The perfect all-round zoom for wildlife photographers? Nikon Z180-600mm Review
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- čas přidán 5. 10. 2023
- I was able to take almost 10'000 photos with the Nikkor Z180-600mm f/5.6-6.5 VR and would like to share my experience with the lens in this video.
You can buy the lenses here (affiliate links):
Nikkor Z180-600: adorama.rfvk.net/QyG3D3
Nikkor Z400mm f/4.5: adorama.rfvk.net/vN1DyA
I use DXO Pure Raw3 and Topaz Photo AI to get the most out of my images:
DXO Pure Raw 3: tidd.ly/3ZWqi95
Topaz Photo AI: www.topazlabs.com/topaz-photo...
Image sharpness tests (dropbox link):
www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ap0i0r...
Support my channel and buy me a coffee:
buymeacoffee.com/fabianfopp
You can buy the lenses here (affiliate links):
Nikkor Z180-600: adorama.rfvk.net/QyG3D3
Nikkor Z400mm f/4.5: adorama.rfvk.net/vN1DyA
I was looking at the Z 600mm, but after seeing the results I bought the 180-600 and the money I saved paid for half of the Z 800mm. Then I upgraded the 180-600 and instead got the 100-400mm. With the two lenses 100-400 and 800mm I can span 100mm-1,600mm with TCs. All in one carry-on bag.
Nice setup! Have fun
Fantastic review. The review was very well organized and easy to follow, and that’s a hard thing to do! :)
Thanks a lot 😊
Excellent reviews. Just the right amount of detail, opinion, and comparison.
Thanks
Excellent review! 🎉
Thanks!
Excellent work!! Thank you!!.
Thanks 😊
Excellent review Fabian this is becoming a great channel to keep an honest track of the latest offerings. I'm keen to buy the lens, I'm looking at the Z8 at the moment I do wish Nikon did an update on the apsc line Z50 is not great on AF features. A nice stacked sensor like the Fuji XH2s uses will really shake things up like the D500 did. Shame Canon missed the opportunity to be a birders goto with the R7.
Thanks! Yes, a D500 successor would be great
Agree with you. I’d like for Nikon to come out with an APS-C Z body in the same class like the D500 with IBIS. I know lots of wildlife photographers like the extra reach that a DX camera gives. Thanks for this well explained review 👍👍😄
Another fine review and comparison. I've had mine on order since Day 2 of the preorder period. Wildlife is probably #3 priority for me after dog shows and hiking photography. But I certainly plan to test it at my favorite hiking spot, a nearby National Park which has a commendable group of California Condors as residents (Pinnacles National Park). By the way, I've heard that the latest firmware update on the Z9 (firmware 4.10) is a further improvement autofocus performance. Canon is still probably ahead, but the gap continues to narrow in the current iterations.
Thanks! Yes, I was chatting with a friend who had the opportunity to use it for several weeks now and he showed me some viewfinder recordings and it really seems much improved.
Fabian, the video is interesting. Good stuff !
A kind sugestion from my side, when you make sharpness tests, I think the best is to use a puppet-bird, to have exact the same light and angle on all cameras.
Then you can make a test at 10 meters (close), and another one at 40-50 meters (far-away) where we can expect problems for the weak lens.
It's also nice to see comparisons from real life, but I know here the light and bird shake can compromise the comparison.
Thanks for the feedback!
Excellent review. The number if subscribers of your channel deserves more❤.
I'm subscribing because I found your explanation process very good 👍
I'm using 200-500 with Z9.... confused whether to sell it and upgrade to 180-600 or not !! One issue - Is Autofocus in 180-600 faster than 200-500 , specifically for birds in flight?
Thanks! Yes, the AF is definitely faster. However, I was not able to compare BIF
Fabian I'm glad you brought up the point that the Mirrorless Cameras can't focus close like a digital SLR Cameras I thought it was just me turns out it wasn't just me this is a problem with the Mirrorless Cameras .
