Worth the money??? Lens Battle: Nikon Z 70-180mm vs Z 70-200mm for Travel + Wildlife + Portraits

[@speedbumpmedia9584]

I received my 70-180 and ran it through a full race weekend shooting the MotoAmerica races and I have to say I love it. It’s light, robust, and does a great job. I’m thrilled with my choice as it saves me a grand and a half pretty much while still delivering fantastic images.

[@pm-ec1fc]

After 4 months do you feel the same?

[@speedbumpmedia9584]

@@pm-ec1fc Yep, I’ve used this lens a bit for various things and it just does a great job all around. Image quality is still great even though it may not be fully up to S line standards but still great on a Z9 and much more manageable on the Zf body than the S 2.8 would be.

[@kumarswamy3675]

@@speedbumpmedia9584 Hello , I boght ZF with 24-70 mm lens and looking to add 70-180 into my kit Majorly I am planning this for landscape and wildlife photography please add your suggestions over this choice

[@ninekings3795]

Am considering one of these for sports photography

[@itmatterstoknow]

Good analysis. The 70-200 is S series in the Z line. Explains the better features and the significant diff in price. It's a pro lens. But, it's fantastic Nikon makes such fine glass & lenses for amateurs & serious hobbiests. 70-180 not a waste of money. Yes, I have shot Nikon 40 yrs bc of the glass. Bodies will always be competitive.

[@ArsenijeRadenovic]

You can do most of the pro work with the 70-180 as well. 70-200 can surely take more abuse during the years. Heck I still have my 70-200 VR (12 years now) and it is still working fine.

[@stanobert3475]

Your comparison of these two lenses is spot on. I own both. I recently shot a large indoor dance benefit gala, and I used the 28-75 and 70-180 duo, and I noticed that the auto focus wasn't as good as my 24-70 and 70-200 duo. This is partly due to the fact that my Z8 was still in the shop due to the second recall. I used a borrowed Z6II instead. The Z8 obviously has superior autofocus over the Z6II. The weight savings of using the 28-75 and the 70-180 was significant, however.

[@pm-ec1fc]

Did you had the chance to compare them on your Z8?

[@stanobert3475]

@@pm-ec1fc The Z8 is basically a smaller Z9 as far as image quality goes. As far as performance goes, when the Z8 is overheating due to the CF Express card, the Z9 is just getting started. The Z9 is an unstoppable beast!

[@pm-ec1fc]

And how did the two lenses performed?

[@thanosbistolas6903]

Great to see that the 70-180 is holding up nicely, but the 70-200 is in a different league imo. I believe that the colour reproduction, contrast against bright sources of light is also superior. But again, it also depends on what you shoot and how fussed you are with the results.

[@dominiclester3232]

Well since they are almost identical in sharpness, that’s clearly one league where they perform together...At the end of the day we will always vote for the one we have when things are close.

[@Mr09260]

70-200 S is the Best 70-200 ever made all brands >> Love mine

[@davidjohnson4451]

I myself would prefer this shoot out include the Tamron 70-300 Z lens and when using FILM cameras like Nikon F5 I chose the NIKON 70-300. Just WHY Nikon did not do a Z 70-300 is a complete mystery to me. The tests I have seen on the Tamron 70-300 for the Z Mount are very good. So That is WHAT I am buying for a second Z 8

[@russelljameswhitehea]

VR - The 70-200 has vibration reduction together with the body's IBIS making a lot of difference for lower shutter speeds etc. But sure they are both great lenses

[@csc-photo]

I'm very pleased to see the 70-180 is performing in sharpness / clarity. The fact that Nikon offers two levels of high quality 2.8 trinities is amazing. That said, there is clearly something very special about the 70-200. On the larger Z mount, sure we're going to see excellent sharpness in both. But to me that's really where the comparisons end. Lens footer, internal zoom, faster focus & tracking, VR, function buttons, build quality, better weather sealing, locking hood, superior lens coatings, +20mm at the end... all of that defines "league". So those claiming it's close - it's not close. I'm not taking away from the 70-180 here - I'm praising the class-leading 70-200.

[@MB-dq2gz]

Not close in price or weight either. Depends on what you want to do with the lens. 70-180mm is definitely more vacation friendly which I think what a lot of people even with the 70-200 will be looking at.

[@sinetwo]

have you seen the price difference? This isn't apples to apples comparison, it's double the price. You are not getting double the lens with the 70-200

[@johnd5244]

Great comparison video. I own the 70-200 and it is a great lens but has issues in extreme cold. I ended up having to manually focus it. But the 70-180 wasn’t out when I brought my 70-200.

[@FandyNurdian]

How about 70-180 with 2x teleconverter? Please make a video of that

[@vparikh08]

best kept secret in the Nikon lineup is the AF-S Nikkor 70-200 F4G ED --> can be had at $450 all day long used. Sure not f2.8 but do you really need it?

[@m.maclean8911]

Yes, I really need it.

[@ramonarias1234]

70-200 is the best of the best, and thas VR. But 70-180 is almost there... for much less price

[@porkster5924]

The 70-180 is a great lens but I want weather shielding, I want the better optics, faster focussing and weight isn’t an issue as for my photography doing motorsport I’m panning at slow shutter speeds and weight isn’t an issue. I never use it even on a monopod as it’s not a problem and besides my 400mm f/2.8 is usually attached to that.

[@carlosbecerril7218]

I think in the portrait comparison, they mixed up the titles with the actual lens they used. Or I don't know, I mean when they say they're using the 70-200, Rebecca is holding the 70-200 lens and vice versa...

