According provided by huge Nikon F6 camera thanks to the store www.fotika.com.uawhere you can find a huge number of different used photographic equipment, including similar cameras.
I do not review film cameras, Nikon F6 (from this review) and Nikon AF N8008s are exceptions.
Nikon F6
Navigation
- Briefly about Nikon F6
- Management
- Build quality
- Focus system
- Metering system
- Work with manual optics
- CF card support
- Speed
- My experience
- Sample Photos
- Video review
- Commercial break
- Results
- Comments
- Add a comment
Briefly about Nikon F6
Nikon F6 is the sixth generation of professional film cameras. The first cameras in this series date back to 1959 and are updated approximately every 8 years:
- Nikon F - 1959
- Nikon F2 - 1971
- Nikon F3 - 1980
- Nikon F4 - 1988
- Nikon F5 - 1996
- Nikon F6 - 2004
Nikon F6 is one of the best film SLR cameras from Nikon. Many photographers consider it to be the very best in the entire Nikon film SLR lineup. Of course, the Nikon F6 may be inferior to some other TOP or highly specialized SLR cameras from other manufacturers in details, but overall the Nikon F6 is simply gorgeous.
The Nikon F6 camera was announced on September 16, 2004 and became Nikon's latest film professional SLR camera. I prepared this review at the beginning of 2016, at this time on the official website imaging.nikon.com camera Nikon F6 was still listed as current modern camera. At the same time, among the film cameras that are still being produced (or sold new), Nikon had only two Nikon F6 models (worth $ 2.669) and Nikon FM10 (worth $ 569).
Prior to the announcement of the Nikon F6, Nikon DX series digital crop cameras were already released: Nikon D1, D1h, D1x, D100, D2h, D70 и Nikon E Series Full-Range Digital SLR Cameras: E2, E2S, E2N, E2NS, E3, E3S. The world of digital photography has practically supplanted film from many genres of photography. First of all, reportage photography was increasingly drawn to digital cameras and few expected that Nikon would take and release another reportage film camera.
Along with Nikon F6, an excellent digital camera was also announced. Nikon D2x, which became the first camera with the classic CMOS sensor, setting the tone for the further development of Nikon cameras.
In short, the Nikon F6 is interesting in the following features:
- Protected enclosure
- Focusing system with 11 points (9 of which are cruciform)
- Maximum burst speed - 8 fps
- CompactFlash memory card support (CF)
- Large LCD on the back of the camera
- Advanced metering system exposure with 1005 pixel RGB sensor
- Support Nikon CLS
- JVI with 100% field of view coverage
- Data imprinting about shooting directly on film (on the frame itself, or between frames, or on the zero frame).
- A lot of nice little things
Unlike Nikon F5 (previous model), the new camera was aimed a little at other users.
Nikon F6
Management
When getting acquainted with the camera, there is a clear feeling that in the hands is not Nikon F6, but Nikon D200... The control of these cameras is almost the same. If you delve into the technical characteristics, then we can summarize that the Nikon F6 is a cross between the Nikon D2h / D2x and Nikon F100.
Camera control is easy. For those who shoots a lot of D1-D5 and D200-D810a lines on the camera, there should not be any inconvenience in controlling the Nikon F6. All buttons are in their usual places, setting all the shooting parameters is simple, the menu of the camera is organized at an intuitive level. Unfortunately, the Nikon F6 menu lacks the Russian language.
Nikon F6 is very pleasant and responsive during real shooting. There are 41 items in the menu, with which you can very easily set up the camera for comfortable work, or for the desired scene or shooting style.
Nikon F6
Build quality
The Nikon F6 has a very high build quality and the Nikon F6 is water and dust resistant. However, in the manual for Nikon F6, I did not find any indication of the level of camera security.
