Nikon 180-600mm First Look Review: A Wildlife Photographer's Field Report
The wait is over! Nikon has announced the new 180-600mm zoom - and I have a first look review ready and waiting for all of my fellow wildlife photographers!
A couple of weeks ago, Nikon contacted me and told me this lens was (finally) coming and asked if I wanted to take it for a quick test run. Of course, I said, "Yes!!" The truth is, I've had soooo many wildlife photographers asking me about this one I've been anxious to give everyone the scoop!
The video below contains all the critical specs, my impressions about its performance, how it handles in the field, and some sample photos. Oh, and the price on this one is going to make a LOT of people very happy!
Check it out - if you're a Z shooter that does any kind of bird or wildlife photography, you're really gonna want to see this :)
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Happy to see this lens is now announced. Thanks to Steve for providing a report of his brief test in the field!
Thank you Steve for your great explanations! This is the lens I have been waiting for!
Great introduction to this lens, very happy to see it finally announced. Your pictures look terrific. I’d be interested to see how it stacks up to the 100-400 with teleconverters. Thank you for sharing!
Superb preview - looks like Nikon has a winner here. Thanks for sharing, Steve!
Thank you so much for your absolutely great advice and insights... As someone who has started wildlife photography not long ago, your advice has been REALLY helpful for me when buying my lenses... That aside, your pictures are just AWESOME as well... Just amazing work man...
Considering the amount of time you had with this lens, you literally did a solid job of finding wildlife subjects and getting them so right. Also, loved the slide show with exif at the end of the video. Definitely would love to see more such reviews from you.
The 200-500 set the bar pretty high for a zoom lens. I still use mine and it performs great. Nice to hear that they have further improved upon it while also increasing the range.
Thank you Steve for the excellent review of this lenses, you have covered from A to Z with amazing details and information!!
Eagerly looking forward to this in hand. Thank you Steve, for the insight.
Thanks Steve for your informative video. It was also nice to see my old stomping grounds again. I lived in Bailey, Co for over 20 years and shot around Guanella and Kenosha Pass often. Hope you had a wonderful trip.
Love your content, Steve! As a wildlife shooter I've learnt a lot from you!
Thanks so much, Steve. Excellent first view. I would love to see it compared with the 100-400S + 1.4TC as well as the Sigma Contemporary.
Way to go Nikon !!! Thanks for the quick review Steve!
Delighted to know abt this lens. I am a 200-500 user, so eagerly waiting to see more in-depth reviews in future. Thanks Steve for this review.
Wow - that looks great! Thanks for the report. I'm sure there will be a lot of demand for this lens.
This was one of the best reviews of a lens I have ever seen.
Great video once again! Looking forward to the review of the production model. This lens gives me yet another option to consider when choosing a replacement for my 200-500mm Nikon lens, (like you mention, Nikon has a lot of choices). Thanks Steve!
Thank you Steve for this quick down and dirty. It really helps me to move forward with the purchase. Ciao. Jim
Thanks so much! I love my old Nikon 200-500 but since my Z9 ended up in my bag 15 mo. ago, I've been waiting for this one to appear!
It’d be great to see this compared against a sigma 150-600mm contemporary using Ftz adapter and Nikon z 70-200 f2.8 with 2x teleconverter. Be good to see it’s performance on a z6ii for those who can’t afford a z8/z9 :) Thanks Steve
Yes... Please Steve, make that comparison!
Hi, I‘m also using a Z6ii and not quite sure if it‘s worth buying this lense with that camera.
Would be great to see this comparison, maybe also the Tamron 150-600 as both lenses are available for a couple of years and are relatively cheap when buying a used one. I have heard, that the Z8/Z9 can handle these F-Mount lenses quite well while the Z6/7/II versions have less CPU power and lack AF speed (I own a Z7II 🙂)
Great video Steve, as always. On Z7ii, lens performance is expected to be comparable to that seen on Z8 or Z9? I mean: fully or in part? Please be candid 😊 - Thank you Steve
Why contemporary? If comparing to sigma, use the proper sport one
I have taken some fantastic photos with the Nikon 200-500mm. The weight and external zoom are a hindrance though. The 200-500mm also has the most annoying hood which loves to jump off the camera. This lens looks like a winner with the internal zoom, weight, and 180- 600mm range. And a hood that might stay on would be an incredible advantage. Thanks for the timely review. I look forward to your future deep dive.
I really appreciated this video review! Thank you for such a thorough explanation. Mine is now on the way!
Thanks for drawing my attention to this new lens. Its very interesting for me. I am now quite old and don't particularly can carry & use heavy lenses. Great to the subject presentation.
As always, great preview! 👍🏻
Be prepared for a loooong waiting period! For the price alone, every shortcomings are forgiven. Looking at the test pictures, they look excellent to me. To rotate from 180 to 600 is such a short twist is a winner here, so as being an internal focussing barrel is a blessing.
