Picked mine up on Thurs and just been out with it for the first time. It is a beauty, feels very S-Line to me. It’s not light but it feels great in the hand and I find it very easy to shoot handheld. Very warm today and hazy in the UK for my use case (long distance landscapes). Only had to glance at a couple of files in ACR but they look good. Balances well on Z6 but I will in the main use it with the bigger Z8 which I hope to finally!!!! Receive in the next week or so. Good review Matt

Preordered mine a while back. Been anxiously awaiting it as I’ve been shooting my adapted 200-500.

Thanks for sharing your experiances!

Thanks, Matt. Yes, I would like to see a long zoom shootout among the Tamron, Sigma, and Z 180-600mm.

Thank you Matt🔥

thanks Matt, you did the comparison I wanted to see.

Great video - thanks as always Matt. Just got mine and its fabulous , but for me teh really stand out feature is 600mm handheld video. Dont know what tweaking Nikon have done - buut its like having a gyro in the lens ; so stable it really is a huge difference.😯

Finally, some sports and action shots with the Nikon Z 180-600. You always see pictures of birds and animals with this lens but not action shots, thanks for that.

Got mine two days ago and it’s defiantly well worth it. My 200-500 will be getting sold on Tuesday.

Which one has the better image the 180mm-600mm or the 100mm-400mm with the 1.4 teleconverter? Which one acquires the quickest focus 180mm-600mm or the 100mm-400mm with the 1.4 teleconverter?

thanks for the review

Hello, may I know what band of your camera bag are you using?

I ordered mine a few minutes after the announcement, but NPS in line ahead of me. I am looking forward to a longer focal length. This looks like a great lens for what I need. Appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this...

If I seldom taking photos for wildlife, but more for landscape and potrait, would you recommend 180-600 or (100-400+ teleconverter 1.4x or 2x)? (Using z8) Thank you.

do you know how or someone the tracking and autofocus performans of the 300mm f2.8 VR2 works on the Z9/8?

So good I ordered 2.

What do you think of the Sigma 60-600mm F mount for football?

Sorry where is the location did u ahot kingfisher in Hong Kong? Whats the name of the park sir? Amazing capture sir thanks

I would be interested in your comments comparing the 180-600 Nikon Z lens to the Tamron 150-600 G2.

Hello Sir, question is if one can take moon shots and how near one can come ? How about details photografing coming really near to subject and show some details and sharpness with it (180-600mm) Taking the subjects photo or shots but im interested into sharpness and details , so if possible without hokus pokusing with software just simple photo's direct from camera would be great. Hope my wondering and questions didnt confused you or other photographers. Have a nice 0ne.

Hi there ... I like your video ... and I bought this lens to use with my Zf camera. I have a question ... what system do you use to carry the heavy lense and camera? What strap is it? I would appreciate if you answered and helped me out with this, as I wonder how to carry this lense around.

I freaking LOVE that shot with the DragonFly on the Turtle, that was on top of another Turtle!!! 😍

Had a chuckle at the dude in the ghillie suit 🤣🤣🤣

Thanks Matt for the video, lol forward to a more comprehensive comparison if and when you get a chance. I am a little disappointed in the AF speed comment compared to the 100-400 though. Do you feel it’s at least better in Af than the 200-500 or tam/sigma ? Would appreciate a rough idea on your personal experiences.

I loved the dude in full camouflage in the middle of a city park :DDDD True dedication :D

Thanks for your video, Matt! I have had my new Nikkor Z 180-600 for five days, but only got to use it for two because the birds left our yard or it got too dark. Then, I spent the better part of those two days in chat rooms or on the phone with Nikon and Adobe. Nikon advised that I try a "power cycle". When that did not work, they recommended that I clean the contacts. Now, they want files that will take them at least two days to review. In the meantime, I want to return the lens if it is a dud (although I am willing to admit it could be user error). I shot with our Z7ii and Z9, Manual and Shutter priority, on a tripod for each camera, using my MC30 with the Z9, and I double / triple checked my camera settings, but the results remained poor. The Histogram looks good as does the image at time of shot, but the curves slider must be moved a good distance from the left to the right in NX Studio. Today, I took light meter readings of where the birds would land on the feeder. I switched the WB to Kevin 5620, set the shutter to 640, set the F-stop to 6.3 at 600mm, and ISO to 100. I removed the lens hood and purposely underexposed my shots by -1 EV. I still am not satisfied with the grain and desaturated colors. Dating back to 1975, I do not recall ever having an experience like this with my cameras and lenses. I borrowed a Tamron Z 150-500 from our local camera store before I purchased the 100-600. The Tamron worked immediately, without a "power cycle" or cleaning contacts. Do you have any recommendations? Is there a setting, perhaps, in the Z9 that I forgot to set? Thank you. John

