Nikon 180-600mm Sharpness And AF Speed Tests!
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In this video, we'll do some tests to discover how sharp the Nikon 180-600 is - pitting it against six popular contenders. We'll compare the Nikon 180-600mm against the Nikon 100-400mm, Nikon 400mm F/4.5, Nikon 800PF, Nikon 500PF, Nikon 600mm TC And Sony 200-600!
Will it impress? Will it embarrass itself on the test chart? The only way to find out is to watch the video!
In addition, we'll also compare AF speeds between those lenses and see which is the fastest, which is the slowest, and where the 180-600 fits in.
Also, I've divided the video into chapters to make it easier to find the tests you want and skip the ones you're not interested in. Check it out!
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00:00 Info about the tests
02:08 Nikon 180-600mm Focal Length and TC Sharpness Comparisons
10:09 Nikon Z 180-600mm Vs Nikon Z 100-400mm
15:12 Nikon Z 180-600mm Vs Nikon Z 400mm F/4.5
19:12 Nikon Z 180-600mm Vs Nikon Z 600mm TC
22:46 Nikon Z 180-600mm Vs Nikon Z 800mm PF
25:04 Nikon Z 180-600mm Vs Nikon 500mm PF
27:57 Nikon Z 180-600mm Vs Sony 200-600mm
34:49 Sharpness Conclusions
35:16 AF Speed Tests
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@MikeMenegus 8 ай бұрын
I was on the verge whether I should buy the 180-600 vs 100-400 on a Z8 body. I ended up ordering the 180-600 a few days before this video came out, and your review confirmed I made the right choice for my photography.
@georgedavall9449 8 ай бұрын
This Man never ceases to amaze me! Seriously, I appreciate the tremendous effort Steve! I know it makes for great content, but we all know your dedication and desire to educate and help others. This looks like a really good lens, and maybe I will be able to afford it in like 5 years! 😆 Lot of good comments in here. What a great community. Happy and safe shooting to all! 👍✌😊
@brucegraner5901 8 ай бұрын
I no longer shoot Nikon but I can't help but appreciate the effort you put into these tests. I would be very interested if you made such a comparison between full-frame and MFT glass. Your work is a valuable resource to the photographic community.
@mm8276352 8 ай бұрын
I have the 180-600 as well as the 100-400, 800 and 400/2.8, and my own test results were very similar. However, I find the 180-600 may have slighly less contrast than the primes and the 100-400, which I think is also visible in Steve's images. Also, it tends to show more flares in backlight situation than the S lenses, including the 100-400. That might be a factor when deciding which zoom to take into the field if you aim for backlighted shots.
@haydennettleton3272 4 ай бұрын
It's because the 180-600 doesn't have any Nanocoated elements. I notice the same thing when comparing my 200-500 and 70-200F4. My experience is lenses with at least 1 Nanocoated element tend to have more contrast, and images kinda pop more. Its almost like using a weak polarising filter vs none.
@stanw4317 8 ай бұрын
I was waiting for your analysis of the various lens. Again you did not disappoint! The time spent performing and then rendering your expert evaluations are so very much appreciated.
@rickhemphill3213 8 ай бұрын
Great video Steve! This video provides a lot of good comparison info for those considering the purchase of any of these lenses. It was interesting to see how close all the lenses are in sharpness at the center, but also good to see how much the sharpness drops off (or doesn't) as you move out toward the edges.
@cryptographerchris4856 8 ай бұрын
The effort and time you put into all these videos are so appreciated. Can't thank you enough.
@thomashecht71 8 ай бұрын
Perfect timing. I’m currently looking for an addition to my 100-400 for more focal range. This video helps me make my decision. Thanks a lot, Steve, this is awesome.
@lauramacky4083 8 ай бұрын
This is very helpful! Thank you so much. I appreciate you including the 500 pf as a comparison.
@Gameplayconfig 7 ай бұрын
The amount of useful information is incredible, I would spend months looking for this on the internet and in the end not have a conclusion, incredible work!
