Nikon Z 180-600mm VR Review & Sample Images by Ken Rockwell

Nikon Z 180-600mm VR Review & Sample Images by Ken Rockwell
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De ce toate subtitrarile in romana?
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[@user-mh4gn5ri6s]

Nice concise review Always look forward to Ken’s legendary reviews!

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thank you!

[@ranjankmsphotography]

I was waiting for your review on this lens 😊 Very nicely reviewed ❤ I'm using this lens with Z9 for Birds and Wildlife Photography and I'm very satisfied with its performance.

[@jamesmgreen15]

Straight up, no smoke blowin: Those images oozed magic, IMO. That last one of the chopper saw my jaw drop. Thanks as ever for the review.....

[@Ram.Saketh]

Amazing pics/clips showcasing the capabilities of this lens! Thanks for putting this video together!

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thank YOU!

[@lsaideOK]

Excellent review! They're always a blast.

[@boostedmaniac]

I got this lens last year when it was released and love how sharp and how much better focusing it is over the older 200-500 F mount.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thanks!

[@andpenn]

Nice review of a great lens. Have found a significant improvement in keeper rate over the old F mount 200-500mm.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thanks!

[@markfrolick2167]

I need this! Thanks Ken!

[@AndersMikkelsen]

Got mine this month Phenomenal for wildlife, and I even got a chance to do concert photos with it, when I shot Metallica from Front of House (about 75 meters from the stage). Hope to bring it to a motorsport event in the near future.

[@KenRockwellTV]

METALLICA!!!!!!!!! THANKS!🤘🏻

[@boostedmaniac]

In that sun shot with the helicopter at what point do we need to worry about damaging the sensor when using a telephoto lens?

[@KenRockwellTV]

I never worry, this was late afternoon.

[@cmduran]

Eagerly waiting for this lens to be back in stock, I can't wait to be able to shoot past 200mm with a great lens for Z mount that won't break the bank. Once again, thanks for putting out thorough, no-nonsense reviews that make these kind of decisions easier!

[@KenRockwellTV]

Never wait for stock; order online and be patient, which is how I got mine months ago. See www.kenrockwell.com/tech/how-to-get-it.htm Thanks!

[@Inkognitohaloramics]

Thanks for the great review as always Ken!

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thanks!

[@seaeagles6025]

Hi Ken, i really liked the Helicopter shot it was like i was at the Movies, really impressive. Good on Nikon for producing some good well priced lenses this year. Thanks for showing this video Ken. 😊

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thank you!!

[@seaeagles6025]

Your very welcome Ken 😊

[@mick1967]

Thanks for the informative video. After I sell some of my old f-mount lenses I will buy that one. Did I miss it or did you forget to mention that this lens is internally zooming? I see that as a real advantage compared to the old 200-500 f/5.6-

[@KenRockwellTV]

THat's all mentioned in my written review at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/180-600mm.htm Thanks!

[@Hero1117a]

Just got mine, luv it

[@KenRockwellTV]

Yes! Love this thing. Thanks!

[@PeatyR]

Nice review as always, thanks! I've been using mine mostly for sports, I shoot our local MLS team and it's been working out great for me

[@KenRockwellTV]

Awesome!! Thanks!

[@jsprite123]

Love to see the results when mounted on a Zfc! :)

[@KenRockwellTV]

Same as results on every other Z camera. Thanks!

[@iggynor5007]

Not giving up on my 200-500mm just yet

[@venditera-]

The 200-500mm is amazing. I used it with my Nikon D5500 for bird photography and I was blown away. I did recently move to the Z8, so I am getting the 180-600mm

[@KungPowEnterFist]

Save your money and get the 500 PF instead.

[@KPAki1Ler]

The 180-600 is sharper, faster to focus, internal zoom and fully weathersealed. I'm getting one!

[@KenRockwellTV]

I wouldn't either. Both ate great lenses, so if you already have the 200-500, you're golden,

[@westpalmdoc]

travel with a d850 and the 600 f4 and 300 2.8. and some TCs. having a lot of trouble rationalizing a z8 and any of the Z lens offerings. would love to know how this compares however to these old primes.

[@KenRockwellTV]

The 180-600 is just as sharp in the lab, but obviously slower. The real problem is the Mirrorless Nikon bodies have nothing in common with the DSLR systems, and I find autofocus to be poor in the Z8 and every other Z body compared to Sony or preferably Canon. I’d get a Canon body and the RF 200-800 instead - but of course the 200-800 is so popular I’m still waiting for mine. Thanks!

