Nikon F6 updates

[Henning Serger]

Hello,
here some probably interesting Nikon F6 updates (at least for [future] F6 users ). For those who are not so familiar with the F6: It is currently the only 35mm film SLR in current production. And the most sophisticated film SLR ever designed. Nikon has put all their knowledge and experience in the design of this camera (I am using two units for years. My most used cameras, I am very satiesfied).

1.
Nikon has just this week posted an update with a small recall:
https://www.nikon-image.com/support/whatsnew/2020/0715.html
https://petapixel.com/2020/07/16/ni...-16-year-old-film-camera-due-to-european-law/

There has been an update last year to European law and the European ROHS directive. One of the impacted substances is DBP, which can be used in certain electronic parts. Nikon found out in a recent research that a few of the latest F6 (only 152 units) are affected by the new law. The serial numbers are published. The customers of these cameras can contact Nikon and get a new F6 in exchange of the affected one - free of charge - if they want. Even if is out of warranty time.
Nikon ensures the performance of the affected cameras is not an issue:
"“The product has no problems in quality, function and performance, and has no effect on health in normal use, so you can continue to use it.”

My thoughts:
1. Kudos to Nikon that they have continued the production of this oustanding camera for so long.
2. Excellent information policy and service with the free exchange.
3. The published serial numbers indicate that the demand for the F6 has recently further increased ( I am tracking them for years for my market research).

2.
Thom Hogan has re-released his extremely detailed "Complete Guide to the Nikon F6":
https://filmbodies.com/accessories/complete-guides/complete-guide-to-the-nikon-6.html

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Sal Santamaura]

Thanks for sharing this information Henning. I expect that, since Nikon will be dedicating a significant part of its F6 production to replacement cameras under the recall, most likely those "four units twice each year" B&H receives into stock (and which sell out quickly) will be delayed. I'll patiently wait for the opportunity to load some 35mm ACROS II in an equally excellent camera.

 

[pentaxuser]

A useful summary in one post of what Nikon is doing in respect of the F6. Thanks

pentaxuser

 

[MultiFormat Shooter]

Thank you for the information. I am glad to see that the demand for the F6 is increasing and Nikon is standing by it.

 

[ic-racer]

The fact that valuable, durable goods are designed to be put in landfills seems like the beginnings of the end of civilization.

 

[Ai Print]

If they can ever update the F6 to use E lenses like my 105mm 1.4 E I would gladly buy one.

 

[mshchem]

They should build a F7. New auto focus etc. They need to roll out everything Z first.

 

[Henning Serger]

If they can ever update the F6 to use E lenses like my 105mm 1.4 E I would gladly buy one.

David, that would be indeed one of the main features in a "F6s" or "F7".
You can use E Nikkor lenses with the F6, but with the following limitations:
1. If you put it directly onto the body, only using open aperture is possible. That is of course a big limitation with the f1.4 E lenses like the outstanding 1.4/105 and 1.4/28. But for example it isn't a big limition e.g. with the unique 5.6/500 PF: F5.6 is already its best aperture ("sweet spot") with highest performance, so you would'nt stop down it anyway in most situations, and control exposure by the shutter speed. I am saving for that lens and using it also with my F6s is a given .
2. There is a trick to use E lenses stopped down: Put them on a newer digital body with E compatibility, then stop down to the wanted aperture, leave the camera power switch on "on" and change the lens and put on the F6. It keeps the stopped down aperture. That isn't of course a practicable way out in the field. But in a studio or a fixed location it can make sense for certain applications.
For example if yo have a portrait shooting using the 1.4/105 and want to use a series of shots stopped down: Stopping down the lens on the digital body and then switching the lens only costs some seconds. And if you then make a series of 20-30 shots after that with the stopped down aperture, this "few seconds effort" is certainly worth it.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Bikerider]

I have just checked my F6 serial number and it is not one of those quoted. Mine is an earlier one with the number starting 001 Can someone explain how they are going to know (in Europe) if the camera body has the parts that do not conform anyway They are not going to carry around a list of serial numbers of the affected camera bodies. Finally what do these components actually do?

As I live in UK and we are leaving the Europe Union anyway come January 1st 2021, they can do what they wish and it won't affect me directly.

 

[NB23]

Just yesterday I watched my F6 fall on concrete, was painful. I hope all is ok, we’ll see over time.

about the F6 being the most sophisticated, I disagree. It should at least have interchangeable prisms and easily accessible screens.

the F5 is the most impressive by far, with its impressive list of optional accessories. It’s crazy! It’s a whole system unto itself, a world of possibilities.

