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Nikon F6 Purchase

Arthurwg

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Dec 16, 2005
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Location
Taos NM
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Medium Format
I'm considering the purchase of a Nikon F6 as a replacement for my F100. Question is, should I buy new at $2500.00, or used for $1000.00? I like the idea of a new camera that will work perfectly from the get-go, but used prices are very tempting. What's the chance of getting a used F6 that works perfectly?
 
Third option: Nikon-refurbished at $1899. (Check B&H.)

Be careful buying used. Nikon USA has had a policy of refusing to service gray-market cameras - not just under warranty, but at all. Because the F6 model name is used globally, you need to worry about which serial numbers were assigned for the US market. If the seller can provide US warranty documentation containing the serial number, you should be fine.

Doesn't mean a gray F6 can't be serviced, but you might have to do some work to find an independent shop that's qualified and has access to parts, or arrange with an intermediary to send it to Nikon in Japan.
 
If you shoot a lot with the 100 and would shoot more with a F6, and likely keep it for years, and have money new as it will a Nikon warranty, after warranty Nikon will support. Otherwise used. I think KEH can tell you if a used body is a gray body or will be supported by Nikon. There might independent repair shops that has access to Nikon parts. I take it you have Nikon lens for a system, other wise think about a Canon EOS 1V, reason, new E lens will only work wide open with the F6, there are few issues matching EF lens to a EOS 1V. Canon is supporting the EOS 1V until (I think) until 2024.
 
Buy a Excellent plus F5 from KEH and a really nice Nikkor AF-D for under a thousand. The battery tray will hold 8 AA batteries. No messing around. Also F5 looks like a D5
 
I recommend getting a used F6 from KEH for all the right reasons.
 
Buy a new one and support the vendor of one of the last film cameras made.

My opinion, if I would have that much money...
 
FWIW # 1, if you have the $'s and want to spend it on an F6 and have used your F100 until it's ding dang dong "daid", then step over to the F6 and don't think twice. Thought about it myself and replaced my F100 with another F100. No regrets. There are some nice-to-have things in an F6 that the F100 doesn't have. FWIW #2, I've been very happy with KEH and would recommend a used F6 on that basis. But if 35mm is the thing for you and $'s aren't tight, you can surely make a good case for going with new. I think the F6's quiet shutter has a lot going for it for those of us who relish the stealth. Then again, since you list yourself as mainly Medium Format, maybe all NIkon shutters are stealth shutters? Plenty of reasons for doing whatever means most to you. We're all consenting adults... and my wife really really relishes my GAS confessions... so all that said, I get the sheepish thing, too. But fairly, an F6 can be less than a bunch of greens fees, less than round trip air travel abroad, less than what many women spend as a series of spa/beauty days... and you'll have resale value, lots of use, and great photos. Spending on yourself and your hobby - within reason, is cheaper than the psychiatrist fees for not doing it? Yeah, probably that too. Go for it.
 
Can you even buy a new F6?
 
Wow- nice. I'd go used, as most folks buying F6's back in the day took really nice care of them- I've yet to see a beat up one! I would love to shoot an F6/Nikon setup, if I could just cure this freakin' Leica addiction I have!
 
Nikon F6 in standard form uses 2 wimpy difficult to find lithium 123 batteries, if you buy the MB-40 Battery grip, you get 8 AA battery capacity comes standard on an F5. Without the MB40 grip you have 5 frames per second. F6 is a cost reduced model. It's only real advantage, which is significant, no doubt, is more autofocus sensors and a faster focus computer.
If you want a less hefty camera F6. If you want a beast buy the F5.
Whatever you do don't spend 2600 usd on a new body. KEH sells LN for 1600, and if you find a dealer in Japan I would think you could keep it under 1000. It's hard telling if Nikon still makes new. With the F3, you could buy a brand new one from Nikon years after production ended.
F6 definitely has an improved viewfinder that and the focus should be the reason. Just don't go anywhere where you can't buy lithium batteries, because you sure can't carry loose lithium batteries on a plane anymore.
 
mshchem said:
Just don't go anywhere where you can't buy lithium batteries, because you sure can't carry loose lithium batteries on a plane anymore.
Click to expand...

That is not what the FAA says:

Batteries Carried by Airline Passengers Frequently Asked Questions Q1. What kinds of batteries does the FAA allow in carry-on baggage (in the aircraft cabin)?
...
Lithium metal batteries (a.k.a.: non-rechargeable lithium, primary lithium). These batteries are often used with cameras and other small personal electronics. Consumer-sized batteries (up to 2 grams of lithium per battery) may be carried. This includes all the typical non-rechargeable lithium batteries used in cameras (AA, AAA, 123, CR123A, CR1, CR2, CRV3, CR22, 2CR5, etc.) as well as the flat round lithium button cells.

https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/resources/media/Airline_passengers_and_batteries.pdf

Quantity limits: None for most batteries – but batteries must be for use by the passenger. Batteries carried for further sale or distribution (vendor samples, etc.) are prohibited. There is a limit of two spare batteries per person for the larger lithium ion batteries described above (101-160 watt hours per battery).

