After a relatively quiet 2022 Ricci is once again working on fumes. Comparing the lens to all of the other lenses is something we’re not likely to see from anyone else, so one heck of a job by Ricci.
Thank you so much for the great video! A great lens, like all native Z-mount lenses - and for me a must have. To be fair, the 100-400 lens plus teleconverter does not look worse than the 180-600 lens plus teleconverter. A further video with a comparison at 400 mm, and at 200 mm (including the 70-200 and the two super zoom lenses: 100-400 and 24-200) would also be interesting. The inner zoom speaks clearly for the 180-600 mm lens as compared to the 100-400 lens, in terms of sealing.
18:50 this is what everyone wants from a review , you are the only one that let us see the image quality differences without having to download RAW files of each lens. I like the simplicity and maximum informative style of your channel videos. Keep it up! As for the new lens, it seems to be super sharp compared to what we used to see in zoom lenses. This lens is definitely going to be my goal to buy, cause I did want great Telephoto lens for a long time.
Simply the BEST review of the Nikon 180-600 Z lens so far.. Unlike the other reviews where just the specs are being discussed pointlessly, the ever so detailed comparisons here, along with analysis of it with other lenses including picture comparisons.. Just the thing any potential decision maker is looking for.. Thanks
As a Canon user, this lens definitely deserves praise. When I compare it to Canon Rf 100-500mm, it has "mm" value in "f" value, no teleconverter usage restriction and it's great with its price. Congratulations Nikon, your comeback has been really great.🙌👏👏👏
The 100-500 is a great lens. It is light weight and portable. But come on Canon! Everybody has a sub-$2,000.00 150, 180 or 200 to 600mm 5.6-6.3 lens! Why are we (Canon users) paying $1,000.00 more for a shorter, slower (at longest focal length) lens?
@@AtaBoraBasar I have never understood why someone buys Canon. They were always a lot more expensive than the competition. Just like Apple: More money for less.
The go to channel for Nikon gear information. No goofy gimmicks, no hyperbole or clickbait titles and you know that he’s had the lens/camera for a while to actually run it through its paces. Plus the fun of wondering what he has and is secretly testing that we will find out about in the future. 😬🤷🏼♂️
I wasn’t even one of the people who have been clamoring for this lens, but wow, looks terrific. Great focal range, competitive launch price, TC compatibility (and the Z teleconverters are so good), internal zoom, nice weight, custom function buttons, focus seems fast and reliable, out-of-focus-rendering looks pleasant… I’m sure I missed several positive points (it was a half-hour’s worth of information to digest, after all!), but for me that seems like rather enough to recommend it. I guess I didn’t say anything about sharpness because I watched this before the higher resolution versions of the video had rendered, so I was watching in SD-but from what you said, which I trust, and from what I could see, it looks like a lot of lens for the price. Congrats for 45k, and congrats in advance for 50K!
Thank you Ricci! Just saw this on Wex and then your vid popped up answering all, and I mean all, my questions. You really have a gift for imparting a load of information in a short space of time in an interesting and coherent fashion. Thank you so much 😎🎥
Excellent overview and appreciate all the detailed comparisons, observations, and assessments. The lens comparisons section was the best since I was very curious where this lens compared to the other usual suspects, so thanks for that side-by-side comparison while using a simple process!
A spectacular video!!! I own the 100-400 S and the 400 f 4.5 S and use them on the Z 9 and Z 8. I intended to get the 180-600 ASAP. It was a Long Wait! I have pre-ordered it all ready.
hI David , between the 100-400 and 400 f4.5 S which one you think is better if I am not shooting macro or landscape as I have other lenses to cover up to 200mm. I like the 400 f4.5 in term of more lower ISO due to aperture but how it is compare to focus speed and uses to zoom 100-400 Z?
@@graemechow88 I use the 400 f 4.5 more. It focuses faster! However then you don't have the ability to compose the 100-400 has. As you are covered to 200mm I would go to the 400 lens! I use that on a Z 8 now FULL TIME!
Thanks Ricci for a great review. I have been looking for a replacement for my 200-500 and was considering the Z 100-400 to go on my Z6II but after watching this and listening to your thoughts I think the 180-600 will be the next lens for me.
