Everyone should upgrade to this and dump their old 200-500s onto the used market so it's cheaper for me to snag one for my D300 and my future D800/810.
Just got my 180-600 and just love it with my Z8 and I agree with your findings as well as others that have reviewed it, One thing is for sure is Nikon hit it out of the park with this lens;)
I bought a D500 not that long ago to pair with my 200-500. If i had a Z8 I would get the 180-600 but I think my most likely upgrade is to the 500mm pf lens. Other than live view autofocus the D500 is still a beast.
If it's still photography, your statement is somewhat true. But if you want to shoot movies, z8 it light years ahead. Over all z8 is camera of another league. Try it once. Sooner Nikon will also Stop support for all dslr bodies.
@@godistrueking5136 I'm sure the z8 is in another league. I would love to have things like eye autofocus. My point wasn't really that the d500 is a match for the z8, more that it is still an excellent camera in its own right and meets almost all of my needs. I think a faster prime lens would make a big difference over my aging 200-500. I don't shoot video, mostly because the cameras I've had, haven't been very good at it and that's frustrating when starting out. Maybe when I go mirrorless I'll switch from 100% stills.
Thanks for the comparison Tony ... no surprises really. But here's the thing ... a huge number of owners of the 200-500 paired it with the D500. The obvious upgrade path would be to the 180-600/Z8 combination. Comparing the respective weights of the two kits we see they are almost identical. So yes, you get a measurably better performance from the Z combo ... but you still need to keep the gym membership. One of the big advantages of mirrorless touted by the camera industry a few years ago was how much lighter and compact it was going to be ... I'm not convinced. And at $10,000 AUD I'm hanging on to the DSLR combo for a good while yet.
But you get a full frame camera with more than twice the resolution of the D500. Even at a DX crop you get the same resolution as the D500, but much more flexibility and it's easier to follow your subject in flight. As long as there is no D500 counterpart the comparison is moot and it's much more fitting to compare it with the D850, which is a heavier kit but the actual DSLR counterpart. And it was mostly Sony touting those benefits. Nikon never claimed that mirrorless would be lighter or more compact. And even though it applies to quite a lot of lens and camera kits (e. g. the 14-24 f2.8 with 650g vs 1kg or 24-70 f2.8 with 805g vs 1.07kg). My holy trinity with a Z9 weighs 4.16kg compared to a 4.95kg D6 or 4.51kg D850 kit. The D500 is just 50g lighter than a Nikon Z8, whereas it was 150g lighter than a D850. And how are 3160g and 2860g almost identical? The Z8+180-600mm is 300g or 9.5% lighter than the D500+200-500, offering more range and flexibility at a granted much higher price.
I will keep my 200-500, so that I can still interchange with my D850, which I will definitely keep. And I will rather invest in the 400mm 4.5 now. This gives me much more options, considering some low light situations. Also, I am a hobby photographer and I can live with the fact that the 200-500 is a little less sharp.
I am considering a move to Nikon and this lens would be the main reason. As much as the Z8 looks fantastic, I am more thinking about the Zf. This would mostly be for wildlife and I am just a hobbyist so a $2000 camera vs $4000 that seems to have most of the software I would need seems to be a good option.
I do suspect that the ergonomics with that body and a large lens would be pretty bad. Might be worth waiting for the Z6III, which could well be a similar camera in a more ergonomic body...
It might work well, but balance with long lenses, EVF blackout and lack of customising buttons for autofocus would make it a bit more awkward to use. But yes, it seems a great package!
Hi Tony, I have the 200-500mm for a lot of years & love the lens with my old Z6..Just recently upgraded to the Z8 & will agree with your findings..180-600mm is on my Bucket List.. Thanks for your reviews, keep them coming 😉Ken in AZ🌵
Yeah Canon's 100-500 is nice, but it's really a replacement for the 100-400, and 500 is still a little short for wildlife. They could use something longer. Also it's $2600!
I had been using my 200-500 with FTZ on my Z7, a month ago I upgraded to Z8, now waiting for my Z180-600 to arrive as not happy with slow focus, soft focus and missing shots with 200-500. Can’t wait, so excited
I recently got the 180-600, and am using it on my Z8 and Z9. I have the 200-500, and it's been my workhorse for a few years now (with the D500 and the Z bodies), and I agree that it is the perfect fit for the Z system. The autofocus works better with the 180-600, and the images are generally sharper as well. I also have the 800 pf, so now I can have a great focal length range with two bodies. If I don't get the shot now, it's on me.
