colonialpara's Full Review: Nikon F6 35mm Film Camera
The Nikon F6: The last of the great 35 mm film cameras?
It is a question Nikon users and industry observers have been asking since the camera was released to the general public in North America in late October 2004. Due to the continued dominance of the market and the ongoing release of digital cameras, both consumer and professional, the issuance of the camera no one expected raised the eyebrows of some photo industry writers and whetted the appetites of filmophiles like me for the newest technology in cameras that still rely on film.
As I wrote in my recent review here on the Nikon D2X professional digital SLR, I had the good fortune to be able to borrow another brand new camera. This time the source was different, but knowing that I write for epinions, he was willing to part with a brand new F6, hoping, I am sure, that I'd post a great review of Nikon's newest film flagship.
The source of this loaner largesse was correct in his assumption; being a fan of Nikon products, but especially their high end cameras, I expected a great experience and that's exactly what I received. Below are my observations on Nikon's newest film flagship, the amazing F6:
To be sure, the F6 is a milestone in both Nikon and film camera history. In an age of increasing digital dominance, it is truly an unexpected surprise. It is the natural successor to the camera it replaces and yet, it also benefits from much of the technological features and improvements that Nikon has offered in both the D2H and the newer D2X digital SLRs.
CONSTRUCTION:
At first glance, one notices that the F6 is smaller in height and weight than the F5. To many, the camera looks like a reworked F100 and in fact, the bodies do look quite similar. Despite the outward appearances however, the workings of the cameras are different and there are qualitative differences internal to the F6 that belie the initial outward similarities.
In typical Nikon fashion, the F6, as the company's film flagship, is very robustly built. The camera body is a combination of aluminum alloy die castings with magnesium castings utilized for rigidity of the upper and bottom camera plates. The outer coating (armor) is rubberized, with a pebble finish that allows for sure gripping, even in damp and wet weather. The camera is exceptionally well sealed against humidity, moisture and dust.
The body itself was drop tested, vibration tested and suffered the extremes of temperature testing. The motors that drive the film advance and focusing for the lenses are coreless and quieter than in earlier autofocus F cameras.
The shutter unit has been re-designed and weight balanced and is guaranteed for a minimum of 150,000 cycles. That's 150,000 movements of the shutter. How long will it take you to shoot that many rolls of film needed to equal that number?
The shutter blades are fabricated from Du Pont Kevlar and the entire unit is self-diagnosing, so that if it deviates from the dialed in speed, the camera will correct it.
As with past cameras, the F6 utilizes the legendary F lens mount. This mount, first introduced in 1959, allows F6 users to employ all current autofocus lenses, as well as almost ALL AI and AIS lenses introduced by Nikon since 1959. This mount and Nikon's insistence on its retention as the backbone of its camera systems is invaluable in permitting creative choices for the photographer using the body and the vast array of lenses Nikon has introduced over the years.
SIZE:
The body alone weighs in at 34.5 ounces, quite a bit less than the F5, which weighed in at 43 ounces without lenses or batteries. One of the reasons for the weight reduction is the fact that the body is not as tall as the F5; it's as if Nikon lopped off the battery pack for the F6 and the camera has shrunk as a result. In essence, this is almost true, although batteries ARE still required. The decrease in size of the camera also resulted in the reduction of the framing rate to 5.5 frames per second (fps) vice the F5's 8 fps. Do not lament that lost speed! Most photographers didn't need it. But if you do, or if you want the bragging rights that 8 fps will provide you, that rate of speed, along with a vertical shutter release button and other controls can be had in the optional MB-40 battery pack. I should add that that the MB-40 is a $300+ option. That's right, an extra $300+ on top of a body that already costs $2,300. Should you opt for the MB-40, the weight of the camera and batteries increases to 40.8 ounces.
The ergonomics of the camera are excellent, but unlike the F5, the F6 no longer affords the user the convenience of interchangeable pentaprisms. For some, that may be an issue; for me, it was not.
