I am by no means an expert, just a bird photographer who has and uses both lenses. Like you I would give the 400 f4.5 a slight edge in sharpness, but the 180-600 is no slouch in that department, and has the benefit a zoom brings. It is a bit heavier than the 400, so that might be a consideration for you.
For me, I use the 180-600 a fair amount more than my 400 because of the flexibility it gives me for my type of shooting. When I use the 400 I also pair it with the 1.4TC and am happy with the results I get. Good luck with whatever you decide.
afm901 wrote:
I am looking at the Z 400mm f4.5 VR S and the Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR. It seems to me that the Z 400mm f4.5 VR S is sharper and has better color and contrast. The photos in this thread seem so much sharper and more alive. Even with the Z TC 1.4. Am I wrong? I think I can live with 560mm if I get the what it seems the prime offers over the zoom.
Here are tests showing that the 400/4.5 S is better than the 180-600 @ 400 mm.
At 560 mm the performance of the two lenses is similar, with the 400+TC a little bit better (just).
The zoom is more versatile for sure; the prime (without TC) is faster, smaller and lighter.
I wouldn't focus so much on the differences in resolution between these lenses.
Those differences probably exist, at least at 400mm, where the prime lens simply performs a bit better and lets in more light at f/4.5, but other aspects are more important here.
Ultimately, especially at 560mm, there’s little difference between them—especially since post-processing is still a far more significant factor in the end.
The question is rather this: Do you need focal length flexibility and are willing to accept the significantly greater weight, dimensions, and pack size in exchange, or do you want the lightest, most compact solution possible, forgoing focal length flexibility and dealing with the hassle of an external converter?
The 400/4.5 VR S makes the most sense if you plan to work frequently at 400mm.
It can, of course, be extended nicely—particularly with the Z TC-1.4x—but then the lens does lose some of its ultimate bite.
It’s nothing you can’t compensate for in post-processing, but external converters are simply much more of a hassle than a zoom ring.
If you almost always need the long end, I’d lean toward choosing between the 180-600 and the 600/6.3.
Vento wrote:
I wouldn't focus so much on the differences in resolution between these lenses.
Those differences probably exist, at least at 400mm, where the prime lens simply performs a bit better and lets in more light at f/4.5, but other aspects are more important here.
Ultimately, especially at 560mm, there’s little difference between them—especially since post-processing is still a far more significant factor in the end.
The question is rather this: Do you need focal length flexibility and are willing to accept the significantly greater weight, dimensions, and pack size in exchange, or do you want the lightest, most compact solution possible, forgoing focal length flexibility and dealing with the hassle of an external converter?
The 400/4.5 VR S makes the most sense if you plan to work frequently at 400mm.
It can, of course, be extended nicely—particularly with the Z TC-1.4x—but then the lens does lose some of its ultimate bite.
It’s nothing you can’t compensate for in post-processing, but external converters are simply much more of a hassle than a zoom ring.
If you almost always need the long end, I’d lean toward choosing between the 180-600 and the 600/6.3....Show more →
Thank you for the reply!
Focal length flexibility is always nice to have. But, I am more inclined to prefer the more compact and lighter lens with more resolution and better contrast and color. The images the big zoom produces, based on the photos I see published on this forum, are noticeably softer, show less depth, and are less compelling. They seem to just sit there while the Z 400mm f4.5 photos, even with the Z TC 1.4, just pop off the screen.
I don't know what focal length I am going to prefer for my photography. I think the 400mm would be more used than 600mm. If I find that I am using the Z TC 1.4 all the time, then I will need to figure out what I am going to do a 600mm lens. The f6.3 speed of the Z 600mm PF is a little concerning but I don't see a 600 f4 in my future.