@MrRudyc 8 ай бұрын
Great job as usual. I’m still waiting for my copy, and can’t wait. Your work is always amazing. Thanks Steve….
@antonoat 8 ай бұрын
Steve you are the man, lol, thanks a bunch for providing this for all us inquisitive minds, I guess there are plenty of us! The quality of the video hints at the quality that your books achieve, precise facts and accurate data as always. Thank you very much ,these comparison videos take a lot of time and effort! All the best, Tony.👏😀👍
@CharlCharles 8 ай бұрын
This is the review I was hoping for, thank you so much Steve.
@donminard9949 8 ай бұрын
Steve, thank you very much for another very good, helpful and thorough video. Useful information and well presented. Really appreciate your insights and presentation!
@guylorenzo5324 8 ай бұрын
Hi Steve! Great video as always! Thanks for the detailed lens comparisons. It nice to see how close in sharpness the zoom is to the other lenses, especially in the middle. I have a 500PF adapted to my Z9 and love it, but the versatility of the 180-600mm will make it a great addition to my lineup. Like others, though, mine has been on order since June, and I am anxiously awaiting its arrival. Hopefully before the fall migration is over!
@shang-hsienyang1284 7 ай бұрын
Thanks for making such a lengthy, informative, and detailed comparison between these lenses.
@jimwlouavl 8 ай бұрын
Thanks for taking the time to do such an extensive test. The 180-600 seems like a great lens for those of us who only occasionally need the longer focal lengths.
@clarkmai4924 8 ай бұрын
I got my Z180-600 on August 31. Your amazing comparison video really helps me know this lens better. Thank you, Steve.
@1bookhouse1 8 ай бұрын
Thanks! This is the video I have been waiting for!
@davecunningham4054 8 ай бұрын
Thank you Steve! You put a lot of time and effort in the review. Everyone really appreciates the sharing of knowledge from you. - - - Thanks
@vfr800ch 8 ай бұрын
It would also have been interesting to see your same detailed analysis of the pros/cons compared to the F mount 200-500mm f/5.6. Others have noted the older lens is sharper in the middle but not at the edges, and would be interesting to see your opinion on that
@nottambula79 7 ай бұрын
So useful, thank you so much! I wanted this new zoom and I followed your suggestion about the TC 1.4x.
@asamendigorin1512 8 ай бұрын
Great video. I can tell how much work went into this. Thank you !
@mikedavis1110 8 ай бұрын
Steve I just got my lens used it for Fighter jets and was very impressed with the results! I had read it might be soft at 600 @ 6.3, but it did well in my view. Your test seem to support my experience with the lens with jets being at 500’ away! Glad to read the 180-600 holds it’s own against the other lens, with the primes doing better on the edges! I wanted the lens for Airshow/BIF flexibility in closeups of the plane and four ship formations all in one lens. Haven’t tried it with birds at this point, but I am very optimistic based on your sharpness testing. Thanks again and fantastic information as usual!!
@mikebyrne8420 8 ай бұрын
Wowza. Just amazing. What a thorough and helpful review.
@SundayRacers 8 ай бұрын
Excellent info! Thanks again Steve
@allenriley2483 8 ай бұрын
Thanks Steve, another great review with relevant information .
@josephparks4270 8 ай бұрын
Super comparison. It tells me what I need to know. Thanks very much.
@Flyers8810 8 ай бұрын
Thank you for the effort to make this video! Definitely going to help me make some decisions.
@OracleTestlab 8 ай бұрын
Being a Nikkor 200-500mm user I would appreciate a comparison of that lens with 180-600mm.
@patrickmorgan7173 8 ай бұрын
Interesting as to why?
@hareebalzak3681 8 ай бұрын
@@patrickmorgan7173to see if it's worth upgrading
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
I don't own one, so I have to way to compare.
@1bookhouse1 8 ай бұрын
Ricci does a really in-depth comparison of all the Nikon long zooms
@jcollins9083 8 ай бұрын
Me too!
