King of film camera?

[tim11]

How much would you pay for a good film camera?
Personally I wouldn't buy a film body, unless it's cheap and for collection but other people are still willing to pay thousands for it.

For those who know, how much did a Nikon F6 worth when new?

There is a used F6 on ebay which biddings go to $1500Aus with 9 hours to go.... Heck! That's already more expensive than a brand new D90 body. :eek:
I wonder how much the final price will be? Would you buy it? How much would you go for? :eek:

[tim11]

I blanked out the link and item number so I don't break the forum rule (no link from commercial site... etc) but I find it interesting...

[britkev]

Doesn't seem outrageous - a quick online search here I found only one retailer (not sure of their integrity) claiming to still have them new in stock for ~$3k US... another retailer (altogether reliable) in NY currently has two used F6 bodies for sale, one excellent, one mint, asking USD1549 and USD1649 respectively (that's about AUS$1800-2000 I think).

Don't think I'll be bidding though.

[K1W1]

From a camera shop in Sydney

Nikon F Body #7294547 c/w Nikkor 55mm/f1.2 Lens #229173, correct Lenscap, Filter and Eveready Case - (Excellent+) $795

Nikon F100 Body #2027798 c/w Bodycap, Neckstrap and Instructions - (Excellent+) $495

Nikon F3 Body #1474850 c/w Neckstrap and Bodycap - (Excellent+) $525

Nikon F4S Body #2428437 c/w all factory inclusions and original packaging - (Excellent . Classic) $325

Nikon F5 Body #3081143 c/w BF-1A , Instructions Manual and Original Box - (Excellent) $525

Nikon F5 Body only c/w BF-1A body cap and original packaging - (Excellent) $750

Nikon FM2n body (chrome) #N8428805 c/w Instructions and Body Cap - (Excellent++) $950

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

I hate to snear at old technology but why on earth would you buy a film camera unless you're going to take starfield photos?

[tim11]

Why film? I'd like to understand too.... other reasons than sentimental reason.
The final price is $1625. There was no bidding frenzy at the last minutes.
Some camera shops in Sydney advertised used F6 for $2500, although there is no way to check how old the link is. There are many people who are looking for film cameras. I understand some photography students still do but no student in their right mind will pay that much.

[K1W1]

I understand some photography students still do but no student in their right mind will pay that much.

AFAIK all secondary school students who study photography as an elective use black and white film because part of the course is the developing and the concepts associated with post processing during developing.

EDIT:
BTW I have a vague recollection that the F6 body may be iTTL compatible which would make it more desirable as you could use SB-800 or SB-900 flashes and remote flashes so I guess it would be good for studio work in film.

[Tomcat]

Why pay that much for old tech when you can get a D300 for about that price. I've got film that is 10 years + that I haven't developed yet. I've taken over 3200 digital pics in the last year.

It's your money if you got it to spare and film is your thing then go for it. If you got some to spare I really want a D300:):)

[tim11]

AFAIK all secondary school students who study photography as an elective use black and white film because part of the course is the developing and the concepts associated with post processing during developing.
....

Yes I understand that much but there are many cheaper film bodies available. My observation is that F60 with a good 28-80 is a tad over $100. I don't think any photography student pays thousands for a film body. This F6 truly belongs to a different group of film users.
Anyway, in its day this F6 maybe in the same par as a modern D700 or maybe even a D3?

[VTEC_EATER]

Ehhh, I wouldn't buy one. I thought about getting one about 6 months back, but after shooting with film, then going to have it developed, then seeing the results, I said to hell with film. Photos weren't nearly as sharp, colors were kinda blah, and I just spent $10 (American) to take 24 photos. Screw that.

Also, if I wanted an inexpensive Nikon film body that worked with most all lenses, I would look at the N90s. Very cheap, lightning fast focusing motor (almost jumped out of my hands the first time I pressed the shutter button), nice metering, yada, yada, yada. I shot some b&w film with this camera and my plastic fantastic. Very nice results for what it was. Still expensive to process film though.