Finding a Nikon Body for VR Lenses

logan.egbert · Sep 3, 2017

Situation is that I recently snagged a couple of VR lenses to compliment my Zeiss lenses. I grabbed a 70-200 F4 VR and a Tamron 45mm VC.

For the Zeiss lenses, I use an F4s with a G2 screen. Works great, couldn't be happier with it for manual shooting.

For the VR/VC lenses, I'm trying to choose between an F6 or an F100.

The F100 is obviously the thriftier choice, while thet F6 is the top-of-the-line. What I'm wondering is if there is anything for my specific purposes, that the F6 gives me over the F100.

I am shooting almost entirely in a studio, shooting portraits. The other use case would be travel, which I'll do roughly once a year.

Prices are $700 for the F6 body and $250 for the F100 + a 50mm f1.8G. If I grabbed the F6, I'd likely sell the F4s, which would take my overall investment in the F6 to about $450.

Would love to hear folks' thoughts! Especially if you've used both cameras.

rrusso · Sep 3, 2017

That's a good price for the F6. I've not used one, but for that price, the F6 would be my choice. I usually see the price in the 900-1000 range. This is assuming the camera is in 9 to 9+ condition, of course.

You'll probably have more out of pocket than $450 though, as you can get excellent condition F4s on the evil auction site all day long in the 180-200 range.

I do have an F100, and I love it. I think $250 w/the 50 1.8 lens is a really good deal...again, assuming excellent condition.

I own the 50 1.8G, and I think it's an awesome lens that often doesn't get the props it deserves.

Still, the price of the F6, to me, clearly gets the nod. The better, updated matrix metering when compared to that of the F100 is moot in the studio, but may very well prove worthwhile while traveling. And it's a pro body - the F100 has pro features, but not the build quality.

Paul Howell · Sep 3, 2017

$700 for a F6 is a very good price, I see them go from $1200 to $1800.

logan.egbert · Sep 3, 2017

Paul Howell said:
$700 for a F6 is a very good price, I see them go from $1200 to $1800.

evil auction site sellers from Japan are great for this kind of thing. There are lots of options on F6s in the $7-800 range. And I've never had issues with reputable Japanese camera dealers.

logan.egbert · Sep 3, 2017

rrusso said:
You'll probably have more out of pocket than $450 though, as you can get excellent condition F4s on the evil auction site all day long in the 180-200 range.

This may be true. I bought mine for $250, but it's in great shape and is film tested. Also, I have a second focusing screen, which adds a tiny big of value. I think right around $235-$250 should be doable.

rrusso said:
Still, the price of the F6, to me, clearly gets the nod. The better, updated matrix metering when compared to that of the F100 is moot in the studio, but may very well prove worthwhile while traveling. And it's a pro body - the F100 has pro features, but not the build quality.

I think your point about the build rings especially true. The metering isn't a huge issue for me in the studio as you said, but obviously having that faultless meter for travel would be nice. Question is, is it hundreds of dollars nice?

Thanks for your input!

chip j · Sep 4, 2017

F100 backs break easily.

johnnywalker · Sep 4, 2017

chip j said:
F100 backs break easily.

Agreed. I've gone through 2 of them, and they're not that easy to find.

jimjm · Sep 4, 2017

chip j said:
F100 backs break easily.

Not my experience. I've had the same F100 body for over 10 years, put over a hundred rolls thru it and it's performed perfectly. It's not a tank like the F5, but has probably 95% of the features at a smaller size and a lot less weight. Works great with the most modern VR lenses as well, although I don't think that VR would be of any use with studio strobes. I'd love to have an F6,and it's undeniably better-built. If you use AF lenses a lot, the F6 may be better for you in the long run. The F6 (and F100) is worlds better than the F4 in terms of AF speed and metering capability

For an all-around travel camera it would not be my first choice, only because of the dependence on electronics, and I use mostly manual-focus lenses. I'd feel more secure with an FM2n if I had one body only, but I like to have a backup body for travel, so an F3 with an FM2n is usually what I take.

ic-racer · Sep 4, 2017

N75 takes VR lenses. I have a few N75s, I think one was only about $25.

MartinCrabtree · Sep 4, 2017

The F5 works with VR lenses as well.

logan.egbert · Sep 7, 2017

Decided to go for an F6. The ability to manual focus and autofocus with high precision as well as the quality of the build finally sold me.

Thank you everyone for your input!

rrusso · Sep 7, 2017

Nice...the F6 will likely be my next camera purchase, although it will probably have to wait until next year.

Post a follow-up and let us know what you think...

LarsAC · Sep 9, 2017

logan.egbert said:
Decided to go for an F6. The ability to manual focus and autofocus with high precision as well as the quality of the build finally sold me.

Thank you everyone for your input!

Good choice. The F6 feels quite a bit more stable than the F100. It's a film shooting monster. I love it in combination with the Voigtlaender 58mm/1.4 and FP4+.

Lars

rrusso · Sep 9, 2017

LarsAC said:
...the Voigtlaender 58mm/1.4...

Lars

Oh man. Love this lens, and the 40mm as well.

