The BEST Professional 35mm Film SLR Ever: The Nikon F6 Review
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- čas přidán 12. 07. 2024
- The Nikon F6 is a SUPERB film camera which (along with the F5) was the BLUEPRINT for the modern Nikon DSLR's. It Bridged the gap between Nikon's film and digital cameras. Nikon went to great lengths to make this the smoothest, quietest and most refined film camera they've ever produced and they were absolutely successful in that endeavor. The Nikon F6 is the smoothest, quietest and most well-optioned film SLR ever made! It was by far a much more smooth and refined camera than any [digital] DSLR camera that Nikon produced during that time. The viewfinder is LARGER than the D810/D850 (not by much) and it goes about all its functions without any problems. WIN!
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The Nikon F6 is truly a Wonderful Camera. Im from The UK and I must say that Your Extremely Good video is the best ive ever seen! If you attach the MB40 Grip on this Camera it's like handling no other camera. Having said that, even without the Grip the camera is Superb! Ive owned quite a Really good Nikon,s but this is The Best Nikon by far. When it was reviewed in A Magazine here, the Gentleman who actually reviewed it was so impressed with it he said and I quote " If this is the Last Film Camera that Nikon ever produces, and the likelihood is that it will, then Nikon is going out on a very high note. Unquote. How right he was. Many thanks for your Highly Valued Video. You have now, a very pleased Subscriber. Please keep your wonderful videos coming. Many thanks and Kind regards Colyn.
Hello Colyn, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and your kind words about my video. You captured my exact feelings about the F6. I too believe that Nikon knew that this would be their last pro film SLR which they were likely to release so they spared no effort or expense in it's development. The F6 is as silky smooth, smartly designed and as extraordinarily refined as my D810 or even the D850. Again, many thanks.
This must be the best F6 review on CZcams. At last! Thank you!
Wow thanks!
Its like one of only a very few reviews on the F6 surprisingly
Excellent video! Thank you for taking the time to make it. After watching, I’m considerably closer to purchasing an F6!
I just bought a D7200 recently, and now I'm lusting after this one. Checked the prices... damn!
I just checked the prices and it looks like they are a bit high right now on the used market, $850-$1400. I paid right around $700 (if memory serves) for the camera and the grip. I shopped for several months before taking the leap.
I finally received my brand new Nikon F6 today, and found your review. Great review man. I agree with you 100% - this is by far the best film SLR ever made, and surely one of the best cameras ever made. I've bought and sold two of these from eBay in the past (I try lots of cameras). But with the F6 I deeply regretted selling them whenever I looked back at the images it had produced. Perfect goddamn exposure every time, and you can tell it's got a perfectly flat film transport. And the viewfinder is to die for. So I ordered a brand new one from Nikon - this one's a keeper. Huge respect to Nikon for still making new film cameras in the latter end of 2019. Long live film.
PS. I subscribed to your channel. Keep the great reviews coming.
Thank you very much for your efforts in making this review! I just ordered a mint F6 off of ebay and it is arriving tomorrow. Your review is helping me get pumped up. I am like a kid on Christmas Eve.
Thanks! You'll absolutely love the F6! It's a precision crafted machine and great fun to use.
Just holding this camera is a joy! The feel-in-the-hand is superb, better than any other camera I have ever owned. Your review was outstanding, thorough and clear- thanks for that!
My dream camera the Nikon F6! Thanks for this great overview.
Thanks for watching.
Very impressive and thorough video; more of a tutorial in many ways. You obviously know the camera very well and are very knowledgeable about the features and options. Thanks for taking the time to make the video.
Thank you very much!
Very informative! Just found your channel and I'm really enjoying the content.
Thanks so much! Please share this channel with your social media friends that may be interested in film cameras and photography.
Excellent review! Thank you for showing us the different menu options. That was very helpful for me.
Thanks, I’m glad you found it helpful!
I love your mellow voice and heartfelt commitment to photography. Thank you for this excellent video sir. 🥇
Thanks so much!
Film Photography Channel (Just purchased an F6!) 🤓
@@bennozoid1 Wow, congratulations!! I'm sure you'll love using it as much as I do.
