The 'best' wildlife lens for Nikon is NOT what you think!
Vložit
- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- Think you need a pro Nikon lens for impressive wildlife photography? Well, time to think again as Matty Graham takes a look at the Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR - a value-for-money option that will get you close to your subject without breaking the bank. Stick around for the blooper at the end :)
SPECS:
Mount: Z Mount
Max aperture: f/5.6-6.3
Construction: 25 elements in 17 groups (including 6 ED elements, 1 aspherical element, and a fluorine-coated front lens element)
Minimum focusing distance: 1.3m (180mm) to 2.4m (600mm)
Diaphragm blades: 9
Filter size: 95mm
Weight: 2140g (with tripod collar)
Dimensions: 110 mm x 315.5 mm
#camerareview #lensreview #lens #lenses #photography #photographyvideo #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #photographyhide #opinion
A lot of reviewers lament the size & weight of the the 180-600mm. I use it with my Z9. Not a problem at all for me - and I am 69 years old! For me, the weight gives me more confidence holding/carrying the camera/lens. I used to have the 200-500mm F-mount lens. The 180-600mm is way better, especially with the latest firmware for birds/planes. The lens has internal zoom - balances perfectly on my Wimberley gimbal. So, if you're on the fence about buying it - hop down & head to your friendly camera store. Cheers!
Try before you buy is great advice and not enough people do that. Hope you are enjoying your photography!
On the Nikon Z8, set your lens function button to toggle between FX and DX and you get a fast electronic zoom. On this lens you would jump to 900mm or so.
Thanks for the comment, longer Z 8 video coming soon
The FX Nikon is way sharper than the Olympus kit.
Good practical video. Just a point, the Olympus lens focal length is not 800mm, its 400 mm. 800mm is the angle of view. If you assign a FX to DX toggle to any button on the Z8, the Z8 can be switched to Dx mode easily which gives an angle of view of 1.5X600 at ~19MPx resolution, similar to the OM-1.
Very helpful video! Nikon hobbyist here for over forty years; never owned a lens longer than 300mm. Wanted to expand into something longer for equestrian, football (soccer), auto racing, and some wildlife as well. Considered all the options, but didn't want to spend a fortune. This lens is awesome! Size and weight are appropriate for its range, and on my Z9 it balances beautifully; internal focusing and ultra-short zoom throw are the two most important features for me. Couldn't be happier!
Glad it was helpful! More Pocket 3 content on the way
Thanks for the vid - as a nikon Z9 shooter, this lens does doubletime at 19mp and APSC on z8/z9 getting up to 900mm, and then if you're filming video in 120p you get 2.2x ala M4/3 in tripple time. Would have been good to feature those things but they are a bit hidden.
About weight, the nearest apple to compare is the F mount 200-500 F5.6 that it replaces, which it is lighter than.. so that's nice.
Thanks for the kind words - good points about the APS-C options!
I just got it for Z9...my experience using Sony 200-600mm before, this lens just awesome as Sony 200-600.
I was very impressed - proves you don't have tto buy the 'top dollar' lens to get great results
Excellent review. I went with the pro level, Z600 f/6.3 S. It's amazingly lightweight with optimum IQ.
Thanks for the balanced review. Wonderful work!
Many thanks for the kind words!
It's much heavier than my 400 f4.5 but the versatility is remarkable. The quality is about the same compared with my 400 with the 1.4 tele. All round if Nikon had made the 600 a 5.6 I think it would have been worth the upgrade but for now I'll stick with my budget zoom. If I am going to play with f6.3 I might as well jump to the 800 PF.
800mm makes a big difference when in the photo hide so completely see your point of view!
The size and weight is pretty standard for full frame it will never compare with micro 4/3rds.
Thanks for making that review. I have been looking at getting a good used kit for wildlife photography. I’ve been all over the map for months in terms of sensor size and brand. However, when I look at the FF lens size and weight compared to your MFT system I’m back thinking about a lumix G9 or an Oly mod em1 mii. Do you feel like you’re missing out on anything with your MFT system? Thank you!
Thanks for this nice comparison. I have both these sets, except that I have a Z6 instead of the Z8. When I started using Olympus gear, it was with the intention to quit Nikon.
I just can't 😊. In particular when i got into bird photography. Of course you can get great photos with both sets, and the OM-1 has much better AF than the Z6.
Yesterday I joined a bird watching bus ride, and I brought the OM-1/100-400, - it is just easier to get in and out of the bus with that gear.
But I find that I use software like Topaz photo AI much more with the OM-system than with the Nikon. Nikon's immediate image quality is superior as far as I am concerned.
By the way - I have an old D800 also - in-between I find it beats the two mirrorless cameras 😁
Good points and it's not just the photos that are important but the comfort and enjoyment of the day - a lighter camera does help with that and the OM-1's stacked sensor has raised the OM game massively.
My wife uses the OM-1 withe 400 lens, I use a Nikon Z9 with a 100-400, 180-600 and my beloved 800mm PF. She wishes she could come close in Image quality, auto focus speed and Noise. there is no comparison.
Great video!
I am an amateur who is looking for a long lens for my Z8 and the 180-600 is definitely a front runner. I am also considering the recently announced (for Nikon Z Mount) Tamron 150-500. Based on the reviews of the Sony E Mount, the Tamron offers great optics (and image quality) in a relatively compact, lens. It is slightly wider at both ends than the Nikon, and about 1/3 of a stop slower, but for my use, those are things that I can accept. I am concerned though that it might be a case of "you get what you pay for" and even though the Nikon 180-600 is bigger, heavier and more expensive, it might be the better option.
Do you have any experience with the Tamron 150-500 lens?
Hi, I'm hoping to get a Tamron 150-600mm in the near future so please stay tuned :)
@R.Hogarth No experience here, but as a general rule, the autofocus works much better with lenses of the same brand as the camera body. Therefore, you'll probably be the happiest with the 180-600!
@@nielsaerts9971 thank you. I plan on using my "long lens" for a little bit of everything. I shoot a little bit of birds in flight, airshows/aviation and I am in the early stages of planning a trip to the Florida "Space Coast" to photograph a rocket launch (or two). The big concern with the 180-600 is that I am afraid that it will be too big & heavy to routinely carry in my camera bag "just in case" I see something that I need a telephoto for. I realize that the solution to my problem would be the 100-400 S lens with a 1.4 TC, but since I am just an amateur, I simply don't have the budget for that to be a viable option. Sometimes, however, in real life, the perfect solution isn't the practical solution and the 90% solution or the 95% solution is actually the best option, and THAT is why I am struggling between two potentially very good options, not to find the perfect lens, but to find the right lens for me.
There are LOTS of reviews on the Tamron 150-500 in Sony E Mount, but very few (if any) of how it performs on the Nikon Z Mount.
@@R.Hogarth Ah yeah I guess if you are not primarily into telephoto photography the weight might indeed be a concern. As a wildlife photography hobbyist I don't mind carrying a somewhat comparable camera/lens combo (Sony A6400 + 200-600) in my bag (Lowepro Flipside 400 AW II) and don't find it particularly heavy. But then again: it is the main thing that I do, so it is more than worth it. I guess it would indeed be a good idea to try and find out how the 150-500 works on the Z8. Still, my feeling from watching Z8 reviews is: it is such an awesome camera, do it justice by buying a perfectly compatible lens! But again: our priorities don't seem exactly the same, and if the 150-500 performs relatively well it might be worth it for you. Good luck with your decision and enjoy your photography!
🎉
Thanks for sharing! :)
My pleasure!