Re: 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
Re: 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
Re: 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
Re: 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
Mar 02, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Previous versions of sum1sgrampa's message #16764315 « Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread »
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