Great review thanks, very relaxing to watch!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow a fantastic review of Nikon F6! I can listen to your calm voice all day long, wish you taught in my art school! Thank you for such educational video! I just bought mine and cant wait to use it, but first to learn all about it thanks to your video! Have a great day!
Wow, thank you for the kind words! I'm so sorry that I didn't see your post sooner. I've been using the F6 with a Nikkor 50mm f1.8 AF-S or 28mm AiS f2.8 lately for a lighter rig. It was waaay too heavy to carry all-day with a 24-70mm f2.8 or another big zoom. I've been real happy with the results from the primes and the F6 has a great rangefinder system built-in for the manual focus lenses. The F6 is a keeper for sure.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Thank you so much! I got a Nikkor 50mm f1.8! Love my camera! Have a great day and be safe!
Thankyou for a super review. I really enjoyed it.
Very professional review and tutorial. Thanks.
Thanks so much 🙏
I recently got an F5 and was considering getting a second F5 body for weddings but I may just get an F6 instead. The two would work beautifully.
Your video is the best video that I have seen about the Nikon F6! Thank you so much for making it. I have an F6 on order from Japan. I'm excited to get and start shooting with it.
The F6 is an absolutely magnificent SLR. It has nearly flawless autofocus and matrix metering and is compatible with virtually every Nikkor F-Mount lens ever made. I like to shoot it with my 50mm f1.8 af-s to keep the weight down but I’ll take it out with a zoom lens once in a while connected to a BlackRapid Street Breathe sling style camera strap. It screws into the tripod socket and makes it really comfortable to carry. The F6 is so quiet and refined you can barely tell the film is being advanced. Enjoy!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I have the Black Rapid cross shot. Looking forward to using it with my F6. I'm going to be starting out with just one lens, the 28mm f/1.4.
Great choice. That is an awesome lens. I’ve been going for prime lenses myself lately. It seems to simplify things.
This is a very helpful review.
Thanks so much. I enjoy making them. Hope you subscribed!
Fantastic video.
Great review. Very informative.
Thanks. It’s an awesome camera even today.
I love that my film cameras can have up to 36 full frame sensors, and that every sensor is self cleaning :)
Hah! I'm sorry I didn't see your post sooner. Thanks
Well put, man! I'd also add that having a camera that works for weeks without needing a nightly battery recharge has been a huge upgrade for me!
Actually the F5 was the blueprint for Nikon's DSLR. The F6 was spun off of their DSLR and tech advancements back into an analog film body. I am impressed with the second generation 3D color matrix in the F6 which is a definite advantage over the F5's first gen 3D matrix.
Great point. I should've caught that since I said in the video that the F6 was released well into the digital age.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I'm saving my pennies for one with the flash! Getting rid of my 80's plastic point and shoots for this real point and shoot.
@@vangstr You'll really enjoy it! It's a very nice camera. I was using it the other day along with my D810 and it's so much more solid! The Nikon F100 is a great camera also. It's not on the level of the F6, but has great auto-focusing, and is much, much cheaper than the F6.
I need one!
F6 shooter here. I learned something from this video that I had never considered before: Turning off auto-rewind in very cold conditions. Awesome! Regarding whether or not the silent mode is actually quieter or not, I agree with you. Perhaps not quieter. But it does sound different. I took the F6 on a 30+ roll tour of Peru and I found the silent-mode setting to sound/feel more satisfying if that makes any sense. Thanks for such a great video!
Thanks for the feedback. I’d love to see your Peru photos if they’re online. Thanks.
Another camera that gives me the same feeling of being the latest in the development of SRLs is the Minolta alpha 9 (dynax, maxxum), it was not the most electronically advanced of Minolta (the alpha 7 was) but the most professional and at the same time the most intuitive and ergonomic. 1/300x and 1/12000 shutter speed. ( 1998 )
XLNT video! I am loving my F6 ❤. Started processing B&W film again at home and the F6 produces fantastic results. Much lighter than the F5, and of course enjoy the convenience of the Auto Rewind leaving film leader exposed. Thanks for your video!
Thanks for watching. The F6 is such a refined and well built camera. It’s truly a legendary camera. Enjoy it!
