Nikon F6
Encyclopedia
The Nikon F6 is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera
body that became commercially available during 2004, and is the sixth top-of-the-line professional film camera in Nikon's line since the introduction of the Nikon F
in 1959. The Nikon F6 is designed by Nikon
and manufactured at their Sendai Plant.
, the F6 is the current model of Nikon
's F series, replacing the Nikon F5
, manufactured from 1996 to present. The Nikon F6 accepts nearly any Nikon F-mount
lens with full metering functionality, except for non-AI (non-aperture indexing) lenses made before 1977, unless the camera was modified by Nikon Service.
The F6 is designed for reliability and durability like previous Nikon F-series
cameras. The camera also has a manual film rewind, 100% coverage viewfinder and low 37ms shutter lag. The industrial designer for Nikon professional cameras since the Nikon F3
has been Giorgetto Giugiaro
and he is responsible for the design of the Nikon F6 as well, the styling of which resembles the Nikon D2X
, its digital contemporary. The F6 is also Nikon's first F-series camera without an interchangeable viewfinder pentaprism
.
professional-level digital SLR which was designed for the APS-C frame size of 23.7 x 15.7 mm. The F6 is a 135 film
camera with a 24 × 36 mm frame size
which results in the autofocus sensor covering a smaller area of the F6's frame relative to the coverage on the D2X.
firms started accepting digital photography
and news photography became predominantly digital. Some elements of the F6 design, such as the non-interchangeable viewfinder and detachable battery pack/grip, may indicate that the F6 was designed for film-using photographic enthusiasts as well as professional photographers.
The price of the camera has been reduced compared to that of the F5, and some elements of its design show marks of this economy. Not only is the viewfinder fixed, but it also lacks the Aperture Direct Readout (ADR) feature, so after attaching an AI coupled lens to the body, the lens' maximum aperture has to be set on the display of the camera back. Before, the ADR system used a complex mirroring system and a larger prism that reflected the aperture data in the viewfinder. Also in the viewfinder, the marks and signs are now displayed in monochrome, which makes it more difficult to find necessary information. The prism itself is now covered with magnesium, not with titanium, as was the case with the F5. The detachable grip is made of plastic with some metal inserts. These changes do not greatly affect the ergonomics and the durability of the camera, but they illustrate how Nikon mixed its two professional camera lines into one body. Originally, the professional category (F, F2, F3, F4 and F5) showed a constant evolution in all terms of durability and performance. The second line (Nikkormat
, FM/FM2, F801, F90, F100) used less costly, but also cutting-edge technologies. Those bodies were lighter and less expensive, but still very durable. Now, with the F6, the two product lines have been merged.
In January 2006, Nikon announced that the F6 is one of only two 35mm film cameras that Nikon will continue to sell, the other being the Cosina
-produced FM10
.
Single-lens reflex camera
A single-lens reflex camera is a camera that typically uses a semi-automatic moving mirror system that permits the photographer to see exactly what will be captured by the film or digital imaging system, as opposed to pre-SLR cameras where the view through the viewfinder could be significantly...
body that became commercially available during 2004, and is the sixth top-of-the-line professional film camera in Nikon's line since the introduction of the Nikon F
Nikon F
The Nikon F camera, introduced in 1959, was Nikon's first SLR camera. It was one of the most advanced cameras of its day. Although most of its concepts had already been introduced elsewhere, it was the first camera to combine them all in one camera. It was produced until October 1973 and was...
in 1959. The Nikon F6 is designed by Nikon
Nikon
, also known as just Nikon, is a multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in optics and imaging. Its products include cameras, binoculars, microscopes, measurement instruments, and the steppers used in the photolithography steps of semiconductor fabrication, of which...
and manufactured at their Sendai Plant.
, the F6 is the current model of Nikon
Nikon
, also known as just Nikon, is a multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in optics and imaging. Its products include cameras, binoculars, microscopes, measurement instruments, and the steppers used in the photolithography steps of semiconductor fabrication, of which...