[@fjblanco]

Do you think the Z50 paired with this lens would make for a good wildlife (birds, especially) setup?

[@MrPawnyou]

Birds no.. I own a Z50 and a zf. The Z50 don't really detect small birds you need to focus on your own with the small box. It can work for Birds standing still but in flight it's super hard cause the tracking is bad

[@KenRockwellTV]

No, because the Z50 is old, and also has very slow AF even when it was new. Far better to get a Canon R7, R10 or R50 and the Canon 200-800mm. www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/index.htm Thanks!

[@GeminionRay]

I had the chance of trying out this lens at the local Nikon exhibition yesterday. The only problem for me was its weight, which can be solved with a monopod or tripod. Other than that it's a very good lens, especially considering the price. Definitely will grab one when I save enough money.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thanks!

[@gregshonle2072]

Given the high flexibility of the programmable function buttons on the lens, can one be programmed to do an f-stop preview? Or, does this lens (or maybe all Z-mount lenses) not support this? (I'm still learning all of the Z-system options, so haven't tried this one, yet.)

[@KenRockwellTV]

I forget offhand, you’ll have to look in the menu of your particular camera. It can vary by model of camera; it’s not a function of the lens. Thanks!

[@katesavage2001]

The link for the complete review is for a Viltrox lens.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Oops, just fixed that. Thanks!!!

[@FamousPixs]

Did I miss the ad for the "I Shoot RAW" T-Shirt?

[@PatriotSteve]

wrong guy

[@MrSongwriter2]

Lol he shoots Jpg small. Iirc in one of his books he was very proud of it

[@KenRockwellTV]

Raw is for beginners who can’t nail it on the first frame. See www.kenrockwell.com/tech/raw.htm thanks!

[@SingermanRyun]

For a long time, as the price of Chanel increased, I no longer thought I could afford it. I think I'll be happy that I have the kisluxbag as my travel bag that I don't have to take care of. By the way, I'm sure no one will have a hard time telling the difference. Thanks for the comparison.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Luxuries once sampled become necessities.

[@erich-v2d]

Thank you for all of your amazing reviews! If you were going into aviation photography after years of other photograpy; what body/lens combo would you pick? This lens with the Zf, or the R6mkII with the Rf 200-800, or the R5 with the RF 100-500?

[@KenRockwellTV]

By aviation do you mean air to air or air to ground or ground to air? It’s tough to say since I don’t know so what you’re doing, but the 100-500 has the broadest range. If you need longer, use an APS-C camera like the R7 or R10. The 200-800 is slower and might be less applicable to aviation as you probably need fast shutter speeds to stop camera motion. Aviation is a huge field. I’d not buy Nikon for Mirrorless, Nikon went obsolete with DSLRs even though they’re still popular with people who shot Nikon years ago. Thanks!

[@erich-v2d]

@@KenRockwellTV Primarily ground to air - maybe some air to air eventually. Was thinking of the R7 also - would you pick it with the 100-500? Saw how much you like the R6 mk ii... So wondered r6 mkii with 200-800 or R7 with RF 100-500. Love props to jets, so the fast shutter speed is important. Thank you!

[@KenRockwellTV]

@@erich-v2d Are the pilots flying for you, or are you just snapping planes from the ground? Sounds like you're more of an observer, in which case you probably want the longest lenses you can get. Yip, get the R7 (or R10 if you're more frugal) and the 100-500 and you're good. On the R7 or R10, the 100-500 works like a 160-800mm on the R6 II!!!

[@erich-v2d]

@@KenRockwellTV Yes, observer. Thank you!

[@CobraShuttle]

I've done my extensive research, and decided that this was the best first telephoto for my Z7ii. It's not perfect, but you can't argue the price. Biggest downside is I just can't buy it for retail. Just going to have to wait.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Of course, NEVER buy at retail; the boxes are not sealed. I only get my gear online where then ship from remote warehouses where other customers and store employees haven't been fiddling with your "new" lens before you get it. Order and be patient, see www.kenrockwell.com/tech/how-to-get-it.htm Thanks!

[@lewiov]

I have a Z8 myself, I’m wondering if I should go for this 180-600mm or the 70-200mm. I shoot vehicles (cars, trains, and aircraft) and my only other focal length at the moment is 40mm.

[@ian-nz-2000]

Rent or try. I have both and use them for different subjects. Do you think that you will need to go below 180mm? Remember this lens is significantly cheaper, but not the ultimate quality of the 70-200.

[@lewiov]

@@ian-nz-2000 Thanks for the suggestion i’ll make sure to do my own testing to see what I like.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Get the 100-400mm and you're better than either of those! www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/100-400mm.htm

[@lewiov]

@@KenRockwellTV Thanks for the suggestion!