The F6 was often described as an advanced amateur camera, or a faux-pro camera, and I tend to agree. The F4 and F5 are true workhorses, the F5 is like a Driling machine. The F6 is more luxurious and damped, but lacks the edge and the accessory system.even the fps is seriously lacking, without the accessory grip, and it’s a shame.

And I agree, it should be accepting E lenses. I, too, would love to be using my 105mm f1.4 with it... I don’t see why this could’t be upgraded by a firmware, after all it’s an electronical communication issue.

 

[Henning Serger]

Just yesterday I watched my F6 fall on concrete, was painful. I hope all is ok, we’ll see over time.

That's really bad. I wish you the best and hope that the camera is operating fine despite the heavy fall.

about the F6 being the most sophisticated, I disagree. It should at least have interchangeable prisms and easily accessible screens.

There are seven easily interchangeable screens for the F6: Type B, U, E, M, J, A and L. More than enough for every special need.
Concerning interchangeable prisms I have to disagree. I see the non-interchangeable prism as a clear advantage, because it is the most robust, durable and best weather-sealed design.
That is the one major reason why Minolta gave up interchangeable prisms for their professional cameras already in 1985 with their Minolta 9000, more than 35 years ago. Canon followed in 1989 with their EOS 1. Nikon followed in 1999 with their D1. Professionals are preferring this much more robust and durable design for 20-35 years now. They are satiesfied with that design and don't want interchangeable prisms back.
The other major reason is the lack of demand for interchangeable prisms: Nikon told me the demand for it was so small that it made not any sense anymore to continue that design concept.
And with the DG-2 and and DR-5 you also have two good options which are replacing interchangeable prism applications.

I have never felt the need to change my prisms with my F4s and F5. The market has shown that the vast majority of professionals and enthusiasts don't care for it. Today it seems more a topic for collectors. But the F6 is designed for real photographers.

The F6 was often described as an advanced amateur camera, or a faux-pro camera, and I tend to agree. The F4 and F5 are true workhorses, the F5 is like a Driling machine. The F6 is more luxurious and damped, but lacks the edge and the accessory system.even the fps is seriously lacking, without the accessory grip, and it’s a shame.

As a F4s, F5 and F6 user I have to disagree. Nikon evaluated very intensively the weaknesses of the F4 and complaints / critic by professional photographers and designed the much better F5. And then again they evaluated the remaining weaknesses and critic by professional F5 users, and designed the much better F6. The F6 is improved in more than 20 parameters compared to the F5. And that are significant improvements.
I am not a masochist . The reason that I use my two F6 much much more than my F4s and F5 is simply that the F6 is a much better camera, offering also much more joy in usage.

The F6 offers the same 8fps with the MB-40 vertical grip as the F5. So Nikon has chosen that the photographers should have two options:
- a smaller, lighter option when the high fps is not needed
- the full power if the performance is needed.
So Nikon used the same concept as with the F, F2, F3 and F4. No one would claim that these are not professional cameras because there is an additional motor / vertical grip option for highest fps needs.
I well remember the time when the F5 was introduced, and lots of prof. photographers have critizised that the vertical grip cannot be removed when needed.

And I agree, it should be accepting E lenses. I, too, would love to be using my 105mm f1.4 with it... I don’t see why this could’t be upgraded by a firmware, after all it’s an electronical communication issue.

Probably because it is not as easy as it seems, and cannot be done only by firmware. I think if it would be possible only by firmware Nikon would have done it, as not only Nikon F6, F5, F100, F80 are impacted, but also all digital Nikons introduced before 2007.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[miha]

That is the one major reason why Minolta gave up interchangeable prisms for their professional cameras already in 1985 with their Minolta 9000, more than 35 years ago. Canon followed in 1989 with their EOS 1. Nikon followed in 1999 with their D1. Professionals are preferring this much more robust and durable design for 20-35 years now. They are satiesfied with that design and don't want interchangeable prisms back.
The other major reason is the lack of demand for interchangeable prisms: Nikon told me the demand for it was so small that it made not any sense anymore to continue that design concept.

Henning

This was purely a cost saving measure and/or lack of know-know from the very beginning - see Leicaflex prototype with removable prism from the early 60s - Leitz decided to omit this advanced feature as they had no experience nor knowledge to warrant flawless durability of the camera. Canon and Nikon (as well as Minolta and Pentax) knew better. Don't neglect the wast number of applications such concept is capable of.