's F series, replacing the Nikon F5
Nikon F5
The Nikon F5 is a 35 mm film-based single-lens reflex camera body manufactured by Nikon from 1996 through 2004. It was the fifth in Nikon's professional film camera line, which began in 1959 with the Nikon F. It followed the Nikon F4 of 1988, which had introduced in-body autofocus to Nikon's...
, manufactured from 1996 to present. The Nikon F6 accepts nearly any Nikon F-mount
Nikon F-mount
The Nikon F-mount is a type of interchangeable lens mount developed by Nikon for its 35 mm SLR cameras. The F-mount was first introduced on the Nikon F camera in 1959, and features a three lug bayonet mount with a 44 mm throat and a flange to focal plane distance of 46.5 mm...
lens with full metering functionality, except for non-AI (non-aperture indexing) lenses made before 1977, unless the camera was modified by Nikon Service.
Notable features
- Focusing screen: B-type BriteView Clear Matte Screen II, interchangeable with six other optional focusing screens
- Viewfinder frame coverage: Approx. 100%
- Finder magnification: Approx. 0.74x with 50mm lens set to infinity at -1.0m-1
- Viewfinder information: See page 3
- Autofocus: TTL phase detection, Nikon Multi-CAM2000 autofocus module
- Autofocus detection range: Approx. EV –1 to EV 19 (ISO 100, at normal temperature)
- Focus modes: Single Servo AF and Continuous Servo AF, and Manual
- Focus Tracking: Automatically activated in Single Servo AF or Continuous Servo AF
- Focus area: One — or a group — of 11 focus areas can be selected
- AF Area Modes: Single Area AF, Dynamic AF, Group Dynamic AF or Dynamic AF with Closest-Subject Priority selectable
- Focus lock: Focus is locked by pressing AE/AF-L button or lightly pressing shutter release button in Single Servo AF
- Exposure metering: Three built-in exposure meters — 3D Color Matrix, Center-Weighted and Spot
- Metering range (ISO 100, f/1.4 lens): EV 0 to EV 20 in 3D Color Matrix and Center-Weighted, EV 2 to EV 20 in Spot
- Exposure compensation: With exposure compensation button; ±5 EV range, in 1/3, 1/2 or 1 steps
- Auto Exposure Bracketing: Number of shots: 2-7; compensation steps: 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, or 1 EV steps
- Auto Exposure Lock: By pressing AE/AF-L button
- Film speed setting: DX or Manual selectable (manual setting has priority over DX detected film speed); DX: ISO 25-5000,
- Manual: ISO 6-6400 in 1/3 steps
- Shutter: Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter with built-in Shutter Monitor
- Shutter speeds: 30 to 1/8,000 s (1/3 steps in S and M modes); Bulb setting available in M mode (Shutter speed can be prolonged to 30 minutes in M mode)
- Accessory shoe: ISO518 hot-shoe contact digital data communication (sync contact, ready-light contact, TTL auto flash contact, monitor contact, GND), safety lock provided
- Sync contact: X-contact only; flash synchronization up to 1/250 s (up to 1/8,000 s possible in AUTO FP High-Speed Sync)
- Flash control: TTL flash control by combined five-segment TTL Multi Sensor with single-component IC and 1,005-pixel RGB sensor; i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash with SB-800/600; Film speed range in TTL auto flash: ISO 25-1000
Specifications, features and design
- Electronically timed focal plane shutterFocal-plane shutterIn camera design, a focal-plane shutter is a type of photographic shutter that is positioned immediately in front of the focal plane of the camera, that is, right in front of the photographic film or image sensor.-Two-curtain shutters:...
unit with aluminum alloy and KevlarKevlarKevlar is the registered trademark for a para-aramid synthetic fiber, related to other aramids such as Nomex and Technora. Developed at DuPont in 1965, this high strength material was first commercially used in the early 1970s as a replacement for steel in racing tires...
