yes it is. Thanks.

ic-racer · Jul 21, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
There will never be an F7.

If you read Thom Hogan's website, you'll see he keeps a good watch on the industry and Nikon's performance. For quite a few years now, sales of DSLRs have been declining quickly and sales of point-and-shoots have collapsed due to cellphone cameras.

For those reasons I believe it to be a good chance they will make an F7 for a stable or potentially increasing film-user market.

MartinCrabtree · Jul 21, 2015

Only time will tell. In the meantime buy a new F6 so Nikon has incentive.

Theo Sulphate · Jul 21, 2015

ic-racer said:
For those reasons I believe it to be a good chance they will make an F7 for a stable or potentially increasing film-user market.

No, the market for that is still way too small - they'd have to design, build, and sell at a loss. Sales figures show that mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras (MILC) is where their money will be coming from in the future. In the short term, either in micro 4/3, APS-C, or 1" sensors. MILC full-frame (35mm) sensors later. The reason is more than people just liking smaller and lighter cameras, it's less expensive to manufacture and test a camera that doesn't have a moving mirror.

Not that I like seeing this trend (I wish it were 1971 all over again), but this is where we are.

I think the F6 is the end of the line. If you want to buy Nikon's last fully professional film camera with traditional controls, get an F4. If you want to buy Nikon's last fully professional film camera, buy an F5. If you want to buy Nikon's last ever film camera (for some professionals, but mostly for advanced amateurs who love film), buy the F6 (I add that qualification based on the interview with Nikon's Tomohisa Ikeno). I have heard that Nikon will even modify the F6 to accept non-AI lenses that can be used in stopped-down metering mode.

Sirius Glass · Jul 21, 2015

There is no need for the Nikon F-7, because the best 35mm slr that Nikon ever built is the F-100.

k.hendrik · Jul 22, 2015

Greetings from TS who's having a holiday at the Côte d'Azur. I'm reading with interest this meandering topic. I myself brought on this trip my Rolleiflex 4x4 greybaby/Isoly Pronto Apotar and a Nikon F5! and a lot of film. Yes; in april I decided to try again with a pristine F5(for only a few E) if 35mm wasn't my cup of tea anymore. Well: it still is ! and to my surprise 'fbcrane' did in jun '15 the same thing and got himself(again) a F5 next to his beloved F6. fbcrane; I like your site, thanks. So what's next; waiting for a F7? Ha, ha. Buying another F5 for colour or maybe a F6 in Japan?

trythis · Jul 22, 2015

Nikon has stopped servicing all film cameras except maybe the f6. I can't see how they would create new tooling to start a mechanical product and make money.

Typos made on a tiny phone...

mweintraub · Jul 22, 2015

trythis said:
Nikon has stopped servicing all film cameras except maybe the f6. I can't see how they would create new tooling to start a mechanical product and make money.

Typos made on a tiny phone...

I think they still service the F5.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lamar · Jul 22, 2015

Apparently not. There is a recent post in this forum where a member just had an F100 leader out mod done.

trythis said:
Nikon has stopped servicing all film cameras except maybe the f6. I can't see how they would create new tooling to start a mechanical product and make money.

Typos made on a tiny phone...

trythis · Jul 22, 2015

Even if they service 3 remaining cameras i dont see that as an indication that they would build a new all manual camera. You know it would not be made in Japan by Nikon.

Typos made on a tiny phone...

F6

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