Nikon F4 or F6

pkr1979 · Jan 3, 2022

Hi all,

It might not be the most common either/or camera decision... but I'm curious on practical experiences with these two cameras.

The F4/F6 will be used in addition to my Leica M6, and in that perspective I suppose the F6 makes more sense. But, the F4 was the camera I wanted as a kid - I want it more because it looks cooler. The F6 is considered because I assume it would work better then the F4 in situations where it would be used instead of the M6. So, I guess my question is how much better will the F6 work in those situations where accurate quick enough autofocus is needed, like wildlife or sports, or will the F4 be sufficient for me? I have been using a Pentax 645N for that kind of stuff and have been pretty happy with it. Im not getting the F5 or F100.

Cheers
Peter

Chan Tran · Jan 3, 2022

pkr1979 said:
Hi all,

It might not be the most common either/or camera decision... but I'm curious on practical experiences with these two cameras.

The F4/F6 will be used in addition to my Leica M6, and in that perspective I suppose the F6 makes more sense. But, the F4 was the camera I wanted as a kid - I want it more because it looks cooler. The F6 is considered because I assume it would work better then the F4 in situations where it would be used instead of the M6. So, I guess my question is how much better will the F6 work in those situations where accurate quick enough autofocus is needed, like wildlife or sports, or will the F4 be sufficient for me? I have been using a Pentax 645N for that kind of stuff and have been pretty happy with it. Im not getting the F5 or F100.

Cheers
Peter

As far as AF the F6 is a lot better. I don't have the F6 but I have the F5 and F4 and the F5 is way better than the F4 in AF performance. There is a reason that many people call the F4 the best Nikon manual focus camera.
In your case I think you should get both as the F4 isn't that expensive.

BMbikerider · Jan 3, 2022

I have had both cameras. I sold the F6 a few months ago and doubled what I had originally paid for it 7 years ago. Both cameras typical of Nikon excellence,my only regret for selling the F6 is I can no longer use my 24/120AFS lens because it has no aperture settings and won't couple with my F4 body. That apart, I have never found the F4 wanting when compared with the F6, apart from a set of 4 AA rechargeable batteries on the F4 last longer than the 2 x 3V lithium cells in F6 (and cheaper too!)

Paul Howell · Jan 3, 2022

The F4's poor AF allowed Canon to leapfrog Nikon and dominate the professional market. At the time we had 2 large newspapers, the Republic which used Nikon F4, the smaller Mesa Tribune used Canon EOS 1. The Republic shooters complained that they needed to shoot in MF to keep up the action. The F5 was good as the Canon EOS 1n, and v. Saying that the F6 the last of high end AF film bodies, you get a lot more, but you can get a good condition F4 for little money, the F6 is still be serviced, the F4 not so much. .

Rob Skeoch · Jan 3, 2022

I owned both when I shot for MLB and the NFL. The F6 is the nicest film camera Nikon made. It's a joy to use, just heavy. I wish the features were available sooner because the world was switching from film so quickly when it came out that we didn't get to use it as much as I would have liked. The F4 isn't nearly as responsive as the F6. Neither are that great with MF lenses in my view, but that might not matter.
If it was my money I would go with the F6, without the vertical grip.

BMbikerider · Jan 3, 2022

Paul Howell said:
The F4's poor AF allowed Canon to leapfrog Nikon and dominate the professional market. At the time we had 2 large newspapers, the Republic which used Nikon F4, the smaller Mesa Tribune used Canon EOS 1. The Republic shooters complained that they needed to shoot in MF to keep up the action. The F5 was good as the Canon EOS 1n, and v. Saying that the F6 the last of high end AF film bodies, you get a lot more, but you can get a good condition F4 for little money, the F6 is still be serviced, the F4 not so much. .

For amateur use an F4 in good order now will last the owner a lifetime and servicing still can be done to keep the mechanicals operating and the shutter accurate. They were so very well built. I have owned both an EOS1 and an EOS1n around 2001. To be honest I prefer the F4. Finding a good EOS1 in working order nowadays can be quite a task. I have not seen a good one for a long long time. I feel they may not have stood the test of time.