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.
Thanks for this great comparison. I was a bit disappointed by the results of the 100-400 next to it but I guess one other saving grace for the 100-400 is the fact that you can get much closer to your subject giving you a near macro like shooting experience. I ordered one even though I already have the 100-400 and will have to see how comfortable I am using and traveling with it. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Ricci. A very informative review. Having just purchased the Z8, I think this new 180-600 lens is where I’m going to for my wildlife and airshow photography. Roll on August!
Actually glad I bought the 500 pf used instead of waiting an eternity for this lens. This thing was going to live at the top end of the focal range for me anyway and now that I’ve gone to primes for my superteles I can’t see myself going back
I have the 500pf and it had been a great lens on the D850. For BIF in many conditions, it was not fast enough with a TC1.4. Having VR in both the lens and camera could be a major advantage.
Thanks for the great video, it’s really helpful and I’m sure you are helping many people. I would love to see the 70-200 f4 F lens compared to the new 70-180. I’m guessing that I’m not the only one who is waiting for a native Z lens that I can switch to from it…
Thank you for showing the focus test with the different AF modes!!!! Super helpful. This one is going in my birding kit. Thanks again for the thorough review and comparison with so many different lenses.
Thanks so much for the in depth review, have mine on order, although I have the 100-400 as well as the 500pF and 800PF I feel a long zoom is always a benefit to have for it's flexibility. If doing a birding trip I see this on one body and a prime on the other and I'm all set to go. Thanks again - Jeff
For the price alone, everything is forgiven. Base on the pictures, it is sharp enough for me. Now we have many oprions tp choose from? I will still say the 100-400 is a good compromise in terms of reach and aperture
Great video and a Fantastic review Ricci, Thanks. I especially like all the comparisons you made with other lenses, it leaves no doubt in anyone's mind what that lens is capable of. It's a beast of a lens and at the price it's a heck of a good purchase.
This is the best lens overview on YT, yet again. I have almost lost faith in the photo community when some camera personalities have over 1 million subs and you are less than 50k. The lens is assuredly the best lens value in the industry. While I do not have the budget for what I would want, and seldom need 600mm, this one is on my wish list. One trait of this lens that was evident in all the comparison shoots was how creamy the out of focus rendering was. With the field shots and the test shots, that traits shined through. One can pre-order one now but there will be such a demand that it might take awhile for production to catch up to demand. The 180-600 is going to be very popular and might sway a lot of fence sitters to choose Z bodies over competition based on this lenses.
I definitely want it... I have the old 200-500 and I just prefer native Z glass. That being said, the 200-500 is my least used lens nowadays so I can't really justify the expense of switching. The 70-180 f/2.8 probably makes more sense for me and I'm looking forward to what you have to say about that lens, especially if you have the old F mount 70-200 f/4 to compare it to. Maybe I'll pick this up in a few years when it makes more sense for me :)
Great review and appreciate the thorough comparison to all the other lenses available using the same test subject, which is just what I wanted to see. Been waiting for this lens since we got a Z7 four years ago, sadly just ordered a Z8 so now we're going to have to get 2!! 😬
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.
So far I think this lens is PERFECT for the price/weight/purpose. Obviously there better lenses, but 10x more expensive and 3 times heavier. And the fact that is internal Zoom/focus is just the 🍒 on top. Sony must be freaking out!!!!!
Please write the focal lengths and specs used when showing the image quality comparison bigger. I can’t barely tell which lens I’m looking at because how small those letters are . Excellent review
Great lens and great review. Interesting to see the 180-600 vs 400/4.5+TC1.4X and 800PF. 400/4.5+TC combo has the advantage of being around 620g lighter (wo tripod feet), and it still fits sideways in my Lowepro Protactic BP 450 II with the Z9.
Hi Ricci, love your channel Just a suggestion - it would bed helpful to know the focal length used when looking at sample images taken with zoom lenses. We might assume these are all at 600 but particularly with variable aperture and variable close focus distance this may be times when one might prefer to crop.
great review, great glass by Nikon after making us wait for 3 years, Nikon took a bold decision of making 180mm which will impact its 100-400 sales. Nikon is Late but latest, Nikon back into the business. The only aspect missing now is Nikon D500 variant, a 32MP apse body with 20fps.