Let me add a link to the MIR web page explaining the usability of the Nikon F5 interchangeable VF in depth: https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/NikonF5/viewfinder/index.htm

 

[Henning Serger]

This was purely a cost saving measure and/or lack of know-know from the very beginning - see Leicaflex prototype with removable prism from the early 60s - Leitz decided to omit this advanced feature as they had no experience nor knowledge to warrant flawless durability of the camera. Canon and Nikon (as well as Minolta and Pentax) knew better. Don't neglect the wast number of applications such concept is capable of.

Miha, it has never been a cost saving thing. Because interchangeable prisms were used only in the prof. top models, which have always been the most expensive models with no big cost cuttings. The manufacturers have always put their best, most advanced and most expensive technology at that time in these models. And an interchangeable prism option can be implemented much cheaper than lots of other features which were implemented over time in these cameras.
The reason why the interchangeable option had died is simply that the customers preferred the more robust, durable and better weather-sealed design concept. The manufacturers all have had the sales data of their interchangeable prism options in the 70ies and 80ies. Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Pentax all had offered top-of-the line models with interchangeable prisms. And all of them have stopped using that design concept.
If 99% of your customers want the more robust design, and only 1% want the interchangeable option, then it is very clear what you have to do as a manufacturer.

And look at the prof. DSLRs of the last 20 years. All in the 5.000 - 7.500€ range. From a cost perspective it would never had been a problem to integrate an interchangeable prism option. Maybe the cameras would have been 100-300€ more expensive. So what, not a problem at all at those price levels.

If Nikon would have wanted to cut costs with the F6 they would have left out the integrated data-back. But the F6 has an integrated data-back (with the F5 you had to buy that separately, making the whole package more expensive in comparison).

Best regards,
Henning

 

[miha]

I stand by what I wrote above. Cost saving feature. I really don't find much logical reasoning in what you wrote above. Comparing the costs of a data-back to a removable VF? Clearly Nikon has the knowledge of producing a durable interchangeable VF camera on par or above all the rest in this regard. I agree, however, that the market for such feature is minute, but don't use this very fact to prove that such concept has no value or that is even inferior to a fixed prism design. It makes no sense, really.

 

[Henning Serger]

I stand by what I wrote above. Cost saving feature. I really don't find much logical reasoning in what you wrote above.

Well what you are really saying is that all manufacturers don't have the ability to do proper market research, and don't have the ability to understand their own sales data.
The facts are that
- almost all major camera manufacturers have had offered top-of-line cameras with interchangeable prisms in the 70ies and 80ies
- all of them have abandoned that concept long ago
- they have stopped it because their sales data clearly showed that only a tiny part of their customers had bought additional prisms, and the huge majority of customers wanted a different design concept.
It was about demand and customer wishes, not about costs. I have talked with manufactuerers about that topic, and all have explained the same: lack of demand, professionals preferring robustness more.

Of course you are free to say that a F6 is not a professional camera because it has a fixed prism. But then you have to be consequent and also call all the other cameras used by professionals which have (had) a fixed prism also not professional, but more amateur-like cameras:
Canon EOS 1 DX Mk. III, Nikon D6, Sony A9 II, Olympus OM-D E M1X, Fujifilm GFX series, Panasonic S1 series and all the other dozens of different forerunner models of them during the last 20-35 years with fixed non-intercheangeable prisms.
Tell the hundreds of thousands of professional photographers who have used (and are using) these cameras with fixed prisms were/are not real professional cameras because of a fixed prism. They will laugh at you.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[JWMster]

So much as I like the F100, I've found myself looking lately at the F4 to address the flimsy back door / latch issue and was hoping to pick up some lens compatibility - backwards (Nikkor 135 F/2.8 is a favorite B&W walk-a-round lens but I'm walking it on an FM2n). Interesting that folks want to go forward, and I get that. Forward for me has been to simply make most of my Nikon lenses AF-D's. Question becomes whether to look into a F6 instead of an F4 (or F5 which seems bulky to this small guy), a backup F100 body, or go with the F4 and save the balance to help sub my D750 out for a Z7 (or it's successor). F6 is an expensive film solution, but for now not a compelling one... yet. Thanks for the discussion, folks. Glad to see Nikon still acknowledges film cameras exist and film shooters didn't go extinct.

