Thom's Commentary: Originally projected as a 200-600mm lens, the 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 is the Z-mount “equivalent" to the old F-mount 200-500mm f/5.6E: similar weight and size, and priced for the consumer market. Optically, this lens turned out better than anyone expected, to the point where it forced me to downgrade my recommendation level for the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S! Recommended Read Thom's review of the 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens
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Nikon Z Camera Owners: Up-to-date information and new articles by Thom Hogan are available at zsystemuser.com, which continues to follow all Nikon mirrorless camera news and information in 2026 and the future.
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- Coverage: full frame (FX)
- Build: dust and drip resistant
- Optic design:
- 25 elements in 17 groups
- 1 aspherical, 6 ED elements
- flourine front element coating
- Field of view: 4°10’ to 13°40' diagonal
- Stabilization: VR (5.5 stops CIPA)
- Additional controls: L-Fn buttons, focus limiter switch, supplied removable tripod collar and support handle, compatible with 1.4x and 2x teleconverters
- Aperture:
- f/5.6 to f/32 at 180mm
- 9-blade rounded diaphragm
- Focus:
- autofocus, internal focus, focus limiter switch
- stepper motor
- 51” (1.3m) minimum focus (wide end), 8’ (2.4m) at telephoto end
- 1:4 maximum magnification ratio
- Filters: 95mm front filter thread
- Lens hood: supplied HB-113
- Size and weight:
- 12.5” (315.5mm) long
- 4.4” (110mm) diameter
- 75.5 ounces (2140g) with tripod collar, 69 ounces (1955g) without
- Model number: 20117
- Other: Shutter Type must be set to Auto or Electronic
- Price: US$1700
- Firmware: 1.00
- Announced: June 20, 2023