shutterblades (150,000 cycles). - Die-castDie castingDie casting is a metal casting process that is characterized by forcing molten metal under high pressure into a mold cavity. The mold cavity is created using two hardened tool steel dies which have been machined into shape and work similarly to an injection mold during the process...
camera chassis, rear and film cover made of aluminium alloyAluminium alloyAluminium alloys are alloys in which aluminium is the predominant metal. The typical alloying elements are copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon and zinc. There are two principal classifications, namely casting alloys and wrought alloys, both of which are further subdivided into the categories... - The front, top and bottom covers are made of magnesium alloyMagnesium alloyMagnesium alloys are mixtures of magnesium with other metals , often aluminium, zinc, manganese, silicon, copper, rare earths and zirconium. Magnesium is the lightest structural metal. Magnesium alloys have a hexagonal lattice structure, which affects the fundamental properties of these alloys...
. - Parts made out of magnesium-alloy use the thixomold process.
- The F6 has been engineered for reduced noise and vibration when operating. It includes a feature called "Silent (S)" that allows for quieter single frame advance.
- User feedback resulted in improved ergonomics for the Nikon D2 family from which the F6's ergonomics is derived. These include redesigned tilted control wheels, shutter button and larger buttons.
- The F6 deviates from the F5Nikon F5The Nikon F5 is a 35 mm film-based single-lens reflex camera body manufactured by Nikon from 1996 through 2004. It was the fifth in Nikon's professional film camera line, which began in 1959 with the Nikon F. It followed the Nikon F4 of 1988, which had introduced in-body autofocus to Nikon's...
integrated system with a detachable vertical grip housing and external battery pack. - Compatibility with NikonNikon, also known as just Nikon, is a multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in optics and imaging. Its products include cameras, binoculars, microscopes, measurement instruments, and the steppers used in the photolithography steps of semiconductor fabrication, of which...
i-TTL flashes. - 11-zone autofocus, with 9 cross-type sensors.
- The viewfinder has a 37-segment vertical metering scale.
- Integrated date/time/exposure information film imprint and intervalometerIntervalometerAn intervalometer is a device which counts intervals of time. . Such devices commonly are used to signal, in accurate time intervals, the operation of some other device...
. - With the Nikon MV-1 data reader accessory, the ability to write exposure and lens data to a flash memoryFlash memoryFlash memory is a non-volatile computer storage chip that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. It was developed from EEPROM and must be erased in fairly large blocks before these can be rewritten with new data...
card, so photographers need not write that information down. While this accessory was introduced at the same time as the F6, it is also compatible with the F5 and F100.
The F6 is designed for reliability and durability like previous Nikon F-series
Nikon F
The Nikon F camera, introduced in 1959, was Nikon's first SLR camera. It was one of the most advanced cameras of its day. Although most of its concepts had already been introduced elsewhere, it was the first camera to combine them all in one camera. It was produced until October 1973 and was...
cameras. The camera also has a manual film rewind, 100% coverage viewfinder and low 37ms shutter lag. The industrial designer for Nikon professional cameras since the Nikon F3
Nikon F3
The Nikon F3 was Nikon's third professional single-lens reflex camera body, preceded by the F and F2. Introduced in 1980, it had manual and semi-automatic exposure control whereby the camera would select the correct shutter speed . The Nikon F3 series cameras had the most model variations of any...
has been Giorgetto Giugiaro
Giorgetto Giugiaro
Giorgetto Giugiaro is an Italian automobile designer responsible equally for a stable of supercars and several of the most popular everyday vehicles driven today...
and he is responsible for the design of the Nikon F6 as well, the styling of which resembles the Nikon D2X
Nikon D2X
The Nikon D2X is a 12.4 megapixel professional digital single-lens reflex camera that Nikon Corporation announced on September 16, 2004. The D2X was the high resolution flagship in Nikon's DSLR line until June 2006 when it was supplanted by the D2Xs and later on by two new flagship cameras: the...