The camera body consists of a cast chassis made of aluminum alloy. The lower and upper parts are made of magnesium alloy. The back (lid of the film compartment) is also made of aluminum alloy. The case has many rubber seals. If you examine, feel and work with Nikon F6, you can quickly come to the conclusion about a very high-quality assembly. Due to the large amount of metal in the case, the camera was not light and weighs as much as 975 grams.
The camera shutter is rated for a minimum of 150.000 shots. The shutter is made of the mysterious 'KEVLAR' material combined with an aluminum alloy. These shutter materials make the shutter curtains very light. Also, in the official press release of the company it was indicated that the shutter has a self-diagnostic function, but what it is and how it helps in real life I could not figure out.
Nikon F6 with lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.4G SWM
Focus system
The Nikon F6 focusing system is based on the Multi-CAM 2000 focusing module, which was first used in a digital camera Nikon D2h (date of announcement - 22.07.2003). Later the same module was used on D2hs cameras, D2x и D2xs. Multi-CAM 2000 includes 11 focus points, 9 of which are cross-shaped and located in the center of the frame, forming a 3x3 square.
I used two autofocus lenses with the Nikon F6: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.4G SWM (with built-in focus motor) and Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8 ED AF Nikkor MKIII (without a built-in motor and without transmitting the distance to the subject). With these lenses, the Nikon F6 focused accurately and did not release the subject when moving it.
On the back side, the camera has a four-position lever for choosing the focus method: single-zone AF mode, dynamic AF mode, group dynamic AF mode, dynamic AF mode with the priority of the closest subject.
In the Nikon F6 menu, you can set the priority for working in S and C modes (focus priority, shutter release, and combinations thereof).
It is believed that the Nikon F6 has the best focusing system of all Nikon film cameras.
Nikon F6
Metering system
The Nikon F6 inherits from the Nikon F5 its “3D Color Matrix Metering System” based on a 1005-pixel RGB sensor. This metering system exposure was used on a huge number of TOP and advanced digital SLR cameras: D1, D1h, D1X, D2h, D2hs, D2x, D2xs, D70, D70s, D200, D3, D3s, D3x, D700, D300, D300s, Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro, Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro. Truly legendary Nikon D3s and D3x use parts from Nikon F5 / F6 film “oldies”.
Measurement exposure works great. There are several settings that allow you to set the change step. exposure, select a measurement method exposure, select zone diameter for center-weighted metering mode exposure.
Key feature of Nikon F6 is accurate metering exposure while working with flashes. Nikon F6 Supports Nikon i-TTL Flash SB-600, SB-800 (apparently, all new flashes with i-TTL), as well as the SU-800 remote flash control unit. Also, Nikon F6 can work with the system Nikon CLS and remotely control external flash units (if only the Nikon F6 is equipped with a flash with the “master” function, since the camera does not have a built-in flash). Also, unlike the Nikon F5, the new camera supports Nikon FP high-speed sync. In normal sync mode, the minimum excerpt synchronization with the flash is 1 / 250s (versus 1 / 300s in the Nikon F5).
To prevent exposure metering flare by JVINikon F6 has a metal the blind of your eyepiece.
Nikon F6
Work with manual optics
Nikon F6 works wonderfully with manual optics. On the basic version of the Nikon F6, you can install any lens with a Nikon F mount, released after 1977 and shoot for your own pleasure. With this Nikon F6, unlike all other Nikon film camerasallows you to use matrix metering with any lens for metering. Nikon F4 also knew how to do matrix metering, but only with AI manual lenses. AI-S type. Nikon F5 was completely deprived of such an opportunity. To use matrix metering, you need to set the focal length and maximum relative aperture of the manual lens used in the camera menu (Menu-> NON-CPU LENS -> set parameters).
For added convenience, you can set the FN programmable button to the 'LENS DATA' parameter (CSM MENU -> Controls-> FUNC. Button-> Lens Data). After this manipulation, if you press and hold the FN button, rotating the front command dial will change the manual lens stored in memory. Nikon F6 can memorize values for 9 manual lenses. By the way, this was the first time such a function appeared in a digital camera. Nikon D2h.
