F6

[Theo Sulphate]

What non digital specific improvements have there been in the last 10 years?

Good question. Thinking about it, one can see how well developed the cameras around 2000-2005 were. The only thing I can think of is really good focus tracking that the D800-series has that could be brought over into a film camera. The AF-S lenses and VR lenses are fast and high quality, so whatever changes needed by the body to support that would be welcome.

But I'm a manual lens user, mostly. My two newest lenses are the 60mm AF-S macro and the 135mm f2 AF-DC.

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

For one the improvements in the shutter; Digital Nikons have a need for a very durable fast shutter that can handle a lot of frames exposed. Of course not that any of the F series needed that much of an improvement in the shutter longevity.
The user interface sure could use an improvement; the current Digital interface of the Non-CPU lens selection is very useful for me set up the the Function button to shift lenses quickly. The F6 by comparison is slow and fiddly.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

As far as non-CPU lenses go I have had success in "chipping" them for use with all Nikon Cameras. Cheap and easy for most.

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

Well not all can be chipped, in addition I have many many nikkors. One of my fav's is the N.C 35mm f/1.4 and as far as I know that can't be chipped

 

[Lamar]

Since were dreaming, if I were building a modern film camera to replace the F6 I would try to intigrate a hybid finder of some sort, using a small phone size imaging chip. This could be used for verifying exposure and set up in such a way to verfy flash setup without firing a frame of film. I'd add the latest AF system improvments and more detailed shot logging to include data and images from the hybrid finder if desired. Perhaps Nikon will shift to radio flash triggers for CLS by this time too and would include.
Not saying all of this is technicaly feasible...... But it would be nice...

What non digital specific improvements have there been in the last 10 years?

 

[blockend]

Since were dreaming, if I were building a modern film camera to replace the F6 I would try to intigrate a hybid finder of some sort, using a small phone size imaging chip. This could be used for verifying exposure and set up in such a way to verfy flash setup without firing a frame of film. I'd add the latest AF system improvments and more detailed shot logging to include data and images from the hybrid finder if desired. Perhaps Nikon will shift to radio flash triggers for CLS by this time too and would include.
Not saying all of this is technicaly feasible...... But it would be nice...

A digital preview would be a nice idea. It would also mean missing shots while chimping with exposure. Polaroid used to provide a similar preview.

People need to accept that for the foreseeable future photographers are at the mercy of film technology, not camera limitations. Unless some research goes into film (and there's been none for twenty years) film users have to work with the available materials.

 

[analoguey]

Nikon can't really improve on the f6 too much or the mechanical f/2/3 too much.

If they are imaginative, they could do a couple of things - launch one or two F series anniversary editions - Nikon's own & maybe the F's anniversary -whatever those numbers be.

I don't think the current f6 can be improved much with existing design - an interesting and useful idea would be if Nikon can make an F6+ which can hold say 2 rolls of film instead of 1 - keep everything same but when first one gets over, roll in the next roll - some bit of ingenuity could work there.

Second The f/2/3+ version could be the one that's marketed to the hipster/lomo crowd with the 'retro' badge but engineered to the current technology materials. With possibility of running with or without batteries, and capable of using the older lenses as well. (The Df's film version, somewhat)

The pricing and support would be key. It's quite stupid that Nikon doesn't even look at film cameras here!

Maybe they could just announce reopening of Service lines for all the F range cameras - would that be a profitable thing to do? ;-)

 

[MartinCrabtree]

Well not all can be chipped, in addition I have many many nikkors. One of my fav's is the N.C 35mm f/1.4 and as far as I know that can't be chipped

I've yet to run into one that cannot. The 50MM f1.2 Nikkor is one I've heard is virtually impossible. The 35MM 1.4 can be done. These guys list it for sale chipped. It's a matter of what you want to do or pay.

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

"CPU-modification of Nikkors : Which Lenses Can be Upgraded?" by Bjorn Rorslett is quite useful, or so people say. He marks lenses by color as easy, non-trivial, with-restrictions and impossible to chip, or something along those lines, with brief explanation.

http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html (click on the yellow "Lenses" link on the left, scroll almost all the way down to "Lenses For Nikon 'F' Bayonet", last link)

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

Yes the 50mm f/1.2 is one of my favorites; plus I have 35-50 nikkors (lost count ages ago). Chipping even a fraction of them would pay for the the 300mm f/2.8 replacement I've had my eye on. I also use Nikons from every era so some lenses would have to be Ai'd as well and for now its just as easy as keeping an F2 or F body loaded and handy for those lenses.

 

[analoguey]

What's the benefit one gets with chipping, since we're using film cameras anyways? Metering? Matrix metering?

 

[trythis]

Useful for manual strobe work with several light sources. I use a (now crappy due to obsolescence) fancy digital point and shoot for this purpose.


Typos made on a tiny phone...

 

[Xmas]

Nikon can't really improve on the f6 too much or the mechanical f/2/3 too much.

If they are imaginative, they could do a couple of things - launch one or two F series anniversary editions - Nikon's own & maybe the F's anniversary -whatever those numbers be.

I don't think the current f6 can be improved much with existing design - an interesting and useful idea would be if Nikon can make an F6+ which can hold say 2 rolls of film instead of 1 - keep everything same but when first one gets over, roll in the next roll - some bit of ingenuity could work there.

