Z 180-600mm REVIEW - Does it live up to the hype?

[@patrickmolloy6994]

I love mine! I see your strap is to the camera and not the lens foot. That's not advised because of the stress on the mount. Despite that distraction, good video!

[@cotswoldphotographers]

As long as you’re not dangling it around your neck it’s not a problem and they were cradling the lens.

[@jaimeduncan6167]

The 4 lenses I see as a direct competision to this one (from Nikon) is the 100-400mm 1435g 2.5K, the 400mm f4.5 1245g $3K , 180-600 1950g $1.7K, 500pf 1460g $3.6K The 100-400is not only lighter, but has a fat better magnification and closer focus. Unless you really need the best quality you can get at 600mm the 100-400mm is a lens you will use more often. It's far smaller and lighter. It's hard to justify the 500mm pf (oh boy has lens selection change) and the 400mm is a fantastic lens if you have the money and you seldom need more than 400mm.

[@dominiclester3232]

Thanks! I don't think you need to convince anyone it's worth buying! Sadly I see it's a little heavier than the Contemporary Sigma 150-600mm, but I would assume it's better in nearly all other measurements...

[@madst7521]

Didn't think I needed this lens, but after watching Steve Perry Backcountry Gallery do in-depth comparison with other lenses yesterday I'm beginning to think I might have been wrong.

[@paulrainford70]

Received my lens from you guys this week, and haven't had a great deal of time to test it out, but impressed with what I've seen so far. Steve Perry has just released his test results too. Great lens, but not ideal with the 2x TC. However, a very quick and sharp lens. Can't waitto get out and test it some more, and thanks to Grays for the superb customer service!

[@tectoramia-sz1lu]

It's a very good lens, and despite what some reviewers will tell you it works very well with the 2 x TC as long as you have good light.

[@davewalker5706]

It is thing of beauty. Finally had proper go with mine yesterday, not uploaded the take yet and heat haze was an issue but what saw through the EVF looked good, going to use this one a lot!

[@gavrelle1917]

Looking forward to the comparison with the 200-500 . How does the new lens go on the z7 ii which doesn’t have the same focusing as the z8, maybe do your lens comparison on the z7ii

[@natures-nomads]

I’ve had this lens for two weeks, when I say I’ve had it it’s been glued to my wife’s body since it arrived. I did however get to take it out yesterday. Coming from a big prime shooter, the lens is totally handhold-able, the image quality is exceptional for a zoom. I plan on taking it out more for the deer rut.

[@tpjverhoevenphotography]

Guys... It's a good review and your humor and chemistry in your videos is palpable and genuine, so compliments for that. But one remark. Weight is subjective. And no, it's not heavy at all. I shoot my telephoto work with a Z9 + Nikon 180-400mm f/4E TC 1.4 at this moment, which is a 5kg combo. THAT is considered heavy yet that is even handholdable as well. Just came home from Spitsbergen. Did about 7 hours of shooting a day. Didn't even bring a tripod. So yes, train with it (simply just shoot a lot with this 180-600 + Z8) and in no time it'll become more and more handholdable over time. I'd say, give it half a year of taking it out regularly. You'll see :) It's free training. And yes, you guys made a good remark about the lens you're reviewing not being a prime: 600mm f/4 S TC is coming up here. Same weight as the 180-400/4E so that shouldn't be too much of an issue I reckon.

[@roybixby6135]

Love the 180-600 - a worthy successor to the old 200-500 G lens. Heavyish but far lighter that my pro level Nikkors ... 🦘

[@RonClifford]

the "it is heavy" comments are forgetting how light it is compared to other 600mm range lenses. I have shot the 600mm f/4 lens and that is truly heavy. I own the 60-600mm Sigma sport and this is much lighter. This lens is a dream for wildlife shooters in the field.

[@himalayareaders]

Great you guys got a place to test the range.

[@m.maclean8911]

I was looking at the Z 600mm but when I saw the results of the Z 180-600mm I bought that instead, and the money I saved paid for half of my Z 800mm. The Z 100-400 is a good lens, but I would always be putting a TC on it, and it is a lot more money than the 180-600mm. So many great choices now for the Nikon lineup. The Z 800mm is my favourite lens now. Small and light - even fits in a carry-on bag.

[@joshuaconti989]

as someone who hand holds the 200-500 on a weekly basis - I'll take the weight reduction =) and the internal zoom/extra distance is nothing but a win.

[@MookieMc]

A nice look at the lens. Thanks for that. But... Am I the only one who felt way too nervous seeing our hosts so close to the water and casually holding the Z8 and the 180-600? I'm just glad the nothing got wet or took a bath other than the birds! Well done, and I am sure this will be a big hit for Nikon. The lens lineup is looking sharp.

[@csc-photo]

Another winner of a Z lens from Nikon! On my wish list list for spring ‘24! 👏🏻

[@trevorprice9637]

Great review guys, would be nice if you compared with Sigma 150-600 Sport, as i haven’t read a comparison with that lens yet. Im still using a Nikon D850. Hope to upgrade to Nikon Z8/Z9 later this year.

[@haroldbielstein3530]

Did I hear you say that vibration reduction was all done basically by the camera? Nikon says the lens has 5.5 stops of vibration built into the lens.