Even though both are weather sealed, internal zoom makes a hughe difference when being out in heavy rain shooting wildlife and or big waves in stormy weather !! I know I had been waiting to see what Nikon would come out with in that zoom range for mirrorless and was super happy to see that !!
Thanks for the review. Clear the Z glass blows the previous iteration away. So grateful to have the 400mm f4.5. I use the 200-500 with my D850 for everything else.
I use a d500 and the nikon 200-500mm for my sports photography. Very happy with the combo. I'm just a hobbyist, so I'm not quite ready to make the leap to mirrorless. Hopefully someday.
So now you have me questioning my direction. I have a D500 as my 2nd body, I mainly shoot military jets & sports, but also wildlife and landscapes. Was thinking of selling the D500 and Picking up the Z8 after Tony's reviews. @@Pamela-c5o
@@Pamela-c5o what did you upgrade to? Z8/Z9 is definitely better for wildlife.. unfortunately they haven't released a true D500 replacement.. I am not even sure if that's on the slate for Nikon.. It's the only reason I am still using a D500 but glass like this is exactly enough for me to consider going to Nikon instead of Sony for mirrorless wildlife.
I am selling my D500; now using a Z8 which is much better for wildlife. Can also shoot at Dx on Z8 and get almost as much resolution (19 MP) as with D500 (21MP). The 200-500 was too heavy for me (I sold mine). I now use the 100-400 and the 500pf (crazy sharp)
@@garyswergold4096 I am considering the Z8 if they do not release a D500 replacement, I don't shoot much more than birds and mammals for me to consider a full frame beast like the Z8 or Z9, and I don't shoot video.. but it will definitely get me more into video and landscape if I go that route..
I own the 200-500 and use it in FTZ and am really on the fence on this one. I def see the new one is a big upgrade but here in Canada the 200-500 is worth about $900 used and by the time I’d pay tax on on the retail price of the new one I would be closing in on $2.7k so the question becomes: Is it worth triple the price? How did you find the slower 6.3 speed? Even though the new lens is optically better does the higher ISO requirement offset that much? Surprised you didn’t talk about that at all.
Yay, lots of 200-500s going up for sale to scoop up! - BTW: If you're starting out, you can get a used D500 and 200-500 lens for less than $2K USD. Just a thought if you don't mind pre-owned gear.
Thanks for the comparison, this is definitely the upgrade path I want to take with my Z9, I've really enjoyed using the 200-500 and a 1.4x but these advantages are important to me.
Still photography with the D500/200-500 is great, 6 years on. Video with the D500 is a real PITA and the reason to upgrade. 200-500 zoom is too long throw, and internal zooming with a short throw a welcome improvement. Had a 200-400 f/4 for a dozen years and what I've missed most was programming the barrel buttons to be the back-focus and VR refresh switch. That worked well for manual fine focus because the focusing ring was the front ring. Not so with either the 290-500:or 180-600. I'll miss sots with minimum focus distance longer than 6.5' because closer subjects just won't be focus-able. (Sometimes you just can't back up from tight quarters). This 180-200 needs a Z6 iii-equivalently affordable APS-C sensor body with not more than 24MP and that new best-in-class EVF.
Tony, Thank you for another informative video. I own the 200-500 and just bought the Z8 and was on the fence about the upgrade until watching your review (and just ordered using your link). I appreciate you and Chelsea for your efforts.
Check our comparison of the Z8 and D850, since the D500 is basically an APS-C D850. The DSLRs really feel LOUD compared to the Z8 and Z9, so one of the biggest benefits of mirrorless is the ability to be quiet or silent. Being full-frame with the same pixel density is a HUGE benefit for having a wider field of view to track flying birds, but also getting more detail when you can fill the frame. But, of course, the D500 has an optical viewfinder which I prefer and the setup is WAY cheaper.
I use Sony and have the 200-600mm...I say...well done Nikon!! They gave their customers the internal zoom...what a game changer. Now you can rack your zoom and stay on target like never before. Meanwhile over at Canon...they are humping their customers. Good show Nikon!!!
Yeah the Canon equivalent lens is 100mm shorter and $1000 more expensive... but Canon has cameras like the R7 that do great with wildlife, whereas with Nikon you really need to spring for a Z8 to get reliable results.
@@TonyAndChelsea I agree about the camera body...but I think in the end...glass is still king. And that Canon has an external throw...frankly unacceptable at that price. Nikon customers are on a...friendlier path...imo. Great video as usual sir.
@0:50 Tamron 150-600 is the biggest mistake lens I've ever purchased. At 600mm I can only take pic of birds / animals if not moving. Focus speed is insanely slow on Nikon D610.
