ruggedness, weight, feel and feature

an old model with respect to the new AF cameras

An excellent beginners camera. The features available in this camera is just right. It allows user to think and provides help at just the right area.
My flash did burnt out but this is due to firing up the flash with out the recommended interval rest (this is written in the manuals so I guess this is my fault) and I was still able to used it before I had my flash fix and this is for about 1.5 years.

My 3 star rating is because of it being an old model for an AF-camera. If your planning to buy a new one their are definitely new models far better than this for now.

Similar Products Used:

EOS100
F5
FM2

Takes manual lenses, lots of built-in functions, yet confortable for fully manual use, standard screw type remote release, spot meter.

Slow AF for today's standards, no AA batteries, noisy

Terrific camera if you can live with the slow AF, which I do. It's a lot more camera for the money than any other camera in this price range, even newer Nikon models.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS500N/Elan II (too light for my taste)
Nikon F50/60 (no practical MF support)

Fill Flash
Multi-Exposure modes
Easy to use
Solid Construction

None

Chief among the complaints I've read about this camera seems to be the slow autofocus. To this I say, what is slow? The autofocus on this camera is really quite good. Newer models may be quicker, but if you're thinking about buying a 6006, you shouldn't be discouraged by these comments. The AF on this camera is quite fast and accurate, even in darker shooting situations. Other complaints I've read, namely that it's noisy on the film rewind and with the AF, are true. Don't try to rewind your film in the church pews unless you want to attract a lot of annoyed scowls! Finally, regarding the weight, you'd think most of these naysayers were comparing cameras to tennis rackets. I like that this camera has some heft, which I see as a sign of its solid construction and durability.

Overall, this camera is fantastic, and I'm surprised people aren't more generous than they are in their praise. The fill flash is very useful in both light and dark situations. No red-eye reduction, but this can be managed with a circular polarizing filter, which I think is de rigeur anyway. Occasionally, I use this camera with a sigma 70-300 AF lens, and the 6006 rarely has trouble focusing even with a lens of this length. The many exposure modes make it easy to capture the right combination of aperture and shutter speed in just about any lighting situation.

I bought this camera used on Ebay, with two lenses, for $350. After shooting several rolls with the camera with fantastic results, I consider this price a bargain. You'd be much much wiser to buy a good used 6006 body for about $175-$200 than spend twice that amount for one of the newer N70s, whose improvements (aside from the matrix AF) are dubious at best.

As for the bracketing feature, this is a function for more advanced users than myself, so I can't really comment. However, if you're like myself--an intermediate user who appreciates good equipment and enjoys taking pictures as much as looking at them--you'll be pleased as pie with the N6006/F601.

Similar Products Used:

Olympus OM1
Nikon FG

it's a Nikon

over the 10 years I have had it the exposure apparatus has broken 3 times

I'm tired of it breaking I'm buying an F100 today.

Similar Products Used:

None

Rugged Body

I found no weaknesses. It had everything that it advertised, which is why I bought it.

I have had this camera for approximately 10 years and never had any problems with it. It has shot weddings and outdoor senior portraits with ease. Great camera for advanced amatuers.

Customer Service

Never had to have repairs.

Similar Products Used:

None

Solid body, Fill Flash, Rear-curtain Flash

No DOF preview, no multiple exposure.

I got mine after I already had bought a Nikon F50.
I sold the F50 and kept the F601 (N6006).
I still use this body. Maybe I will upgrade to a F80 somtime.

Customer Service

Never needed.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F50

Very good design and construction. Very good built-in flash. Accepts MF lenses with metering. Autoexposure lock with AF lock.
Spot metering.
Accepts mechanical cable release.

A very noisy machine!
Matrix metering with slide film.
No vertical grip available.

