The Nikon F6 represented the pinnacle of film camera engineering upon its release. After all, it only launched in 2004, the same year as the then-flagship DSLR, the Nikon D2X. And you might be surprised to learn that it remained within Nikon’s line-up right up until 2020. That’s right, you could buy a brand new Nikon film camera in the decade we’re in right now. You might be thinking that the ‘Big N’ was a little hasty, retiring the old F6, right on the cusp of the film camera boom, but I think it was the right move.
I consider the Nikon F6 to be one of the top 10 Nikon cameras of all time, but it’s a highly advanced film camera that didn’t come cheap. Even today, you’re looking at over $1,000 / £1,000 for a good used example, and while I love the F6’s classic Nikon design, the bulbous DSLR-style body is simply too utilitarian for your average film photographer. And I include myself in that demographic, too.
Let’s face it, a huge part of film photography is about aesthetics. Largely, the look of the film stock, but also the cool, vintage-looking cameras, too. There’s a reason why the Pentax 17 looks like a retro camera. Clearly, a pro-grade film SLR is no longer viable, despite the enduring popularity of film cameras. Nobody wants to go to brunch or stroll around with an armful of books, carrying a Nikon F6.
With that being said, if Nikon ever decided to produce a more casual film camera styled on the angular, retro-chic Nikon cameras of yore, I’d pre-order one immediately. I’ve actually spent the month capturing street photography with the Nikon Z fc, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with it. So much so, it’s been giving me a hankering to get out and about with my Nikon FM film camera. And for now, that’ll have to do.
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