I just took delivery of my 180-600 and did a few quick unplanned shots of birds from the balcony at home. Wow! Tack sharp, beautiful bokeh, fast focus. On a Z8 body. Amazing bit of glass. Well worth the dollars.
Whilst waiting impatiently for the promised 200-600 to be released, I bought the 100-400 and TC1.4. Then, recently, I picked up a used 180-600 for £1,500. Whilst I like the handling of the internal zoom format , it does make it a big, heavy lens compared with the 100-400. Initial impressions are that it's good, even with the TC1.4 at 840mm at F9 but I'm still waiting for that killer shot to convince me to keep it and sell the 100-400, or just keep it for landscapes etc. Thanks for the video, Sean, I found it very encouraging.
I've owned my 180 - 600 for several months and have been very pleased with it. I was always impressed with my 200 to 500 f mount zoom but the newer Z mount offering pretty much improves on it in every metric. Probably the best bang for your buck, it seems Nikon made this something of a loss leader in the same way the 200 to 500 was.
It's an excellent lens optically, it's biggest negative is the amount of twists of the zoom it takes to go from 200 to 500 and vice versa. It also feels very unbalanced when zoomed in, it seems all the optics are at the front of the lens lol No doubt it's available second hand for around half the price of a new 180 to 600 so it's great value for the budget conscious. I kept my copy in case I use my D750/D850 combo or even my F5! 😋
Hi Sean I am going on safari next year and i have the nikon z 100-400 and am wondering if adding a 1.4 teleconverter would be good enough thought about the 180-600 but seems like redundancy any thoughts?
Yes! Ive been waiting for this video from you. I was especially hoping you would chat about it related to dog sports. Its not fast enough for indoor shoots, but what about outdoors? Would love to hear your thoughts! Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be many dog sport photographers on youtube, but there are tons of birders.
I tested the lens extensively and owned it. It is sharp and focus is OK, in line with all other 200-600, 150-600 f6.3, F6.7 and F7.1 lenses. But honestly, nothing about it exited me as I find the focus in low light to slow and unreliable on my Z9. The f6.3 is to slow. It is a good light lens and for that it scores very high. I will never use this lens with any TC as in good light at f9 and f12 shooting a bird at long distance is prone to heat distortion and slow focus. I am not a major bird photographer. for that I use a Sigma 150-600 c that cost 1/3 of the price and the IQ difference is almost non-existent. If I want a compact zoom for travel in this category, the Tamron 150-500 at 50% of the price is a winner. So I stick with my 500 pf and 300 pf and 70-200 f2.8 FL. I alwyas carry at least 2 bodies
Have you considered making your videos at 24 FPS? The reason I ask is that I watch RUclips on my TV with a Roku. I like to watch at fast speed and when I do your video drops down to 360p quality . So I usually end up not watching. I notice that 24p video plays just fine at faster speeds. Thanks.
Both lenses look sharp but the Bokeh on the 300 f2.8 is far better, must admit I was the same as you Primes only for wildlife but the 180-600 has changed my mind
I just took delivery of my 180-600 and did a few quick unplanned shots of birds from the balcony at home. Wow! Tack sharp, beautiful bokeh, fast focus. On a Z8 body. Amazing bit of glass. Well worth the dollars.
I love this lens. Best lens for the cost. Even looks great with the 1.4x and 2x teleconvertors.
Great review thanks for sharing, I have the 180-600 on my z9 and it has not let me down.
Whilst waiting impatiently for the promised 200-600 to be released, I bought the 100-400 and TC1.4. Then, recently, I picked up a used 180-600 for £1,500. Whilst I like the handling of the internal zoom format , it does make it a big, heavy lens compared with the 100-400. Initial impressions are that it's good, even with the TC1.4 at 840mm at F9 but I'm still waiting for that killer shot to convince me to keep it and sell the 100-400, or just keep it for landscapes etc. Thanks for the video, Sean, I found it very encouraging.
Excellent review of and photos from a pretty special lens, Sean! I can only dream 😊
It's a fantastic lens for the price Keith
I've owned my 180 - 600 for several months and have been very pleased with it. I was always impressed with my 200 to 500 f mount zoom but the newer Z mount offering pretty much improves on it in every metric. Probably the best bang for your buck, it seems Nikon made this something of a loss leader in the same way the 200 to 500 was.
Looks like I need to test that 200-500 at some point, sounds good
It's an excellent lens optically, it's biggest negative is the amount of twists of the zoom it takes to go from 200 to 500 and vice versa. It also feels very unbalanced when zoomed in, it seems all the optics are at the front of the lens lol No doubt it's available second hand for around half the price of a new 180 to 600 so it's great value for the budget conscious. I kept my copy in case I use my D750/D850 combo or even my F5! 😋
You'll be testing the Z 28-400 next;-) Not sure if you're in Usk for Caerphilly this weekend? All the best D&K&The Parsons.
I really want to test the 28-400 but no-one is loaning or lending at the moment. I'll keep nagging Nikon
Hi Sean I am going on safari next year and i have the nikon z 100-400 and am wondering if adding a 1.4 teleconverter would be good enough thought about the 180-600 but seems like redundancy any thoughts?
Yes! Ive been waiting for this video from you. I was especially hoping you would chat about it related to dog sports. Its not fast enough for indoor shoots, but what about outdoors? Would love to hear your thoughts! Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be many dog sport photographers on youtube, but there are tons of birders.
I'm sorry, I should have tested with agility or something sporty. I guess I need to get one to retest :)
@@seancameronphotographic3740 Clearly it's the perfect reason. ;)
I love my 180-600 on my Z8
So jealous, it's the perfect combination
I tested the lens extensively and owned it. It is sharp and focus is OK, in line with all other 200-600, 150-600 f6.3, F6.7 and F7.1 lenses. But honestly, nothing about it exited me as I find the focus in low light to slow and unreliable on my Z9. The f6.3 is to slow. It is a good light lens and for that it scores very high. I will never use this lens with any TC as in good light at f9 and f12 shooting a bird at long distance is prone to heat distortion and slow focus. I am not a major bird photographer. for that I use a Sigma 150-600 c that cost 1/3 of the price and the IQ difference is almost non-existent. If I want a compact zoom for travel in this category, the Tamron 150-500 at 50% of the price is a winner.
So I stick with my 500 pf and 300 pf and 70-200 f2.8 FL. I alwyas carry at least 2 bodies
Have you considered making your videos at 24 FPS? The reason I ask is that I watch RUclips on my TV with a Roku. I like to watch at fast speed and when I do your video drops down to 360p quality . So I usually end up not watching. I notice that 24p video plays just fine at faster speeds. Thanks.
Thank you John, I'll try that
@@seancameronphotographic3740 Thank you!
Both lenses look sharp but the Bokeh on the 300 f2.8 is far better, must admit I was the same as you Primes only for wildlife but the 180-600 has changed my mind
The Bokeh on the 300 is why I've not traded it in over the last 10 years to be honest
Bugger. I have the F mount 200-500 and it looks like it needs to be upgraded to the 180-600 z. Dang! LOL
Wait until I do a comparison between them at least Lol
I'll still use the 600 f4 but the 180-600 is great on a second body for the unexpected .. 🦘
As a matter of interest is that the Z600 f4 or the F mount version?