@minusinfinity6974 8 ай бұрын
This excellent analysis by you Steve just confirms how far zoom lenses have come in the last 5 years in terms of IQ. Given that we were at 200% views to really see difference even against the super expensive primes is just remarkable. And IQ even with a 1.4x TC is excellent. Having said that when is Nikon going to make a 500 f/4.5 sister to the 400 f/4.5 and deliver us that long ago patented 600 f/5.6 PF. Even if I won powerball I would not buy the 600 TC despite it's superb quality. My days of lugging giant lenses are long gone. A sub 2kg 500 f/4.5 would be a dream come true.
@turnerx5 8 ай бұрын
Thank you so much! Awesome video as usual! Thanks Steve!
@martyseppala3757 8 ай бұрын
Awesome work here Steve Thank You!
@WatchmanNiel 8 ай бұрын
Steve, thanks this is great! I definitively want to upgrade my Sigma 150-600 Sport due to the weight and handling, even though I have no idea how the sharpness compares. I am really pleased to see that the new Nikon does not disappoint overall, it is great across the entire focal range! Thanks also for including the comparison to the 500 PF, as well as the info on the Z7ii! You were spot on, this is my bread and butter combo for birds!
@lukes5533 8 ай бұрын
Fantastic comparison Steve , thanks. 👍
@RealChrisinAZ 8 ай бұрын
Great review Steve, Thank you!
@tazzamund 8 ай бұрын
Thanks Steve - very useful - love your work
@yophotodude7693 8 ай бұрын
Great, and patient review. The only thing I think I would have done differently is I would have compared them at equal focal lengths when using the TCs. That is the 400s with the TC are 560mm. I would have pulled the 180-600 back to 560 to compare. I think this would have been the most important with the 500pf + 1.4x as 500mm on the 180-600 seems to be the sweet spot, so a 700 to 700 would have been a bit better of a test. Still, I appreciate the effort. The 180-600 seems to hold its own against more expensive lenses.
@richardwojtczak5521 8 ай бұрын
Very useful! Thanks Steve!
@Shivashankar 8 ай бұрын
Thank you for the comparison and the af speed data.
@phichaklimprasutr8230 8 ай бұрын
Great test and great info.
@thomasfox5476 8 ай бұрын
Thanks for the update.
@marleenvandam6931 8 ай бұрын
Thanks Steve for this great comparaison!The impact of lower ISO values due to faster lenser might have a bigger impact than the small differences we have seen here.Quite astonishing to see the Sony is such a fast lens.Waiting for my 600 Z TC to be used on my Z9.
@SymbiotAlpha 8 ай бұрын
The z8 and this 180-600 looks awesome combo. I'm happy with the a7IV w 200-600 for now. Almost got me Nikon, well played.
@cavalloi56 2 ай бұрын
Great test, congrats
@gr-os4gd 8 ай бұрын
So glad to see this; I'm further down the queue so still waiting for mine.
@noahwestbrook 5 ай бұрын
Steve always answers the questions I didn't even know I had! It is crazy how sharp zoom lenses have gotten compared to primes. The technological advancements for camera gear in the past decade have made it such a fun time to be a photographer.
@wenyulian9584 8 ай бұрын
Really appreciate you great work.
@yuanxue6 8 ай бұрын
New Nikon owner (Z8, 180-600, 400/4.5), really appreciate your detailed test and review, super helpful !!
@alonpola 8 ай бұрын
Hi Steve. It's always fun to watch your videos. I learn a lot from them. I wish you would compare the lens to the 180-400 with the built-in 1.4TC.
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
I would, but I no longer own that lens. Still, I'm confident it would win the 200-400 range - not sure about with the TC though - I was never impressed with the built-in TC on that lens.
@sunil3135 8 ай бұрын
Excellent review answering most common questions for people who are thinking of buying these lenses. All in all - the Nikon 180-600 is impressive!
