Nikon Nikkor Z 180-600mm F5.6-6.3 VR

Nikon Z (DX/FX)

Review

The Nikon Nikkor Z 180-600mm F5.6-6.3 VR lens is an impressive addition to Nikon's growing lineup of Z-mount lenses. This ultra-telephoto zoom lens offers an extensive focal range suitable for wildlife and sports photography, making it a versatile tool for both amateur and professional photographers.

Build and Design

The lens features a solid construction that feels durable yet lightweight, weighing in at about 3.6 pounds. It boasts a polycarbonate body with a rubberized grip, ensuring comfort during extended shooting sessions. The zoom and focus rings are smooth and well-damped, with the zoom ring providing a satisfying resistance to prevent accidental movements. Additionally, it is weather-sealed, which is a significant advantage for outdoor photographers who face varying environmental conditions.

Optical Performance

In terms of optical performance, the Nikkor Z 180-600mm lens is quite impressive. The lens incorporates multiple ED (extra-low dispersion) and aspherical elements to minimize chromatic aberration and distortions. The sharpness throughout the zoom range is commendable, with images exhibiting great details even at 600mm. That being said, reaching maximum zoom can occasionally lead to slight softness in the corners, particularly when shooting wide open. Nevertheless, stopping down to F8 usually provides satisfying results.

Autofocus System

The lens employs a fast and quiet stepping motor (STM) for autofocus, which is a significant plus for those who often shoot video content. In practice, the autofocus is accurate and performs well in various lighting conditions, though it may struggle a bit in very low light or under fast-moving subjects. The lens also features a customizable control ring that allows you to adjust settings like aperture or exposure compensation quickly—something that can be immensely helpful during dynamic shooting conditions.

Compatibility and Use

Being a Z-mount lens, it is designed to work seamlessly with Nikon’s mirrorless cameras, allowing full access to features such as in-body image stabilization. Using the lens with a full-frame camera, you will appreciate its effective vibration reduction (VR) system, which provides up to 5 stops of compensation. However, the performance may vary when used with Nikon's APS-C format cameras, where the effective focal length extends to a longer reach.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Wide focal range (180-600mm) provides versatility for different shooting scenarios.
• Excellent build quality with weather-sealing for outdoor use.
• Impressive sharpness and optical performance throughout most of the zoom range.
• Fast and quiet autofocus system, ideal for both stills and video.
• Customizable control ring for quick adjustments.

Cons

• Slight softness at the corners when shooting wide open at 600mm.
• Autofocus may be less reliable in very low-light conditions.
• Can feel bulky for some users, especially during extended shooting sessions.

Verdict

Overall, the Nikon Nikkor Z 180-600mm F5.6-6.3 VR lens stands out as a powerful telephoto zoom option that meets the demands of wildlife and sports photographers alike. With great optical performance, durability, and fast autofocus, it is a worthy investment for anyone looking to expand their photographic capabilities. While it has minor drawbacks, the pros far outweigh the cons, making this lens a great choice for Nikon Z mount users.