I'm not a big fan of lugging this thing around .. may have to trade it in for the 400 4.5 , the 600 PF would be nice but I can't justify it ... it's just a hobby.
NIKON Z fNIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens600mmf/8.01/2000s6400 ISO0.0 EV
p.22 #7 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
I was trying to decide where to share this and some thoughts...
I went to Bosque del Apach last week with my Z9 mounted to my new 400 f2.8S. In order to buy the 400 f2.8 lens I had to sell a bunch of gear. Specifically, I sold a 400 f4.5, 800PF, and Z8. I decided to keep the 180-600 and the Z6II. I used those two as my "B" set up. Anyway, the AF on the Z6II seemed primitive compared to the Z9/Z8 bodies I had been using since summer. When I returned home, I decided to look for a way to match the 180-600 with the Z8 AF system. Unfortunately, the price of a Z8 was just beyond my reach. Between the purchase of the 400 f2.8, trip to Bosque, and a trip later next month, I only had $1100 to put towards a solution.
I sold the Z6II added in my cash and bought a Zf. I programmed the Zf to match my Z9 as best as I could. So rather than using the retro-dials, I activated the front and rear command dials, turned on back-button focus, assigned single spot AF to the custom funciton button (wish there were two!), and programmed the lens function button to wide-Af custom. My goal was to create a "cheaper" way to optimize the AF performance of the 180-600.
Today was a mix of mist, rain, and freezing rain... perfect conditions to test the gear. In the end, I think that the Zf is a better solution than the Z6II/Z7II. The AF was very sticky and eye AF did the job. While the focus was a bit slower than the Z8, it was definitely faster than the Z6II.
After shooting for several hours this morning I feel the Zf will work for me. With that said, I do wish that the front command dial was larger. I fear that it will be difficult to manipulate this in cold weather. Furthermore, I think Nikon should have added a back-button focus button or a second function button in the front. I know that all of these might detract from the FM-like styling they were seeking to emulate, but one more programable button would be super useful.
The following are a few pictures that convinced me that the body will do just fine.
cheers,
bruce
NIKON Z fNIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens560mmf/6.31/1250s6400 ISO+0.7 EV
NIKON Z fNIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens500mmf/6.31/1000s6400 ISO0.0 EV
p.22 #16 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
Ok... mine is a reality check from @sum1sgrampa as many of us do not live where the weather is lovely year-round
I live in the world of the polar vortex and the sub-arctic air has settled on my home range. This morning it was -6 degF (-21C), and if you include the wind, it was a balmy -20 degF (-29 degC +/-). My wildlife subjects are cold just like their photographer. Finding wildlife is a challenge and sitting with them on an icy lake is equally difficult. In the end, I managed to make only two keepers (see below). The shots were taken with the Nikon Zf. In general, I plan to use the 180-600 with the Zf and my 400 f/2.8S with the Z9.
I've been adding my thoughts to the Zf discussion as well as one related to using a Zf w/ a 600PF. For those of you looking for a second body, I'd argue that this is your best option after the Z9/Z8. Please note, the Zf is not without its faults... in fact, I'd argue that ergonomically, it's not the better than the Z6/Z7 series, but the AF and viewfinder refresh rate is worth the ergonomic limitations. Of course, if you're a street photographer using manual focus lenses, the Zf is the right camera. For a nature shooter like me, I ignore the "old school" dials and programed the two comman dials to match my Z9. I've set the AEL button on the back to back-button focus, and programmed the one function button to change my AF patch to single point AF.
Finding the command dials with gloves is a little tricky, but this did not prevent me from controlling the camera as I intended. While I wish there was an additonal dedicated back-button focus button, I am making due. The real benefit of the Zf is the AF. The AF is responsive and behaves like my Z9. I shot for about an hour in the cold, and the battery held up just fine. I probably could get 4 hours out of a battery in that weather... I think that's better than what I could do with the Z6. Finally, in addition to the problems of shooting a white bird with a tiny black eye over water on a frigid morning, there was river mist. The AF behaved way better than expected...
cheers,
bruce
NIKON Z fNIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens270mmf/6.31/400s6400 ISO+1.3 EV
NIKON Z fNIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens600mmf/6.31/1250s6400 ISO+2.0 EV
p.22 #17 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
I feel your pain Bruce. When I say I live "south of buffalo ny", I don't mean 1,000 miles south, I mean 20 miles south And I've been here my whole life.
I'm painfully familiar with cold conditions
p.22 #18 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
sum1sgrampa wrote:
I feel your pain Bruce. When I say I live "south of buffalo ny", I don't mean 1,000 miles south, I mean 20 miles south And I've been here my whole life.
I'm painfully familiar with cold conditions
Oh... for some reason I thought you lived in the Carolinas. If you live near Buffalo NY, then you definitely understand the challenges of a real winter.
p.22 #19 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
Just wanted to say the photos and discussions in here convinced me to pull the trigger on the 180-600. Found a store in California that had stock (1 lol) and would ship, excited for it to get here later this week. Should be a pretty big leap up from my F mount Sigma 150-500 I've been adapting to my ZFC and had used on my D60, D7000, and D600 over the last decade plus.
I went up and photographed Sandhill Cranes at a nearby wildlife reserve this last weekend, and found the Sigma really showing its age sadly which was also a contributing factor. Plus the extra 100mm and internal zoom will be quite nice.
Course, now Bruce is over here talking up the ZF but maybe a new body later this year or next haha.
p.22 #20 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
Congrats on the new lens ! I'm guessing you'll be happy with the purchase. My Z 180-600 replaced my Sigma 150-600 S that I shot for seven years. You're right, the internal zoom is a huge upgrade. So much easier to handle and balance. Hope you share some results.
Gary
