Alright, let’s hear it. Tell everyone about your experience with the Nikon Z 180-600mm lens below. Because I’m sure the good majority of people looking at this video will be wanting opinions before they decide to buy 📸
I used to shoot movement shots on my Nikon Z7ii along with a D850. Once I bought my Z9, there was no going back to the DSLR's. Eventually, I traded the D850 and Z7ii for a Z8. My Nikon Z 180-600mm works great on both of them.
I bought an 200-500mm for my D850 (after watching your review) and replaced the lens collar with one from Really Right Stuff. It is much better than the one that comes with the lens but it is expensive. They have one for the Z 180-600mm as well. I have a lot of RRS gear and can recommend it all.
I bought this lens for my Z9. My old 500F4G worked well with the Z9 but for travel it was too heavy. The weight and the flexibility made the 180-600 a perfect safari lens for a recent trip. It is excellent. One tip for using images with this lens is to try DXO pure Raw4 and leave the default corrections on. It makes the lens better removing noise and keeping detail in one simple package. Enjoy your lens. AZ8 or 9 is strongly recommended for bird photography.
i'm just an amateur but there really was no choice for me in buying this lens. the length, the portability, the image quality is all there. it blew me away as an all-purpose in alaska, even on a z6, where even landscape photography requires 400+mm. now if only i could decide on a new body to pair it with for safari in africa next year! i guess the only thing i wonder about is sharpness (the internet has ruined me) - would love to see some of your straight-out-of-camera shots to compare to mine! another great vid, thanks.
Had mine a month and love it. It’s paired with my Z8 mainly for aviation photography. With regards to the lens collar I’ll be changing it for an Arca-Swiss compatible Haoge one soon. Apart from that I’m delighted with the lens and agree the short zoom throw and internal zoom are a real bonus. So far the images I’ve got from the lens on the Z8 have been fantastic.
I’ve had this lens for 11 months now, and I use it with my Zf, Z8 and Z9, and I get stunning results. Not because of my personal skills as a hobby photographer, but due to the sharpness and easy handling that this lens can offer. Being 70 years of age it maybe my own fault , but my only complaint is the weight (of the lens of course). Perhaps I aught to do a little more workout😅. In November we’ll be going to Kenya for 12 days to shoot wild animals, with the cameras, I assure you. I hardly cannot wait to see what this lens has to offer under these conditions. Kind greetings from Denmark to all fellows that are infected with the Bacillus Photographicus.😊
I love this lens. As much as I still drool over the 400 2.8 S, this lens has delivered stellar results and the only limiting factor at times is the Z9 AF at times and my own blunders. I agree with the tripod mount wholeheartedly as it’s a terrible design and the switches would be better on the right side where a simple flick with the right hand would change the settings. I have zero regrets buying this lens and do not miss the old cumbersome and heavier F mount 200-500 5.6 at all. Stellar job overall by Nikon.
Had mine for just under twelve months absolutely love it just teamed it with my new z8 and spent two weeks on the Gold Coast with it absolutely fantastic combo , lived your video keep on making them cheers John
I got mine on Sept 22..... I'm so happy to have it... handling is fantastic -> much better than the 150-600C sigma it replaced. I use it with a TC 1.4 @1260 in Dx mode with a Zf Dx I bought for birds. The Z30 doesn't have Bird's AF 😞 I'm in the '70 and in bad shape, my health is down ... but I can shoot hand-help when I walk having it attached with a QD at a cross body. For long stalking where I stay seated I use a tripod, and the Z30 at hand with the AF-P 70-300E when something appears on the other side 😀 I never dreamed of getting the quality of the pics I obtain, with my poor knowledge of long-range lenses. Even the MOON shots are unbelievably sharp and detailed both tripod and hand-held!!!
It's a great lens! I enjoyed your video and the great collection of stills and video clips you shared here. Nikon just raised the price of the lens by US $200 and it is still a bargain in my opinion.