Nice talk. I adjusted vol. to max and that fixed it. Always wanted an F6. Have the F801 which works well too, but has a really noisy winder.
Yeah the F6 is really refined. Very quiet and smooth. I have an N8001s and like you said, noisy film advance.
This is the best F6 video I've ever seen. Thank you for posting. I've been shooting a Nikon F4s since the late 1980s and I love film photography. I snagged a great deal on a used, like new F6 w/motor drive from a dealer in Japan for less than $1,600. I also shoot a Nikon D4s and will buy a D6 as soon as B&H have some in stock. I'm not sold on Nikon's Z mirrorless series so my quiver of film and digital Nikons work for me.
Thanks so much for your kind words. It sounds like you’re got quite the arsenal for film and digital photography. I’m also not a fan POF the Nikon Z line up. I know the specs are great but I can’t get past how huge the lenses are.
Finally a "sane" review on the F6 !
It´s a beautiful camera, I love my F100, but would love to have one of those as well in the future.
I had an F100 about 6 yrs ago and enjoyed it immensely! It took a really nasty fall but was still working (sort of). I sold it for parts and eventually picked up the F6 in this video. Here's my first roll with the F100: flic.kr/s/aHsjz9Mv7X
whats the difference with the F100?
So many differences. The F6 is quieter and smoother with MUCH better build quality & superior weather sealing. It also offers exif data writeable to a card, matrix metering with manual focus lenses, better autofocus, iTTL flash system, better viewfinder and more. Also the F100 rewinds the film all the way into the can and the F6 gives you the option to have it left out. The F100 is a great camera and the F6 is NOT worth 4 times the price. You buy an F6 because you want the best SLR ever made. You buy an F100 because it’s the deal of the century in film photography.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Seems the F100 is better value for money in the end
Thank you, very nice review. The AF motor for no motorized lenses is much more powerful than F80 or F100. I love it !
Great Video Thank you.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I went for the F5 thank you for your passion and your video great info keep taking pictures. ;))
Cool camera 👍
Great review. I had the F100 before. It was amazing. I regretted selling it. But I have my M6 and had a couple dslr's too. But I popped for the F6 aand by far it the best camera Ive ever shot with. I love my M6, but for ease of use, the F6 is by far the best, in my opinion. It just feels really good shooting with it. Everything is right.
I agree. The F6 is an absolute work of art. Built to last too. If I have one criticism it’s that the F6 is heavy at least with a zoom lens attached. I shoot my F6 with primes. Usually a 50mm f1.8 which has tremendous image quality and also with a 28mm. My Leica M6 is still my trusty go-to. I actually am scanning a roll right now that I shot earlier today of the “Snowmageddon 2022” which happened today in the northeast coast of the US. There’s just something about the M6 that I really enjoy. No doubt that the F6 is much more capable but I’m always surprised how great the results are from my M6. I’m looking at these snow pics which can be really tricky for an exposure meter. They al came out perfect. And this from such a basic camera.
Great review, always being interested in the F6. They are a bit expensive. I'm sure you're getting a lot of camera, but the F5, F100, F4. Just seen a better deal for me. Thank you for the video..
Thanks Richard. The F6 is a little pricey. It took me years to find the right deal on one. I had an F100 for years (it had a nasty fall so I sold it for parts) and IMO I'll say that the F6 is a MUCH better camera. I haven't tried the F4/F5 yet but I definitely will sooner or later. Love those Nikons!
FPC, thank you for your reply, got to see an F6, upfront and personal very nice indeed! This one had been quite roughly used, the price reflected the abuse, but definitely got a feeling for that machine. The focusing screen with my 50m1.4g, was fantastic. The camera fits like a glove! I do not need another camera but how about Nikon F6 versus Leica R9. :~)
@@rvbsoundfactory Hah! You're going to make me spend a bunch of $$ with questions like that! I actually held an R8 recently (for just a second) and found it to be pretty nice. I really like my Nikon's and I think the F6 would probably prevail over the R9. If I could ever borrow an R8 or R9, I would be glad to do a comparison video.
First of all, great video. Solid takes on the camera and excellent editing.
