Nikon Z 180-600mm VR. First look. samples. image quality & focusing.

? Have you used it with a z7ii ?

Waiting so long for this range...previously I was impressed with Sony 200-600mm lens. Since moving back to Nikon, this 180-600 is really welcoming lens

Excellent video comparison

Hi, can I use 180-600mm lens with d500 camera without adapter

I have this on order and can't wait to get my hands on it. I'd like to see a few photos of it at 600mm with the 2xTC attached.

A great review, comparing to the other lens helps us see a clearer picture of what we are purchasing.

Please test Nikon 180-600 with Sigma 150-600 C os!

What would be great to build on this video would be a comparison to the main long zoom lenses that people use today, specifically the Sigma 150-600 (both Contemporary and Sport), the Sigma 60-600, and the Tamron 150-600. I'm guessing it will be better than all of those but it would be really good to see a similar image comparison.

After reading it, I subscribed to your channel and plan to buy one! Thank you very much!

Thanks Ricci - says it all

Hello Ricci, thank you very much for your work.👏
for your sharpness comparison where did you position the colourchecker?
In the centre of the frame or DX corner or FX corner?
And at what distance?
I sent my 180-600 back today.
My 200-500 is visibly sharper than the 180-600 at 200 and 500 mm. 300 and 400 were on equal terms.
Even the 200-500 cropped to the 600 from the new one, the old lens was sharper.
I had to stop down to f8.0 to even be comparable and not at all better.
I am so disappointed right now.

Hey Ricci you have plans on reviewing the Z6 Mark 3 soon…I am very interested. Thanks, Ken

Thank you for this incredibly through review! I dont even have a Z mount camera (rocking a D7200) but your review was still a great watch, especially the comparisons section was super useful.

Hi Ricci shooting high school football now Z6ii with 70-200 z. Thinking of getting a used 300 2.8. Any recommendation which version I should
get?

Excellent and detailed review, Ricci. Thank you for sharing!

Thanks Ricci, this was tremendous helpful to take my buying decision (Z8+180-600) and to my surprise I can pick it up coming Monday

The 500pf on the used market is now a similar price to the 180-600, what a dilemma. Then will the 400 being a nice 4.5 without a TC be alluring but suffer on reach...

That was very thorough and helpful. Thank you!

Hi Ricci, thanks for all videos you are doing. Could you please compare the 70 200 f2.8 TC 2.0x that it is 400 f5.6 vs the Z 180 600 @ 400 mm

Ricci will you be coming out with an official in depth review for this lens on an actual production unit?

Not an S line lens ~ BUT, is it sharp ?
( that’s really all i care)!
Thank You for any opinions !
Seems like all Nikon lenses are sharp … but wanted to ask !

Thanks Ricci, extremely useful video. Sharpness is totally clear in all cases, but watching e.g. the 180-600 next to the 400mm + 1.4 TC shows very different characteristics in bokeh. Let me be honest, 180-600 looks much smoother, the subject pops out much more, which is just as important I think as being sharper as the sharp 180-600. How do you see this? Thanks in advance, best regards to you! I hate carrying big lens, so would go for the 400 fix, but now not sure :)

An excellent review. However, it would have been really interesting to also have seen a comparison with the 500pf with the 1.4 tc.

I have just got a Z9 so am losing reach compared to my D500/500pf combo for birds. Adding a 1.4 tc might help but that becomes f8. How well does the Z9AF work on an adapted lens at f8.

Do I have to move to to a native 600pf or 800pf or can I use the much cheaper tc option? Any thoughts on loss of image quality and AF please?

Thanks again for a helpful review.

I have the two times converter z mount.For that extra reach and quickness switching to DX takes less time to enable for a larger picture area . Pictures. can be cropped in processing . The quality of the image depends on the shooter's. I found on the 70-200 z the picture requires attention to taste. The price of these converters are not cheap so I would for most shooters I would suggest just crop or change to DX.i went out and tested the z 70-200 with the 2x times converter then dropped down to DX mood.Really I got a photo that looks great. On my phone .Anything else was just ok. I have purchased the180-600z . The F stop of 6.5 matters not for this one reason . I need to start at around that f stop to get any chance of a sharp picture. I Don't take photos of bokeh. I Do which I had purchased the 1.4 converter. However to purchase both I would suggest you use the £1200 price tag put it towards a z 180-600. As you're almost there. For just under a third of the price away from the cost at the time of this blog response. If you can't at this moment in time afford either or both. Really DX would help you more you may be disappointed with longer reach anyway. Cheers I hope my thoughts give you something to think about.

Hi Ricci, thanks for this video.
Are you planning more tests, field tests with the Z180-600 lens?
I enjoy a Z7 with the Sigma 150-600 C, a combo with I am very satisfied with.
Is it wise to change to the Z180-600 lens?
Thanks and regards from the Netherlands

Great review. I waiting a review for 70-180 f 2.8 to. Thank you

do you recommend this with Nikonz6ii?,

Many thanks for the video. I'm after a zoom for my Z8 and your comparison has helped.

One 'would be nice if' - when you show the shots with the details in the top left, adding the actual focal length of the shot. This would allow us to judge centre and edge clarity across the range for a more informed view of your photos.

Thanks again.

Looks like Bempton Cliffs.

It's interesting that you use the Z8. Cause the Z9 isn't this sharp......

Thank you, Great review. I decided to buy this lens based on your review. I already have the Nikon 500 F4 VR2, This is a great lens but i feel that i can do more with this lens. The editing from Photoshop will compensate for sharpness and saturation contrast.

With a 5.6 f stop? Why not a 2.1, then you can give a hard look at it.

The 180-600mm looks sharper at 600 than the 400 at 600mm f6.3 w/ teleconverter on my screen. They are both really sharp though so I wouldn't base my decision on that.

I bought this lens new a few weeks ago. I see that the edges of the front glass are not sealed, there is a considerable gap between the edges of the front glass and the plastic that covers those edges. I'm afraid it affects the weather sealing. Anyone having the same problem?

Great video and interesting to see your comparison between the Z 100-400mm and the Z 180-600 being slightly sharper. I am currently looking to get one of those as an addition to the Z 400mm 2.8 and very likely it is going to be the non S one.

I think this video sealed the deal for me. I have really wanted the 100-400 for so long. I rented it for a week last year and fell in love with it. A big plus with the 100-400 is close focusing distance. I think though I can live with out that for the extra telephoto ability the 180-600 offers.

going on safari next year i have the nikon z 100-400 as my longest lens cannot afford a large prime would the 1.4 teleconverter be enough i am not a professional photographer

Thanks Ricci! Did you compare the lens with the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ?

Great quick comparison.
Only the overly excited music for the focusing test is a bit odd :)

I'm very impressed to see how 180-600 image quality is better than 100-400. This change my plan on my choise.

You seem to have a bad copy of the Z 180-600. On mine the sharpness is neck to neck with the 500 PF in the center, both at F/6.3.

What was the difference in image quality from wide open at 6.3 to 7.1? And is it worth going to 6.3 at lower light conditions

Fabulous, so grateful for this. As a 200-500 owner, I needed your endorsement to switch

Should have the better coatings but yeah, not an S-lens.

Sold mine as i was disappointed in its sharpness. Reverted back to the AIS 500mm f4 VR with the FTZ. Yes its heavier and only one focal length but its two stops brighter and seriously sharp. Everyone to their own though.