@sarimento1 8 ай бұрын
Thanks, Steve, for the really comprehensive comparisons! I was hoping to receive my 180-600Z prior to recent Alaska trip, but no luck and I pretty much used the 100-400Z +1.4ZTC for most of the wildlife shots. Once back home, of course, the 180-600 arrived at the door! I've done some crude comparisons, and indeed the 180-600 is a tad sharper than the 100-400+1.4TC. FWIW,Big However, is that the 180-600 is about 30% heavier and an inch or so longer than the 100-400, even with the 1.4TC. That will make a difference in handling out in the field for a couple hours. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to spending some time out with the new arrival. Appreciate your work and keep 'em coming!
@helmut7878 8 ай бұрын
Hi Steve, thanks for the Test 👍 I’m waiting for my Pre-Ordered Lens. 😢 Greetings from Germany
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
Hopefully it comes soon - it worth the wait though :)
@chipsrafferty8362 8 ай бұрын
This is it…..this now fills my wants and needs,cutting up my credit cards. Thanks for the in depth no holes barred review,it means a lot to us Steve and justifies my reckless spending.
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
LOL, Nikon's been hitting our wallets pretty hard lately!
@markholdefehr7080 8 ай бұрын
Thanks Steve, highly appreciated !
@vijayp154 8 ай бұрын
Thanks, Steve, for a thorough video outlining all the comparable options against this lens. Really appreciate all the effort and dedication you put into making these videos available for us. Currently I have a Z9 and I'm sitting on the wall with my old 200-500mm for a potential upgrade to this new Nikon zoom or Z 400 4.5 or to the 500pf. While you've included the focus speeds for the native ranges of these lenses, it would be really helpful if you could also include thier focus speeds with the 1.4 TC. As I feel the 500mm or the 400mm are still not long enough for shooting small birds and if I did end up with either of these lenses, I would also end up buying a 1.4 TC. Thanks again for a very insightful video and look forward to the next one. Cheers.
@russandloz 6 ай бұрын
I'm in exactly the same situation, really can't decide between the 400 4.5 and the 180-600. From this video doesn't look much in it with the same settings?
@JRodPhotoArt 8 ай бұрын
Well done Steve, and good job Nikon. Can't wait to get my copy of this lens!!
@washingtonradio 8 ай бұрын
Sounds like a solid lens behaving about what I expected in terms of sharpness and AF speed. Thanks Steve.
@chrishayes4785 8 ай бұрын
Excellent video Steve. While i have the 180-600 on order, back order is more accurate, at Adorama, i was looking for your usual great comparison tests and you didn't disappoint. All the information i needed. I am sure that many like me, are moving up from the 200-500 we had on the DSLR's, so a general comparison to that lens would help. Doesn't need to be a full one on one like the tests in this video. You're standing in this community is such that a statement is all thats needed. Thank you as always.
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
I don't have a 200-500 or I would have inched it for sure. I've had a lot of requests, so I might see if I can borrow one.
@greglepper7739 8 ай бұрын
Thank you very much for doing this tedious test Steve. I’ve been waiting till I saw it to order one. In the meantime, I’ll use my 500pf. Looking forward to your reports of the 180-600 in the field. Questions such as bokeh and the trade off of stopping down for maximum sharpness vs. loss of light come to mind. Perhaps the warbler migration can call you out of the test studio, lol. Thanks again.
@asokag-m8112 7 ай бұрын
Steve, amazing content as usual. Thank you, Sir! The chart you used - is there a specific vendor/ source?
@backcountrygallery 7 ай бұрын
I got it off of Ebay, but can't seem to find them anymore - not that exact one anyway.
@FlyinRyanProductions406 8 ай бұрын
Been using it for little over 2 weeks and am completely satisfied. Got some great hummingbird shots feeding on thistle. Seems to be a vast improvement over my old 200-500.
@joanneabramson2645 8 ай бұрын
Your comparison to the Nikon 200-500mm is what I am looking for. Thanks.
@frederichore1890 8 ай бұрын
Can you quantify please what is "a vast improvement" over the 200-500? Is that overall sharpness, corner-to-corner sharpness, contrast, focus speed - what is it please? I own the 200-500 too and found the results I'm getting with my copy of the lens to be excellent in the 400-500mm range. I usually have the lens stopped down one stop for max corner-to-corner sharpness. Cheers and thanks from Montréal.