P.S. I have never found the F4 AF operation or accuracy to be problematic

drmoss_ca · Jan 3, 2022

I've not had an F4, but the AF on the F6 is massively faster than that on the 645n, which I have used extensively. These days when I want to use something small, light and that I lusted over as a teenager, I pick up an Olympus OM or Pen. Satisfies those needs and then I can go back to the sheer luxury of the F6!

RDW · Jan 3, 2022

I wouldn't even consider an F4 for sports or any other situation where you need quick AF. Any Nikon shooter who wanted reasonable AF in the early 90s jumped on the F90 when it became available, and there was a further leap forward when the F5 and F100 were released. Unless you are happy with using P and S modes all the time, the F4 also greatly limits your choice of AF lenses. The F4 has no way of controlling the aperture manually with G lenses, and since most AF-S lenses are also G, you'll mostly be stuck with the earlier 'screwdriver' AF designs. A few early AF-S lenses have aperture rings, but their first generation AF-S motors have a tendency to develop the dreaded 'squeal' that signals eventual failure.

Arthurwg · Jan 3, 2022

The F6 is a modern camera design and obviously newer than the F4. I owned the F4 years ago and thought is was very heavy. And they are not quite as bulletproof as often believed. I love my F6. Go for that one.

Sirius Glass · Jan 3, 2022

The F100 is closer to the F6 than the F4 and is a lot less expensive. The F100 is a good camera if you do not need a high speed motor drive. One needs to be careful with the film door switch but then again no camera is meant to be used as a hammer. For the difference in cost on can easily afford to replace the F100 if necessary although I have used mine for a decade and never had a problem.

Huss · Jan 3, 2022

My perfect condition F6 is so bulletproof the AF failed. Started to front focus really badly. Nikon USA replaced the af unit, and told me that was a common failure. it cost me $250 to get fixed, or the price of one F4 camera..
Both my F4s are still great. They also seem to AF just as fast as my F6, and in dim light too! I don't know how they handle with 'sports' because I don't use film for that, but in street photography, portraiture etc there is no difference in performance vs my F6.
The cool thing about the F6 (and dirt cheap cameras like the F75) is they fully utilize G lenses. With the F4 G lenses can only be used in Program or Shutter Priority. My 24-120 vrG still works w the F4s. Not sure why someone would say it doesn't couple.
Of note - the latest E electronic aperture lenses do NOT work with the F6. So none of the latest Nikon E lenses, and only two of the Sigma art lenses work (35 and 50).
More bad stuff about the F6? the CR123 batteries which are expensive and don't last long. I use rechargeable Watsons, but their quality is variable to say the least. One set lasts 20 rolls, the other is dead after 2. Bought at the same time. The F4 just uses AAs - which the F6 can if you buy the extra grip.
The F6 has an internal battery which it uses for the clock and menu memory settings. That eventually will die and it is a factory repair. Menus are truly horrible back from when things first started with that. F4 has no internal battery, no menus, just wonderful glorious dials.
So where is the F6 better? The handling/grip is just sublime. No other 35mm SLR camera feels better. Shutter/mirror is perfectly damped so you can shoot handheld at v low speeds. Superb screen for manual focus lenses. Works fantastically well with my two Sigma Art lenses, and the 24-120 G with image stabilizer. Excellent flash system. Can lock AE for as many shots as you want.

Which is a better pair for your M6? For simplicity - dials w no menus, no need to open an owner's manual - the F4.

Paul Howell · Jan 3, 2022

Do you know if the internal battery is common or specialized? Reason, if specialized I would a spare while you can.

Moose22 · Jan 3, 2022

Paul Howell said:
Do you know if the internal battery is common or specialized? Reason, if specialized I would a spare while you can.

It is a normal type, not specific to Nikon. The issue is getting in there to change it out is all. Gotta know what you're doing.

This camera was available new until a year ago, so you still have some time before you need to start hoarding. At least for THAT particular part.

