It would be interesting to know why the F6 has been discontinued. I would doubt that the costs of continued production would make the camera uneconomic for Nikon. True, dozens of these cameras are for sale sale used, but a slow trickle of new cameras would continue to serve those who want to buy new...
Nikon has bigger problems than satisfying the film market with cameras. With that said, I would love to see either the FM3A or the F6 still being made, but if any film camera from Nikon comes back it will be the FM-10. Comparing used FM3a to the FM-10 is ridiculous. One cannot buy a decent FM3a for $400. Buying older slr's often require seal replacement or CLA for them to work properly. Financially, a brand new FM-10 makes more sense than than a 40 year old Nikon FE. A re-release of the FM-10 by Nikon or fully licensed to someone else makes sense. A new FM-10 would sell.Considering digital single lens reflex cameras have come and (almost) gone since the F6 was launched, the surprise is any 35mm SLR lingered in the catalogues. The model was already moving away from professional behemoths that built Nikon's reputation, towards more user friendly proportions. If any Nikon had enough legs to carry it into 2020, it was the FM3A.
It's my misfortune to disagree. There's no shortage of plastic (FM-10 is Cosina built) entry level SLRs for small change. A new FM3A is still a desirable object, and the technology is still relevant. No fading LCD displays, sluggish autofocus or banks of AA batteries for power. The question is how much would a new FM3A cost? A good used model is £350 UK, more for a mint example. Rolling the production line again would probably see the camera cost around £2k. That's too big a risk for Nikon to take on in present circumstances.A new FM-10 would sell.
It comes down to supply and demand. Even if you held out for collector grade cameras and lenses, and had each professionally serviced at purchase, in most cases the price would likely be less than half a new film camera. A Leica M3 in good condition sells for around £1k - 2k. A new M3, made to the same standards and materials as the original (no modern shortcuts), is unlikely to cost less than £5-6 considering the MP is £4000. Leica are the only company who could sell such a thing. A three grand Canon F-1 or Nikon F3 wouldn't be a big seller, as Nikon's rangefinder revival proved.I think we will see a new 35mm camera at some point.
However, as companies start to shift towards mirrorless systems, there will probably be no lenses left to support an SLR camera. The flange distance would be too short to accommodate a mirror. Pure rangefinder will also be difficult, as mirrorless lenses are usually too big and not suited for such a setup. Maybe a bare viewfinder, autofocus driven, contax G1/G2 like camera would be easier to make with lenses made for a mirrorless digital camera. But even then, the lenses will be so big that they will spill into the viewfinder window, obstructing the view of the scene.
Then what is left? Maybe a compact camera with an integrated lens and a smartphone-level sensor used for advanced metering and autofocus.
It's my misfortune to disagree. There's no shortage of plastic (FM-10 is Cosina built) entry level SLRs for small change.
It's my misfortune to disagree. There's no shortage of plastic (FM-10 is Cosina built) entry level SLRs for small change. A new FM3A is still a desirable object, and the technology is still relevant. No fading LCD displays, sluggish autofocus or banks of AA batteries for power. The question is how much would a new FM3A cost? A good used model is £350 UK, more for a mint example. Rolling the production line again would probably see the camera cost around £2k. That's too big a risk for Nikon to take on in present circumstances.
On the other hand, what the market seems to want is an entry level camera.
It's my misfortune to disagree. There's no shortage of plastic (FM-10 is Cosina built) entry level SLRs for small change. A new FM3A is still a desirable object, and the technology is still relevant. No fading LCD displays, sluggish autofocus or banks of AA batteries for power. The question is how much would a new FM3A cost? A good used model is £350 UK, more for a mint example. Rolling the production line again would probably see the camera cost around £2k. That's too big a risk for Nikon to take on in present circumstances.
Its listed under the discontinuted url on nikon ukHave they made any official statements?
The very excellent (no affiliation) people at West Yorkshire canera have a body in for £700. [...]
I wouldnt be surprised to see fm3a get close to m4 prices in next few years.
So have we yet decided what constitutes product discontinued? If not then what is required from Nikon to establish once and for all what the position is on the F6?
I am a little surprised that Henning has not yet stepped in to give us the definitive, unequivocal Nikon position and put us all out of our misery
pentaxuser
I am a little surprised that Henning has not yet stepped in to give us the definitive, unequivocal Nikon position and put us all out of our misery
I seriously doubt if it is that which is preventing his clarification. He may not know of course what the definitive Nikon position is on the F6 and there's no shame in that. He may be working to find out the accurate position. We just don't knowIf only he could come here, give us the facts he gathered (and maybe his opinion) and not be offended by some people, I guess he’d come up more often.
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