 

[Henning Serger]

So much as I like the F100, I've found myself looking lately at the F4 to address the flimsy back door / latch issue and was hoping to pick up some lens compatibility - backwards (Nikkor 135 F/2.8 is a favorite B&W walk-a-round lens but I'm walking it on an FM2n). Interesting that folks want to go forward, and I get that. Forward for me has been to simply make most of my Nikon lenses AF-D's. Question becomes whether to look into a F6 instead of an F4 (or F5 which seems bulky to this small guy), a backup F100 body, or go with the F4 ......

Concerning the back door issue of the F100 you have lots of options:
- reduce the likeliness of a broken clamp by using the 'careful closing technique'
- add a backup F100
- add a Nikon with metal back door clamp: F801s, F4, F90(X), F5, F6.

Concerning usage of all of your lenses: The F6 has the advantage that it has the best overall lens compatibility of current Nikon film SLRs: From AI lenses on all lenses can be used (E type lenses see my posting above, but that is an issue with all older Nikon cameras, film and digital), and AI and AI-S lenses even with matrix metering and EXIF data recording. Pre AI lenses can be even used if the F6 is modified by the Nikon service (which is still offered).

Best regards,
Henning

 

[miha]

They will laugh at you

Hmmm, seems to me you are quoting the wrong guy, didn't read my posts above or don't understand what I wrote. Something doesn't sound right.

 

[NB23]

The F100 is a brilliant camera.

the F100’s main problem is/was the plastic rewind fork (or how is it called).

The newer F100, and the ones that have been fixed, have this fork made of metal

 

[skorpiius]

Re: F100 door clamp. Can you buy replacement clamps or do you need to get a whole new door?

 

[Henning Serger]

Hmmm, seems to me you are quoting the wrong guy, didn't read my posts above or don't understand what I wrote. Something doesn't sound right.

No, I have understood you very well. To quote you: "This was purely a cost saving measure." And: "Cost saving feature".
And the manufacturers will tell you: No, it was because of demand. Therefore we all have abandoned the interchangeable design and replaced it by the more robust fixed prism design.
And the professional photographers will tell you: We wanted / want the most robust, durable and best weather sealed design. Because that is important for us every day. But the need for an interchangeable prism is extremely rare, and the majority of us have never needed it. Therefore the manufacturers have offered us what we have asked for. And we are using it now for decades and are very satiesfied.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Henning Serger]

The F100 is a brilliant camera.

It is indeed.

the F100’s main problem is/was the plastic rewind fork (or how is it called).

That isn't a big problem anymore, as it was changed relatively early in production. And lots of the former rewind forks were replaced by the service. Mine has indeed still the first, plastic one. But is working fine .
The biggest problem meanwhile are the plastic clamps at the back door. They have a tendency getting fine cracks and finally break. Espcially if the users close the door by pressing it to the body. This pressure/stress on the plastic clamps can be avoided by the "careful closing technique": First put the switch on the body down, then carefully close the backdoor, and after that put the switch on the camera body back in the closing position. All very carefully and without pressure.

The newer F100, and the ones that have been fixed, have this fork made of metal

Correct.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Henning Serger]

Re: F100 door clamp. Can you buy replacement clamps or do you need to get a whole new door?

The back door and the plastic clamps are unfortunately one part. Therefore so far you need a new back door, or use tape to keep the door tight to the body.
As we fortunately have new, young enthusiast repair technicians in the film camera repair business, who have already started making new spare parts for medium format cameras (like Camera Rescue), I hope that they maybe find a solution for this problem. Then lots of F100, F80, F75 could be put back in operation.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[skorpiius]

The back door and the plastic clamps are unfortunately one part. Therefore so far you need a new back door, or use tape to keep the door tight to the body.
As we fortunately have new, young enthusiast repair technicians in the film camera repair business, who have already started making new spare parts for medium format cameras (like Camera Rescue), I hope that they maybe find a solution for this problem. Then lots of F100, F80, F75 could be put back in operation.

Best regards,
Henning

Hmm interesting, I was wondering if there might be a 3d printing solution. If it's all one piece perhaps a glued on reinforcement of some sort could prevent breakage, similar to sistering support beams in buildings.

 

[Henning Serger]

Hmm interesting, I was wondering if there might be a 3d printing solution. If it's all one piece perhaps a glued on reinforcement of some sort could prevent breakage, similar to sistering support beams in buildings.

Yes, 3D-printing and an excellent glue was my first idea, too. When we 're repairing boats in our rowing club we mostly use Epoxidharz. This stuff is "glueing like hell" , plastic, wood almost everything. Wouldn't be surprised if is strong enough for this solution, too.
But whether you get the needed precision with such a solution......

Best regards,
Henning