[@johnhjic2]

Hello Both, I think this will be one more amazing lens in the Nikon Z line up. I know I have the 100mm-400mm wit a 1.4tc, I was thinking about getting this lens but just like the 200mm-500mm for me its is just to heavey, but I also understand why it is the wight it is and needs to be. Yes for so meny people this will fit the needs so well. Keep well, keep safe and smile/say cheese while been happy.

[@NikonDave]

I'm amazed by the images I got from my first time out from this lens. Is what I expected but I did notice that even in super bright sunlight I was hitting some rather high ISO to keep the shutter speed where it needed to be (not unusual for something this long). Good news is I really have no issue letting the Z9 and Z8 go up to 12800 and still get keepers with minimal software processing. Being someone who's shot with the Sony A1 with the 200-600mm...This is really sharper and the AF (to me at least) was faster.

[@guermeisterdoodlebug7980]

Yeah, sounds good, but I ordered in June from a popular large supplier and was just notified again they don’t even have an estimated ship date for me.

[@mikkosuhonenphotography]

I photograph birds with my Nikon Z 5+FTZ+Sigma 100-400mm. Almost every time I would need longer reach. Can video be made handheld?

[@thedigitalidiot]

When is this coming into stock with you guys?

[@57sapke]

I own this lens for two weeks and unfortunately already VR problems, so send to NPS for repair. Weight wasn't for me an issue, perhaps for someone else? 😏

[@stevetqp9152]

Nice review! Did you find that image sharpness was comparable to the Nikkor Z 100-400 S as Steve Perry did? I’d imagine that sharpness would be even better if used with a monopod or tripod. Thanks!

[@PJ-om2wq]

Can I expect prices of used 200-500mm to drop now?

[@randallbrander8157]

Awesome! Cheers!

[@SanoyNimbus]

Maybe it is a perfect lens for wild flowers! You can keep a safe distance. 🥀🌺

[@Mr09260]

I have been WAITING for this lens Review for Wild Life in Africa on my Z7

[@Mr09260]

Please also compare this lens to the 400 F5.6 my other option I am considering to compliment my 70-200 S plus 1.4 convertor. I am mainly a Vehicle Bases or Hide based African Wild Life Photographer

[@mikesweeney9661]

It would seem continued hand-holding of such a weighty lens (2kg) would lead to lens mount issues which would then lead to focus and exposure issues on both camera and lens, would it not?

[@cotswoldphotographers]

I’m so tempted to trade my PF for one. I really wasn’t expecting it to be so good in all honesty but think having the flexibility of zoom will be more preferential to my kind of photography. Having seen Steve Perrys latest video I’m even more certain 😀 wondering your thoughts, do you think it would be a stupid decision?

[@cotswoldphotographers]

@@thomastuorto9929 I think it’s only a 3rd of a stop at the long end and yes the 500pf is such a good lens but you do have to be very conscious on where you’re using it. For me I’m not a wildlife photographer but do like having go. I mainly bought the lens for its weight and quality but do feel very restricted sometimes and would definitely benefit from a zoom so I don’t miss something however do have concerns about the weight. I guess it’s a trade off at the end of the day and sure the 180-600 will be used more because of its versatility. What a problem to have 😂 hats off to Nikon though because this is a phenomenal lens for the money 😀

[@g7rta40]

Great video 👍

[@SwanSycorax]

I am sure this lens will be a resounding success, however, as i already have the Z 100-400 + 1.4xTC and a Z 800 prime I really cannot justify this new lens.

[@bassangler73]

That will probably be my next lens once they pry my ole D500 and 200-500mm from my hands :)

[@peterdclark]

Found Waldo!

[@derJackistweg]

3:08 "Let´s talk about build quality" "it feels like ...." Correct! You cannot judge build quality! You can only judge haptics. This is something all people mixmatch. Quality has something to do with materials, which you so not even know what it is, longjevity and so on

[@thedrunkweddingphotographer]

for real tho. I need this lens for ONE photo. who's finna collab with me ????

[@olo101olo]

Any chance of comparing it to the Sigma 150-600 C, S & Tamron 150-600?

[@robinhepburn3338]

I got a chance to use mine in anger at Cadwell Park racing circuit as the weekend and was very happy with the results. I took a standard test shot indoors when I received it and was impressed that on my Z 9 I got a sharp image hand-held at 1/3s.

[@thedrunkweddingphotographer]

Upload late on a Saturday night!? I'm too lit to comment but I'll do it anyway.

[@MJohnson-qp9he]

Hey guys is it possible to find out what camera strap Kon is using and do you know if I can get it while I’m in the US?

[@graysofwestminster]

We use the Peak Design Slide and it is definitely available in the USA

[@photos4045]

@@graysofwestminster thanks very much. Love you guys!

[@MJohnson-qp9he]

@@graysofwestminster thanks very much.

[@NAG3V]

If the lens has strap lugs on itsel, wouldn't it be better to attach strap to those, considering the size and weight of the lens?

[@graysofwestminster]

Yes, but there is no strap supplied with the lens so one will have to find one's own solution to that one.

[@UweRoclawski]

2023 and Nikon doesn't know about Arcaswiss. Lol😂