NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR - Images and Discussion

[PhilM]

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR​

Specs:
Maximum Aperture: f/5.6 to 6.3
Minimum Aperture: f/32 to 36
Lens Mount: Nikon Z
Lens Format Coverage:Full-Frame
Angle of View: 13° 40' to 4° 10'
Minimum Focus Distance: 4.27' / 1.3 m
Maximum Magnification: 0.25x
Macro Reproduction Ratio: 1:4
Optical Design: 25 Elements in 17 Groups
Diaphragm Blades: 9, Rounded
Focus Type: Autofocus
Image Stabilization: Yes
Tripod Collar: Removable and Rotating
Filter Size: 95 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L): 4.3 x 12.4" / 110 x 315.5 mm
Weight: 4.3 lb / 1.95 kg

I had all but forgotten just how nice it is to have some FL flexibility is while out looking for wildlife. After have this lens since it was released a couple months ago, it has earned a place n my bag. The versatility can be invaluable.
Priced below $1700 USD, this one is a bargain!

These are just a couple samples from a trip we took last week.

20231111 PDM Z9A, 180-600 Burrowing Owls-00398 by Phil McKinney

20231111 PDM Z9A, 180-600 Burrowing Owls-00182 by Phil McKinney

20231111 PDM Z9A, 180-600 Burrowing Owls-00427 by Phil McKinney

 

[PhilM]

It works well with action shots too....

20230902 Z8A, 180-600, UpDog Triple Crown - Greedy-9840 by Phil McKinney

20230902 Z8A, 180-600, UpDog Triple Crown - Greedy-9746 by Phil McKinney

20230902 Z8A, 180-600, UpDog Triple Crown - Greedy-9446 by Phil McKinney

20230902 Z8A, 180-600, UpDog Triple Crown - Greedy-9153 by Phil McKinney

 

[PhilM]

...and a few more dogs & discs shots

20230902 Z8A, 180-600, UpDog Triple Crown - Greedy-9087 by Phil McKinney

20230902 Z8A,180-600, UpDog Triple Crown - Frizgility-5746 by Phil McKinney

20230902 Z8A, 180-600, UpDog Triple Crown - Greedy-8571 by Phil McKinney

20230902 Z8A, 180-600, UpDog Triple Crown - Greedy-9261 by Phil McKinney

 

[PhilM]

From the garden....

20231028 Z9A, 180-600 - Flower-00406 by Phil McKinney

20231028 ZZ9A, 180-600 - Butterfly-00453 by Phil McKinney

20231028 Z9A, 180-600- Butterfly-00384 by Phil McKinney

 

[MatthewK]

I was able to recently acquire a 180-600 for use as a "do it all, closer-up" side-kick to my 800mm f/6.3 PF, and was expecting a decent-to-good budget zoom lens that would be super versatile but would be compromised in some major way. Man... I have been blown away by how fantastic this thing is. The IQ is exquisite, that's not an area where Nikon skimped at all. The shots I'm getting from this lens go toe-to-toe with my 600PF and 800PF primes, and are easily better than the 400 4.5 + 1.4TC and 100-400 + 1.4TC. Like Phil's shots above show, the 186 is the real deal.

Seeing as it is a budget, non-S lens though, they had to make some cuts, and that is in the lack of some Fn buttons, the tripod foot isn't Arca Swiss nor replaceable without swapping the whole ring, and weather sealing isn't S level. Good trade offs, in my opinion, to have such a solid performing lens come in at this price. I'm extremely happy with this thing, and consider it the best zoom lens I've ever used.

 

[PhilM]

I'm only getting started processing shots from our trip to FL last week, but there are a couple decent sots from this AM's batch.

20231112 PDM Z9A 180-600, FL Vaca, GreenCay-00143 by Phil McKinney

20231112 PDM Z9A 180-600, FL Vaca, GreenCay-00135 by Phil McKinney

20231113 PDM Z9A 180-600 FL Vaca, Wako-02232 by Phil McKinney

20231113 PDM Z9A 180-600 FL Vaca, Wako-02178 by Phil McKinney

 

[MatthewK]

I'm only getting started processing shots from our trip to FL last week, but there are a couple decent sots from this AM's batch.
20231113 PDM Z9A 180-600 FL Vaca, Wako-02178 by Phil McKinney

This one takes the cake, well balanced shot!

 

[PhilM]

This one takes the cake, well balanced shot!

Thank you, Sir!

 

[PhilM]

Here's a few more...
All three shot @ 600mm, F6.3

20231112 PDM Z9A 180-600, FL Vaca, GreenCay-00560 by Phil McKinney

20231112 PDM Z9A 180-600, FL Vaca, GreenCay-00152 by Phil McKinney

This one was shot in DX mode and was not cropped in post.
20231112 PDM Z9A 180-600, FL Vaca, GreenCay-00435 by Phil McKinney

 

[Zappix]

Green Cay Wetlands Pa4k in Boynton Beach Florida? Great park, did you also get a chance to shoot Nextdoor at Wakodahatchee Wetlands?
Thanks for the “sample shots”, they’re great and I can’t wait to get ahold of one.

 

[dmab]

Wow, beautiful examples here from this lens. When I moved back to Nikon in Nov, I was torn between this and the 400mm 4.5. This is a lens to continue keeping an eye on.

 

[MatthewK]

The primes are a smidge better IQ and AF speed, but it isn’t by a huge amount. This 186 is really dang good, the first wildlife zoom I’ve owned that I feel isn’t compromising on anything.

 

[PhilM]

Green Cay Wetlands Pa4k in Boynton Beach Florida? Great park, did you also get a chance to shoot Nextdoor at Wakodahatchee Wetlands?
Thanks for the “sample shots”, they’re great and I can’t wait to get ahold of one.

Yes Sir - to both questions.
We've been visiting both Wako & Green Cay once or twice a year for several years. They are both fantastic spots!

 

[PhilM]

Wow, beautiful examples here from this lens. When I moved back to Nikon in Nov, I was torn between this and the 400mm 4.5. This is a lens to continue keeping an eye on.

The 400 4.5 is one that I've never shot.
In my area, it's difficult to get close enough (on a regular basis) to get what I want with 400mm on a FF body.