My fist AF camera and still working!
May be not the faster AF camera, but still is valid for most situations (remember this machine was launched in 1990!). My F-601 has given me some of my best photos (landscapes, portrait, travel, ...) and I consider it as a very capable machine once you have discovered some of its tricks:
*5 segment matrix metering: not very good for critical works, specially with slide film: it tends to overexposure.
*noise: yes, the motordrive is very noisy and this is for me the main weakness.
*vertical grip: o.k., this is not a key detail, but I have quite large hands...
After above, when you compare F-601 against modern machines of the same level, such as the F-80/F-70, you discover that today's machines are faster and may be more accurate with matrix matering, but...what about the amount of cheap plastic everywhere?
Quite good work, Nikon!

Customer Service

One time in six years for checking AF system.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F-90X
Nikon F-70
Nikon F-301
Canon Eos 100
Canon Eos 1000FN

Spotmetering

Loouud

Due to the fact that this camera is soooo old and is loud kept me from deciding on this camera. Many other camera both ( nikon/ canon) are quieter than this one Not Good for anyone I think but don't antagonize me for it.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS Elan 7E Nikon N80

Major advantages: meters (in center-weighted and spot) with manual-focus lenses (AI'd, AI, or AIS), built-in flash with still-amazing capabilities, can control the aperture with the aperture ring. Nice touches: AE/AF lock can be separated, accepts a standard cable release, double self-timer makes group shots a lot quicker and easier, decent analog scale in manual mode.

Major issues: noisy as all get-out -noisier than my F3/T and MD-4. Minor quibbles: no PC socket, AF (despite my rant below) is not really competitive with today's bodies - when shooting fast action, it's a better bet to pre-focus and trap fire.

Noisy and slow-seeming AF masks considerable control over exposure, from exposure compensation to flash compensation to automatic three- and five-shot bracketing. To get more raw capability with as wide a range of lenses, you'd have to step up to an N90s + MF-26 back - I know, because I own both. The N6006 makes it easy to get to the controls, though, unlike the MF-26 which buries them in a pile of button- and dial-driven menus. The AF, while on the sluggish side, is still up to most situations - like the N4004s, you're best off using a simple prime lens if you want quick AF. Mount a slow, consumer-grade 28-300 on it, and you're just asking for trouble. I'd rate the N6006's AF as quicker than the N4004s, slower (slightly) than the N50, N8008s, and N60, and much slower than the N65 or N90s.

While I'm addressing AF, let me say this: the N6006s's AF is fine for about 80% of ordinary situations. My N90s has AF that can handle maybe 85% of ordinary situations, as does my N65. I have handled an F5, and would estimate that its AF would suffice for maybe 90% of ordinary situations. In other words, in many situations - like a low-contrast scene with a horizontally oriented, off-center subject - the N6006's AF may not work - but you know what? The N90s won't AF accurately in that situation either, and it's quite possible that the F5 wouldn't as well. There are times - regardless of AF module - when you're best served by focusing manually. People were shooting fast action and capturing decisive moments long before AF.

Where the N6006 wins, is in its broad compatibility with old and new lenses and its considerable built-in exposure control. The value rating reflects its current price in the used market. The overall rating is absolute, reflecting its capabilities agains today's bodies.

Customer Service

Not needed on this body, but Nikon in Torrance has been generally responsive.

Similar Products Used:

There are few Nikon bodies I haven't used. In the sorta-like-this-one category: N60, N65.

In the not-quite-like-this-one category: N50, N4004s.

In the also-not-quite-like-this-one category, only in the other direction: N8008s, N90s.

In the not-even-comparable-except-for-the-format category: F, F3/T, FA, FE, FM, FM2/T, EM, FG, FG-20. Sigh.

AF works, feels good in my (large) hands, flash, metering and exposure options, great photos with Nikon lenses

no DOF preview

This camera is capable of taking great photos. The only serious deficiency in my opinion is the lack of DOF preview. But AF is fine for scenics and people - maybe not great for sports or moving wildlife. Bracketing feature is really superb and easy to use. Having on flash camera is just great - sure it's not the equivalent of a several hundred dollar speedlight, but it's always there - convenient and ready to go - great for fill flash. All the metering and exposure options you could want - and it does a good job almost all the time.

Similar Products Used:

None