Nikon F6 vs F5 prices

[shaocaholica]

What am I missing here. Why are F5s significantly cheaper than F6s? Are there far fewer F6s in circulation? Does the F6 have some killer feature the F5 doesn't?

 

[Overrank]

What am I missing here. Why are F5s significantly cheaper than F6s? Are there far fewer F6s in circulation? Does the F6 have some killer feature the F5 doesn't?

To have all the features of the F6 you’d need to have the MF28 back, which sells for £150 - £200. The AF is as good on the F6 as the F5, but there are more focus points. The F6 is smaller (ish) and lighter (ish). The F6 can use CLS flash. Many F5s were used by professionals and have had a hard life, whereas F6s gave mostly been owned by amateurs.

See https://f6project.com/technical/nikon-f5-vs-nikon-f6/ for some more differences.

 

[FrancoD]

The F6 replaced the F5 in 2004 and was on sale till 2020 but for most of those years the vast majority of the Pros that would have bought that grade of camera were already using digital. So the F6 sold over a longer period than the F5 (1998-2004) but I would think in much smaller numbers and as already mentioned, it is a newer and upgraded version, hence the higher price .

 

[shaocaholica]

The F6 replaced the F5 in 2004 and was on sale till 2020 but for most of those years the vast majority of the Pros that would have bought that grade of camera were already using digital. So the F6 sold over a longer period than the F5 (1998-2004) but I would think in much smaller numbers and as already mentioned, it is a newer and upgraded version, hence the higher price .

I understand if it’s higher sure but it’s like 4-5x the price of an F5 0_o

 

[FrancoD]

The F6 replaced the F5 in 2004 and was on sale till 2020 but for most of those years the vast majority of the Pros that would have bought that grade of camera were already using digital. So the F6 sold over a longer period than the F5 (1998-2004) but I would think in much smaller numbers and as already mentioned, it is a newer and upgraded version, hence the higher price .

I understand if it’s higher sure but it’s like 4-5x the price of an F5 0_o

Somewhat similar to what has happened with othe cameras when there is some evidence the price is going up , people start buying them and the price keeps going up.

For example now a Pentax K1000 sells for more than the Pentak KM. The k1000 was a stripped down version of the KM but has become a more popular version.In fact you can get a Pentax MX for about the same price as the K1000 , it was about 50% more when new.

It's the "collectaible=must have " sort of mentality.

I just had a look at the used prices.

Yes a near mint F6 is 4 times or more the price of a near mint 5.

No I don't think the price reflects the difference in features but as commented, one has become a must have item ,the other not so much.

 

[mr_marlo]

A similar situation with the Canon EOS 1n & EOS 1v...

The F6 & EOS 1v were the final flourishes from Nikon & Canon as far as Pro 35mm film SLRs were concerned... As mentioned, many pros invested in digital by this point.

Both cameras encapsulated the pinnacle of their respective design philosophies and technical innovations - no expense spared. I think the F6 may be slightly less common.

I have a beautifully beaten up professionally used EOS 1v HS... It was laughably cheap & it's still working but I doubt that kind of price would ever get me an F6!

M.

 

[Overrank]

The F6 replaced the F5 in 2004 and was on sale till 2020 but for most of those years the vast majority of the Pros that would have bought that grade of camera were already using digital. So the F6 sold over a longer period than the F5 (1998-2004) but I would think in much smaller numbers and as already mentioned, it is a newer and upgraded version, hence the higher price .

Mir lists serial numbers for the F5 over a range of 188,000 ( https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/NikonF5/background/index1.htm ), there were around 40,000 F6s made. A nice (but not mint) F6 is around £1k, a nice F5 around £300 - £400.

 

[shaocaholica]

I've seen nice F5s go for US$200-250 but I guess we're splitting hairs.

 

[Overrank]

I've seen nice F5s go for US$200-250 but I guess we're splitting hairs.

In the UK the £200 - £250 are often a bit rough. To get the same functionality as the F6 (date imprint and extended shooting data storage), you need the MF28, which is £150 on its own. But you can quite often get a nice F5 with the MF28 for £400-£500.

There is no real logic though - a F100, which is not as good as the F5, can easily cost £250. The F80, which has most of the features of the F100, can be picked up for £20-£30

 

[Michael Benveniste]

What am I missing here. Why are F5s significantly cheaper than F6s? Are there far fewer F6s in circulation? Does the F6 have some killer feature the F5 doesn't?

