Nikon F6 (2004–2020)
The Nikon F6 is the last 35mm film SLR Nikon ever made. It was announced October 28, 2004, as the successor to the F5. It sits at the top of the F-series lineup. The design is essentially a refinement of the F5 and F100 bodies, and it shares the F5's Multi-CAM 2000 AF sensor module.
The F6 is a fully automatic, electronically controlled camera. It offers Programmed auto, Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority, and Manual exposure. Metering comes from a 1005-pixel RGB sensor driving Nikon's 3D Color Matrix Metering II, alongside center-weighted and spot modes. The shutter runs from 30 seconds to 1/8000 sec with X-sync at 1/250 sec. The built-in motor drive advances film at approximately 5.5 fps at shutter speeds of 1/250 sec or above, with auto rewind at the end of the roll. Autofocus uses an 11-area system built around that Multi-CAM 2000 module, with Single Servo AF, Continuous Servo AF, and manual focus. The viewfinder covers roughly 100% of the frame and includes diopter adjustment. Exposure compensation spans ±5 EV in 1/3 steps, and auto bracketing is available in 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1 EV steps. The body measures 153 × 113 × 78.5 mm and weighs approximately 750 g without battery. It runs on a single 3V CR123A lithium cell. There is no built-in flash. That was a deliberate design choice, and some users found it limiting.
Reception among film enthusiasts has been strong. Ken Rockwell has called it the finest film SLR ever made. User reviews consistently praise the bright viewfinder and an autofocus speed comparable to contemporary digital bodies. Build quality is described as exceptional, on par with the F5. Known issues include shutter unit failures in early production units - one technician recommended replacement roughly every ten years - and backlight bleed on the top LCD in cold conditions. Battery consumption runs high when driving AF motors on older lenses. As of the early 2020s, used bodies typically sold in the $1,500 - $2,500 range depending on condition, with new-old-stock units listed as high as $3,500.
- 35mm film SLR, F-mount
- 11-area AF, Multi-CAM 2000 sensor module
- 3D Color Matrix Metering II (1005-pixel RGB sensor)
- Shutter: 30 - 1/8000 sec, X-sync 1/250 sec
- Auto advance ~5.5 fps; auto rewind
- No built-in flash
- One 3V CR123A lithium battery
- 153 × 113 × 78.5 mm; approx. 750 g (no battery)
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.