Conclusion and Recommendations
The new Nikon Z 180-600 f/5.6-6.3 VR retains all the good things I liked about its predecessor, the 200-500mm f/5.6. And while it’s launching for a few hundred dollars more, the price remains very reasonable, and the improvements make it an excellent value.
The 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR manages to fix many of the ailments of its F-mount sibling. Most of all, the autofocus has been given a new life. The zoom mechanism is internal and therefore more durable and gimbal-head friendly. The lens is lighter and more thoughtfully designed. It’s overall better optically, while reaching 600mm rather than 500mm (and 180mm rather than 200mm). That’s no small feat.
But nothing human is perfect, and the Nikon Z 180-600mm is no exception. The f/6.3 maximum aperture means that low-light photography can be difficult, and even though the lens is very good optically, it is a bit weaker than most Nikon Z telephotos in pure sharpness. I also regret that, unlike previous Nikon lenses I’ve used, I’ll have to be more careful about disabling image stabilization when shooting on a tripod.
Still, when I sum it up and double underline the result, the positives of the Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR clearly outweigh the negatives. It’s good enough that it has become the newest part of my arsenal. For $1,697, this lens offers really great value, and I’m glad I added it to my bag.
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The next page of this review has some more sample photos from the Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3, followed by reader comments on the final page. So, click the menu below to jump to the section you want:
Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
- Build Quality and Handling
- Size and Weight
- Sharpness Performance
- Other Image Quality
- Value
Photography Life Overall Rating
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