Petapixel did a review of the Nikkor Z 180-500mm f/5.6-6.3 and found it to be a compelling lens for the price, but they did find a few small issues. The following are highlights from the review of the Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR.
Preorder links for the Nikkor Z 180-500mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
- Preorder at Adorama: https://howl.me/cj1rtX4OCX9
- Preorder at B&H;: https://bhpho.to/43NTXTX
Petapixel Review Highlights
-
- The Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 is reminiscent of the popular AF-S 100-500mm f/5.6, but with variable f-stops, f/6 at 300mm and f/6.3 at 500mm.
-
- It weighs 1955g without the tripod socket and 2140g with the tripod socket. It feels a little lighter than the AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6.
-
- The zoom functions very well with a very small rotation angle of only 70 degrees.
-
- The focus limiter switch is on the lens barrel, but there is no VR ON/OFF switch.
-
- The autofocus is a stepping motor, quiet and comfortable, it's snappy and quick at 180mm, but is slower at 600mm though fast enough for most hobbyists.
-
- The hood can be removed with the push of a button and can be put on by simply turning it until it clicks.
-
- The filter diameter is 95mm, same as the AF-S200-500mm.
-
- The maximum magnification is 1/4x at 600mm.
-
- Ball bokeh is beautiful wide open, but considerable vignetting is present in the corners. Ball bokeh maintains its circular shape even when stopped down to F8. The transition from in-focus to out-of-focus areas is very smooth and beautiful.
-
- The test lens is a pre-production model, and it's still hazy due to the forest fires in Canada, so it's not a fair condition, but [the bird images] look very sharp.