Another excellent and informative video Ricci and very well done to you. I’ve been waiting for this lens a really long time and it doesn’t seem that I’ll be disappointed. I was really interested in seeing the actual zoom rotation distance which seems fabulous and the quality at 600mm which seems to surpass the 200-500 at 500 and as important it’s lighter. So improvements where I wanted to see them. Excellent, we just need the lens now!
Super interesting video, the lens is on my wishlist... a comparison between the new 70-180 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8 lens would be much appreciated - a choice I have to make soon.
At last it's here! I eventually bought a used 500 PF after giving up waiting. And I shan't be changing that now as it's smaller, lighter, faster, closer focussing and better resolution. I'll live with the lack of flexibility as I'm sure the 18-600 would be used mostly at the long end. A good and comprehensive review of the options, Ricci. Thank you.
I swapped to the 500pf last year from a 200-500 as well. Still have a D500 to keep compatibility with otherwise I might have gone 400 f4.5 + TCs to be even smaller and lighter yet. Before the 500pf the 180-600 would have been an instant buy from me. Going back up to the size and weight of the 180-600 after being on the 500pf for a while would be a bit of a pill to swallow along with the IQ drop.
@@TRD_Kyle I agree completely. A year ago the 180-600 would have been an immediate must-have. If I wanted a change the 400 f4.5 would be my first choice. But I've already got an F mount TC and a 300 PF so I shall keep my wife happy by not throwing any more money around.
Excellent comparison without fluff. Nice video. After watching this, it seems the 180-600 is the ideal lens for a zoom to be paired with a prime when you need versatility. This with the 500PF, 400 f/4.5, 800PF, or 600 would be an amazing combination to carry around (well, lug around). Seems to be the only video around at the moment with actual side-by-side comparisons.
Extremely interesting and useful video Ricci. I have the 400 F4.5 - it is a superb lens. My dilemma is - do I need that extra focal length, yes from time to time. And I do really appreciate the flexibility of a zoom. Extremely tempting, and wonder how long I can be without the 180-600 ! Looking like the best all round wildlife lens (for the occasions when I shoot wildlife). Guess it will be a top selling lens
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.
I appreciate the wealth of thorough comparison info you provide to us for every new Nikon product. I currently have the 100-400mm, and I've pre-ordered the 180-600mm. Looking forward to many years of extra reach for wildlife photography!
Best presentation of this awesome lens, Ricci! Love it!!! I watched the rest of guys who have test it, but your test is superior! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 For now i use 200 500 FTZ with Z9 and this video was Very usefull to decide that is the best lens for me! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
Ignoring the 200-500, considering the 180-600 is 40%cheaper than the next cheapest lens that being the 100-400, and the difference going up quickly from there, I think it holds up really well. The bokeh and background blur is very nice without having to add the qualifier, "for the price." Nikon is going to sell a ton of these and I will most likely buy one even though I already own the 100-400. The only thing which would dissuade me is if Nikon's next announcement is a 600 version of the 400 f4.5. A spiritual Z-mount replacement for the 500 f5.6 PF if you will. Kudos for taking the time to do all the comparisons, it is definitely what most people who tuned in wanted to see!
Great comparison! The main thing its missing for me are image quality comparisons at other focal legths. I think fewer people are deciding between the 180-600 and a prime lens than there are people that have to decide between the 180-600, the 100-400 and the 200-500. So it would be awesome to see a comparison between these lenses at the same focal lenghts.
Sold my 200-500 a few weeks ago and bought a new 500 pf for 2100 € for my z6 ii. Fits connected to my camera in my bag, which wasnt possible with the 200-500 or 180-600. Weight is also too high for my liking. A 600mm 5.6 pf native z for under 4 k would be awesome
Really helpful review as always Ricci. Thank you. I have the Z 400 f4.5 which I love too. Your review has helped me make up my mind about what way to go for longer reach and have decided, despite the extra cost, on the Z 800 f6.3.
Great comparison review! You hit all the questions I have about the lens. Looks great, will have to see if I can save up enough to justify getting it in addition to the 200 - 500. 😜
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
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.
