NIKKOR Z 180-600MM F/5.6-6.3 VR

The first affordable ultra-telephoto zoom for Z-system cameras

- Matthew Richards

www.nikon.co.uk £1,799 / $1,699

The Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR aims to deliver serious ultra-telephoto focal lengths along with an impressive overall zoom range, at an affordable price of around £1,799 / $1,699. To put that price into context, the Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (£2,299 / $2,497) zoom and the Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VRS (£2,871 / $2.997) prime lenses give less telephoto reach and are considerably pricier to buy.

The Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (£6.299 / $6,497) ultra-telephoto prime is another few rungs up the price ladder; while the Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S (£13.499 / $13.997) and the Nikkor Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S (£15.499 / $15.497), with their built-in teleconverters, are far too expensive for most of us to consider.

The Z 180-600mm is more like an ultra-telephoto zoom for the masses, and follows in the footsteps of the Nikkor AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR for F-mount DSLRs, which is priced at £1,249 / $1.397. (There's something to be said for using this excellent lens on a mirrorless Z-system camera, via an FTZ or FTZ II mount adapter.) It really fills a gap, bringing ultra-telephoto zoom potential while making full use of the Z-system mounting flange's wide diameter and close proximity to the image sensor, for enhanced performance.

LENS TEST NIKKOR Z 180-600MM F/5.6-6.3 VR

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