Your point about them making a film camera despite being well into the digital age is good. In my opinion you can even extrapolate that question to now, as they just released a new DSLR (D780) alongside their relatively new mirrorless pro FF cameras.
Other than the fairly cheap D3x00 and D5x00 series, it would make sense to stop making DSLRs altogether but my thinking is that they're trying to offer people who are reluctant to jump ship something familiar. I use mirrorless and DSLRs together for professional and casual photography, I think both have pros and cons but I don't think I'd ever toss my DSLR for pure mirrorless. I'm sure many others feel the same.
I think it's the same thing with the F6. I feel like there were many pros in 2004 when the F6 dropped that still weren't convinced by digital and stuck with their film systems to the end. The craftsmanship and amazing design of the F6 proved that Nikon still cared about satisfying the curmudgeons and purists, you know who I mean. Their voices tend to be the loudest.
Great thoughts. Thanks for sharing. CZcamsrs have long predicted the demise of DSLRs in favor of mirrorless but I think the only thing that would make them go away is if people stop buying them. I personally like both mirrorless and DSLRs for different reasons. It’s been my experience that DSLRs (and SLRs) are much tougher than mirrorless cameras. I cringe to think about my Fuji XE-2 falling even a couple of feet off of a chair onto a wood floor. For pros (which I am not) I would think that you guys would value the superior battery life. Pros are often waiting around for quite a while when on an assignment, i.e. school or corporate staff photos, birding and other nature, press conferences, etc. When using a mirrorless camera for this type of work, I imagine you would be watching the battery meter constantly and have to lug around several extra batteries. I experienced that with my LUMIX G9 which has good battery life for a mirrorless but always seemed to run out when I was out in nature to take bird photos. This type of photography requires lots of waiting around. DSLRs/SLRs use next to no power when standing by while mirrorless is constantly draining the battery. Time will tell but I think DSLRs will be around for a while. Fingers crossed 🤞
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Thanks for the reply!
The battery life is a huge deal! I carry three batteries for my Olympus OM-D when I take it on shoots, because I know that with heavy use at least one will die before the end of the day. With my Nikon DSLR, I don't think I've ever had a battery last me less than a week even with heavy usage. Durability and weather sealing are also massive pros over mirrorless. You're totally right. My D7200 has taken a few tumbles over the years but still works great (minus the top screen which needs to be replaced), while I pray that I never drop my mirrorless even if it's in a protective case or bag.
amazing video, which is unfortunately giving me gas to go on the hunt for an F6 ;)).
Thanks, it’s a very nice camera to use. I enjoy it a lot.
Great video and much appreciated. I wondered a while back whether to replace my f5 but chose not to for a number of reasons:
I like using a grip and when you put one on the F6 it is close to the size of an F5 so no real advantage.
Changing the screens is much easier on the F5.
I like to use the Mag finder for macro work and the prism is not interchangeable.
Most of the added electronic facilities are of little if any use to me (an probably few others).
Reliablity is probably no better- the guarantee on the F5 was 3 years -how long on the F6?
I would lose a wad of cash on the move. Fine camera though but so was the F5.
Thanks for this detailed review! I'm considering buying the F6 new, before it'll be discontinued. There is the Minolta Maxxum 9 though, which is much more reasonable priced (as are the Minolta lenses). Would you consider doing a comparison between the two?
Keep up the great work and thanks again. Simon
Hi Simon, thanks for the feedback. I'll be glad to do a comparison if I ever get my hands on a Maxxum 9. It seems Nikon "borrowed" some features from Minolta when they designed the F6.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I think that is very true for their design of the F5 also! However, i think the Minolta is a very interesting and kind of obscure camera worth featuring!
Yep and they’re very good lenses. The Minolta metering system is incredible as well.
I really enjoy your videos. I WAS a slide shooter. Loved using the different speed films. Kodak, Fuji, and Agfa. Print just doesn't work for me. I still have Minolta Srt 202, minolta 35-70, my pet lens and Minolta 70-210.
I think all of us who learned to use cameras before AF simply use the central focus point to focus on what we want to be in focus, then recompose the frame with focus held fixed. I've never used any of the focus points in my F6s other than the one in the centre! Anyway, I sold a D810 to buy a second F6. That good!
