p.60 #3 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
Tony Northrup (snicker), has anointed the new Sony 400-800 as "best wildlife lens right now". Is he aware of my dream lens, The Z 600 f/4 TC ? f/4 @600mm and f5.6 @840mm with a flip of a switch compared to f8. Yes, much more expensive and a bit heavier but Tony didn't throw in those qualifiers. And judging by examples shown the 600 f4 will blow away the new Sony at both FL's. What about the Z 600 6.3 ? A full 2 lbs lighter and faster @ 600mm. Again, judging by online samples, better IQ at 600mm and looks to be about the same with the TC @840mm and f9. And the Z 800 6.3. Slightly lighter, sharper, f/6.3 instead of f8. And if you're looking for extreme reach, throw on a tc for 1,000mm @ f/9 and I'm guessing you're still within the realm of the Sony regarding IQ.
But, since I have about as much credibility as the Northrups I'm gonna go ahead and dub the Z 180-600 as "best wildlife lens right now." Sub $2000 price tag. IQ just a hair below it's big brother the Z 600 6.3. Very good with the tc 1.4. Over a lb lighter than the new Sony. An amazing MFD, giving 0.25x @ 600mm which allows you to go from shooting BIF at distance to butterflies and small critters steps away. Beautiful oof rendering for a 6.3 lens. And an extremely versatile zoom range compared to a restrictive 4-8. I normally head out in the field with the Z9, 180-600, and the Z 40 f/2 stuffed in a pocket. Gives me 40-60 and 180-900 at the push of a button. No need for another lens and/or body. YMMV
Gary
p.60 #4 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
Your images are fabulous. As stated previously, bang for the buck the 180-600 is great!
Not sure how much better it gets for this size / weight / price….
Gerald
sum1sgrampa wrote:
A few examples of how this lens softens up at 600mm
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sum1sgrampa wrote:
Tony Northrup (snicker), has anointed the new Sony 400-800 as "best wildlife lens right now". Is he aware of my dream lens, The Z 600 f/4 TC ? f/4 @600mm@ and f5.6 @840mm with a flip of a switch compared to f8. Yes, much more expensive and a bit heavier but Tony didn't throw in those qualifiers. And judging by examples shown the 600 f4 will blow away the new Sony at both FL's. What about the Z 600 6.3 ? A full 2 lbs lighter and faster @ 600mm. Again, judging by online samples, better IQ at 600mm and looks to be about the same with the TC @840mm and f9. And the Z 800 6.3. Slightly lighter, sharper, f/6.3 instead of f8. And if you're looking for extreme reach, throw on a tc for 1,000mm @ f/9 and I'm guessing you're still within the realm of the Sony regarding IQ.
But, since I have about as much credibility as the Northrups I'm gonna go ahead and dub the Z 180-600 as "best wildlife lens right now." Sub $2000 price tag. IQ just a hair below it's big brother the Z 600 6.3. Very good with the tc 1.4. Over a lb lighter than the new Sony. An amazing MFD, giving 0.25x @ 600mm which allows you to go from shooting BIF at distance to butterflies and small critters steps away. Beautiful oof rendering for a 6.3 lens. And an extremely versatile zoom range compared to a restrictive 4-8. I normally head out in the field with the Z9, 180-600, and the Z 40 f/2 stuffed in a pocket. Gives me 40-60 and 180-900 at the push of a button. No need for another lens and/or body. YMMV
Gary ...Show more →
p.60 #5 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
chemprof wrote:
Your images are fabulous. As stated previously, bang for the buck the 180-600 is great!
Not sure how much better it gets for this size / weight / price….
Gerald
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I hope no one takes my post too seriously. I'm keenly aware of the shortcomings and compromises of the 186. It was more to the point of someone making the ridiculous statement of "best wildlife lens right now" no matter which lens they're referring to. Best can mean a whole lot of different things to a whole lot of different people
p.60 #7 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
Your work is always incredible
sum1sgrampa wrote:
Tony Northrup (snicker), has anointed the new Sony 400-800 as "best wildlife lens right now". Is he aware of my dream lens, The Z 600 f/4 TC ? f/4 @600mm@ and f5.6 @840mm with a flip of a switch compared to f8. Yes, much more expensive and a bit heavier but Tony didn't throw in those qualifiers. And judging by examples shown the 600 f4 will blow away the new Sony at both FL's. What about the Z 600 6.3 ? A full 2 lbs lighter and faster @ 600mm. Again, judging by online samples, better IQ at 600mm and looks to be about the same with the TC @840mm and f9. And the Z 800 6.3. Slightly lighter, sharper, f/6.3 instead of f8. And if you're looking for extreme reach, throw on a tc for 1,000mm @ f/9 and I'm guessing you're still within the realm of the Sony regarding IQ.
But, since I have about as much credibility as the Northrups I'm gonna go ahead and dub the Z 180-600 as "best wildlife lens right now." Sub $2000 price tag. IQ just a hair below it's big brother the Z 600 6.3. Very good with the tc 1.4. Over a lb lighter than the new Sony. An amazing MFD, giving 0.25x @ 600mm which allows you to go from shooting BIF at distance to butterflies and small critters steps away. Beautiful oof rendering for a 6.3 lens. And an extremely versatile zoom range compared to a restrictive 4-8. I normally head out in the field with the Z9, 180-600, and the Z 40 f/2 stuffed in a pocket. Gives me 40-60 and 180-900 at the push of a button. No need for another lens and/or body. YMMV
Gary ...Show more →
p.60 #8 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
sum1sgrampa wrote:
I hope no one takes my post too seriously. I'm keenly aware of the shortcomings and compromises of the 186. It was more to the point of someone making the ridiculous statement of "best wildlife lens right now" no matter which lens they're referring to. Best can mean a whole lot of different things to a whole lot of different people
I completely agree. If I shot with Sony I would probably use their much lighter 300/2.8 and throw some teleconverters on it. If Nikon comes out with a similar 300/2.8 I probably would sell my 400/4.5 for it but I would still use the 600 PF for most wildlife situations.
p.60 #9 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
Really nice examples and good eye!