Second The f/2/3+ version could be the one that's marketed to the hipster/lomo crowd with the 'retro' badge but engineered to the current technology materials. With possibility of running with or without batteries, and capable of using the older lenses as well. (The Df's film version, somewhat)

The pricing and support would be key. It's quite stupid that Nikon doesn't even look at film cameras here!

Maybe they could just announce reopening of Service lines for all the F range cameras - would that be a profitable thing to do? ;-)

No (I.e. Insufficient) demand they would lose $, they still might...,

 

[MartinCrabtree]

What's the benefit one gets with chipping, since we're using film cameras anyways? Metering? Matrix metering?

Matrix metering,focus confirmation,use of modes other than manual on cameras so equipped and for those of us that admit to it using great glass on digital cameras.

I find auto focus cumbersome for most applications and have a few modern film and digital cameras. It allows the use of the lens on virtually any F mount camera. And the cost savings of manual focus lenses allows me to upgrade easily to great lenses I could not afford if I had to buy new. If your shooting is confined to older mechanical cameras there's no reason for it. However for those with mechanical and electronic Nikons it allows plug and play convenience for all of my cameras.

I use aperture priority a lot and w/o the chip that limits the glass I can use. And I like the feel and build quality of metal lenses too. It's a personal decision and I can see many here finding it of no use. However for me it's a useful modification. And @$30 USD an affordable one.

 

[analoguey]

Focus confirmation already is available with non-chipped AIS lenses on my 2009/10 D90 - so that's not really helped by the chipping.
I'm quite leery of letting the camera decide my exposures. I would rather it suggest and I decide. (one of the reasons I prefer manual cameras)
By habit I'm loathe to tinker with what the manufacturer provides, chipping seems to me to be just that.
Ymmv. I can understand the needing of A or other modes.
To me though, that hands control over to a software designer or engineer who doesn't know how I wanna shoot but is arranging the shot Per a preordained chart.
Ofc. Ymmv.

 

[analoguey]

No (I.e. Insufficient) demand they would lose $, they still might...,

Or maybe how it will hit their digital camera line - possibly. Being enthusiastic about film and digital will seem incongruous to many now?

 

[MartinCrabtree]

Focus confirmation already is available with non-chipped AIS lenses on my 2009/10 D90 - so that's not really helped by the chipping.
I'm quite leery of letting the camera decide my exposures. I would rather it suggest and I decide. (one of the reasons I prefer manual cameras)
By habit I'm loathe to tinker with what the manufacturer provides, chipping seems to me to be just that.
Ymmv. I can understand the needing of A or other modes.
To me though, that hands control over to a software designer or engineer who doesn't know how I wanna shoot but is arranging the shot Per a preordained chart.
Ofc. Ymmv.

Tinkering with things has paid my bills for decades. I'm quite accomplished at it. To the point of being the best in the world for awhile in my discipline.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[analoguey]

Tinkering with things has paid my bills for decades. I'm quite accomplished at it. To the point of being the best in the world for awhile in my discipline.

Different strokes for different folks.

Aha! That explains the 'tinkering' bit much better!
I would only do that with software and where it doesn't impact my daily workflow! [emoji1]

What is the discipline you are into, btw?

 

[Xmas]

Or maybe how it will hit their digital camera line - possibly. Being enthusiastic about film and digital will seem incongruous to many now?

They made SP, F, F2,... by hand from a parts kit and little Ja lady, the F6 similar, the Ds are more robotised. It would cost a lot to make 1000 or 2000 off F2.

They would be doing it for nostalgia only, and as well their sales are eroded by mirror less and smart phones.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

What is the discipline you are into, btw?

Motorcycles...........really fast ones. I set 14 landspeed records in the early 2000's as a tuner and rider. They've all been eclipsed by now. My ex still holds a couple. I've a bike in the garage waiting for me to get the bug again. It's an all consuming obsession that's difficult to shake so I'm not so sure I wanna do it anymore. Ya never know. Haven't been 200 MPH at Bonneville....................yet. That's a hat I want..............but how badly?

 

[f8&bthere]

One very good reason for an updated F6 [whether it ever happens or not] would be to make it compatible with Nikon's new electromagnetic diaphragm lenses.

It's a shame that, for example, the just-announced 24-70 f/2.8E VR won't work with the F6.

 

[mweintraub]

One very good reason for an updated F6 [whether it ever happens or not] would be to make it compatible with Nikon's new electromagnetic diaphragm lenses.

It's a shame that, for example, the just-announced 24-70 f/2.8E VR won't work with the F6.

It won't? Hmm.

 

[BetterSense]

The meter on the F6, uses a low-res ccd for the meter. They should have the camera log a low resolution image from the ccd along with the other EXIF data.

It would also be cool if there was a mode where you can shoot a grey card and the camera would tell you what filter to use, or if it just displayed a histogram, you could do the same thing manually.

 

[f8&bthere]

It won't? Hmm.

Automatic Electromagnetic Diaphragm control compatibility starts with the D3/D700. As the F6 is based on the D2...

I suppose that E lenses could be used on the F6 at whatever aperture the lens happens to come out of the box set to.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

Sounds like some of you want a digital camera? Just buy a D3x.