The F6 really is that good. You’re absolutely right about your focus point uh, point. I only use the center point and the recompose. I think what’s happening nowadays with 400+ focus points is a bit much but maybe some people appreciate it so I don’t judge.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I have an FE, an F5 and recently got the F6 due to the focus points but more because they light up red and it was harder to see on the F5. I only shoot black and white and I am working on a couple of boxing projects. It is super important to get that tack sharp and I am hoping I can get more with the F6. Thank you for this video. I have watched it 2x's as well as subscribed to this channel. I like the weight of the F6 compared to the F5 as well. However, the FPS for boxing has had me get the MB-40 so guess will be back a the weight issue again. Oh well. I am used to it for the F5. I am still figuring the F6 out, so if you have any suggestions, I would appreciate your input. Thanks.
One day. For now I will have to live with my little old F100.
I had an F100 for a couple of years until it was destroyed in a biking accident. It was one of my all time favorites.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel it is a great camera. I only with that it had 100% field of view coverage like the pro level cameras.
I have mixed feelings about the F6 and have vacillated on the fence over buying one. I shoot 50% digitally and 50% film and have several film cameras.
On one hand, there is something to be said for owning THE last professional build quality 35mm camera and a body which should outlast the majority of people who would buy one. I can only guess that Nikon's market for the F6 is/was, affluent, middle-aged men. I have not priced one lately however, for argument's sake, let's say someone bought one today, in mint condition for $1,800. Yes, it's a lot of money however, it 'should' be the last 35mm camera body you would ever buy. Whereas, anyone (who is an avid photographer) who bought a D2x, at the same time that the F6 came out, has surely bought 2 (or more) other digital bodies, in order to "keep up" with the image quality and specs of the day. So, they've spent a lot more than $1,800 on (digital) camera bodies, PLUS, I think it is safe to assume that, if you are buying an F6, you already have a collection of lenses, so, in theory, it's a one-time shot of $1,800 (or whatever).
On the other hand, the #1 reason (of several), that I love shooting film is the simplicity and straight forward workflow, and the F6 is not a 'simple' camera. I have several Nikon F90x bodies because I love the meter and the 1990's aesthetic. For manual focus, I have several Nikon F3HP's again, because I love the simplicity, build-quality, aesthetic, and the way the F3HP feels in my hands. And, for all intents and purposes, the only thing (that matters to me) that the F6 can do that my F90x's or F3HP's cannot, is work with G and VR lenses, and that is not an issue because I already have the AF-D and Ai-s glass that I want for those bodies. I am of an age where the F90x and F3HP's 'should' outlive me. Now, if I were 25 year's old (and had the money), it might make it easier to justify spending that kind of money on a camera body that 'should' last for 30+ years.
Enjoyed your review and will be subscribing, as I love the idea of a film photography channel.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Mr. Davis. I agree with your thought pattern which actually made me want to look up the receipt for the purchase of my F6 and found that I "only" paid $844.20, including shipping. I will add that this was an EXTRAORDINARY deal, about $400 less than nearly every other F6 that I shopped. Mine even came with the grip! I expected that the camera may have some huge, hidden flaw or damage, but it arrived in mint condition as you can see in the video. I had to purchase a battery door since the seller didn't include one but otherwise it was near-perfect. I still don't know why he sold it so cheap.
Boutta buy me one after I sell this F3. The F6 is a good investment, and will last a long time.
I’d keep both cameras but that’s just me. 😀
Nice video. Do the focusing points light up in red?
Hi yes they do
Sorry but the audio is too Low, as I have the volume up to the Max. Love your videos.
Yeah, so sorry about that. I didn't realize until it was too late.
Thanks! Not too many videos on the f6
The F6 is almost like a best kept secret!
eint even know there was an F6 and I know a lot of crap
@@stumpycatvm7115 It's a best-kept secret!
Nice review of the best SLR ever. I like its tank build quality however it is very power hungry . My batteries suddenly die after 5 or 6 rolls. How many rolls of film are you able to shoot with your F6 and regular batteries ?