There are fewer F6’s since the shift to digital was well under way when it was released. The only “killer feature” I can think of is iTTL compatibility.

 

[DrBormental]

What am I missing here. Why are F5s significantly cheaper than F6s? Are there far fewer F6s in circulation? Does the F6 have some killer feature the F5 doesn't?

Many people would find the F5 unusable and useless simply due to its size. Unless I'm shooting a football game on the sidelines, I'd find it ridiculous to lug around a brick like that. From that perspective it's value is $0 to me.

 

[shaocaholica]

What am I missing here. Why are F5s significantly cheaper than F6s? Are there far fewer F6s in circulation? Does the F6 have some killer feature the F5 doesn't?

Many people would find the F5 unusable and useless simply due to its size. Unless I'm shooting a football game on the sidelines, I'd find it ridiculous to lug around a brick like that. From that perspective it's value is $0 to me.

I see where you are coming from. There are people who would not want to lug around a gripped camera like that but there are also those who do. I think the F5 is fairly priced what’s unusual is how the F6 is way higher it must be extraordinarily popular for reasons other than its size relationship. If it was size relationship you’d see the same price difference for other related cameras that have a big and small option but I don’t see that generally speaking.

 

[Autonerd]

What am I missing here. Why are F5s significantly cheaper than F6s? Are there far fewer F6s in circulation? Does the F6 have some killer feature the F5 doesn't?

My guess is because the F6 is so much newer, and the fear that some people have of older cameras.

When it comes to film camera prices, perception and nostalgia have way more to do than features. The Pentax KX and K2 are far more feature-packed cameras than the K1000, with a better meter as well, and yet the K1000 sells for significantly more. Go figure.

Aaron

 

[Overrank]

What am I missing here. Why are F5s significantly cheaper than F6s? Are there far fewer F6s in circulation? Does the F6 have some killer feature the F5 doesn't?

There are fewer F6’s since the shift to digital was well under way when it was released. The only “killer feature” I can think of is iTTL compatibility.

There’s an interview with Tomohisa Ikeno, Development Division, Nikon Corporation’s Imaging Company here - https://f6project.com/inspiration/the-value-of-unique-pictures/ In which he talks about the design intent behind the F6,

‘In developing the F6, we intended to create a camera giving users even more of what they want than the F5 does. The development concept for the F5 was “high speed and high performance.” With the F6, we aimed to offer the functions of the F5, and also enhance the advantages of “finesse and practicality.”’

 

[Overrank]

What am I missing here. Why are F5s significantly cheaper than F6s? Are there far fewer F6s in circulation? Does the F6 have some killer feature the F5 doesn't?

Many people would find the F5 unusable and useless simply due to its size. Unless I'm shooting a football game on the sidelines, I'd find it ridiculous to lug around a brick like that. From that perspective it's value is $0 to me.

I see where you are coming from. There are people who would not want to lug around a gripped camera like that but there are also those who do. I think the F5 is fairly priced what’s unusual is how the F6 is way higher it must be extraordinarily popular for reasons other than its size relationship. If it was size relationship you’d see the same price difference for other related cameras that have a big and small option but I don’t see that generally speaking.

The F5 was the second camera I bought when I started shooting significant amounts of film again and it’s a superb camera. It focuses as fast with AF-D lenses as AF-S . The exposure is spot on. Although it’s quite large for a 35mm film camera, it’s similar in size to entry level full frame DSLRs like the D610 (with a grip). it’s very well balanced and easier to carry than, say, a F2. With a large lens it counterbalances well.

The biggest problem I have with the F5 is the selection of focus points - unlike with a DSLR which highlights the focus point, the F5 shows the focus point using LEDs on the sides of the viewfinder and you need to “triangulate” which focus point is selected. The F6 uses a similar (same?) AF module to the D2X so you get the highlight focus. I presume the F5s design is because of the interchangeable heads.

 

[neilt3]

What am I missing here. Why are F5s significantly cheaper than F6s? Are there far fewer F6s in circulation? Does the F6 have some killer feature the F5 doesn't?

Many people would find the F5 unusable and useless simply due to its size. Unless I'm shooting a football game on the sidelines, I'd find it ridiculous to lug around a brick like that. From that perspective it's value is $0 to me.

I see where you are coming from. There are people who would not want to lug around a gripped camera like that but there are also those who do. I think the F5 is fairly priced what’s unusual is how the F6 is way higher it must be extraordinarily popular for reasons other than its size relationship. If it was size relationship you’d see the same price difference for other related cameras that have a big and small option but I don’t see that generally speaking.