@FlyinRyanProductions406 8 ай бұрын
@@frederichore1890 my keeper rate is way up, not saying it wasn’t my copy of the 200-500 but the focus accuracy is much improved from my 200-500. It really seems to lock the focus better and keep it there. The 180-600 defiantly seems to be slightly sharper also. Having that extra 100mm for me too is also a huge deal as I’m mainly shooting small birds. The short throw of the zoom is a really nice improvement also. I’m personally very impressed with this lens.
@frederichore1890 8 ай бұрын
@@FlyinRyanProductions406 Thank you for taking the time to reply. Looks like it may be time for a trade-in or upgrade.
@nealewatson3937 8 ай бұрын
Steve was the speed on the Z7 of the 180-600 lens and a typo 180-200
@senseofeverthing 8 ай бұрын
Thank you for your efforts! Could you also do a test for focusbreathing on closer distances? As far as I know this is a huge problem with the Sony 200-600 which makes you loose a lot of it's potential magnification at closer distances. Would be interesting to see whether there are similar problems with the 180-600 since this impacts the feasability for small birds on closer distance.
@Strodav 8 ай бұрын
Absolutely stellar work Steve. Thanks! For my Z9, I'm going to stay with a Megadap EZ21 and Sony 200-600mm for now and add the Z 800mm. I've still got my f mount 600mm f/4, nicknamed behemoth, should I feel the need for a 600mm prime. I'll probably pick up the 180-600mm later, but due to your hard work, I am not in a hurry. I can lend you my Medadap EZ21 if you'd like to play with it.
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
Thanks! I've played with the adapter before but the truth is I'm just not overly interested in using one since I have both brands anyway. Although, it would be nice for lens tests - I could use the same camera, same resolution :)
@youknowwho9247 8 ай бұрын
Thank you for putting so much effort into these videos. It's a lot of work. For me, the af speed tests pretty much re-affirms my decision to switch to Sony. Their lenses, especially the GM glass, come with such fantastic af motors. I've done a speed test between the 50mm f/1.2 options for Canon, Nikon and Sony before. Wasn't even close. The Nikon and Canon are glacially slow compared to the GM. Edit: Cameras used were the Z9, R3 and a9 (mark I).
@billchambers6695 8 ай бұрын
Excellent comparison Steve! Thanks so much! I just received my 180-600 on Thursday (9-14) and will be trying it out for the first time tomorrow; can't wait. Would you please share the name of your test targets and where they can be purchased? Many thanks!
@eddieagha5851 6 ай бұрын
Hi Steve! Excellent video as always! While on these lenses did you by any chance do a Sweet Spot test, at different f/ stops, at various focal lengths on the 180-600? Also, where did you get your target? Thanks!
@SATYAJITGHOSH90 8 ай бұрын
Great video as usual Steve. Now I don't know whether to buy 180-600 new, or 500 pf used (going for $1800 now-a-days)
@patrickmolloy6994 8 ай бұрын
next week I'm taking this thing (the z180-600) to Florida ! can't wait! Great thing Steve. I have rented the z400 f4.5 which I used with my 2xTC and last month I rented the 100-400 and a 1.4x TC. Totally agree with your results, and that's why I bought this 180-600.
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
That's so cool! Have fun!!
@1971wizzard 8 ай бұрын
These comparisons are all well and fine on a side by side basis. If you were presented either comparison lens output quality in isolation, I wager no one would even notice. If you have either lens you are very fortunate to have one of Nikons finest. I really enjoy your videos, clear concise explanations and informative.
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
I agree 100% I honestly don't like doing these kinds of tests / videos, but I get a lot of requests. I think the bottom line is how happy you are with how the lens performs in the field.
@joanneabramson2645 8 ай бұрын
Looking forward to your photos taken with this lens and Z8/9 combo.
@Pengranger 8 ай бұрын
Steve, that’s a lot of time and effort, and everyone is talking about your video. Hope you get loads of views. I think you may have killed the market for the Z100-400! Hudson Henry is currently testing the Z180-600 on a workshop and it will be interesting to get another take on the lens.