It's funny you mention that. I had to buy batteries recently because they died while the camera was just sitting for a few months. The batteries that were in it previously lasted over two years! To answer your question, that set of batteries lasted for about 30 rolls over two years while the next set only lasted a couple of months. I might have left it on by accident. I've only had battery problems that one time. Otherwise it's been really reliable.
I always leave batteries in the camera and sometimes they sit there for a month or two. Maybe that's the reason they never last longer than 5 rolls but camera is always off. Anyway it always happens the same way, the mirror gets locked and ERR is displayed on top lcd. In just one second my batteries are dead. I had sent the camera to Nikon but they shot like 30 test rolls in a row and as error didnt occur they sent it back to me. So confusing.
@@Jaromat hmm, that is confusing. I've never seen the Err message or had the mirror lock up. It just won't power on.
So which one do you use more often, Eric? The F6 or the F3?
I almost went the Nikon route as I really wanted the FM2 when looking for my first SLR. But it was still very pricey in 1990. So I went the Canon route with the EOS 620. Gave me the most for the money at a time when my funds were limited.
Did you ever wonder why there is a little hollow on the left side of the viewfinder ?
It's to give enough clearance to the crank when you rewind your film manually.
;o)
Good one. Never caught that. I think this little divot is made more for your finger than for the actual crank. My finger passes through it perfectly without actually touching the camera. I have even more appreciation for the engineering and thought that went into the F6. Thanks
I am debating buying the F6. Nice used ones are going for around $1000 on ebay at the moment. The F6 is the last of the professional Nikon F cameras I don't have for my "working" Nikon collection, mainly due to price. My F100 and F5 do a credible job with modern VR lenses, but that F6 does look very nice. Do you think a "minty" F6 for $1000 is worth the price in today's market?
Absolutely. I shopped for my F6 for YEARS and they were always selling for near the price of a brand new one, around $2200. I can't believe they're this "cheap" right now especially when film cameras are appreciating at such a rapid pace. My Leica M6 is almost triple what I paid for it nearly ten years ago. The F6 is such a masterpiece of a camera, I would think it would follow this trend also at some point. There's literally no other film camera like it, even the F100.
Could i use matrix metering while shooting in aperture priority with a ais lens that has the cpu component(voigtlander ultron 40mm)?
Yes! Matrix metering with every Nikon lens made since 1977, but no Program or Shutter-priority mode with manual lenses.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel thanks for the reply im interested in this now
which lens are you using on F6??
Hi although it’s a heavy combination I use the Nikkor 24-70 f2.8 AF-S (non-VR) mostly. Sometimes the Nikkor 28mm f2.8 AIS, 55mm f2.8 AIS micro and 50mm f1.8 AF-S.
Дякую !
Someone should do a review on ATG's cameras, but many are lost or was not aware.
1. ATG/Rolleiflex 3003 2. ATG/Canon EOS-1VHSr (you can use Nikon lenses on ATG/Canon. Can't do that on a Nikon.
What about the Canon eos 1V?
I have it on my list. I haven't bought one yet. Stay tuned!
هل يمكنك تقديم فيديو خاص للكاميرا f4
الكاميرا التي تريدها؟
@@FilmPhotographyChannel
Nikon F4 ...
أرغب في الحصول على شرح كامل لتلك الكاميرا Nikon F4 .
This would have been a great video if it were not for your volume. It's too low.
Just wanted to say that I like your reviews but you need to either speak louder or turn up your mic...please!
Hi thanks so much. I’m aware of the audio issue on this video. Unfortunately I can’t fix it after it’s posted.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I understand.
u still alive？！
Thankfully yes.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I love you sooooooooooooooo much! Pls stay safe!
the F5 is still better
The F5 is pretty awesome and a beautiful machine but the F6 is much smaller, lighter and quieter. It also takes all of Nikons F mount lenses including VR. Also you have to admire the engineering that went into the F6.
U still alive? Great review! I love black people so much! I love nikon F6 & nikon F5 soooooo much! Great job ！ pls reply me if you still alive ~
Too many buttons in Nikon cameras.....
Which 35mm camera in your view is well-constructed and has the appropriate number of buttons?
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Leica m3 lol