I'm using a Z7II + FTZII+ Tamron 18-400 DX (29mm-640mm equivalents) for my do-it-all travel lens. I'm not getting the benefits of the full frame, but the mirrorless body is way better than my old D7500 DSLR. I do miss the pop up flash, however, and the bigger body fits my big hands better.
One of the biggest jumps hands down is the short throw. The old 200-500 is great but for fast moving subjects it is way too much throw to get through the range.
I've had the 200-500mm for years, and for a decade before that the 200-400 f/4 VR1. Weight and cost savings made the 200-500 regret-free, but there are ergonomics issues hopefully the 180-600 addresses. First, is it Internal Focus? (No one complains about the quarter-turn range, which suggests it is, but nobody's said "Internal Focus"). 2nd, is the focusing ring still behind the zoom ring? Last, can the front button(s) be assigned specific AF -on mode (like back focus buttons can, and old 200-400 could do Spot, at least)?
I want to buy the 180-600mm. I recently used my Sigma 100-400mm to film a woodpecker. Always too far and the video is shaky handheld. I have Nikon Z 5 and I enjoy nature photography when I can
Thanks for an okay review. Anyone who has played with the Nikon 200-500 knows that there is a lot of variation between individual lenses - also regarding chromatic aberration. It's nice to see that the Nikon 150-600 is sharper, but considering the price - one can get a 200-500 today for 878 EUR or less. Nikon's 150-600 costs 2,027 EUR in Europe... that's also worth considering.
Thanks Tony for this detailed review. Would you be doing a comparison between Canon, Nokin and Sony telephoto zooms with their wildlife cameras (R5, Z8, a9 or a1) please? I am curious to know which combo is the best or more relevant perhaps is the advantage of each system
Nikon needs a Z experienced amateur APSC camera body for wildlife and sports photos. In other words excellent AF tracking, fast burst rates, good buffer, hi-res viewfinder and LCD, fast reading sensor in the 24+ resolution, etc. The watered down bodies don't cut it. The new lens is meaningless to Nikon APSC shooters. Michael, West Hartford
While I'm happy with my D500/200-500 kit's performance, I'm done with mirrors. Except for long distance wildlife, I've fully switched over and my new 180-600 arrives today. The other rig will be sold in the near future.
I just took delivery of the 180-600 and tested it on my Z9 with the 1.4X Z extender comparing it with a Nikon 100-400 S which is optically superb. Subject matter was a microwave dish antenna about 70 feet in the air on a short tower. Looking at a small serial number on its mounting arm and lettering embossed on a hex bolt, both lenses did admirably with the 840mm I got from the new lens plus extender providing better detail as expected. Both were hand held. Image stabilization worked very well in both cases. It is the heaviest lens in my kit. So I'll likely need to do some weight training at age 77 to reverse some muscle loss with age. As to high ISO, if you're not doing much cropping you can get away with a lot of gain where needed. I do a lot of theatrical shoots using faster lenses due to indoor lighting limits. I was surprised by the fun lens I recently bought, the diminutive Nikon 24-200mm Z lens. Being small with about a 9 to 1 zoom ratio, in spite of it being a slow lens, I found it to be ideal for shooting from on stage during rehearsals where rapid change from wide to tele gave me lots opportunities I would have otherwise missed. My normal goto lens for theater had been the AFS Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 FL ED with FTZ adapter. I love the internal zoom on that lens similar to the new 180-600.
NIce comparison. The one caveat that I'd raise is that the 2090 grams you cite for the 200-500mm is not only without the tripod collar, but without the 125 grams of a FTZII adaptor. So the 200-500mm on a Z-body with the tripod collar is about 3/4 lb heavier than the new lens. Not a huge deal, but something I notice on a long hiking climb on my 70-ish body. I have an order in for the Z 180-600mm.
I started with the Tamron 150-600 F5.6-6.3 moved up to the Nikon 200-500 F5.6 several years ago which was a good update, and I've been using it adapted on a Z7. It works well. Yes the Auto focus isn't what you could get with the Z8. I've been waiting for your review for over 2 years since this lens has been on the roadmap for forever and I knew you would give it a fair non-biased review. This lens is on my list to buy due to the lens quality, native Z, focus improvements (which for more of a step will require a body update), weight savings, non telescoping, and shorter zoom throw which I think will be a fairly big deal in usability for me. Would love to have you review it with the new Nikon FC to see how that autofocus performs, but it would be hard to go back to 24MP after using the 45MP Z7 for a while now. Still I think that will tell us what the autofocus in a Z7/Z6 III will be like with the Expeed7 processor. I'll buy the lens now with the hope that in the not to distant future there will be a lower priced 45MP body than the Z8, after all it's just a hobby for me. I was very pleasantly surprised a the $1700 price, I was expecting around $2200-$2500.