Unfortunately lenses NON AI (PRE AI) cannot be used on this camera. But there is one very good news, you can upgrade for Nikon F6 and replace the diaphragm rheostat ring with another... The replacement of the rheostat is provided by the design and is done at the official Nikon center. After replacing the diaphragm rheostat will have a rotating mating lever that can be “hidden” during operation with NON AI (PRE AI) lenses. This is the same rotating arm technology used by Nikon in its retro digital camera Nikon DF. I had a review of a non-upgraded Nikon F6 camera, so I could not use an old manual lens on it. Nikon Nikkor-SC Auto 1: 1.4 f = 50mm NON-AI (I hoped that the TOP camera should support all native lenses at once in the basic kit).
For successful focusing on the manual lens in the lower left corner there is a green dot, which serves as confirmation of successful focusing. Also, an electronic range finder in the form of two arrows near the green dot helps to focus. The arrows indicate which direction it is best to rotate the focus ring for quick and accurate focusing.
In the camera menu, you can enable or disable the backlight of the active focus point while working with manual optics.
Nikon F6
CF card support
Like a digital camera, the Nikon F6 records shooting parameters to its internal memory for each shot. You can set different amounts of recording data for shooting. At the time of recording the maximum amount of data, the Nikon F6 can store data for 31 films of 36 frames. In the maximum version, the frame number is recorded, excerpt, aperture, focal length, maximum relative lens aperture, metering method, exposure mode, flash sync mode, exposure compensation amount, flash output compensation amount, flash mode settings, mode multiple exposures, VR mode, shooting date and time, etc.
In fact, Nikon F6 stores in its memory EXIF filmed data. And the best part is that using a special Nikon Data Reader MV-1 reader, data EXIF can be transferred to CF memory card and view it on your computer. The same function is supported by two more cameras: Nikon F5 and Nikon F100.
If you do not even use MV-1, then the shooting parameters of any shot frame can be displayed on the camera display. The output of information about the parameters of the previous frame is sometimes very, very useful.
Nikon F6
Speed
Nikon F6 without additional accessories can shoot at maximum speed 5.5 frames per second... If you buy an additional Nikon MB-D40 battery pack, then the F6 accelerates to 8 frames per second. Unfortunately, as I wrote in my post 'Confrontation systems Nikon / Canon. Part 2. Performance', it's too bad that Nikon cameras require the purchase of additional accessories to achieve maximum burst speed.
The camera itself is very responsive, with instant response, low shutter lag, and fast blackout. The only annoying thing at times is the freezing of the LCD on the back of the camera when working in the cold.
Nikon F6
My experience
Me really liked the Nikon F6 camera. After my Nikon AF N8008s this camera seems to be the peak of perfection.
However, I still want to highlight a few points that I would like to improve or refine on the Nikon F6:
- I do not like that in order to reach 8 fps, you must definitely buy a Nikon MB-40 battery handle. Nikon F5 (previous model) had a built-in battery handle and could immediately shoot at a speed of 8k / s.
- I don’t like that the camera does not have a shutter button lock. When I carry the camera not in a photo bag, but in my usual bag for the city or in a regular backpack, the camera often turns on automatically, and sometimes the shutter is released. More than once my camera Nikon D700 turned on independently and took hundreds of "black" frames. If for a digital camera an extra frame is not a problem, for a film camera it is a wasted valuable film.
- don't like rare CR123A batteries. I found such batteries only after visiting the fifth store.
- the CS (Continuous Silent Slow) mode, which is supposed to provide “quiet” shooting, does a very poor job.
- rear monochrome display poorly displays information, sometimes you have to look closely at the displayed data. The upper information display is much better.
- Nikon F6 uses a stupid eight-position selector (joystick) with a very inconvenient central button. The central button is pressed as uncomfortably as in models Nikon D2h, D2hs, D2x, D2xs, D200 и D300.