I've been tempted to buy an F5 , especially since the prices dropped , but have been put off by their permanently bulky size .

All of my cameras that have a vertical grip available , have one for when I'm using large or heavy lenses to improve grip when handholding or on monopods .

When I'm using smaller lenses , I can take them off . I can't do that with an F5 .

However , I'm still tempted by one !

For 35mm film use I use mainly Minolta A mount , then canon EOS , so I'm not going to spend that much on an F6 even though I'd like one .

Nikon bodies I tend to use most are the F3 , then F4 followed by the F80 then F100 , all with optional grips .

I have other bodies , AF and MF , but those are my main used ones .

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/neilt3/sets

 

[Overrank]

What am I missing here. Why are F5s significantly cheaper than F6s? Are there far fewer F6s in circulation? Does the F6 have some killer feature the F5 doesn't?

Many people would find the F5 unusable and useless simply due to its size. Unless I'm shooting a football game on the sidelines, I'd find it ridiculous to lug around a brick like that. From that perspective it's value is $0 to me.

I see where you are coming from. There are people who would not want to lug around a gripped camera like that but there are also those who do. I think the F5 is fairly priced what’s unusual is how the F6 is way higher it must be extraordinarily popular for reasons other than its size relationship. If it was size relationship you’d see the same price difference for other related cameras that have a big and small option but I don’t see that generally speaking.

I've been tempted to buy an F5 , especially since the prices dropped , but have been put off by their permanently bulky size .

All of my cameras that have a vertical grip available , have one for when I'm using large or heavy lenses to improve grip when handholding or on monopods .

When I'm using smaller lenses , I can take them off . I can't do that with an F5 .

However , I'm still tempted by one !

The F5 isn’t nearly a big / heavy as it looks (at least compared to DSLRs). My F5 is smaller than my D610 (which I use with a grip). It’s really well balanced and easy to carry, about the only problem is you really need a solid tripod if you want to use one. I find it “lighter” than the F4, but I think that might be because of the body material.

For 35mm film use I use mainly Minolta A mount , then canon EOS , so I'm not going to spend that much on an F6 even though I'd like one .

Nikon bodies I tend to use most are the F3 , then F4 followed by the F80 then F100 , all with optional grips .

I have other bodies , AF and MF , but those are my main used ones .

 

[Porkpie2012]

I visited Tokyo in 2017 and every day i made sure to pop into Bic Camera and wonder at the display of every camera and lens available. I remember seeing the Nikon F6 and thinking 'who on earth would buy a film camera nowadays?'. Fast forward to 2020 and my purchase of a Nikon F3 which I had lusted after as a teen in the 80's and it started me on the way to building a collection of cameras and lenses that I remember reading about but could never afford. I have the Nikon F5 and it is a wonderful camera to use, with it decent autofocus and excellent metering. I often hear it described as 'a brick' or 'a tank' but compared to the Nikon D3s it sits next to on my shelf I don't think that's right. It's about 3/4 the volume. Sure the 8 AA batteries make it heavy but I don't think it's unwieldy at all.

I found myself looking at the Nikon F6 again wanting to own the pinnacle of film cameras and when one came up recently on the used section of a UK high street store for £995 with 6 month warranty I slept on it but had been snapped up by somebody the next morning. They are quite rare to see second hand here I think. A week later a Canon EOS-1v appeared on the same site for £499 and not knowing much about Canons I deliberated and researched it for a week before buying and a 40mm pancake lens to use with it. I'm amazed! This for me is a modern camera that just happens to take film much like the Nikon F6 but half the price and seemingly just as rare.

 

[Mitrajoon]

I love my F5 but if shooting 135 film will more likely reach for my F100. The reason is size and weight due to the F5's built in grip/battery holder which is why it's so big and heavy. Of course it has better sealing but these things are a trade off most are willing to make for something that is more comfortable to carry around all day. The F6 meets that bill.

It also occurs to me the bulky and heavy Nikon Z9 may be in the same position (sales and resales wise) when Nikon comes up with the same or similar level camera w/o the built in grip. It will be interesting to see how Nikon manages/markets the "D8" or whatever it's going to be called.

 

[Clostermann]

I also love my F5. F100 was my First Nikon and I still have it in working conditions. Then I found a F5. Perfect camera.

F6 will be the next when I can afford to spend money on it. Last September I got a Tamron 35 mm F1.8 for my Nikon.