I can't believe what these sell for...way underpriced, imo.

logan.egbert · Sep 11, 2017

Update: Got the F6 on Saturday and I have to say it's exceeded my expectations so far.

First off, the VR from both Nikon and Tamron work perfectly on this body. So, it solved that issue really well.

The focusing screen truly is insanely bright and snappy such that focusing, whether with autofocus or manual focus, is really easy. It's really something.

Oh, and the shutter feels even better dampened than the F4s, with a shutter sound that is so solid and strong, yet quiet and precise.

Nikon knocked it out of the damn park with this one. Whether or not it justifies the price over an F100 largely depends on whether or not you intent to use manual focus lenses pretty regularly. For me, it's 100% worth it.

rrusso · Sep 11, 2017

logan.egbert said:
Update: Got the F6 on Saturday and I have to say it's exceeded my expectations so far.

First off, the VR from both Nikon and Tamron work perfectly on this body. So, it solved that issue really well.

The focusing screen truly is insanely bright and snappy such that focusing, whether with autofocus or manual focus, is really easy. It's really something.

Oh, and the shutter feels even better dampened than the F4s, with a shutter sound that is so solid and strong, yet quiet and precise.

Nikon knocked it out of the damn park with this one. Whether or not it justifies the price over an F100 largely depends on whether or not you intent to use manual focus lenses pretty regularly. For me, it's 100% worth it.

Great. I just paid off my credit cards.

Seriously, glad to hear that you're happy with it.

logan.egbert · Sep 12, 2017

From my first roll. Two from the Tamron and one from the Zeiss Milvus 85.

Focus is dead on for all three. And the Zeiss is at f1.4.

The F6 really is that precise.

Ai Print · Sep 13, 2017

chip j said:
F100 backs break easily.

Used mine professionally since bought new in 2001, hundreds of rolls and no issues. As for the OP, I would opt for the F100 over the F6 because the F100 takes AA batteries and the F6 takes a more expensive and harder to find type.

rrusso · Sep 13, 2017

Ai Print said:
Used mine professionally since bought new in 2001, hundreds of rolls and no issues. As for the OP, I would opt for the F100 over the F6 because the F100 takes AA batteries and the F6 takes a more expensive and harder to find type.

Although it obviously adds weight, using the MB-40 grip allows the use of AA batteries.

Ai Print · Sep 13, 2017

rrusso said:
Although it obviously adds weight, using the MB-40 grip allows the use of AA batteries.

I rarely use the grips with film bodies, but good to know.

To be honest, I have had such great luck with the F100, love the smaller size and they are so comically cheap to replace that I can't see using another type of AF Nikon film body. I even hacked mine to use an FM3A split screen for manual focus and it has been great, AF and metering is still dead on.

I'm sure the F6 is a really nice camera but since it does not work with stopping down the new E lenses either, I see the best value being the F100. You can get 4 F100's for the price of an F6 and still arrive at just as great a photograph.

rrusso · Sep 13, 2017

Ai Print said:
I'm sure the F6 is a really nice camera but since it does not work with stopping down the new E lenses either, I see the best value being the F100. You can get 4 F100's for the price of an F6 and still arrive at just as great a photograph.

No doubt, I agree.

The only advantage - and it depends on your point of view as far as costs - would be that since the F6 is still in production, it can be sent in for repair. I don't know if Nikon would still service the F100.

Do they stop repair service as soon as a product goes out of production, or continue for a set amount of time afterward?

But given the relatively low cost of good condition F100s (~$200) vs the repair cost for an F6 (???), the question then, for me at least, becomes...

Do I replace the prosumer camera, which does have a couple of potential achilles heel issues (rewind prong, plastic back), or send in my professional body which is built to last, and potentially pay a bit more? And let's face it, it is a pro body, so unless you are careless it's extremely unlikely that you'll experience any problems for many years to come (if ever).

Maybe someone with some knowledge of the current repair costs will chime in...

Huss · Sep 13, 2017

logan.egbert said:
From my first roll. Two from the Tamron and one from the Zeiss Milvus 85.

Focus is dead on for all three. And the Zeiss is at f1.4.

The F6 really is that precise.

View attachment 186605 View attachment 186606 View attachment 186607

Great first shots!
Careful with the unbeatable matrix metering though. It does not do backlighting well. The simpler matrix in my F100 is better at that than my F6. But it's ok, just switch to center weight or spot.

MultiFormat Shooter · Sep 13, 2017

Ai Print said:
I'm sure the F6 is a really nice camera but since it does not work with stopping down the new E lenses....

I wish Nikon would come out with a firmware update (or whatever) to resolve this issue. The VR and autofocus of the E lenses will work, just not the aperture, so it would seem that the electronics are "mostly" in-place. Or they could make an F7 with the D5's metering, autofocus and ability to use E lenses...hey one can dream.

MartinCrabtree · Sep 13, 2017

If a camera pleases you by all means get it. And enjoy.

carlostaiwan · Oct 5, 2017

I think the answer is quite "easy", it really depends on your budget and how much you are going to use the camera, F6, F100 and F75. I would definitely go for teh F6 if I could afford it, but I went for the F100 since my budget is more limited. the F75 would make a great second body. Enjoy your F6!

Finding a Nikon Body for VR Lenses

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