Our Recommendation
Based on our past experience with Nikon’s highest-end supertelephoto lenses, we had very high expectations for the Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S. Fast autofocus and excellent image quality were practically guarantees – and it certainly meets our standards in those regards. Furthermore, it actually exceeded our high expectations thanks to its unusually good handling of teleconverters (both internal and external). Up to 1200mm, this lens is impressively sharp, and even 1680mm is completely usable.
It’s not really that there are flaws with this lens. Instead, it’s a question of which lens has the best compromises for your needs as a photographer. For all of the Nikon Z 600mm f/4’s good points, it is still a large, heavy lens that costs $15,500. I consider there to be five major alternatives to this lens, which are as follows:
- Nikon Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S: Slower by 1.3 stops and lacking a built-in teleconverter, but optically excellent. Barely any worse than the Z 600mm f/4 optically in the shared aperture range. Much smaller and lighter (1470 grams versus 3260 grams) and costs $4800 instead of $15,500 – actually on sale for $4300 at the moment. An excellent choice if you need to cut down on weight as much as possible, though it doesn’t have the low-light spark that f/4 can provide. See more in our Nikon Z 600mm f/6.3 review.
- Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR: Not in the same tier as the Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S (or even the 600mm f/6.3 VR S), but currently Nikon’s only other native 600mm lens for the Z System. Weaker optically than the 600mm primes, but still sharp. Middleweight option at 2140 grams / 4.7 pounds. It has the benefit of zoom capabilities and, most of all, a price of $1700. See our full 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR review.
- Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S: One of the best values in Nikon’s lineup if you need an exotic supertelephoto. The 800mm focal length is more specialized than 600mm, and the aperture is 1.3 stops narrower, but it’s an impressive lens currently selling for $6000 (normally $6500). If you expect to be engaging the 600mm f/4’s built-in teleconverter all the time, I recommend saving the money and going with the 800mm f/6.3 VR S instead. It has a few quirks but is a very good lens. See our Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 review here.
- Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S: You won’t be saving much money if you go with this lens – it costs $14,000. But it’s arguably the closest true competitor to the Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S available today. I recommend that many photographers consider the 400mm f/2.8 first. The ability to shoot at f/2.8 can be a lifesaver in low-light conditions, and can still nearly reach 600mm by engaging the built-in teleconverter, turning it into a 560mm f/4. That said, at the longer focal lengths (800mm and beyond), the teleconverter performance with this lens is definitely weaker. If your photography requires that you shoot beyond 600mm pretty often, go with the 600mm TC VR S. If not, I would get the 400mm f/2.8. See our Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC review here.
- Nikon F-Mount 600mm f/4 lenses: Optically, Nikon’s older 600mm f/4 glass is still some of the best that they’ve ever made. And it’s selling for astonishing prices on the used market these days. Just one generation prior, the Nikon 600mm f/4E FL, is hovering around $4500 used (eBay affiliate). The earlier Nikon 600mm f/4G VR can be found for about $3000 depending on condition (eBay affiliate). Simply put, these are exceptional prices for lenses that were once Nikon’s best-in-class supertelephotos. The Nikon Z version has more bells and whistles – especially the built-in TC and lighter weight – but is that worth a difference of ten grand? If you’re on a budget, but you don’t want to compromise on your lens’s optical capabilities, there’s never been a better time to be a photographer.
Any of these options would be a reasonable choice depending upon your situation. And there are other alternatives like the Nikon 500mm f/5.6 PF, Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7, and various older supertelephotos that could be the right choice for you instead. I know that Libor recently purchased a used Nikon F-mount 500mm f/4 because of the bargain prices of used DSLR lenses, and he’ll be able to put the money toward some great wildlife photography trips instead. At the end of the day, spending money on travel instead of lenses is usually a good way to end up with better photos in your portfolio.
But if you want Nikon’s best and are willing to pay for it, your options narrow to two. Either get the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S if you value low-light photography and slightly wider perspectives, or get the Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S if longer focal lengths are your domain. While I personally would choose the 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S (if I both won the lottery and decided to become a wildlife photographer), it’s a close decision that will depend upon your style of photography.
Here’s how I’d sum up the pros and cons of the Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S.
Pros:
- Excellent build quality with tight tolerances and no external moving parts
- Nikon’s most advanced weather sealing that should survive anything other than a dunking
- High-end handling features, with numerous useful controls (including a focus recall ring)
- Remarkable autofocus with good low-light focusing capabilities
- Best-in-class optical performance in every regard
- Built-in teleconverter brings unprecedented versatility to such a lens
- Takes teleconverters better than arguably any other Nikon lens – solid even at 1680mm
Cons:
- Very expensive at $15,500
- A few minor construction details could be improved, such as the tripod foot and its locking knob
Neutral:
- Lighter than previous Nikon 600mm f/4 lenses, though still a bulky lens. It’s a bit heavier than Canon and Sony’s 600mm f/4 lenses, but those don’t have built-in teleconverters.
With the built-in teleconverters found on Nikon’s newest exotic supertelephotos, Nikon has taken a big step in the progress of high-end sports and wildlife lenses. The Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S is the prime example. It’s a professional lens in every way, with no serious flaws after you deal with the price and weight. Along with the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, the Z 600mm f/4 is arguably the best sports and wildlife lens available today from any manufacturer.
Even so, most Nikon photographers surely will go with a less expensive option at the end of the day. Even if you have $15,500 lying around, there might be better ways to spend it – including some wildlife photography trips to incredible destinations. Plus, you’re still getting excellent image quality with a lens like the Nikon Z 600mm f/6.3 (or an older F-mount 600mm f/4) if you choose to go that route.
But if you want a supertelephoto without compromises, few lenses, if any, are on the level of the Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S. The built-in teleconverter is addictive, and the image quality is second to none. It’s a dream lens for sports and wildlife photography that doesn’t disappoint at all.
Conclusion
The Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S is available for $15,500 through any of our affiliates:
- Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S at B&H – Check Current Price and Sales
- Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S at Adorama
- Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S at Amazon
- Used/International: Check prices on eBay
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The next page of this review has some more sample photos from the Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S, followed by reader comments on the final page. Use the Table of Contents below the star rating to jump to the section you want.
Auto Draft
- Size and Weight
- Build Quality and Handling
- Sharpness Performance
- Other Optical Quality
- Value
Photography Life Overall Rating
Table of Contents