, its digital contemporary. The F6 is also Nikon's first F-series camera without an interchangeable viewfinder pentaprism
Pentaprism
A pentaprism is a five-sided reflecting prism used to deviate a beam of light by 90°. The beam reflects inside the prism twice, allowing the transmission of an image through a right angle without inverting it as an ordinary right-angle prism or mirror would.The reflections inside the prism are not...
.
Autofocus
The F6 uses the same Multi-CAM 2000 autofocus module as the D2XNikon D2X
The Nikon D2X is a 12.4 megapixel professional digital single-lens reflex camera that Nikon Corporation announced on September 16, 2004. The D2X was the high resolution flagship in Nikon's DSLR line until June 2006 when it was supplanted by the D2Xs and later on by two new flagship cameras: the...
professional-level digital SLR which was designed for the APS-C frame size of 23.7 x 15.7 mm. The F6 is a 135 film
135 film
The term 135 was introduced by Kodak in 1934 as a designation for cartridge film wide, specifically for still photography. It quickly grew in popularity, surpassing 120 film by the late 1960s to become the most popular photographic film format...
camera with a 24 × 36 mm frame size
which results in the autofocus sensor covering a smaller area of the F6's frame relative to the coverage on the D2X.
Final Nikon 35mm film camera?
The Nikon F6 was announced to much surprise among photographers and industry observers. Professional use of the 35mm format has waned since stock photographyStock photography
Stock photography is the supply of photographs licensed for specific uses. It is used to fulfill the needs of creative assignments instead of hiring a photographer. Today, stock images can be presented in searchable online databases. They can be purchased and delivered online...
firms started accepting digital photography
Digital photography
Digital photography is a form of photography that uses an array of light sensitive sensors to capture the image focused by the lens, as opposed to an exposure on light sensitive film...
and news photography became predominantly digital. Some elements of the F6 design, such as the non-interchangeable viewfinder and detachable battery pack/grip, may indicate that the F6 was designed for film-using photographic enthusiasts as well as professional photographers.
The price of the camera has been reduced compared to that of the F5, and some elements of its design show marks of this economy. Not only is the viewfinder fixed, but it also lacks the Aperture Direct Readout (ADR) feature, so after attaching an AI coupled lens to the body, the lens' maximum aperture has to be set on the display of the camera back. Before, the ADR system used a complex mirroring system and a larger prism that reflected the aperture data in the viewfinder. Also in the viewfinder, the marks and signs are now displayed in monochrome, which makes it more difficult to find necessary information. The prism itself is now covered with magnesium, not with titanium, as was the case with the F5. The detachable grip is made of plastic with some metal inserts. These changes do not greatly affect the ergonomics and the durability of the camera, but they illustrate how Nikon mixed its two professional camera lines into one body. Originally, the professional category (F, F2, F3, F4 and F5) showed a constant evolution in all terms of durability and performance. The second line (Nikkormat
Nikkormat
Nikkormat was the brand used by the Japanese optics company Nippon Kogaku K. K. from 1965 to 1978 to name two popular but otherwise unrelated series of interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex cameras.The Nikkormat SLRs were moderately priced, advanced amateur level stablemates to...
, FM/FM2, F801, F90, F100) used less costly, but also cutting-edge technologies. Those bodies were lighter and less expensive, but still very durable. Now, with the F6, the two product lines have been merged.
In January 2006, Nikon announced that the F6 is one of only two 35mm film cameras that Nikon will continue to sell, the other being the Cosina
Cosina
is a designer and manufacturer of cameras and lenses, and a glassmaker, based in Nakano, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.-History:Cosina is the successor to Nikō , a company set up as a manufacturer oflenses in 1959...
-produced FM10
Nikon FM10
The Nikon FM10 is a manual focus 35 mm film camera sold by Nikon Corporation. It is of SLR design and was first available in 1995. It is normally sold in a kit that includes a Zoom Nikkor 35–70 mm f/3.5-4.8 zoom lens, although a Zoom Nikkor 70–210 mm f/4.5-5.6 zoom lens is also available...
.