MultiFormat Shooter · Jan 3, 2022

My vote is for the F6, as it can use all Nikon lenses, in all camera modes (except the electromagnetic aperture lenses, as has been mentioned). It can even use non-AI lenses (as can the F4), if you have a Nikon service center modify the aperture coupling ring (I did). Mine hasn't had any focus issues and focuses very quickly/accurately. It is plenty fast enough for wildlife and sports. The F6 also allows to you record the metadata for your images. CR123 batteries aren't an issue for me, as I keep an MB-40 on it, at all times. Of all the cameras I own, including other Nikon SLRs, I use the F6 the most.

Christiaan Phleger · Jan 3, 2022

Interestingly enough to mention, my choice of an AF 50mm to go with a new Z6 (mostly for video) was the AF-S 50mm f/1.8 G; specifically to be able to use on an F4 with black and white film. I found it fairly easy and kinda entertaining to come at an exposure I was happy with using the S (shutter priority auto) and exposure compensation dial and AE lock. AF did work quite well although I seldom ever used it during my brief summer travels. The negatives are delightfully sharp, and the dual use on the Z6 with the FTZ (which I have to use anyway for other lenses) made my travel kit quite small. I am investigating using other G lenses for similar dual Z6/F4 travel shooting, and the 35mm f/1.8G seems promising.

ic-racer · Jan 3, 2022

I only have the F6, but it seems like a big point and shoot. If I wanted to use a copy stand, fit it to a microscope or telescope, use a high capacity film back or other specialized purpose, I'd go with the F4.

Sal Santamaura · Jan 4, 2022

Huss said:
...Of note - the latest E electronic aperture lenses do NOT work with the F6. So none of the latest Nikon E lenses, and only two of the Sigma art lenses work (35 and 50)...

I've not researched all the Art lenses, but did confirm with Sigma that its 24-105 f/4 uses mechanical aperture control and is F6 compatible:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1009622-REG/sigma_635_306_24_105mm_f4_dg_os.html

It affords image stabilization too.

HeikoW · Jan 4, 2022

Interestingly I had a very similar question few years ago. So far used only MF Nikons and wanted a rather fast and reliable AF Nikon mainly for making portraits. I compared F4 (inferior AF), F5 (too heavy), F6 (too expensive) and F100 (back door problem). The end of the story was, I purchased a F90X in a very good condition and I never regretted that step. Reliable, not too heavy, fast and accurate AF, compatible with many AF and MF lenses.

pkr1979 · Jan 4, 2022

Thanks for all the feedback guys - its useful

film_man · Jan 4, 2022

Is there a particular reason you want to buy a Nikon camera? I would start with the lenses you need, then see which body will support them, as that is not as straightforward in Nikon-land. You say wildlife and sports so I assume you're looking at things like 70-200/2.8 or 300+ tele primes. All the "good" lenses are G and VR which the F4 won't really work with. The F5 and F100 will offer you a much better choice of lenses, stabilised etc, I don't understand why you rule them out given that the F5 was made for this stuff.

Even better, if you're willing to look at Canon (assuming you don't have an existing Nikon system here) you can get a Canon 1V/3 for a lot less than an F6, you'll get just as good (or better?) AF on the body and probably a slighly better lens choice (more stabilised long lenses).
.

pkr1979 · Jan 4, 2022

I want something slightly more automatic to accompany my Leica M6. Until now Ive been using a Pentax 645N for that, but Id like something alittle smaller. Why I want Nikon is more emotional then rational. When I was young the camera I wanted but could not afford was the F4, thats why Im particularly interested in that one... I dont really shoot that much digital but I have a Canon 6D with lenses so I did consider the EOS 1-V... but its not really what I want.

When it comes to lenses I operate mainly in a normal range (24-105)... mostly 50mm and short tele. When I mentioned sport and wildlife that was more to see what kind of potential the cameras had... Im not shooting much sport or wildlife with my M6, but the possibility with a new camera would be nice. I do take photos of my family though, so a autofocus thats capable of tracking quick kids is convenient.