It woulf be nice to see a comparison with the Nikon 200-500 and the Tamron 150-600

Booked mine the first day you could and got it on Wednesday. I think I was among the first to get it in Sweden anyway. A bit heavy but 100-400 is a bit expensive for me though if it had aperture 4 I might have bought it instead.❤❤

Hello We have Nikon 100-400 and Telecom 1.4x. I'm thinking about exchanging them. Performance is 1.4 times greater than 100-400 180-600 Which is the top? I beg you.

Great comparison between these 2 awesome lenses, Matt! I have the 180-600 on preorder for about 9 weeks, but have yet to receive it. Anyway, I realize that you shoot mostly handheld, but as a tripod landcape photographer interested in obtaining the best image quality and detail possible, I never understood why Nikon can't simply make the tripod collar foot Arca-Swiss compatible! I have a super-sharp Irix 150 f/2.8 Macro lens (Nikon F mount with FTZ II Adapter) that cost a third the price of the 180-600, and it comes equipped with a nice Arca-Swiss compatible tripod collar! So, I had to get a Wimberley P-30 Arca-Swiss tripod plate for the 180-600. Please explain Nikon's reasoning behind their decision. Thanks!

Where is it made???

That Camouflage!!! reminds me of Turkey season! That Turtle.. hahahha he's lucky he's where he is!.. Thanks Matt!!

Thanks, Matt - Cheers and thanks for the straightforward info. 👍 Quick question - I’m a wildlife shooter shooting in the wilderness of Northern Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia in Canada. I’m currently running a 70-200mm f/2.8 and a 200-500mm f/5.6 and am looking to update my 200-500mm. If price was not an issue, and you could only pick one long lens what would your gut feeling be to choose: The 180-600mm, the 100-400mm, or the 400mm f/4.5? I’d assume the ability to add the 1.4 and 2.0 teleconverters, but would be very aware of the light loss due to my northern latitude and long twilight. My working conditions are as follows: • I’m often in the kayak to shoot, often near dawn and dusk. • Subject distances range from quite close to very long. (recently shot coastal wolves at 3m and at 500m in the same day. ISO on the 200-500 was 3200-12,800) • I’m 95% handheld and encounters are fast and fleeting - I don’t get to stand at a tripod for an hour of composing. • I also shoot video when the situation calls for it. Good hunting! 😎

Matt would you please be so kind to let me know which double camera strap you have and which backpack you carry,,,,,,,,,, thank you!!

Thank you very much for your great video. I think your dressing has some room for improvement 😊. My 180-600 should already be at home waiting for me 😬🙂

Hope I get mine soon. Looks like I wasn’t in the first batch. 😢

I have mine on order here in S Africa to go with my Z 70-200 f2.8 for African Wild Life on my Z7

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.

I’m still waiting my copy from BH. Ordered first day in preorder ….

How does this lens perform compared to the F Nikkor 180-400 TC? I'm considering to replace the F lens by this 180-600. For me focus speed is some kind of crucial, how fast can this lens focus? Thx for your time

Unfortunately I'm flying back to Memphis on Monday so I'ma miss the photo walk!.🤦🏽‍♂️

Combined with a Pro grade apsc Z camera. What an amazing wildlife kit that would make.

Hey Matt, we sat next to each other at the lecture by Ami Vitali at Bild today... nice meeting you.

I'd appreciate a comparison to the Tamron 150-600mm, haven't seen one yet

Matt! Do you have a comparison between the 180-600 and 600/4 S? I mean, besides the fact that the latter is superior in every way, it might be nice to see the budget 600 next to the ultimate 600. I do own the 100-400 and love it for sports on (indeed) bright days, outdoor. When on birding trip to Spitsbergen last June, I had my trusted 180-400/4E with me. I loved it, but I lacked the mms for especially the smaller birds in harsher conditions. 600 and over would be ideal. Saving up for that 600/4 and halfway atm, but at this price I can imagine the 180-600 being a stopover towards that one.

I bought a Z8 the day this lens was announced. The Z8 arrived 13 days later, and since then I've been sitting here with a Nikon Z8 but no lens to shoot with. I really hope it'll arrive soon, I'm losing my mind. 😂

Compare it to 400 4.5 pls!