SOMETHING NEW:
One feature that is new to the F6 and a convenience that should not be overlooked is the use of redundant LCD screens on the camera. Unlike the rear LCD on digitals that displays both pictures and the operating menu, the LCD on the F-6 is used only to relay information. It also allows the user to have more creative control over the camera and eliminates the need to buy the optional multi-function backs that were offered for the N90s, the F100 and F5. The 41, that's right, 41 custom settings for the camera are accessed through the LCD on the camera's back door.
FILM ADVANCE:
As I mentioned earlier, the F6 out of the box will fire at a rate of 5.5 fps. That rate is achieved with two CR 123A batteries. Using the MB-40 battery pack requires 6 AA batteries. If you use AAs, you can choose between regular alkaline, Nickel metal hydride (NiMH), rechargeables and so on.
Rewind with the CR 123As is slower than the older F5. The F5 could rewind a 36 exp. roll in 4 seconds, the F6 takes 7 seconds. Also like the F5, but unlike the F100, the F6 can be manually rewound. This is ideal for silent rewind, or to preserve battery power. The Custom Function menu also permits film to be rewound with the leader in or out. This is another ideal consideration, especially for those users who may have to rewind a roll after only partial use.
The LCD and custom function menu permit the user to imprint their negatives in various ways. They include: between the frames, on the frames or on the first frame. Shooting data is also retained and can be downloaded to your PC or Macintosh computer.
AUTOFOCUS:
In my observations, the F6 focuses more quickly and accurately than the already fast F5. There is a very noticeable difference between the F6 and the lower end Nikon consumer SLRs, where low light causes a fairly high degree of "hunting" during focusing.
The F6 has benefited from technological innovations found in the higher end digital SLRs in the company's product line. The viewfinder of the F5 had five sensors; the F6 has 11! Unlike the F5, the sensors in the F6 are all illuminated. The sensors work exactly the same as those found in the D2H and D2X.
The sensing system utilizes Nikon's Multi-Cam 2000 as the basis of its high speed focusing accuracy. This is an improvement over the already excellent sensors utilized in both the F100 and F5.
In addition to individual sensors in Spot, the user has the ability to designate groups of sensors for focusing and metering. In Group Dynamic AF mode, for example, the user can select a specific group of sensors to act as meters. Simply choose right five, center five or left five to provide yourself with a wider area of coverage.
METERING:
As with the previous film cameras, the F6 retains three main metering systems. They include the 3D Matrix, Flexible Center Weighted (where the user can dial in the size of the CW area)and Spot metering. For general purpose shooting (approximately 90-95% of the time) 3D Matrix metering will be your choice, especially if speed of action prevents individual setting adjustments.
The camera retains the 1005 pixel Red-Green-Blue color reading sensor first introduced in the F5 and now incorporated into the D70, the D2H and D2X digital bodies. This sensor provides these cameras with the ability to actually measure color and contrast thereby creating more accurate final images.
The 11 sensors in the viewfinder actually act as individual spot meters when you select that metering function. That's 11 separate spot meters vs. 5 in the F100 and F5. Do not underestimate the freedom and diversity of choices afforded you with 11 separate spot meters!
The camera meters in a very broad range, from EV 0 to EV 20 in 3D Matrix and Center Weighted. In Spot, the camera meters from EV 2 to EV 20.
BRACKETING OPTIONS:
The user can select from 2 to 7 frames with choices of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 full f stop.
SHUTTER SPEEDS:
The camera operates in a range from 30 seconds (plus Bulb) to 1/8000 second.
FOCUS TRACKING:
Is automatically activated when the user selects AF Single or AF Continuous servo operation.
EXPOSURE MODES:
Users of previous generation Nikon AF camera bodies will not be surprised to see that Nikon has retained these modes intact. They include P for fully programmed, S for Shutter Priority, A for Aperture priority and M for full Manual control over the camera.