The other camera I wanted in my younger years was a Hasselblad V. I sold that one though and got a P67ii instead, that serves me much better... so we will see how this Nikon stuff suits me

MWL · Jan 4, 2022

I was in pretty much the same boat several months ago. I wanted to get back into film shooting, after years of digital, but what to get.

I currently shoot Canon professionally, as well as for fun, so I have the usual, several 1DXs, 5D4s, 6D2, etc., so getting Canon film cameras was definitely on the list.

I also shot Nikons back in the day (late '80s, early '90s) as a part time photojournalist while at uni, and worked part time at a photography retailer, so Nikons were definitely on the list.

I used Nikon Fs, F2s and Nikkormats, and got to occasionally play with F3s and F4s. The one camera of all those I always wanted to own was the F4. Never used or wanted an F5, which is a brute, in terms of ability, strength and weight/size; or F6, which was never intended as a pro camera anyway, just a wealthy amateur toy, according to Nikon.

So I now own a number of mint F4 cameras, along with some period correct lenses and accessories, and I am very happy with them. If you have a nostalgic itch to scratch, then buy the F4, you won't be happy with the F6. It might be a "better" camera, but it won't make you smile like holding the F4 will.

As for Canon, I also own the F4's nemesis, a couple of EOS-1 cameras, also with period correct lenses. I wanted to do a direct comparison with the F4, so I got them with the same lenses as the F4. They are marginally better than the F4 in terms of performance, and take all the L lenses I own, but they still don't inspire me like the F4 does. I also have a couple of original EOS 650s and EOS-1N, and am working on the EOS-1N RS and EOS1-V, just to see how good they are, and to use the V as a pro film camera for weddings alongside my 1DXs, but I think for the pure joy of using it, I would always grab an F4.

Craig75 · Jan 4, 2022

Personally I'd get a f90x / n90x for $30 -50 and see how that works for you before deciding to drop the cash on f6.

drmoss_ca · Jan 4, 2022

Craig75 said:
Personally I'd get a f90x / n90x for $30 -50 and see how that works for you before deciding to drop the cash on f6.

Now that sounds like common sense!
The other thing to add is that 'E' series lenses work at full aperture on the F6 and some earlier bodies. I only have one, the 200-500mm/f5.6, and using that at f5.6 is not only no hardship, for shutter speed reasons I prefer it.

Henning Serger · Jan 4, 2022

Hello Peter,

as someone who is using the semi-professional and professional Nikon cameras for years - including the F4s and two F6 - I want to answer your question from my own tests and experience:

pkr1979 said:
Hi all,
It might not be the most common either/or camera decision... but I'm curious on practical experiences with these two cameras.
The F4/F6 will be used in addition to my Leica M6, and in that perspective I suppose the F6 makes more sense. But, the F4 was the camera I wanted as a kid - I want it more because it looks cooler.

The F4 looks indeed very cool. But from an ergonomic point of view the F6 is much better and extremely comfortable in handling. The critic the professional photographers had with F4 led to all the improvements in the F5. And the critic professionals had with the F5 then led to all the improvements (more than two dozens) implemented in the F6. As Nikon's official target with the F6 was to design their best professional film camera ever (explained in detail by the engineers who have designed the F6). From my own experience with the F4s, F5, F6 and all the other Nikon SLRs I can say the F6 engineers succeeded in their plans, it is their best professional film camera ever.

pkr1979 said:
The F6 is considered because I assume it would work better then the F4 in situations where it would be used instead of the M6. So, I guess my question is how much better will the F6 work in those situations where accurate quick enough autofocus is needed, like wildlife or sports, or will the F4 be sufficient for me? I have been using a Pentax 645N for that kind of stuff and have been pretty happy with it. Im not getting the F5 or F100.
Cheers
Peter

Well, the autofocus of the F6 is much, much better in all parameters compared to the F4. Don't forget that the F4 was introduced in 1988, in the beginning of the AF era. The F6 has an AF system which is several generations younger and much further developed and improved. For wildlife and sports the F6 is definitely Nikon's best film camera. It was also developed for that purpose as well.

Best regards,
Henning

Nikon F4 or F6

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