Another reviewer found the pre-production lens a bit soft wide open and sharper stopped down one stop. It would have been interesting to see if you found that. Maybe that explains the one soft kingfisher shot?

The Kingfisher was probably not properly in focus and also some of the football shots were definitely not taken within the required shutter speeds maing them look slightly blurred.

Which camera would you recommend between the Nikon D850 and the Nikon Z7 MK2? You have a lot of experience in photography and have use a lot of different cameras.

thanks for this review. i have a question. already have the 100-400 using it with the z50. shall i keep it and wait for a better crop body in regards of focus and speed. or shall i get the 180-600 mm if the z6 iii ever came in reasonable price 😂

Can you clarify if the shot of the kingfisher later in the day at 12:40 is still with the TC20 @ 1200mm? If so, that is seriously impressive - it is still a usable image.

When the Z8 was released, that was enough to convince me to switch (back) to Nikon from Sony (A7Riii). I have the 24-120mm lens and am looking for a long lens. I am also in the very early stages of planning a trip to see and photograph a rocket launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. I have never regretted getting a good lens, but I have been struggling with whether to get the 100-400 because of it being smaller, lighter & an S Line lens, or whether to go for the extra reach of the 180-600. Here in Canada, there is $1350 difference between the two lenses so I could ALMOST get BOTH a 180-600 and a 14-30 f/4 for the same price as the 100-400 S. As things stand, I am leaning toward the 180-600mm and this review seems to tell me that I shouldn't think its optics are lacking in any significant way.

I just added a Lumix S5ii and a Sigma 150-600 Sport to my bag but had I known about this Nikon 180-600 I might have grabbed a Z series camera and this lens haha. ( I also own an S1 which is why I went with the S5II)

They obviously were there for the Kingfisher…..so funny how they were all camouflaged up for no reason. Kingfishers in parks do not really mind folks hanging out there…..only in very natural environment, camouflage might help but from my personal experience with kingfishers, they do not really care as long as you are not making loud noises or hectic movements. Nice video!

I really wish Canon would release something like this. I've been jealous of Sony's 200-600mm for a while, and now Nikon has one as well. It really is a great value.

Are you going to be at the Bild conferece both days?

I wish someone would do a review of this lens on a Z6(ii) or Z7(ii). Every single video I've seen, it's been on a Z8 or Z9.

I am so glad I didn't go for the 200-500 F mount when it went on sale for $960. I mean $960 on sale is a great price for that lens and it's a great lens, but I think the 180-600 is better partially because it's native and because it gives you a bit more reach on both ends (and is hopefully lighter than the 200-500 which was like a tank). Now the question is when I will get a 180-600.... might be Christmas if it goes on sale, otherwise next year some time, but I'm definitely going to pick one up at some point (along with the 100-400 probably).

The lens has attracted my attention big time. Please tell me what camera body you are shooting with the 180-600Z? Secondly please tell me what is a suitable equivalent Nikon body compared to Canon R7. Thanks

I ordered the 180-600 the morning it was announced (mine hasn't shipped yet). I haven't seen any videos comparing it to Tamron or Sigma's 150-600. I've seen it compared to the Sony 200-600 and Canon's 100-500. I think it's going to be better than the Tamron and Sigma lenses.

if you compare two lenses then show the Lr images side by side like Nikon Ricci does ... so easy to see exactly what's what

Yeah. Digital Rev is back.

Welcome to the world of full frame, where a value lens costs 2000€. I keep pondering about switching, but my bank account always tells me to stick with Micro Four Thirds. 😁But nice shots!

When I shoot wildlife, I often feel like 600mm still isn't enough reach. Those teleconverters are great!

Great video, was wondering, in your opinion. For someone who currently is shooting with a Z7ii with a 200-500 on FTZ, what would be a better use of cash to upgrade? - Sell the Z7ii to buy a Z8 - Sell the 200-500 to buy this 180-600 Both would cost about the same and I only have budget for one of the options. My main frustration is that my current setup's autofocus is not very reliable, especially when photographing small birds in low light. (golden hour)

Weird, these price differences in different countries. Here in the Netherlands currently the 180-600mm costs EUR 1999 and the 100-400mm EUR 2319..

I just received my copy after ordering it on the first day. I was excited until I FOUND THIS LENS DOES NOT DO "FOCUS RECALL with Z6, and this was one of the reasons I purchased this lens. Nikon informed me that I need a newer Z Camera for this function to work. I do not have other z cameras to see how this works on them. If the lens had a second L-fn2 button it could work like the 70-200mm f2.8. this is a consumer lens, that needs new updated z Cameras, yet the Pro lens works on the older z Cameras

I'm curious how this lens compares to the f-mount 180-400mm f/4 TC. I know it's a $12,000 lens and a stop faster, but it is also a lens designed for DSLR. The Z 180-600 doesn't have a lot of lens coatings so it would have more contrast and flare problems than the AF-S 180-400 TC but optically the Z 180-600 seems to be good.