@LucianoStabel 8 ай бұрын
@backcountrygallery great content, as always! Quick question, where did you find this Vitamall comparison chart? I'm not finding it anywhere.
@sergiollag1 8 ай бұрын
wow! nice work. i would have loved to see a comparison with the 200-500 which i shoot with and i think its great.
@dbspano 8 ай бұрын
Thanks for your hard work and great video, Steve! I own the 100-400 (sometimes using the 1.4 TC) and love the way it handles, especially after hours hand-holding in the field. In your opinion, do the differences in sharpness between the two lenses outweigh (pun intended) the differences in handling?
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
Handling is really subjective. For me, I like the internal zoom and extra versatility, so although the 100-400 is easier to handle, I don't find this much more difficult and happily trade a little handling for the extra versatility. Sharpness is pretty close for practice purposes I think, although I think I'd avoid the 100-400 with a TC and crop instead.
@lichtschaffen 5 ай бұрын
Steve I thank you for your very good videos and tests - and aspecially I like your v ery clear speech for me as a non native speaker!
@georgetrimmer3077 8 ай бұрын
Would have been valuable to see the old 200-500 f lens compared. Thanks for this though…as always, a great and useful video.
@cavalloi56 4 ай бұрын
Great test, the 180-600 has finally arrived, now it has to be used, I use it with the ZF but it's fine anyway Congratulations for the in-depth review
@helmutnirag5242 8 ай бұрын
My 180-600 Z lens will arrive soon and I am looking forward. I should sell my 100-400 Z lens very quick before to many people recognize your video. 🙂
@TheHawkMaverick 8 ай бұрын
Great comparison! Thank you Steve (y). Can you do, or do you have a sharpness comparison bewteen the 600/4 TC S and the 800/6.3 PF lens?
@amlanmohapatra8751 8 ай бұрын
Thank you so much for the hard work you have put to help us to make informed decisions. Just was curious to see it being compared with the legendary Nikon 200-500mm lens. If you ever find time please compare this lens with 200-500mm. Thanks a lot once again for putting in so much of effort.
@SimoneBrogini 7 ай бұрын
Steve this is great stuff, thank you for doing it!!!I own the 200-500mm f/5.6 and use it with a D500 and Z8. I am overall happy with the results I am getting but I have also noticed that the AF is slow. I would be curious to know if you have information on the AF speed of the 200-500mm compared with the new 180-600mm.
@cy9nvs 8 ай бұрын
Great test, the most in depth comparison I've seen so far, thank you very much for your amazing work! There seem to be some rather massive production variances in one of these lenses, though. Both Jan Wegener and Duade Patton showed this lens not being quite as sharp as the Sony at 600mm wide open. Or maybe, it just looked sharper, because the image was smaller on the Sony, due to the horrible focus breathing. Either way, I'm super happy that the 180-600 seems to be such a good lens. I Pre-ordered it on day one and bought a Z8 to replace my fuji setup, completely blind, basically. Can't wait for mine to finally arrive.
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
The main issue is we're all testing single copies of the lenses. My 180-600 might be better than theirs - or my 200-600 might be worse. Tough to say. I think the best bet is to look at a variety of sources and see where we all seem to agree - sort of an aggregate.
@cy9nvs 8 ай бұрын
@@backcountrygallery That is of course true, but I think we can assume, that both lenses are of very similar quality. I feared that the Nikon lens really falls on its face wide open, but it does seem to be pretty good.
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
@@cy9nvs It really does - also, keep in mind that sharpness can vary by testing distance too. I didn't watch the other two videos, so I don't know how they tested. I like controlled conditions, so I go the traditional test chart route :)
@erkkisiekkinen286 5 ай бұрын
Thank you for an excellent and deep review. I have got my z 180-600mm and have photographed for few days with it and sharpness wise it is very good. Last year I had 500mm pf and when I looked my older photos they seemed to be equal with the same Z5 body. Today it was a dark day in Finland and I took photos with my EF 500mm Is ll with R8 body -and there was no practical difference in those pics ,I usually keep the birds in the middle section. Cheers
@Bikash_Jana 8 ай бұрын
Great Video
@longrider9551 8 ай бұрын
I don't see anyone making poor glass these days CAD has enabled almost perfect modeling. With lasers and fine calibration manufacturing even quality control is mostly a thing of the past, within name brand lenses. As always Steve you provide accurate and honest insight.