I suspect you are right!
A part of me thinks Nikon is on top of it with this lens. I think they are aware of the demand for it and got a jump start on production. At least thats my hope!
I suspect too that Nikon has been building a large stockpile of this lens before launching it. That’s what they did with the Z8. Nikon has learnt its lesson about making people wait too long.
I am thankful to say, that ordering this lens from Nikon online in April 2024, I had it in my hands within 2 wks! I may have just gotten lucky with my timing, but I am very pleased!
Glad the lens has finally been announced/released. It seems it was well worth the wait.
Wow , thats awesome , finally ..Thank you for detailed intro review.
Incredibly built.. Best lens❤❤❤❤❤I'm definitely going to buy this for my Z6ii body..
At this price point Nikon would seem to have done again Steve. Love this video and can't wait to see the full detailed discussion. I know my 500PF is not a zoom but would love to see a comparison at the 500mm end for sharpness. I'll be using it on my new Z8.
+1
Me too
I'm glad you get early access! You are my favorite Nikon guy on the net
Since I am both in the no 1 category (not rich) and no 2 category (thin and not young) this lens is very compelling. I have stuck to my PF F-lenses with FTZ, and I am very happy with them. But there are certainly times when I have wished I could quickly change focal length, sitting out in nature where something interesting might happen a lot closer than anticipated. Thank you for sharing your impressions!
Thanks Steve! I’ve been waiting for this lens!
Great intro video and I was waiting on this lens for AirShows and Wildlife. Personally I think it’s a great consumer/entry level lens for sports or wildlife. On another, reviewers comments, the lens foot is different in that the whole foot comes off the barrel. With it off it’s easier to hand hold, but it could roll off the desk. A better solution is an Arca-Swiss foot or just the foot to replace. This might be a lens to add my 300PF/f4, 500f4G and 1.4TC to add the zoom flexibility, as you mentioned! Great intro and looking forward to your further testing!!
Fantastic review. You covered most of the topics I am interested in learning. big thanks. BTW just received the 800 6.3 and Z8, I am broke but happy.
Now and 7 years ago when I was watching Steve my opinion is the same, he is very well spoken, articulate, and straight to the point. The older you get the more you appreciate Steve is what I discovered.
Thanks so much!
Thanks Steve I have been waiting for this lens for a while now, my wife is going to love it..
Looks great can,t wait to get one!
As always great preview and I am sure your full review will be great. You asked about what tests to conduct once you have a full production copy so here goes. AF speed at 600mm and sharpness at 600mm wide open. If you have an 80-400mm nikon lens as I am upgrading from that. Also with VR on and continuous autofocus is there any Chromatic aberration in the images, as I noticed some lens misbehave when several shots are taken and VR On. Thanks as always, what ever you conduct Im sure it will be very informative.
Thanks for the great preview. Would love to see how it compares to the z100-400 s lens when you get a working copy.
Thank you Steve. You did an excellent job!
Size , internal zoom , 180-600mm , price , I think it’s amazing lens for wildlife , thank you so much for this amazing video , waiting the release date 😍
Excellent initial review. I would like to see a comparison with 800PF for AF performance & sharpness.
Ha, i like how you only had a few hours with it, but still managed to produce such an informative video that is almost a half hour long! That's why i subscribed to your channel years ago.
Thanks! I have to say, this is the roughest time doing a preview I have ever done. Between limited wildlife and time, it's a miracle it got done - I only finalized the video a few hours before launch!
Excellent as always Steve, thanks. I would be interested in a 500 PF comparison.
Thanks Steve! It looks like a great value!
Impressive review, more so given the amount of time you had with the lens. Personally, I would like to see a comparison with 500pf - at 500mm, pretty sure many people still adapt that lens with the z cameras (I am one ;) )
Great lens preview, your Z8/9 setup guide is top notch!
Thanks so much!
Great review, thanks Steve. 👍
Hello Steve, Just to say your thoughts are alway welcome as they do tend to be honest and true. Thamk you for this first look I will look forward to a detailed review. Keep well, keep saffe and enjoy life.
The Bokeh looks quite compelling for a zoom at that price point. Impressive.
Agree - one on my wish list; likely to get this and the 70-180 F2.8 once my F lenses 200-500 F5.6, 70-200 F4 give up the ghost / break down. Good that Nikon is filling up the Lens landscape with most subjects and lengths covered; need more Z PZ zoom lenses including Z DX, e.g., 16-80 F2.8 - F4 , 70-200 F4 Macro, 300 PF, 120-300 F2.8 and PC-E lenses migrated from F to Z. Another pressing matter / market to address is the opportunity to make sales volume and money in a Z6 II replacement, a Z70 (R7 equivalent).
I agree - I was really surprised how nice it was.