Here's my thoughts after about a month mate. At least as good as the Sony 200-600. With the Sony I would really have loved a zoom lock because when using the lens on a bean bag you could easily zoom the lens in without realising when you swivelled the lens to follow a subject. So far this hasn't been a problem with the 180-600 because there zoom has slightly more friction. It's a heavy combination with the Z8 which doesn't bother me too much but for those looking for a lighter weight the lens with the Z6III might be a better option. In my opinion the Sony 200-600 is one of the best lenses available in this price range and the Nikon 180-600 is at least as good, can't say anymore really mate! Nice review👍👍👌👌
Thanks for watching and sharing your experience with the lens Scott. I'm sure you will get many years of enjoyable use out of it. Cheers mate and have a great weekend 🙏
I watched your reviews on this lens and took the plunge on top of my 100-400, 400mm 4.5 and 800mm PF. Since receiving it I’ve had amazing bird in flight shots that I couldn’t get easily despite having a Z9. The short throw zoom helps getting them into frame and even zooming in and out to track the birds in flight. Sharpness, pretty good even compared to the 100-400. Maybe only the 400mm 4.5 look sharper but it’s more about practicality that attracts me to buying this lens. Thanks again for your great work in helping me choose it. 😊 couldn’t be happier. BTW, I must try it on my Z7 more like you do. My z7 has been disappointing in terms of focusing even in the easiest targets.
Hi Adrian, a great video, buddy! That looks definitely after a fantastic lens and I also think a really great choice for your wildlife & landscape photography 😉 Enjoy your weekend, Christian
Thanks for watching Christian. I have really enjoyed this lens. But my next purchase will be a slightly better camera I think. Have a great weekend buddy cheers 🙏
Hello Adrian, first, a very much appreciated long term review and very well done. Secondly, unlike a lot of photographers, I did not immediately order this lens because I knew that fulfilling the pre-orders meant that NPS members would get their lenses first and, to be honest, I didn't need the lens right then and there. So, I waited and was able to get my lens after only a 3-day order from UNIQUE PHOTO near where I live in New Jersey. I find this lens to be quite a bit sharper than the F mount 200-500 f5.6 that I also own. I decided to keep that lens to shoot exclusively on my D750s and D850s while this lens will be used on my Z9 and possibly the Z6III should I ever buy one. For wildlife and long-distance sports, this is a great lens. Thank you again for your thoroughness, as well as your other videos on this lens.
Hello Adrian, I bought the 180-600 at the same time. I use it with my Z8 and I am very happy about the results. 3 months ago I bought the 1.4 converter, very helpful for small birds. Thanks for your great reviews! 👍🏻
I have this lens and it’s GREAT. A bit heavy, but the images are excellent, I highly recommend it. I use the lens to photograph hummingbirds and it does well. love your reviews.
Great review Adrian, if I had the money, I would be buying that lens. Amazing video footage from the lens and of course the photographs. Look forward to hearing about the new camera you might be buying soon. Many thanks for sharing the info and have a great week.
Your shots and video are phenomenal out of that lens. Strange how Nikon don't change that mount, I'm sure there are lots of photographers inconvenienced by it?
Still struggling to purchase. Currently using a Z50 and have the Tamron 150-600 G2. Every site I search comparing the Tamron and the Nikon 180-600, does not show me that a purchase is worth the change. Great video
Love your videos I am still tying to figure out my Nikon 580 and get lenses - then they come out the the Z and I am sitting here wondering what to do ontinue to learn my D850 or go to the Z
I had mine out today. Still love it. I've set my control ring to adjust the iso but it's very easy to bump and forget to check and before you know it your shooting at 20 odd thousand iso
Thanks for the video Adrian. I'm considering buying this lens with a Z6iii which has much less megapixels the the Z7. Do you think that would that have a noticeable impact on IQ when cropping in?
That would be correct. Probably due to its popularity and its performance. Someone said in the comments it was going up another $200 in the US apparently.
Hi Adrian, I have watched your review of this lens many times before getting one myself 3 weeks ago. Can I check, does your lens has quite a bit of free play when mounted on the camera? Mine has.
Another great video, thanks! The other night I used my copy with the Z1.4 TC to shoot the moon and Saturn re-appearing from behind it. Due to the 4’20am alarm I only grabbed my Zfc, but the results were still great. My biggest complaint was the lack of a bag so it now lives in my smallest rucksack. There’s a windmill I like to shoot from 2.5 miles away and I also shot that at 840mm which I have always done in the past with the Sigma spot 150-600 and TCs. Using my Z9 and the new Z lens this image was noticeably clearer (it’s obviously possible the atmospheric conditions were favourable). But I did see a “fort” behind the windmill which I have never seen before from that distance, amazing. I just checked the distance to “Nab tower” which I have shot from the beach in the past, and it was 21 miles from my tripod!!