This is a big problem with the Mirrorless Cameras and this has got to be addressed .
Glad to hear that the video helped you 😊
Great review as always Fabian. Can you please provide download link with toucan pictures. Thank you so much.
Thanks! I just added it into the video description. Let me know if it works
@@FabianFoppNaturephotography it works. Thank you so much!
Excellent review Fabian. I just started watching your channel and like it 👍. I am currently using 200-500 on Z8 and was wondering should I switch to 180-600 or 600 6.3? My prime focus would be birds. Your suggestion would help my decision factor.
Thanks. Hmm, I could not try the 600/6.3 so far. But I assume it will be sharper and is much lighter. The advantage of the 180-600 is the flexibility of having a zoom lens and the price point
Hi Fabian,
do you find the AF motors noisy of the 180 - 600 ? I have just received the lens and noticed it.. I have made a video of the issue on my channel. Do you have the same noise or mine is a lemon ?
I found it much more quiet than the Z800/6.3. but I honestly can’t remember if it was better or the same as in your video. Is there any chance you could check with your dealer if another one has the same noise levels?
Would love to hear your thoughts on the new 600PF
Yes, I hope I can try one soon!
Too good review man.. really exhaustive.. multiple queries resolved.. please keep up the great work..
Just one last question.. i have z8 with 200-500mm .. iam v unsatisfied with the autofocus.. most of my burst shots shift in focus so v few keepers..
Is it worth upgrading to 180 600mm?
It's always worth upgrading. It's a far better lens and its new tech and no adapter. sell the one you got Its a no brainer for many reasons
Thanks a lot!
I definitely felt an improvement with the AF. It’s not only the speed, I also felt that it was more consistent
It has a programmable control ring.
Well, you can reprogram the focus ring. But how can I then change the focus? Canon does the same on some cheaper lenses. That’s not my understanding of a control ring
good
Thanks
Why not compare the image taken using the TC with the cropped image taken without the TC. Then we will know if it's worth getting the TC or not. In my experience, cropping is usually better, especially when the quality is ISO limited; the improved sharpness of lower ISO and the absence of a TC allows the necessary cropping latitude to make up for the reach. I have not been able to justify the expense and hassle of a TC.
Yes, that would also be an interesting point. I did that test for several other lenses and for all of them the IQ was better when using teleconverters (even on 45MP bodies)
За три месяца владения, могу сказать, что у линзы есть серьезный недостаток - сильное падение резкости при сьемках в контровой свете. 99% снимков в таком режиме получаются мыльными. При этом, фикс 400f4.5 показывает отличные результаты.
Interesting! I would be curious to see how the Z600/6.3 performs in backlit
@@FabianFoppNaturephotography согласен, тоже интересен результат при сьемках в контре у 600 f6.3
@@FabianFoppNaturephotography справедливости ради, надо сказать, что немногие линзы могут выдавать качественный результат при сьемка в контровом свете. Даже 500 afs f4 не всегда выдавал нужное качество.
Just keep the 200-500 F/5.6 lens. No need at all to upgrade. If you want to upgrade, then, I believe it is much better to buy the 500 F/5.6 F mount lens, or the 600mm F/6.3 Z lens. I have my 200-500 F/5.6 lens, and there is no way it is so soft at 300mm. Impossible. Your copy has a problem, for sure! Or maybe, by accident, you used a shaky picture as an example.
I took several pictures and used the sharpest. But of course (both for the 200-500 and 180-600) I don’t know if it is sharper or softer than average
to me 180-600 is a dull lens.. most dissapointing lens for bird photography in hills. you don't know which image will be sharp.
Why is it problematic in hills?
It's not good at all and so disappointed why u didn't feild test on birds for auto focus on 200-500mm. So bad man
As I mentioned, I felt that the Z180-600 was faster and more reliable in autofocus when taking pictures of birds