Nikon F6 with lens Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8 ED AF Nikkor MKIII
Examples
Sample photos were taken using lenses Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8 ED AF Nikkor MKIII и Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.4G SWM... We used Kodac color 200 film. It was digitized in a photo lab, what exactly is unknown.
Also, Vitaly Raikovsky shared his examples of photographs with Radozhiva; the shots were taken with the camera shown in the review. Vitaly used a lens for shooting Nikon 50mm 1: 1.2 Nikkor (AI-S)
Lens Nikon Nikkor 105mm 1: 1.8
And more examples
Video review
Video review can be viewed at my new YouTube channel - subscribe and like!
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In comments Can I ask you a question on the topic and you will answer, and you can also express your opinion or describe your experience. Many little things for a photo can be found on AliExpress.
Results
Nikon did its best - Nikon F6 turned out to be just a gorgeous camera. It's nice that the F6 ended the Nikon film era.
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
Arkady, if the shutter’s self-diagnosis system is similar to F5 (I have a camera like F90X, FM3A), the system itself allows you to diagnose the wear of the shutter lamellas and independently compensate for the wear.
Yes, F5 can only write data to the memory with the MF-28 back cover.
And so - a great camera. I would change to my F5 :)
I will never trade my F-5….
Regarding F5, it is written that the shutter speed is synchronized with the reference generator on lithium niobate and, if the shutter speed is incorrectly worked out, it will inform the LCD display i.e. It is not lamella wear that is controlled, but their seizing.
And where are these terrible longitudinal scratches from? Has it been screwed up during digitizing or has the camera scratched the film? Strange "worms" - is it, apparently, dust and dirt? these artifacts are very annoying.
this is from the scanner.
> I don't like the rare CR123A batteries.
Buy LIR123 batteries and a charger from the Chinese ...
Hi, why is there so much hair and dirt on the film?
photos were printed about 10 years after the film was developed
Some kind of Loch’s lab could be seen and scanned. I can imagine what srach is there, in one photo where there is a sign, in the right corner, even a dead mosquito was scanned;)
But in general, if it were not for that, then the pictures from this camera and the film in general are super!
what about the viewfinder? More than d700 type digital SLRs? In 8008s you wrote that more. I wonder why JVI more?
for Fm3a, for example, an increase of 0,83x at 93% coverage, for F5 0.75x and 100% coverage, for F6 0.74x and also 100%. All modern FF Nikonov 0.7x like.
“Your thought is under moderation” - something new. And something is being moderated for a long time))))
b / w film apparently "hands" showed ... horror, how many defects.
and we are moaning about spots on the D600 matrix.
Here, here ... All the sissies became such as soon as they switched to tsyfer.
And in this case, it’s all messy here, and I think that some collective farmers from a hangover in the lab showed and scanned. Damn as much dust as possible, I can not imagine.
+1
The camera was most likely to make the scratches, but the developing machine might as well, garbage in the form of worms is most likely a film defect, the last amateur-grade film of very poor quality, in the 90s and early 2000s the films were normal, now this is disgusting. It is better to re-shoot the film and convert it from negative to positive, the quality will be much better than scanning the film itself or photo. In the photo, a home-made adapt for these purposes, below is the result.
different garbage !!! note! and then write about something that scratches the camera.
in the evening I’ll load scans from a normal (expensive film) and from a normal lab (drum scanner) and from this camera.
I scanned a narrow film on the 8000th Nikon, after that all the methods for shooting for a digital went to the trash
yes he is cool! the dream of 9000 nikon ... so that the Federation Council can scan norms)
although if the money is not enough, 750 epson is also valid. there they kind of released new ones.
8000 and SF scans (first of all), the difference from 9000 is only in the faster scanning speed of the latter. But now and for 8000 asking unrealistically expensive
what happens when you shoot.