[@akbadwolf]

Any experience/opinions using one of the teleconverters with this lens?

[@KenRockwellTV]

Not tried. Ought to work pretty well, far better than TCs ever did on DSLRs. Thanks!

[@alanclark4951]

Great images w this and z8,lens foot not so good,thank you Ken!

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thank YOU!

[@bobbullethalf]

This lens is absolutely outstanding, it is a must have! Why spend thousands on a 400mm 2.8?

[@KenRockwellTV]

400 2.8 were so from film days. Thanks!

[@Mr09260]

I LOVE my 180-600 on my Z8 for African Wild Life

[@KenRockwellTV]

Yes yes yes!!!!

[@christophmunch4796]

Why these Romanian sentences at the end of each photo description??

[@KenRockwellTV]

Just some Easter eggs for my sharp-eyed Romanian friends since I had room. You passed, good eyes! I didn’t think anyone ever read the subtitles 😁.

[@DanielPetre]

@@KenRockwellTV Wow, those were so weird ! Cool but weird ! I just saw the second sentence and rushed to the comments to ask what is going on with the embedded romanian ..

[@FB_Photograpy]

Din multe, unul. My favorite 🤩 You could also consider “Din multe, una.” Since picture/photo is feminine in Română 😉

[@KenRockwellTV]

@@FB_Photograpy I was trying to say "E pluribus unum" in Romanian, in reference to a motto of the USA.

[@300ShadesofGreen]

It might be made in China, but my copy is sharper and faster to focus than my Japan made Z 100-400 was. This lens is absolutely fantastic and Ken as much as said so, much more succinctly than most content creators. This is the difference between a photographer creating content and a content creator talking about photography.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thank you!!!!!!!

[@KenRockwellTV]

Where it’s made has nothing to do with sharpness. It’s all about economics, authenticity, bloodline and respect.

[@300ShadesofGreen]

@@KenRockwellTV Like yourself I have been a photographer for 36 years and have bought an insane amount of glass. I understand to some extent the assurance that a Japanese built label brings, but I am prepared to, in the case of this lens, accept that Nikon have excelled themselves in quality/price. With the exception of the tripod mount, which I have replaced with a Kirk. This lens was built to be superior than the 200-500, at a similar price point and we are the beneficiaries, no question ……. Let’s not forget the improvement of internal zooming alone, which my 100-400 couldn’t manage.

[@KenRockwellTV]

@@300ShadesofGreen Where it’s made has nothing to do with sharpness. It’s all about economics, authenticity, bloodline and respect. My concerns are entirely outside of the lens. Thanks!

[@300ShadesofGreen]

@@KenRockwellTV I think I mentioned where it is made because I have heard you deride many lessons for this very reasons in your review. It was a relief that this review didn’t repeat the same message.

[@kalimarus]

This lens and the Z8 or Z6iii is the best value for sports and action in 2024.

[@lewiov]

Z6iii more so but great point!

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thanks!

Ken with the Romanian Easter eggs 🙌

[@KenRockwellTV]

Just messing with my sharp-eyed Romanian friends when I have space. I didn't the anyone actually read the subtitles; reminds me of the opening of Monty Python's Holy Grail with comments in Swedish.

[@jordanmartin324]

I’m not sure this is the same Ken Rockwell. You used to have nothing good to say about Nikon. Well done.

[@kalimarus]

I think Ken still has a soft spot in his heart for Nikon Jpegs ;)

[@KenRockwellTV]

I speak the truth. Nikon used to be awesome from 1959-1990s, then started sucking wind when Canon’s EOS-1 was awesome and Nikon got caught behind in AF. The Z system is now third behind Canon and Sony, and of course they still make some good stuff. I sent 180-600mm back, it was offshore to China - No es bueno para mi. Still waiting for my RF 200-800mm. Thanks!

[@user-oe5jl2br6u]

$$$

[@helciobmello]

Is it weather sealed?

[@KenRockwellTV]

It claims so www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/180-600mm.htm#good

[@mikelyon5595]

I need to catch up on your videos. The algorithms are flawed.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thanks, they're all at KenRockwell.TV

[@Ben_Stewart]

Zeeeeeeee

[@KenRockwellTV]

Aaaaaaaaaaa

[@Juventinos]

lmao why is there Romanian in the image info?

[@KenRockwellTV]

Just Easter eggs for my sharp-eyed Romanian readers because there was blank space. I didn't think anyone ever read the subtitles, good eyes!