Please test the lens with Z6 & Z7 bodies too since not everyone can afford Z8/Z9. Also, please compare it with sony 200-600, tamron 150-600 G2 lens etc. Test the video autofocus as well as it will help wildlife videographers a lot! Thank you ❤
Great video Steve. Will be great if you can compare the af speed and sharpness with Nikon 500mm pf. Looking forward to see your next video.
Thanks Steve! Nice review!😊
Excellent run through !👏🏾 👍🏾🙏🏾
Nice Review Steve. Looks like it will be a winner. You mentioned lenses to test against. I would like to see it tested against, of course, the Sony 200-600 but also the Canon 100-500.
Thank you for a great insight on the lens in a short time you got the lens to work with. Would love to see how it performs with Z6ii and Z7ii. I hope Nikon comes up with a goo APSC z series body. With this lens it will be a great combo for bird photography
Thanks for the review.
You won't see anywhere else this much information in a short time, just before announcement. Professional.
Hey Steve, Thanks for getting back to me so quick. Looks like I got some thinking to do.
Wowwww! Steve, you're awesome! U make my day! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
Great video and great news. I’ve been waiting for this lens to be announced. Would like to know your thoughts as to how image quality, sharpness, and focus speed stack up to the 500 PF.
I user the 200-500 for a long while, eventually I gave it to my dad when I got a 300 F/4, and about to pick up the 500 PF. I don't miss the zoom to much, however that extra reach was really nice for Birds in flight, hence getting the 500 prime. But when I move to mirrorless one day, this looks like a solid option.
Pretty sure most of us would love a side by side comparison with the Sony 200-600! Thanks as always for these great and comprehensive reviews Steve!
True. I’m only just switching to mirrorless and how these lenses perform will play a part in choosing Nikon or Sony
Great review. I was considering acquiring the 100-400 now the I'm moving to the Z family. I'm now going to strongly consider this lens instead. Since I have the 200-500, and like it's versatility, this lens looks like a good move.
Thanks Steve. You got some wonderful sample photos with that lens :-) I'd like to see a comparison to the Tamron 150-600 G2 ( with the adapter of course) when you get the production copy.
I would love to see a comparison to the z 100-400 with a 1.4 teleconverter
Professional and complete, thanks, Steve!
Steve, do you use UV filters on your lenses?
I'd love to see a comparison against the sigma 150-600 with the ftz. I'm sure this lens is sharper and faster than the sigma, plus the weather proofing. But I'm curious by how much. Considering they're within the sane price range (relatively) I think it'd be a good comparison for even newer shooters
Wow love the internal zoom!
What a great new! Would like to see this compared to the 400mm f4.5 S. Thanks for sharing!
This is going to be awesome on my Z8 BRAVO Nikon, Great video Steve;)
Thanks for a comprehensive review. When the production version is available I’d be interested in a comparison against the Sigma contemporary 150-600, which I use with my Z6ii. I’m wondering when to upgrade. Thanks
out of focus areas look awesome. Very smooth.
This is excellent to see, it has been a long time coming. I moved from a 200-500 to a 500pf last year and have been extremely happy with it but did pick up a Tamron 100-400 just to have a bit of zoom ability when absolutely necessary. The weight and balance of the 200-500 always bothered me a bit so I am curious how this 180-600 will feel. I know the Sony 200--600 felt better when I tried it out in store. I would really like to see this lens compared against the 500pf, 400 f4.5 and the Nikon 100-400 with TCs. Those 3 are appealing to me because of the size and weight advantage they have over the 180-600 and hauling them around on some longer hikes. A niche use case that will likely have my Tamron 100-400 sticking around for a while as much as I want the Nikon version.
Just called my local camera store and booked it! Captured slot 1 ! Can't wait for it
FINALLY Nikon. O my we have been waiting for this lens but now finally it is here. Z8 + 180-600mm = perfect setup for a starting wildlife shooter.
Hi Steve, lovely review. Now all are awaiting the release of Z90 APSc Nikon body
I started out with a z50 and the two kit lenses, using the 50-250mm for any wildlife shots. I finally got tired of waiting for this lens and bought a used F-mount 300mm F/4 PF and an FTZ which has been a massive improvement. I’m definitely considering upgrading to a Z6 II body with this lens as my next upgrade
Great video! I would be interested in seeing this lens compared to the 200-500 f/5.6 (is the new lens worth the upgrade?) and the 180-400 f/4 (is the extra f stop worth over 10K?). Thanks!
Loved my 200-500 so this sounds great.
h by the way your channel has helped me so much. Always a pleasure to view.
Thanks for the Video and hope in future you will also compare it with 100-400z and autofocus speed on z6II/z7II and z8/z9
I'm still waiting on mine but can you tell me what the diameter of the lens hood is? I want to order a slip on filter for the eclipse next year.