I think I realized what kind of photo)
Photo of The Beatles for the album "Abbey Road"
same result on newer film
on Soviet film is better
I had a chance to repair the shutter in practice not so long ago, then I shot a film of fuji, it’s rare muck, all in muhr, I’m sorry that I threw it out and there is nothing to demonstrate here.
You seem to have chosen the lousiest laboratory. Could already be in the photo fund on the street. Shota Rustaveli attributed the film.
I have a
The device is really super
I have a 300v boot and nothing)
Doesn’t it bother anyone that this used miracle costs like the new D610?
but he's a professional class, and D610 is an amateur
Over the past few years, I've seen a lot of "type of professionals" with amateur d600, d610, canon 6d, and none with film cameras (rare hipsters with old school cameras, poking around in front of girls does not count).
If the client does not need digital photographs, and does not need to apply a lot of retouching, then I film on Nikon F4, F5. If you use good professional films, then the quality of the portrait is much better than the numbers, and you don’t bathe especially with the color balance, but you need to have a set of light filters for the set of film technology, this is a must
Stop!!! where does the filmmaker have a CF card ??
He writes Exifs to film frames
quarrel read the article ... now everything is clear !!!!!
after my n90S it seems like a spaceship ala d4s d5 !!!!
I agree about the batteries ... I sold the f65 because of CR-ok ... but damn where and how did you develop the film .... in a desert??? so many parts and scratches !!! To drive that service into the ears !!!
if you do film photography - then completely yourself: shooting-developing-printing. photolabs now generally do not understand how and how they develop film - they can spoil everything! but it is very expensive and troublesome! and digitizing film destroys all its magic!
Yes. There was a strong desire to shoot on film, now it has successfully overcome :) Especially remembering the faces and manners of the staff in our laboratories ... You order a film from ebay, it will come in a month, and then you will get, at best, the result. Damn during the scoop I do not remember such a disgusting quality of development. Damn, this is one of the reasons why the film is gone - you cannot control part of the process, unless you bother with the development and that is where you guess so that no Nikon or Kodak will help ... It's sad.
Google Lobanov, he has 90% of the material in the SF film. He is in the VK and at every photo forum which has an attendance of 500 people per day. look at the scans. and your opinion will change. if anyone is interested, write to the post office I will give the coordinates where they will be scanned using normal equipment, and without sides.
Very interested about scans tell me the coordinates
http://foto-servis.com.ua/
Thanks for the money saved.
If you started with a number, then you should shoot on film at least a couple of times. Allows you to take a different look at the whole process of photography. When there is no way to see at once what happened, when you know that there are two or three dozen frames and that's all, when you are waiting for the development result with anticipation ... The shooting process itself gives different sensations and a different experience.
Fuji writes that they raised film prices due to lower demand for it and higher component prices. Film lovers - stock up.
http://www.fujifilm.com/news/n160122.html
I don't understand the laws of the market! if demand is high, prices start to lift, demand is low, prices begin to rise!
The film is selling well, it's just that Fuji's prices are raised, and the same Kodak is often a little cheaper and you can find not very expensive cinematic Vision3 50D, Vision3 250D, Vision3 500T, as well as Proimage 100 (for portraits) and wild Aerocolor. These 5, as well as GOLD200, Ektar 100 and Portra cover the entire range of needs of the sophisticated hobbyist.
The photos in the examples, as if specially made to discourage the desire to shoot on film (not by composition, by the quality of development and scanning). The film must not be expired, the film must be properly stored before sale, the film must be properly developed.
For comparison, several photos. Nikon F5. Kodak Ektar 100. The film was bought at the Shota Rustavelli Photofund, manifested and scanned there (I usually use their services). Post-processing of photos in examples: only conversion to JPEG and crop.
Macro
Sunset
The horizon is littered
But the colors are amazing especially the rose and sunset.
This is a tulip :)
Yeah, overwhelmed. I write: "only converting to JPEG and crop". And Nikon F5 + Sigma 300 1: 4 without shativa turned out to be a little hard for handheld shooting :)