Nikon Nikkor Z 180-600mm F5.6-6.3 VR: The Best Big Zoom for Z Cameras

Telephoto lenses run big, there’s just no getting around the laws of physics when talking about camera optics. The 180-600mm follows suit. It measures in at a sizable 12.4 by 4.3 inches (HD), but isn’t too much to carry at 4.3 pounds. Its zoom is internal, so the lens never gets longer or shorter, which sets it apart from telescoping zooms like the Tamron 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD (8.3 by 3.7 inches, 4.1 pounds), which is also available for Z cameras.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

I don’t mind carrying a bigger lens if it has internal zoom, as the advantages win out over telescoping lenses. It takes less physical effort to set the focal length with an internal zoom for one, you’ve got to apply some torque with big lenses that extend to zoom. On the other hand, the Nikkor Z 180-600mm always takes up a ton of room in your camera bag, while the Tamron 150-500mm is decently short at 150mm.

The Nikkor Z 180-600mm puts its 25-element/17-group optical formula into a barrel that’s mostly metal, with a few bits of plastic here or there. It includes internal seals to reduce instances of dust and moisture ingress, similar to what Nikon puts in its Z mirrorless cameras, so you can use it comfortably in inclement weather. I took it out for bird photos during a winter snowfall with no ill effects.

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(Credit: Jim Fisher)

The front element supports anti-smudge fluorine, a material that repels moisture and grease so water beads off without a mark and it only takes a wipe of a microfiber cloth to wipe off a fingerprint. The lens has threads for 95mm glass filters if you’d like to add UV or a polarizer, just keep in mind that large filters can be expensive; a Hoya multicoated UV filter costs around $100 in the 95mm size, for example. If you’re worried about damage to the front glass, the included hood adds plenty of protection.

In addition to the hood, the lens ships with front and rear caps, a removable tripod collar, and a soft cloth pouch. The collar is set in place via thumb screw and rotates 360 degrees. Its missing detent stops at 90 degree increments, but includes paint marks so you can set it plumb by eye. The foot has both standard (1/4-inch-20) and large (3/8-inch-16) tripod threads, but omits dovetail cuts, so it can’t mount directly into an Arca-Swiss tripod head and you’ll have to attach a quick release plate.

Nikon Z50II, 600mm, f/6.3, 1/500-second, ISO 220 (Credit: Jim Fisher)

The Nikkor Z 180-600mm is a full-frame lens, but also works with Nikon Z cameras with DX sensors, including our Editors’ Choice-winning Z50II. Its angle of view is tighter with the smaller sensor format, but it serves the same basic purpose. If you think the Nikkor Z DX 50-250mm F4.5-6.3 doesn’t have enough zoom power for the images you want to take, the 180-600mm makes sense.

Full-frame owners should find the 600mm reach to be enough for most subjects, though I’ll say from experience that you’ll often want more zoom for bird photography. The Nikkor 180-600mm works with both rear Z system teleconverters. With the 1.4x extender it becomes a 252-840mm F8-9, and with the 2.0x it is a 360-1,200mm F11-13. You’ll need plenty of of light to get great results with either extender. I didn’t use one with the zoom in testing and still saw my ISO range pretty high under gray, overcast skies and when making images under tree canopy.

Nikon Z 8, 600mm, f/6.3, 1/640-second, ISO 9000 (Credit: Jim Fisher)