I'm buying the Nikon 180-60mm. You aided my decision making all i need do now is cash in my son's college fund, he's not very bright in anycase. I'll enjoy the lens more than my son would've enjoyed college
I have the 180-600 on order. Not sure if I will keep it. I also own the 100-400 and 500PF. I would really like to be all Z lenses, but the 500PF is so portable and sharp, however, background rendering suffers under certain conditions. Whenever I go out, I tell myself I need more light and range. This lens will provide the range, but not the light. The 400 2.8TC + TC is calling to me, but it's hard for me to justify the money. The 800PF seems a bit limited, but would certainly give me more range. I think a 600 5.6 built similar to the 400 4.5 ( if possible or maybe a PF) would be a great addition to Nikon's lineup.
Interesting … I bought the 180-600 but sent it back (a bit reluctantly given rave reviews and it seemed sharp to me) - as too heavy compared with my 500PF, in the context of a daily river walk for wildlife shooting. I’m almost always shooting small birds and the zoom is no advantage to me.
Thank you for a wonderful comparison of the two lenses. I just got a call from my local camera store that my 180-600 has arrived. Can't wait to put that on to the Z9!
Great video! Thank you. My current favorite Super tele is my (manual) Nikkor 500mm f/4 P ED, though it is much harder to get consistently clear shots (need to stop down and increase iso to deepen the focus range) but it is an amazing lens. I just ordered a new Zf to replace my Leica SL, so perhaps this 180-600 will be added to my quiver of lenses :)
Yeah agreed. But Nikon needs to keep up with Canon's lower-end bodies. Even the R100 does a pretty good job with wildlife AF. in the Nikon world you need to buy a Z8 to get similar subject detection performance.
I'm still on the fence..I've just recently purchased a z8 and im coming from the cropped dinosaur D3300 but i only have 1 FX lens but I've ordered 2 cheaper dslr ones both nikon 70-300 and 28-300 just to help me get a better feel for the z8 but I love sports/wildlife/motorsports/aviation/airshow photography with a few landscape/travel/potrait occasionally but im.still torn between choosing my purchase as I do not shoot professionally but i enjoy seeing things get better with time. I have had the D3300 for about 10 years and I wanted to upgrade...befire it i hsd a P510 for 5 years or so. So I'm slowly learning. Im not gonna say this video tipped the scales in the 180-600mm direction but it has definitely put more weight on that side....i just try to balance value with results and both new or used the price on the 200-500 is more doable for sure. I just cant bring myself to make a decision yet but thanks for this very informative video. This is the first video I've not seen mention how the throw is on the 200-500mm or the 2 different VR modes and how they compare.
I was using the 200-500 on a D500, excellent combo to be honest & a wildlife snappers dream pairing which gave me first class results. The zoom on my 200-500 however got stuck when an internal screw came loose (Thousands of users have had this issue) I did however strip the lens and find a fix. I have now moved to the Z9 and 180-600 combo, the jury is still out as I have been using the Z9 with a Nikon 200-400 f/4 G lens and a Nikon 600 f/4 which would be an unfair comparison. I wanted something lighter though as the 600 is always used on a tripod and the 200-400 is for the most part on a monopod. Having the 180-600 will now mean I can hand hold again just like I was with my 200-500 and D500. Its a pity that the price point of Nikon Z glass is, well, ludicrously expensive to be honest, especially the none pro glass, as you say, the 180-600 is at a fair price point which is why I decided to buy it. I will however be using my "F" glass and the FTZ adaptor for the forseable future as I dont think the pro Z glass offers any real benefit to me.
Which camera would you recommend between the Nikon D850 and the Nikon Z7 MK2? You have a lot of experience in photography and have use a lot of different cameras.
That's what I have , all the reviews for this lens are paired with a Z8/9. Kinda seems strange to focus on the budget element of the lens when they are paired with the 2 top end cameras.
Why have you not tested the best Nikon wildlife lenses, the 400 f4.5 or 800 f6.3? (I mean best in terms of performance vs price, clearly the TC equipped long lenses are superb and objectively better)
Thanks. Great vid. I still need to see more reviews. I hope someone compares this lens to the old F Mount Sigma 60-600 sport (This is what i have upgraded to from the 200-500)
I’m also waiting for a comparison because I’m currently shooting 60-600. The lens is convenient in terms of focal length, but it is very heavy and there are questions about the image quality, it seems there is a skew on one of the edges and in general the edges are not very sharp.
I don't understand these images you took, don't you notice that they are out of focus for a comparison? I don't understand, do you think that's normal?