This lens stuns me frequently, especially at 600mm. I also have the Z 800mm f/6.3 S when I need more reach, but the IQ difference is almost negligible between the two when filling the frame about the same way. The prime will always have just a tiny bit more detail retention and slightly better contrast/colors due to the extra coatings, but most people will never look at my photos at 200%, trying to see that difference. A good post-processing workflow is going to make it a non-issue.
Nikon did an amazing job with the 180-600mm. It's the best wildlife zoom I've ever had the pleasure to use. I'm glad I got a hold of it before the price went up! I see people frequently asking "600mm f/6.3 or 180-600mm" and personally, if weight & size isn't the issue, I would recommend the zoom. I find the zoom flexibility very useful and the difference in IQ is hardly noticeable. Most of the time it's not the lens that will cause IQ issues, it's going to be the user and settings.
I suppose it could be argued that the lighter prime will allow the user to hold the camera + lens up to their eyeball longer when shooting hand-held, and increase the likelihood of catching the best moment. It's always going to depend on the individual's personal needs and strengths.
p.60 #10 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
SoaringSprite wrote:
Really nice examples and good eye!
This lens stuns me frequently, especially at 600mm. I also have the Z 800mm f/6.3 S when I need more reach, but the IQ difference is almost negligible between the two when filling the frame about the same way. The prime will always have just a tiny bit more detail retention and slightly better contrast/colors due to the extra coatings, but most people will never look at my photos at 200%, trying to see that difference. A good post-processing workflow is going to make it a non-issue.
Nikon did an amazing job with the 180-600mm. It's the best wildlife zoom I've ever had the pleasure to use. I'm glad I got a hold of it before the price went up! I see people frequently asking "600mm f/6.3 or 180-600mm" and personally, if weight & size isn't the issue, I would recommend the zoom. I find the zoom flexibility very useful and the difference in IQ is hardly noticeable. Most of the time it's not the lens that will cause IQ issues, it's going to be the user and settings.
I suppose it could be argued that the lighter prime will allow the user to hold the camera + lens up to their eyeball longer when shooting hand-held, and increase the likelihood of catching the best moment. It's always going to depend on the individual's personal needs and strengths.
p.60 #13 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
SoaringSprite wrote:
Really nice examples and good eye!
This lens stuns me frequently, especially at 600mm. I also have the Z 800mm f/6.3 S when I need more reach, but the IQ difference is almost negligible between the two when filling the frame about the same way. The prime will always have just a tiny bit more detail retention and slightly better contrast/colors due to the extra coatings, but most people will never look at my photos at 200%, trying to see that difference. A good post-processing workflow is going to make it a non-issue.
Nikon did an amazing job with the 180-600mm. It's the best wildlife zoom I've ever had the pleasure to use. I'm glad I got a hold of it before the price went up! I see people frequently asking "600mm f/6.3 or 180-600mm" and personally, if weight & size isn't the issue, I would recommend the zoom. I find the zoom flexibility very useful and the difference in IQ is hardly noticeable. Most of the time it's not the lens that will cause IQ issues, it's going to be the user and settings.
I suppose it could be argued that the lighter prime will allow the user to hold the camera + lens up to their eyeball longer when shooting hand-held, and increase the likelihood of catching the best moment. It's always going to depend on the individual's personal needs and strengths.
p.60 #14 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
Thank you! I got the lens just before a big road trip around a few national parks. I'm super happy with it. Those mountain goats and big horn sheep were a real bonus. 👌
p.60 #18 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
SoaringSprite wrote:
Really nice examples and good eye!
This lens stuns me frequently, especially at 600mm. I also have the Z 800mm f/6.3 S when I need more reach, but the IQ difference is almost negligible between the two when filling the frame about the same way. The prime will always have just a tiny bit more detail retention and slightly better contrast/colors due to the extra coatings, but most people will never look at my photos at 200%, trying to see that difference. A good post-processing workflow is going to make it a non-issue.
Nikon did an amazing job with the 180-600mm. It's the best wildlife zoom I've ever had the pleasure to use. I'm glad I got a hold of it before the price went up! I see people frequently asking "600mm f/6.3 or 180-600mm" and personally, if weight & size isn't the issue, I would recommend the zoom. I find the zoom flexibility very useful and the difference in IQ is hardly noticeable. Most of the time it's not the lens that will cause IQ issues, it's going to be the user and settings.
I suppose it could be argued that the lighter prime will allow the user to hold the camera + lens up to their eyeball longer when shooting hand-held, and increase the likelihood of catching the best moment. It's always going to depend on the individual's personal needs and strengths.
I really like my 186 for a variety of reasons and given its price tag and performance, it is an incredible value. It's not a lens I would easily relinquish. Nonetheless, in terms of sheer IQ, the distinctions between it and the 800 and 600 PF's are notable, and while some of the micro-contrast and other issues can be mitigated the differences remain. This is typically more distinguishable in prints. Similarly, as much as I venerate the PF lenses, the 400 f/2.8 TC and 600 f/4 TC are optically superior to the PF lenses.
" and personally, if weight & size isn't the issue, I would recommend the zoom. I find the zoom flexibility very useful and the difference in IQ is hardly noticeable. Most of the time it's not the lens that will cause IQ issues, it's going to be the user and settings.
