Official Nikon statement: F6 remains in production

[Theo Sulphate]

...

It's not plastic. It's metal with a plastic housing.

 

[Billy Axeman]

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Here is the F4 construction:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf4/reliability/index1.htm

 

[AgX]

The only thing you could conclude from this article that the F6 is still in production, not that it remains in production, and it is not an official statement

Well, that article presents that statement as official statement by Nikon Japan, given at Q&A session after a factory tour.

I do not not doubt that this statement on the F6 being on the production line is true. Though as indicated by me far above I interprete this as assembly out of stock parts. And I realize that assembly may mean even just a single employee making samples of a model in staggered steps: first making a batch of subassemblies, then batches of larger entities etc. In the past in the photographic indústry already a whole conveyor belt assembling has been brought back to even one one single workbench with one employee.

I am wondering about the doubt uttered here.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Yet, even if it is one employee making a few cameras per year - that is astonishing. The fact that Nikon has not marked the F6 as discontinued and actually devotes resources (one or more people plus space in the factory), makes me admire them for this commitment to a film camera.

I would dearly love to buy one ; the only thing stopping me is (as with the F5) is knowing that I wouldn't really use it - perhaps not even a few rolls per year.

 

[aoresteen]

B&H still lists the F6. They have a note that says "More on the way". So there must be enough demand for them that Nikon keeps making them.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/352116-USA/Nikon_1799_F6_35mm_SLR_Autofocus.html

If they stop making the F6 it doesn't matter. There are plenty of used ones out there. All of the cameras I use have been discontinued yet they still work & I can get them serviced. Canon discontinues the EOS 1V this year but used ones seem to bring a good price.

 

[dutchsteammachine]

@Henning Serger Do you have any idea how many F6s Nikon sells every year, and if this number has decreased or increased over the last few years?

 

[pentaxuser]

@Henning Serger Do you have any idea how many F6s Nikon sells every year, and if this number has decreased or increased over the last few years?

It will be interesting to get the figures from Henning, assuming he knows them and possibly he can give an indication of any increase in the production of the F6 It has to be one of very few film cameras still in production and if the film revival is as good as Henning seems to indicate then you would think that Nikon will realise that more film cameras are needed

pentaxuser

 

[mshchem]

I'm hoping for a Nikon F6S! Auto focus of the new D6. Everything else unchanged.

Wouldn't that be great!

 

[CMoore]

2500 bux.
I was going to say..... I cannot imagine spending that much money on a 35mm SLR, but i guess i just did.

I suppose there is nothing unique about cameras, It could be Cars, Guns, Guitars, Sewing Machines.
If you have the money, it really makes no difference, the F6 could be 6300 dollars and a person would buy it with little thought.

I am so far behind the times, where technology is concerned, i forget.... like mshchem says above, there are people that would welcome AF of circa 2020 tech.
No doubt some would welcome the modern metering scenarios as well.....on a film SLR.
Perhaps if there is enough demand.........

 

[dutchsteammachine]

I'm hoping for a Nikon F6S! Auto focus of the new D6. Everything else unchanged.

Wouldn't that be great!

Support for E lenses.

SD card to save roll metadata on.

 

[Sal Santamaura]

I'm hoping for a Nikon F6S! Auto focus of the new D6. Everything else unchanged.

Wouldn't that be great!

Support for E lenses.

SD card to save roll metadata on.

None of those things are of great import to me except adding compatibility with E-aperture lenses. Only two (35mm and 50mm) of the Sigma Art optics I've got for my D810 would work on an F6. Approximately twice each year, B&H gets in four F6 cameras, which typically sell out in a day or two. Every time, I'm tempted to buy one, but then remember it would be only marginally useful to me.

Oh yeah, Really Right Stuff needs to offer a dedicated L-plate for this "new" F6 version too.

 

[Paul Howell]

Not any rumors of a F7, don't know how long Nikon will continue with the F6. Although assembled one at a time as orders are placed, don't know if Nikon is making components or simply using existing stock of parts. A film version of the Df would be something.

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

I sort of miss mine but on the other hand I kind of swapped it out for a Pentax LX, which I am far more likely to actually use. Plus I think I like my FA Limiteds more than any of my Nikkor lenses.

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

They should release and F7.

All they need to do as take the focus system from the D750, the E mount, and a few menu items (user focus calibration) and adapt it into the current F6. In fact they could just call it the F6S.

The renewed interest in film is real and growing. Even DPReview has a film dedicated section now. I expect this trend to continue because the only people left buying actual cameras are enthusiasts, artists and the relative tiny faction of pros that remain. And I see that as good for the art form.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

I sort of miss mine but on the other hand I kind of swapped it out for a Pentax LX, which I am far more likely to actually use. Plus I think I like my FA Limiteds more than any of my Nikkor lenses.

Have you kept your Nikkor lenses, I seem to remember you were using a D810 at some point?

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

Have you kept your Nikkor lenses, I seem to remember you were using a D810 at some point?

No I only have a few accessories left. Once wedding work resumes though I will probably pick up a used D4 or D4S and a few 1.8G primes to use alongside my S1R. I may look for a decent F100 at that time.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Once wedding work resumes though I will probably pick up a used D4 or D4S and a few 1.8G primes to use alongside my S1R. I may look for a decent F100 at that time.

So it is worth running the Nikon SLRs alongside the S1R for the social / wedding photoraphy? - I guess you do need more than one camera in the circumstances.

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

So it is worth running the Nikon SLRs alongside the S1R for the social / wedding photoraphy? - I guess you do need more than one camera in the circumstances.

Oh yeah I think so. The S1 series are pretty great but they have serious drawbacks in their current gen. 1/2 to 1/3rd the battery life of a Nikon, no IR-AF, and of course limited lenses even in basic options like a 35mm. When you need a flash or are doing basic tracking you still can't beat a Nikon. Plus frankly 16mp files are great to work with for this kind of thing.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Oh yeah I think so. The S1 series are pretty great but they have serious drawbacks in their current gen. 1/2 to 1/3rd the battery life of a Nikon, no IR-AF, and of course limited lenses even in basic options like a 35mm. When you need a flash or are doing basic tracking you still can't beat a Nikon. Plus frankly 16mp files are great to work with for this kind of thing.

and some of the SLR gear is good value on the used market these days, presumeably due to people buying into the mirrorless systems.

 

[Henning Serger]

@Henning Serger Do you have any idea how many F6s Nikon sells every year, and if this number has decreased or increased over the last few years?

Yes, I have numbers. During the last 3-4 years it has been in the range of 200 - 250 units p.a.
And demand has increased recently (before the Corona crisis).
We will have to wait and see how the situation is changing. The Corona crisis unfortunately will have a very strong negative effect on the whole photo industry, both digital and film.
There is the real danger that we may loose companies who have served us very well over the years, and which we really like.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[M.A.Longmore]

.
Is it still the same camera that was created in 2004, or has some of the newer technology been added ?

 

[MultiFormat Shooter]

There is the real danger that we may lose companies who have served us very well over the years, and which we really like.

I certainly hope that we don't lose anybody, and the photo industry (and everybody else) is able to rebound! I can't shoot like I used to, since studios are closed, and the weather hasn't co-operative for outdoor picture-taking, but I am still buying film and supplies, when I can, for the reason you cite above.