The Z180-600f5.6-6.3 on the Z 8 w/MB-N12
The day the Z180-600f5.6-6.3 was available, our son Jake added it to his kit. The lens and Jake acquiring it both got my attention. When Jake first placed it in my hands, I was impressed. We shot some aviation together, he with the Z180-600, I shot with the Z100-400f4.5. It was obvious on that day, Jake did better than I with that lens and his style. I took notice. Then we went to Costa Rica, and my dear friend Chuck brought his recently purchased Z180-600, which he shot the majority of the time with the Z1.4x attached. Looking at his results on a computer (which were gorgeous!), my mind was made up. With projects coming up, the Z180-600 was shorlty in the gear locker ready for use (Thanks Bedfords!).
You’re probably wondering why. One reason is I was missing the flexibility of the 180- 400 VR, a great, great lens. Next was the Z100-400 focal length seemed too often to be too little for what I was shooting. The real biggie for me is the MFD of the Z180-600. At 600mm, the Z180-600 MFD is just shy of eight feet! Eight Feet!!! The Z600f4TC’s (my primary 600mm) MFD is a tad over fourteen feet. That’s a HUGH difference, especially when working with small birds up close in a forest like warblers. This probably raises the question: is the Z180-600f6.3 as sharp as the Z600f4TC? No lens is, but the Z180-600 delivers easily full wall size prints quality (I couldn’t use it if it didn’t deliver). Check out its MFD!
• 200 mm zoom position: 1.36 m (4.47 ft)
• 300 mm zoom position: 1.67 m (5.48 ft)
• 400 mm zoom position: 1.94 m (6.37 ft)
• 500 mm zoom position: 2.19 m (7.19 ft)
• 600 mm zoom position: 2.4 m (7.88 ft)
The Z180-600 has a 95mm filter size, making it very easy to attach a filter such as the polarizer (which I do a lot for landscapes). This makes the lens really excellent for landscapes. The Z180-600 has internal zooming, which is outstanding for aviation photography. It does have a variable aperture:
• 600 mm zoom position: f/6.3 – 36
which doesn’t affect my photography negatively. As you can see, I replaced the tripod collar that came with the lens with the RRS to minimize weight a tad. After shooting with the Z180-600 for a while, I find it the perfect complement to the Z600f4TC in my kit, filling a hole that has been present since I went all mirrorless. I’m so happy to have the amazing Z180-600