4:08 We can see that, this lens wasn't meant to be used with 2x teleconverter, the result looks as foggy as the air in China.

Nikon imho hit it out of the park with this lens. Hopefully the Quality Control is superior

Folks, this lens is a no brainer for Nikon shooters. Now I'm regretting get the 100-400 earlier. May sell that and get this. Hell...its light, looks sharp to me

I bought the 180-600 but upgraded to the 100-400mm S lens. It is sharper, smaller, and lighter ... and with TCs easily covers from 100mm-800mm. It also gives the ability for super close focus, and it is the size of a 70-200mm. Having the 100mm wide end is a great improvement without sacrificing on the long end. The 180-600 is a great lens though.

very difficult to carry this lens when I travel internationally.

I got to say, i am worried now buying nikon z lenses. Iv just been told that my z 14-24 2.8 lens is worn out, it shows a lot of wear and tear in the bayonet on the lens. Was told by nikon they are using a lesser alloy in the metal parts thst will wear out faster. I used my lens for 6 months, interchanging the lens maybe 10-15 times a day, 5 days a week. My old version 14-24 which is 12yrs old has no wear and tear, and thats been interchanged on camera a tusenfold. Its disapointing…..cuz the glassmis so much better than my old one…….

Price please

Nothing really looked tack sharp ( like the ancient 85mm lens) but then again, between the 2xtc and the wide zoom ranges...

Now Nikon needs to make a great value camera because not everyone has Z9 or Z8 money.

Walking with this 2 lenses may be very heavy task.

Z8 is what should make everyone who left Nikon switch back ,,but is it a little over prized and little too late ?!! and also they have designed the primes in the size of zooms ,always make me think what's the point of mirror less....but then Z8 looks fantastic ...

I wish it was a tad lighter. 4.4 lbs is barely lighter than the 5lb 200-500 f mount. I honestly don’t know why people would use this for action shots being such a high f stop way better options. I backpack and travel can’t decide what to get but the 100-400 is lighter and might go with that.

3:40 Ahh! My trypophobia!

The 100-400 is sharper

Sigma art 150-600.

I don't like a clamp style tripod collar.

Unfortunately prices in Germany got increased by 300€ to 1999€. First listings in various shops were 1699€ … should have ordered immediately. Now it’s no longer under consideration. It‘s a rip off and I‘m fortunate enough to not need it.

Great looking lens but it’s still huge and would be very hard to drag around.

Them guys are saying look at this guy shooting without a tripod??

Matt, all the reviews of this Nikon lens have been super positive. Unfortunately for us hobbyist photographer, Nikon hasn't introduce an affordable camera (not sure it will ever happen) with great AF to go with this great affordable lens. Sad, but at this time Nikon is a 2 camera company for the professional market. It simply sucks....

Nice Batgirl!

Prices in China got increased by $400. Not worth it if not the original price.

Hold it! That wasn't real football!

😂. We will never see the 180-600 on the market again. Nikon must have realized that for the amount of glass and the quality of that lens that they were practically giving it away. I hope I’m wrong because i would like to own that lens someday.

You don't think it is rather soft wide open ? Doesn't stack up when compared to the Sony or Canon equivalents. Disappointing in my opinion. What's wrong with Nikon that they can't make it sharp wide open ? Who shoots a zoom at f/9 ?

Save up the extra 4 grand get a second hand 400mm F2.8 FL F mount you can use on both F mount and Z much better , becomes 600mm 2.8 at DX or put 2x converter on becomes 800mm 5.6 .Like you say F. 2. 8 keeps the iso down to around -60- 100-200 less noise so you can pump up faster shutters speeds 2500 3000 ect available to freeze wildlife . looks more pro not amateur hour. This slow lens 180-600 is still expensive must be bright sun light to get decent results , spend more and get the best Nikon's 400mm F2.8 .

Compared to the Z8 and Z9 cameras, those lenses sound dirt cheap! What the hell is Nikon's strategy ?? Sell the razor then give away the blades??

z?, no z, dslr nikon d500 is the best. especially the best value. thanks but no.

First

Soccer not football ❗❗

I don’t need. Prefer for Wildlife my Nikon Z 600mm 4.0 TC 😊