[@RedStar89]

Been using my 70 180 for a month and I can tell that was a great investment. Image quality is nice focus is very good even if its not the fastest out there

[@alexwaterton9769]

An excellent comparison ideal for those considering which is the best investment for their respective shooting style and needs. Having already purchased the 70-200 and being very impressed, it is nice to know the investment was a sound purchase. However wont be able to justify the larger lenses so looking forward to receiving my 180-600mm some time soon to complete my Z lens range.

[@arndtbc]

How does the new lens compare to the 70-200 F4 F mount on an FTZ, any thoughts on that?

[@Nightsbringer1]

Swans remind me of some members of the British public, specifically the ones who appear next to you at a totally empty bus stop to loudly cough and shout at you for smoking even though they came to you

[@k3n12ock]

Comparing PRO grade vs consumer

[@HoRiGa94]

Man, I still need to find something to complement my 24-120 for landscapes and wildlife while hiking. 100-400 is just too heavy but Tamron 70-300 just a bit too much a compromise in regards to quality, also because I have literally almost drowned my Z7+24-120 twice when my camera bag flooded in terrible weather - some condensation in the lens for 2-3 days later but except that no issues...

[@ThatNorma]

Id suggest you get a waterproof backpack like I did :) I hike under heavy rain and the gear stays dry without an issue inside the bag

[@marcopaglionicoin3ufw952]

I would say brighter than the 70-20 f 2.8. Whoever buys it makes a very intelligent choice. Or not?

[@marcopaglionicoin3ufw952]

Sorry 70-180. Ahhhh t9

[@davidcross9394]

love the 70 - 200mm, just waiting for a new collar as it won't lock. 34 days and still counting.

[@martyntorode7126]

That looks like a very handy little lens, but what is it like for lens flare and chromatic aberration?

[@patrickmolloy6994]

I see you're not supporting the camera by the z70-200. common rule of thumb: No foot, carry lens on camera, lens foot, carry camera on lens -> less pressure on the mount. Having said that, at under 2kg, it probably doesn't matter,

[@B1it3krieg]

70-180 is just a rebranded Tamron lens. Plus it’s not an S lens. Hope this helps.

[@randytentschert6844]

Im torn I have to Z70-200 and love it but carrying it around all day it does get a bit heavy since we are going to Alaska and Antarctica next year I may keep the 70-200 instead of picking up the 70-180 Thoughts?

[@m.maclean8911]

Time to hit the gym if you think that the 70-200 is heavy! I hike with the 300/2.8 for many hours a day which is more than double the weight of the 70-200 - and I am a senior. The 180-600 would be a great lens for Alaska...

[@rull917]

I am pleased with the Z 70 -180 lens and it works well with Z TC 1,4 !!!!!!!!!

[@technodronesogxl9783]

Buy a Cotton Carrier CCS G3. You won't feel like you are carrying it.

[@olaflanfermann7343]

Does the teleconverter from the 70-200 fit on the 70-180?

[@rull917]

yes

[@KSergey1970]

Why doesn’t anyone compare the real aperture of the lens, being content only with the aperture numbers drawn by the manufacturers? I think 70-180 should be darker than 70-200. And the 70-200 is darker than the 200 fixed lens. Well, distortion and vignetting also worsen image performance in the corners of the frame.

[@joekelly9369]

Im going to sound like a snob , but iv worked and paid for my gear over years and years , with nikon you get what you pay for with pro glass excellence . Its always been that way , glass to inspire to

[@nickwilliams7867]

I think you may have convinced me to stay with Sony. The Sony 70-200 is one of my favourite lenses and 400 Grams lighter than the Nikon. Its a shame you did not go into the IBIS / IS performance with the 70-180 not having IS it's one things that sets them apart and the reason I went with Sonys 70-200 MKII and not the Tamron 70-180.

[@MrYounyoun]

나도 두 렌즈 모두 사용해 봤지만 망원에서 VR이 있고 없고의 차이는 매우 큽니다. Z바디에서 손떨림 방지기능이 해결해 줄거를 기대 했다면 반드시 실망 할겁니다. 가볍고, 부피가 작고, 저렴해서 매우 좋을 거라 생각 했지만 결국은 실망 합니다. 좋은데 저렴할 이유가 없죠.

[@BigFoot-w4d]

Nikon famous old 180/2.8 is legendary.

[@peteralessandriaphotography]

Plenty of 3rd party tripod collars available for 70-180 😊

[@fanzzzi]

clearly the 70-200 2.8 has better image quality.. smoother bokeh.. it's the real thing

[@sebastianschaar1151]

Very good!

[@exert2020]

4:20 octopus attack!!

[@cherifshawky4846]

At the 2:40 minute mark you have a swan shitting(authentic nature photography). Am I the only one to notice this and if so why ?.This just goes to show that Swans like all birds are just fowl.😆😆😆

[@myketripp3838]

I noticed the dog's tail during the in-door commentary. It was cool, I love dogs. Very informative review.

[@sithbk0075]

70-180 has no VR 😮

[@dominiclester3232]

I have an old 500mm f8 mirror lens (obviously no VR) and I tested it without a tripod on my Z9 at a focus chart... I used focus peaking with VR on, to get super sharp results! In other words I’m not too worried about the lack of VR on my Z 70-180mm...

[@Kevon420]

Sadly the 70-180 is not based on Tamron's new 70-180mm F2.8 which is a newer optical design as well as adding optical lens stabilization, that would've made it an almost instant "yes" from me.

[@GreatPics]

Great reviews., but could you please tell us the weights in real money, i.e. lb's or oz's ?