I shared my Nikkor Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Initial Impressions shortly after getting the lens and thought an update after using it for 6 months would be appropriate. I have now had the chance to travel with it and used it regularly over that time and have come to realise that this lens has created a problem for me.
My first real test was flying down to Dunedin for our Wildlife Masterclass in October. I took the Nikkor Z 180-600mm as my main lens but took the Nikkor Z 100-400mm as the lens to use for our pelagic trip as I have always found it to be excellent in that situation. As it turned out the 180-600mm was the only lens I used. It worked perfectly for sea lions and birds on the beach, bush birds, seals and penguins and on the pelagic trip. The following gallery shows a range of images taken with the Nikkor Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR during the workshop.
The focal length range and versatility was really useful and image quality is not a compromise you need to take into account when considering it as an option. These next 2 images show the framing options available with the Nikkor Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR.
The only issue is the size and weight. For an upcoming trip I am trying to find a way to fly with the 180-600 and the 800 as I would like to have both but the 100-400 pairs much more easily for packing and airline travel. The problem that has been created is that the Nikkor Z 180-600mm is such a versatile and useful range for wildlife photography and there is no significant sharpness penalty to pay when using it. This makes it an excellent option to pair with the Nikkor Z 24-200mm as a 2 lens wildlife photography travel solution. In this regard it has solved a problem.
The issue is that when flying it is too big and heavy to take together with the Nikkor Z 800mm f6.3 VR S if it is a bird photography mission. The Nikkor Z 800mm f6.3 VR S remains my preferred tool for bird photography so I am currently trying to find a way that I can pack both!
All photos with the Nikon Z9 and Nikkor Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR
Nicola
24 Mar 2024Thanks for the update. I bought the 100mm-400mm just before the 180-600mm was released. If I had known that the 180-600mm was going to be released, I would have held off and purchased that rather than using the 100-400mm with a 1.4 teleconverter.
Trying to keep within the weight restrictions on a flight is tricky with camera equipment, especially if taking a laptop as well. I emailed Air New Zealand to see if they could advise any options, but alas, they just came back with the standard company line of the 7kg max personal item as well as stating that fragile items should be carried on board.
tony
24 Mar 2024Thanks for your comment Nicola. Air travel is always a challenge. My bag is always over 7kg. I’ve had it weighed once in over 20 years and started to take gear out to put in my pockets and they said “if it’s camera gear it’s OK”. Still always feel a bit anxious. My current camera bags have a removable insert which looks compact even if heavy so doesn’t attract attention. You are allowed to take a separate laptop bag which you can also put some camera gear into (I used it to take 2 pro bodies to Antarctica without any questions there or back via Chile and Argentina)