Awesome work Ricci, thanks for this. 180-600 @ 600mm is definitely better wide open than the 100-400 S @ 400mm wide open. Given the 180-600 is not an S that's remarkable result. I think it makes the price of the 100-400 S untenable, it's not worth $1K more at all. The 180-600 is much better than the 100-400 S + 1.4x too.
Would love to see a focus speed test with it on the Z50, as that’s all I have at the moment until the Z500 comes out! Been using the z50 along with the D500 on my 500mm pf. Would the focus speed be better with the z50 and a Z Mount 180-600mm? Great in-depth video👍
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, you did a nice job reviewing this lens. Very thorough. I'm so glad you covered the closest focus distance as that's important for my work. Are you comfortable letting the weight of the lens be supported by the camera body mount alone? I've never had that mount fail, but curious if you took the foot off if depending on the mounting ring alone would possibly fail after extended use. Thanks. It's a great advantage for me that the lens does not physically get longer or shorter when zooming so I can use static camouflage. Btw, that house sparrow at 18:37 kills off so many songbirds, truly a grizzly little bird species.
Ricci, could you provide some details on the test setup? It would be interesting to know the distance to the color checker target and if the 200% crop is taken from the center of the frame or from a corner. Thanks.
Really appreciate your channel nd no bs approach to your videos. I sold My D850 and bought the Z8. Iam so thrilled to have the level of focus that I’ve never had. Just amazing. I usually buy RRS lbrackets but with the price an ounce of over$200 I ordered the small rig full . We’ll see how it works. Ricci alot of comments on the update to theZ9 ”4.0”. I so hope we get the exposure delay and the auto zone capture to the Z8. In your opinion do you think we’ll get those? I live in southeast alaska and would love the zone feature!!! Keep up the great work
Not a lens for me, but I still very much enjoy watching a video like this and even more so when it is a Nikon product that I would/will buy. Keep up the good work and roll on 50K subs! 🙂
Ricci - Always the best reviews out there. THANK you. I never liked the 200-500 (slow focus, huge throw and the image quality I felt was Nikon's worst) and was leaning towards the 100-400 as I've enjoyed the times I've borrowed it (sharp, light and great quality). This one looks like it fixes a lot of the 200-500 issues. I do wish the aperture was a bit better but for the price this is an incredible lens. I look forward to borrowing one to compare for myself but I think this will go on my shopping list instead of the 100-400.
sounds like you had a bad copy, I have the Nikon 200-500 coupled to a Nikon d4 and my shots are super sharp,plus I find the focus is quite fast, great!
@@MurielLitchfield must have had 3 bad copies then. Got a loaner 3x and all 3 times said never again. 25 yrs of shooting Nikon and by far the worst lens I’ve ever used.
When you make your video about the 70 180 2.8, could you make a comparison between the 70 180 2.8 with TCs vs the 70 300 AF-P? I believe the 70 180 2.8 can be the tele lens for travel that a lot of people like me have been waiting for.
I'm torn on this. I currently use the 200-500 and love it but on FTZ it is a bit sluggish in terms of focus and I hate that it externally zooms. That said, by the time I sell my 200-500 and pay the sales tax on this new lens it would be probably more than $1000 to upgrade to it which I'm not sure is worth it over just keeping the 200-500. Especially considering I will need to be always at a 1/3 of a stop higher ISO which likely will offset any optical gains that the new glass has in terms of image quality. Also re: the collar, personally I like using collars as handles too much while walking to ever use it without one hahah.
To be honest I think you don't really get 5.6 at 400-500 in the 200-500mm either. I strongly suspect you'll be at 6.3. I've been using a fabulous 200-500 specimen for years now a d I'll eat my hat if it gives you 5.6 at the longer focal lengths. I'll be upgrading although I'm torn about selling. Sigh.
Hi Ricci, new to your channel, excellent delivery and clarity when discussing the new 180-600 , will now have to trawl backwards to see what else you've been talking about !
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.
I got tired of waiting for this lens and bought a F-mount 300mm F/4 back in January, but now I guess I’ll have to end up picking one of these up now too