Are you talking about the side-by-side photo of the osprey nest? It was in focus. FWIW, I took about 6 different side-by-side shots of different scenese and the results were consistent across all of the tests. I just showed the one example.
Personally I am saving money from upgrade 200-500mm to 180-600mm and I will go with 1 prime lens that cood be 600mm f6.3 or 800mm f6.3 pf lens reasons.... 1. 200-500mm and 180 600 mm there hardly in starting 20mm difrence and on end 100mm so no big deal. 2. in 180 to 600mm aperture change 5.6 to 6.3 but considering 200-500mm its same f5.6 3. Once having telephoto zoom lens then why not purchase best telephoto prime lens that's 600mm f6.3 or 800mm f6.3 pf lens.....
I'd like to ask you about Nikon Z9 + Nikkor 180-600. When VR is on in Normal mode the target shifts every time you release shutter. I read in Internet and many people confirms the same
I think that happens with every (super telephoto?) lens on the Z8/Z9, at least it also happens with my 800 PF. Can be annoying in some situations, specifically when using single point AF, but I think this jumping is what allows you to get sharp images at 600+ mm with shutter speeds below 1/50th of a second. You can always go with sports mode, in that mode it doesn't jump, and you can still get sharp shots at pretty slow shutter speeds.
I would love to see the z8 with the 180-600 go up agaibst the sony a7rv with the 200 to 600 for wildlife video. Taking into acount the stabilization and also things like clear image zoom
not pro at very passionate registered severely sight impaired/blind photographer get opinion or advice be great currently use nikon z7 for macro long exposure seascape etc and omsystems om1 for wildlife but looking at treating to something new been looking at either nujin z8 with 180-600 or trade both cameras get 2 setups for different subjects but same brand been looking at the fuji xh2 and xh2s or the newly xs20 have u tried any of these fuji bodies can get thughts
How did you find the ease of shooting video handheld on the two lenses? I’ve had very little luck shooting video on the 200-500mm unless on a tripod. I’m trying to decide between upgrading to the 180-600mm, or purchasing a 400mm f/4.5. Cheers and thanks for an informative video. 👍
Tony, if you made a video like you did back in the day that you referred to in this video of the best combos for different price ranges, would the Z8+180-600 be above the Canon R5+100-500 or the Sony a7rV+200-600? It seems like it would, with a stacked sensor and a great lens that reaches to 600mm while being reasonable priced.
Thank you for the term "focal shrinking". When I'm explaining it to someone, I have avoided "focus breathing" because that has a different effect. I remember this from when channels like yours and Matt Granger's talked about it with the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR I!
Yeah it's confusing because "focus breathing" means something different to stills photographers and videographers. But I made up "focal shrinking" and I don't think the term has exactly taken off sooo
Picked up a used 200-500; first 3 sessions out...shooting float aircraft/lake, bicyclists- basically anything moving...about 75% FAIL rate for Focus. I found the lens s-l-o-w, and w/ a D7200 on High frame rate, it got fooled, "searching"- failing to lock on critically, even using a variety of AF menu modes to toggle features. My next body is the D500...and I'm hoping THAT combo has more success. Let me put it this way: WHEN it worked- it was great, but the fail rate was ridiculous. I'm "getting" what I paid for it: $550 (w/o a collar/hood/filter/box) There is no way I would've paid new $$ for this. Or even full used, about $900-1000. I can only suggest to others.....Listen to Tony! For the rest of us....I'd suggest getting the best body you can if mating with this lens.
its funny.. i work in and around wedding and event photographers.. its been multiple years since i've seen a photographer using nikon. its always sony, and canon. in fact i cannot remember the last time ive seen one wedding photographer using Nikon. if it wasnt for these vids on my timeline.. i'd swear nikon was dead in the water.
No it doesn’t….it performs admirably on the z9…..used it many times for paid sports jobs. However the 180-600 is faster acquiring focus,the shorter zoom ‘twist’ is so much better for faster moving objects.
dear Tony I love my 200 500 very much . I am old school person . I dont see very different be honest with you . sometimes I feel like some of cameras and lenses are like paper the old dslr rs like soviet tanks . even I compare my old Nikon d3x with z9 it wasn't too much different I keep my d3x . it's not too much expensive at the moment but I know the d3x the best one
I decided to upgrade to mirrorless. Found a used Z9, ordered the z 180-600, bought a z 100-400 and the z28-75 f2.8. Traded my D500, D7500, 200-500, and Sigma 150-600, and Nikon 18-300 DX lens Thanks for your reviews and content. Appreciate your reviews and insight.