CUSTOM SETTINGS:
As I mentioned earlier, there are 41 custom settings for the F6. That's an increase of 17 over the F5's 24. The custom settings are accessed through the rear LCD menu. Inherited from the D1X, the settings include a Bank Select which permits the user to establish group settings for four (4) different shooting scenarios. You access them by selecting Bank A,B,C or D. Within the settings you will find the ability to really personalize your camera. Although I did do this for the week I borrowed the F6, I had to return the camera at its factory settings. As with the previous F100 and F5 Custom Setting functions, the resets are easily accomplished by pressing two buttons for a mere two seconds.
Like a digital SLR, the LCD allows you to recall information that you might need such as date, date/time, lens used, f stop, shutter speed and so on. You can download the information contained within using an MV-1 reader and transfer it to your PC or Mac computer.
The CF menu also contains a program that permits the use of non-CPU equipped lenses and the language you normally speak and read (English, German, French, Chinese, Japanese, etc.)
FLASH CONTROL:
Above the rear door, there are buttons that permit full utilization of Nikon's new iTTL (intelligent Through The Lens metering for flash). I do not own and didn't borrow Nikon's latest strobe, the incredibly capable SB-800 and instead used my Nikon SB-28DX. From my flash usage, I did not notice a fall-off in capability or capacity for what is now a 2 generations old unit. Perhaps that is because the F6 is still a film camera, but I know from personal experience that while my flash will work with the older D1H and D1X digital bodies, it does not work properly with the newer D70, D2H and D2X digital bodies.
Given the fact that Nikon tends toward a systems orientation in their product line, should one elect to purchase the F6, then I would STRONGLY recommend upgrading to the newest flash system available (as of this writing, the SB-800). Doing so will also allow complete interchangeability with the D70, D2H and D2X.
In my one week of usage, I shot sports, aviation, stills scenic landscapes, architectural shots, portraits, close-ups and just about anything else that caught my eye. To test the camera's complete range, I shot both slide and print film in roughly equal amounts (number of rolls). I found that the autofocus system was lickety-split fast, sharp and dead-on accurate. Using a combination of Nikon, Sigma and Tokina lenses provided me with a wide range of focal lengths and speeds and the ability to faithfully capture the diversity of subject matter I wanted to shoot. In short, this is THE BEST 35 mm film camera I have ever used!
The F6 is tough enough for a pro, but still easy enough to learn and use that owners of other Nikon film cameras will have no problem adjusting to its layout and design. Users of Nikon digital SLRs will also appreciate the family consistency found in these high end bodies.
If there is one thing that the onslaught of digital has taught me is that film may have a shorter life expectancy than all of us expected. Of late, there have been few introductions by any camera companies of new 35 mm bodies. In 2004, only Nikon and Canon did so and the products they brought to market were at the polar opposite ends of the market in both cost and capability. Then again, the fact that Nikon still cares enough about professional and well heeled film enthusiasts to bring a "new" film flagship camera to the marketplace is reassuring. This is an incredibly capable and efficient camera. It is Nikon's technical piece de la resistance. In the 35 mm film camera world, it lacks peer.
Readers of my reviews here at epinions know that I am a devotee of film and the diversity of capability it offers. Despite my own recent usage of the D2X (see my review here), I can and will say that if I had a spare $2,300.00 laying around, that I would DEFINITELY go out and buy this camera. I'd buy the MB-40 battery pack, too. I would have done so BEFORE testing it and I would most certainly do so after having used one for a week.
The F6 may just be the last F camera to be introduced by Nikon. As SWEEPER here at epinions told me a while back, "he's not holding out much hope of seeing an F7." Given the incredible leaps and bounds in the improvements in digital imaging, I'd have to say I agree with him.
Then again, before this camera goes out of production, I intend to own one. And I already have two F100s in my camera bag.
Yep, this is the camera no one expected. But after having used it, I am not surprised that Nikon took that huge gamble and brought it out so that professionals who still shoot film and film enthusiasts will have a last great film body to use.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 2,300 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Solid Enough for a Professional
Top-of-the-line professional camera 11-area Wide-Area AF with 9 cross-type sensors (Multi-CAM2000 AF module) Choice of four AF Area modes, including G...More at Amazon Marketplace
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