https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/more_info/?hazmat=7
 
I would buy one second hand, as I did with my present one. If you are worried about there being a problem with whatever you buy I think this is a very, very low risk. The shutter is as good as the latest Nikon Digital one and the electronics are superb.
Not a lot of people know never, mind have mentioned that on the small LCD screen on the back of a F6 you can check to see how many cassettes of film the camera has had through it since it was made. This cannot be reset. Nor does it take into account, if the cassettes are 24 or 36 exposure so the reading may show a higher figure than the number of times it had actually been fired. I have had mine 5 years now and in that time it has been used regularly for amateur use, and the number of cassettes that have been through it still only shows around 300. I think mine had less than 50 showing when I bought it. Out of those 250 or so I have exposed, about 1/3rd were self loaded 24 exposure B&W. When you use a film camera the likelihood of using it like a machine gun (AKA a Pro Digital camera) are slim.

No matter where you bought it, it can be returned to Nikon for a service and clean in UK anyway. IF it is working and tou only want a service the likelihood of needing parts is almost certainly zero. (Not work under a guarantee) But even if you go to a good, well known and respected camera service agent they will do the same job and almost certainly for less cost.

Is there a shortage of Lithium batteries in the USA? Certainly not in UK. I can buy them from a photographic outlet for possibly (certainly) an astronomic price (normal) or go to Pharmacies (drug store to those over the pond), larger food supermarkets, or even to specialists selling tools and mechanical equipment where the same item, but with a different brand name used in technical measuring instruments can be bought for a fraction of the price. I never pay more than £3 per individual battery.

Battery life is also quite good providing you don't go about pointing and focussing the camera without taking a shot. That is the case with all battery dependant cameras. In the time I have owned mine, I have replaced the batteries 3-5 times which is certainly not excessive.

Oh yes, I paid £670 (approx. $870) for mine 5 years ago from a dealer, so there are bargains around.

I also have a F100 as a second camera and the difference between them is very slim. The F100 is a little more 'plasticky' but just as reliable.
 
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mshchem said:
Buy a Excellent plus F5 from KEH and a really nice Nikkor AF-D for under a thousand. The battery tray will hold 8 AA batteries. No messing around. Also F5 looks like a D5
Click to expand...
I think the OP doesn't like the F5.
 
That's a surprise. Somewhat disconcerting. Products that use lithium batteries use plastic that are supposed to contain a fire. It only takes one cell to start a problem. I had two F100 cameras at one time, I had problems with lithium batteries, it would look ok and then I would have problems in the field. Always was solved by me making a special trip to buy 123A batteries. I have had F5 bodies for close to 20 years. Using the stock battery tray with 8 AA cells gives me confidence.

Point is well taken. If you have the fresh Lithium batteries, F6 is a great camera, no doubts. Great viewfinder. Great camera.
 
mshchem said:
That's a surprise. Somewhat disconcerting. Products that use lithium batteries use plastic that are supposed to contain a fire. It only takes one cell to start a problem...
Click to expand...

I'm not at all an expert on this. But FWIW, every episode of a fire started by a lithium battery that I can recall reaching the news has involved lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, not the small disposable lithium batteries. No doubt the FAA has data on this that they've taken into account in setting their policy.

The 123's certainly are harder to find at local retail outlets than they used to be, especially at reasonable prices. But that just means they've become like film - you need to plan ahead and stock up from your preferred mail order house or local specialist retailer, if there is one in your area.
 
I didn't think the fact that the F6 takes 2 CR-123. Those are harder to find than AA and 2 of them would cost more than 8 AA. Harder to find I mean that I need them today I would have to drive around to find a place that sells them.
 
if you are willing to buy a camera online, then why not batteries? I use 123's in my contax g and N80. get them from amazon for not much more than AA's
 
destroya said:
if you are willing to buy a camera online, then why not batteries? I use 123's in my contax g and N80. get them from amazon for not much more than AA's
Click to expand...

Agreed. I've either found all the batteries I've ever needed at my local hardware store, or easily ordered from batteries.com.
 
This is my two cents worth. I owned the F6, and before that the F5 and before that the F4... I even owned the F100 at one point.
The F6 is the nicest AF film Nikon I've ever used. It has all the great features and is a great camera to use. The AF speed alone is worth the price.
The only problem with the F6 is that it came out too late and the pro photojournalism market had switched to digital by the time the F6 was out. The F5 was the heyday of film AF cameras, then the pro industry switched to digital, and then the F6.
People who bought them hardly used them. I purchased mine used with the grip. I sold the grip off right away because I didn't want the weight/bulk and didn't need what it added.
There are many mint F6 on the market, so many of them have seen no use. I wouldn't buy a new one, the used ones will last for years with the light usage most photo enthusiasts would give it, just don't buy one a pro was using every day.
 


Agreed100% (apart from owning using an F5 'cos I have not even picked one up)
 
Surprisingly there are no Nikon F6 cameras for sale at KEH. Many on eBay however. I have had good luck with KEH in the past. I don't want an F5 because it is too heavy for what I'm planning.
Normally I shoot medium format but for this trip I need a light weight AF and AE camera that I can carry all day, and use quickly with lots of exposures per each roll of film.
 
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