Once the production model is released, I think it would be interesting to see a comparison of this lens & the Nikon 500mm PF lens. Just thought I'd add that suggestion. Thanks again Steve!
Thanks for your review. I would like to see the comparision to the 70-200/2.8+TC2 (both @400mm). I orderd mine 🙂
Please also show test shots with the two TC’s attached! Excited for this lens.
Great to see this announcement! Thanks for the quick review. Compare to NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S and the Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
Impressive looking lens! Would you please test it with the 500mm PF and the Nikon 100-400mm S lens? Great video, thanks!
Thank you for the honest no bs review. I agree with with your stance on prime/zoom lenses. I use them mainly for cityscape shots, portrait photography, and basically when I need the low f/stop in the 1.8 range. Also it comes down to experience knowing appropriate setting to get the shot they want. Btw the review put this lens on the must have list. Since my last setup was stolen I am now looking at upgrading to the D7500 and Canon R10 . Goal is to have identical selection. The zooms to me help keep my investment down as you said for more flexibility. But I do like the 35,50 and maybe 70mm, is there one or two other primes that offer best bang for the buck for sports and nature and wildlife photography? Thank you in advance and those are amazing shots the one you talked about with the ground hog looking critter that you could see what the reflection was is proof enough of it's capabilities and value.
I have just got mine this week. It's absolutely awesome, but it's an absolute unit! Weighs a fair bit. But the results speak for themselves.
Thank you for your (as always) excellent review, Steve! I would be very interested to hear about your experience with the Auto Capture and know more about the minimal distance, which can be set with different lenses. My own results have shown, that the minimal distance, which a lens allow for regular use can‘t be set in auto capture while using the lens with that function. As one example: The minimal distance of my Z 800mm f6.3 S is 5m, but with auto capture the nearest point to focus to set seems to be 16m, with TC 2x even doubled, to 32m, for the Z 105mm f2.8 MC S (minimal distance 29cm) 2,1 m. At both 20x of the focal length. For Z 20-120mm f4 S. I would be also interested on a test, how the image quality of the Z Nikkor 400mm f2.8 TC VR s with the internal TC compares with that of the 180-600m at 560mm. Thank you for the answers in advance!
im hoping that with this slapped on my Z7i ill notice a better afc rate over my 200-500. Plus that internal zoom is ace! but is it better than the amazing 100-400 with a 1.4tc?? amazing vid as always mate. my goo too for nikon gear 100%
Another superlative informational video Steve. Thanks for your consistent professional delivery and most important for sharing your extensive knowledge, expertise and experience. One question. Has Nikon totally abandoned us "non-Z" users with respect to new products .......??
I think everything is mirrorless now (this is coming form me, Nikon hans't said anything to me about it). Still, I haven't heard or seen any plans for any DSLR gear one way or another.
I'm not a Nikon shooter, and have no intentions to switch, but this would be a very tempting replacement for my Tamron 150-600. It will be interesting to see if Canon does anything to match this as their 100-500 is still out of my price range, and I do like the extra reach to 600. Really like the idea of internal zoom.
Hi Steve, if possible please compare it towards 1) Sony 200-600 2) 400+TC1.4 3) Nikon F 200-500. I switched from Nikon 200-500 to Sony 200-600 and I noticed a much better quality at 600 than Nikon at 500 and also that 600 for wildlife is much needed than 500 and makes a larger difference than I thought. Thanks for your admirable videos !
Thank you again. I own the 500pf and the 100-400 along with the Z8. The 500pf provides amazing IQ, but I would really like to be 100% Zmount and gain some reach. A comparison to the 500pf and the 400/4.5 with and without TC's would be nice. Right now, I am thinking of keeping the 500pf and saving for the 800pf.
Thanks for the great info. Looks promising Would love to see a comparison to an adapted 500pf and 500pf w 1.4 tc
First time I've EVER pre-ordered a lens on Nikon's website the day of announcement! This one is going to be awesome on my Z50 --- 900mm FTW!
Nice video as always !!
Thanks for another great Video! Your Z9 AF guide allowed me to tame the Z9 AF system; Now I need your guidance to determine my next purchase. I’m impatiently waiting for your in-depth testing and comparison(s). I have the Nikon 100-400, which has exceeded all of my expectations. With sharpness being the goal; Do I order the 180-600, or the 1.4x TC for my 100-400? In the past (DSLR), i was never a fan or user of TC’s. However, I’ve read everything I can find on the performance of the 100-400/1.4x combo and it seems to perform extremely well. It would be quite a but cheaper to go that route, but given that I usually keep glass forever, I will buy the lens if the difference is worth it or even present at all. I also have the Nikon 200-500, which is a good lens, but has a few things I cannot live with, so I will be selling it either way. Thanks for your invaluable contribution to our profession/hobby!