@thethirdman225 8 ай бұрын
I don't even test these days, except for focus calibration.
@Waeltklass 7 ай бұрын
Hi Steve, As First many thanks for this good comparison. what i missed was the focus speed of the Z800mm f6.3.
@backcountrygallery 7 ай бұрын
0.60 seconds
@cs1089 7 ай бұрын
Thank you for another amazing video! Regarding the slow AF speed of the 100-400 lens, I was wondering if near-focus distance is a factor. i.e. the 100-400 can focus down to .75m while the 400mm only goes to 2.5m. Could the greater focus range of the 100-400 explain the slower speed? Thank you!
@tomdearie5165 8 ай бұрын
Thanks for the info Steve - and for the updated setup guide for Z8 and Z9. Well worth the read when I set up both cameras. 👍 If you could only pick one of the lenses between the 400mm f/4.5 and the 180-600mm, and price was not an issue, what would your gut choice be? I shoot from the kayak a lot and currently own the 200-500mm f/5.6 and a 70-200mm f/2.8. I shoot at dawn and dusk a lot, and would like to push my shooting envelope a little further. I was recently on Vancouver Island and got some incredible shots of coastal wolves with the 200-500mm, but the ISO was getting pretty astronomical at dawn. Cheers!
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
That's really tough. I like the speed of the F/4.5 lens, but in a kayak I like the versatility of the zoom just a little more. The trick is - how close are you getting? If you're always wanting 600mm (or were always at 500mm on the 200-500), then the zoom seems like the way to go. If you can get within range of the 400 most of the time though, that's what I would pick.
@tomdearie5165 8 ай бұрын
My dilemma indeed. 😊 I really get a mix - a lot of my shots are at 500mm, but my best ones are closer and I’d appreciate the extra low-light speed. On my longer shots, I often have time to put on a 1.4TC. Tricky call - but at least I’m not the only one who thinks so. Maybe convince my wife I need both. 🙄 Thanks for the input!👍
@stevetqp9152 8 ай бұрын
Wow Steve! A Fantastic test comparison between this new Nikkor zoom and others lenses (and itself)! I’m very happy that it fared well against the much pricier Nikkor 100-400! A question please…Am I correct in thinking that this lens used at APS-C mode on a Z8 would give better (sharper) results than using it in FF Mode with the 1.4x teleconverter? Thank you sir!
@arjunsengupta1661 8 ай бұрын
Superb video, as always! Now I am torn between the performance edge of 500pf vs flexibility of the zoom!!
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
LOL, always something, right? That's really a tough call, but the zoom is also a native Z mount, which is nice (no adapters to mess with in the field).
@arjunsengupta1661 8 ай бұрын
@@backcountrygallery That's a good point. Also it seems like the slow focusing can be somewhat remedied by pre-focusing....
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
@@arjunsengupta1661 It really can. Slow focusing is usually a non-issue for most shots. The biggest place it bites you is when the camera fails to get a lock and starts to hunt, running the focus range back and forth. That's where you'll really feel the difference between slower and faster focus.
@arjunsengupta1661 8 ай бұрын
@@backcountrygallery One quick question Steve. Do you think the zoom is better balanced on Z9 relative to the 500pf + FTZ?
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
@@arjunsengupta1661 Hmm - it's really close. I've used both and the 180-600 + Z9 is just every so slightly front heavy with the camera but the 500 PF + Z9 is ever so slightly back-heavy. Still, it's not awkward either way.
