Nikon F6 Firmware

Pitotshock · Jun 17, 2021

Does anyone know how to pick up the camera and see if the firmware is at the latest version? Lets say I'm going to look at a used F6 in person, I load in the batteries, turn it on, how do I check to see if it is at the latest version?

I do know that this particular camera is well below the 0018753 serial number threshold, so it needed the update. Seller is unsure if it had it done. Having a look through the F6 Manual, there doesn't appear to be a menu option for software version like modern cameras.

Any advice?

Sirius Glass · Jun 17, 2021

Pitotshock said:
Does anyone know how to pick up the camera and see if the firmware is at the latest version? Lets say I'm going to look at a used F6 in person, I load in the batteries, turn it on, how do I check to see if it is at the latest version?

I do know that this particular camera is well below the 0018753 serial number threshold, so it needed the update. Seller is unsure if it had it done. Having a look through the F6 Manual, there doesn't appear to be a menu option for software version like modern cameras.

Any advice?

Once you own the camera, can't your update the firmware yourself or does it require a camera repair place to update it.

Pitotshock · Jun 17, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
does it require a camera repair place

My understanding is that Nikon service centers were the only ones with the power to update the firmware. I could be wrong though, if someone else knows of a way.

Huss · Jun 17, 2021

I have an F6 and I don't see any way of checking or updating the firmware. Must be a factory trip to do it.

Pitotshock · Jun 18, 2021

I put in a request to Nikon Canada to see if they have it registered in their database as being upgraded/updated. Also, I asked the question in to see if they are still doing the update here in Canada as I assume it has been quite some years since the serial number 0018753 rolled off the line.

Pitotshock · Jun 25, 2021

This is what I got from Nikon "The F6 is an older camera an I do not have any information pertaining to firmware for this model. "
Not much help at all...

So, I ended up buying it and having a look through the data that is on the camera, it appears that it has data for 13 rolls of film that start in 2008. From the overall condition, I would say that it has had very little use, and 13 rolls might be true.

Having a read around on the web, I came across the concept of the F6 splash screen being removed after the update. Mine doesn't seem to show this screen, so maybe this is a clue???

Huss · Jun 25, 2021

Pitotshock said:
This is what I got from Nikon "The F6 is an older camera an I do not have any information pertaining to firmware for this model. "
Not much help at all...

So, I ended up buying it and having a look through the data that is on the camera, it appears that it has data for 13 rolls of film that start in 2008. From the overall condition, I would say that it has had very little use, and 13 rolls might be true.

View attachment 278362

Having a read around on the web, I came across the concept of the F6 splash screen being removed after the update. Mine doesn't seem to show this screen, so maybe this is a clue???

View attachment 278364

My later model doesn't show that, and I could not find a way in the menu to set it if I wanted it to show.

ic-racer · Jun 25, 2021

You should be able to tell if you low battery indicator comes on too soon and some minor issue with recording the correct decimal place for some apertures.
(Translated)

hap · Mar 17, 2025

I recently call Nikon Service Repair in Signal Hill , CA. the supervisor was not able to find the F6 Firmware in the current paperwork. He said I should send the camera to Nikon with instruction to review the firmware version . A tech could determine and update the firmware. If not, they send the camera back.

Chuck1 · Mar 17, 2025

I have a d3 that never was updated, I am under the impression nothing can be done, hopefully I am wrong

Sirius Glass · Mar 17, 2025

I had problems with updating the firmware on my Nikon z7 II, so I took it to Samy's Camera on Fairfax and with some difficulties they were able to get the firmware updated. It turned out that the firmware was still zipped up after the first unzipping and it was only through a SWAG* that they figured out the problem and then every else ran smoothly.

* Scientific Wild Ass Guess

hap · Mar 17, 2025

F6 is the only film camera left that Nikon will service or repair. DSLR's seem to be serviceable.

JerseyDoug · Mar 18, 2025

On page 18 of the F6 manual it says:

"F6 Nikon" is displayed in the rear LCD panel when the exposure meter is off under following conditions: Film speed = DX, AF area mode = Single Area AF, Focus area = center, Exposure mode = P, Exposure compensation = 00, Auto exposure bracketing = no setting, Data imprint = no setting and Flash sync mode = Front-Curtain Sync.

My F6 is in the 34xxx series so it has the final firmware and it works per the above. If it doesn't work, start by doing a Two-Button Reset (page 147) which returns all settings to their default values.

DTC · Mar 23, 2025

I have two Nikon F6 bodies with serial numbers in the 14xxx and 15xxx range, so they originally came with the older firmware. I had the firmware in both of them updated for free at least 10 years ago by Nikon USA in Melville, NY. Unfortunately, it is my understanding that Nikon USA no longer updates the F6 firmware. I do regret not also having the modified (fold up) Ai tab installed in my F6 bodies, to allow the use of non-AI lenses, even though I don't have any non-AI lenses. That service also is no longer offered.

After the updates, the F6 logo no longer appears in the rear LCDs of my two cameras, regardless of setting. So, if you don't see the F6 logo, chances are that the firmware has been updated.

Nikon F6 Firmware

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