Nikon officially announces the Z 180-600mm F/5.6-6.3 VR and Z 70-180mm f/2.8

[Canon Rumors Guy]

Today Nikon announced the release of the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR and the NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8, two new super telephoto NIKKOR Z lenses for enthusiasts that combine outstanding zoom capabilities with lightweight design. The NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR has been highly requested from Z series users, especially those capturing wildlife, nature and

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[navastronia]

The 70-180 2.8, at that price and that weight, would be an instant buy for me if it were in the RF system. Frankly, I'm a little envious.

 

[EOS 4 Life]

Canon never did make anything to compete with the Nikon 100-500 f/5.6 200-500 f/5.6 or 500 f/5.6 PF.
Hopefully, they will make a competitor to this one.
Especially, since Sony also has a 200-600.

 

[AlanF]

Nikon never made a 100-500 f/5.6. They did make a 200-500 f/5.6 which is heavy and soft at 500mm. On the other hand, the 500 f/5.6 PF is light and good, but hardly, if not at all, sharper than the RF 100-500mm.

 

[jd7]

For what it's worth, it seems to be a rebadged version of the Tamron 70-180 2.8 for Sony. I have the Tamron 70-180 and am happy with it.

 

[AlanF]

Today Nikon announced the release of the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR and the NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8, two new super telephoto NIKKOR Z lenses for enthusiasts that combine outstanding zoom capabilities with lightweight design. The NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR has been highly requested from Z series users, especially those capturing wildlife, nature and

See full article...

The 180-600/6.3 definitely has its place and is competitively priced. The upside is that 600/6.3 is really nice for extra length and brightness. The downsides are that with tripod collar it weighs 2.14 kg, about 0.5kg heavier than the RF 100-500mm, its mfd is 2.4m at the long end, somewhat twice that of the RF 100-500mm, and a longer short end. If it is really sharp, then it will be a very attractive lens.

 

[AlanF]

The website is playing up. It's put my reply to @EOS 4 Life in his mail and added @Canon Rumors Guy to my next.

 

[EOS 4 Life]

I actually do not mind that it embedded your message in mine since your message was a correction.

 

[dbcooper]

Nikon are releasing the lenses that I need in RF mount.

 

[Justhandguns]

The cool thing about this lens is not just the pricing, it's the internal zoom.

 

[koenkooi]

The specs list 0.25x magnification, but not at which end. If it’s at the long end, it has less focus breathing than the 100-500, since that does 0.34x.

 

[neuroanatomist]

I think the threading is a feature, not a bug. I looked for a way to select flat instead of threaded view, but I don’t see one in the settings. Personally, I prefer the flat (chronological) view. That’s what quotes are for.

 

[cohenfive]

I'd be interested in a comparison with the rf 100-500...among other comparisons. It really seems to me that nikon has the best long lens lineup at the moment. The 300/500/800pf lenses, the z 400 4.5, the 400/600tc primes, and now the 180-600. Where is canon in all this? Other than the upcoming variable tc, I don't hear of anything they are doing to update their long lens lineup.

 

[neuroanatomist]

I don't get the hate for external zooms. Personally, I prefer a more compact lens over a longer one. That's one reason I swapped my EF 70-200/2.8 II for the RF 70-200/2.8, and conversely the fixed length of the RF 100-300/2.8 (75 mm / 3" longer than the 300/2.8 II) is it's one downside.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Canon has the RF 100-400, currently $650 but has been as low as $500 recently. That's a comparative bargain relative to other brands. Canon also has 600 and 800mm lenses for under $1000. I don't hear of anything Nikon or Sony are doing to update their affordable long lens lineup.

I think this is yet another confirmation that Canon has made the decision to split their lineup into 'affordable' mid-tier lenses with good IQ costing <$1K, and excellent L-series lenses costing >$2K. Seems like Nikon is trying to offer what Canon is not, which makes sense because in recent years they have failed to compete against Canon and have lost significant market share to Sony.

 

[AlanF]

It's not the best, it's different, and what is best depends on your needs. If I am out on a hike, which is the most usual situation for me, the R7 or R5 + RF 100-500mm or RF 100-400mm are the best for me as they are light and sharp. If I was going out in a Safari vehicle or spending time in a hide (blind), I would consider the Z8 and 180-600mm, which I would guess would be a good combination or the Sony A1+ 200-600mm, which is good. I am also no longer strong enough to handhold a long internal zoom weighing 2.2kg for several minutes, which I can the lighter combinations. As @neuroanatomist writes an external focussing zoom has a great advantage in packing for travel or putting in a bag. It's all pros and cons with these systems.

 

[Froschphoto]

Four friends who did the switch to Sony have the 200-600 and love it. Now Nikon. I use two R3s, but have to admit Z9 and some of the Z lenses are looking good.