@joseftimar5087 8 ай бұрын
Thank you Steve for the -again- excellent review. I would like to ask, whether you observed differences in the autofocus speed and reliability between the Silky Swift motors (applied in the Z 600mm f4 TC and in the Z 400mm f 2.8 TC) and the STM motors (applied in the Z 800mm f 6.3 PF and in the Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3)? How do the use of the built-in TC influence the autofocus speed and reliability in the Silky Swift lenses? Did you observe differences while using built-in TC-s compared not build in TC-s at the Silky Swift lenses? Is the effective aperture more relevant for the autofocus speed and reliability or the fact to have a Silky Swift motor and not an STM motor? More concretely: Did you obtain differences in the reliability and speed while using a Z 600mm f4 with the TC as 840mm f5.6 and the Z 800mm f6.3 PF without TC and the Z 400mm f2.8 TC plus external 2x TC (also again 800mm f5.6). In the case, you didn‘t try such cases, what do you think about that kind of variations? Thank you for your answer! Best regards Josef
@ranjankmsphotography 8 ай бұрын
Steve, I'm surprised that you didn't compare it with the Nikon 200-500 mm f/5.6 F mount 😮 Many Z9, Z8 users or to be users are waiting for that comparison.
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
I don't own one.
@bigboi36 8 ай бұрын
Steve once again thank you for the extensive review. Nikon you have really hit the ball out the park with this lens. The price point really has me very surprised. I truly believe that if Nikon keeps the manufacture quality consistency, we will indeed have a classic. When Nikon however releases it’s PRO APSC camera it’s a wrap. If that camera is a 33/36mp camera, cropping a full frame goes out the door and you will have every Nikon user purchasing both cameras.
@EugeneMaynard 8 ай бұрын
👏🏾👍🏾 Great job!🙏🏾
@aser75 8 ай бұрын
Wow, an amazingly good & helpful test!! thank you Steve so much !! you're invaluable. I'm a dual system user and own the Sony A1+200-600mm & the Nikon Z9+ 800mm pf, AND also using the Sony 200-600mm on the Z9 with the Megadap etz21 adapter. After some early reviews and forums posts I've seen so far , and also my own experience with it , I must say I thought the Sony 200-600 will have an edge here. I'm happy its a tie, because the Sony is an incredible value lens. My Sony is a second copy and a much sharper than the first (under warranty replacement ) so copy variations are something to be noted. I wonder if your tests findings will hold on also for a longer subject distances (lets say 10-50 meters)? also I wish you would have test the 800 pf for focus speed. from my own experience it seem to be (much?} slower then the sony 200-600. again, thank you sooo much for all the effort !
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
Yeah, I forgot that one (800PF) somehow. I was trying to get the video out as fast as I could (I've been out of town and only got the lens Tuesday) and in my hurry to get it out I forgot to test the 800.
@ArsenijeRadenovic 8 ай бұрын
Thanks Steve!
@geocloete 7 ай бұрын
Hi Steve, thank you for another great video! Much appreciated. On a side note, you once mentioned in a video the requirements a car charger needs to meet if one would want to charge a Z9 battery whilst driving, but I just can't find it now. Could you kindly reply with the details here?
@romanhar4151 8 ай бұрын
Hello Steve, Thank you very much for ther very detailed review and a lot of work you have done. This Review makes me even more happier allready to have this wonderful lense (I used it allready for soccer). I specialy like your focus speed test. At which focal value have you tested it? (180 or 600mm) Make this a difference? - Do you have a list with all your focus speed tests? Best regards from switzerland, Roman
@backcountrygallery 8 ай бұрын
I don't have a list and I re-test for each video. Although I think the numbers would be close, I think that sometimes the quality of the light, the test target condition, atmosphere, etc. have an impact. So, although the numbers are likely always within 1/10th of a second, think of them more as comparative than absolute. Oh, and 600mm.
@ele4853 7 ай бұрын
I am so happy you made this test. Man! The difference between the 180-600 and the 600 TC is so little. I would have the Z 400 TC for the 2.8 aperture and add the zoom and together with my Z800PF I am well served : ) Dude, Nikkor is the winner. No sony for me LOL.