Since the launch of its feature-packed Z mirrorless system, Nikon has consistently unveiled an array of new lenses for its renowned series of cameras. Now, as we find ourselves halfway through the year, Nikon has announced the latest additions to its ever-expanding NIKKOR Z line of lenses: the new 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 Lens and the 70-180mm f2.8 Lens — a pair of mirrorless zoom lenses designed to help you reach new distances.
These cutting-edge zoom lenses are poised to redefine versatility and inspire awe with their exceptional performance. Let’s look at what you can expect from these exciting new lenses…
Key Features of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 Lens:
- Aperture: f2.8
- Z-Mount Lens/FX Format
- Compatible With Z Teleconverters
- Versatile Low Light Performance
- Close Shooting Without Detail Loss
- Includes Lens Hood
- Weighs 795g
Key Features of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR Lens:
- Aperture Range: f5.6 to f6.3
- Z-Mount Lens/FX Format
- Built-in Optical Vibration Reduction (VR)
- Compatible with Z Teleconverters
- Features a Quick Release Tripod Foot, Strap Eyelet
- Customizable Control Ring and Function Buttons
- Weather Sealed Design, Dust Resistant
- Includes Lens Hood and Carrying Pouch
What’s New About These Nikon Z Zoom Lenses?
Zoom Range
Experience the ultimate in zoom capabilities with Nikon’s remarkable telephoto lens designed for Z series mirrorless cameras. Introducing the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR, a lens that lets you cover the distance while maintaining comfort and balance for seamless handheld shooting. At its widest setting, this lens offers sharpness and clarity throughout the 180-600mm zoom range.
The NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 is a lens that seamlessly combines a sought-after focal length/aperture combination with a compact and lightweight design, all at an affordable price point. Whether you’re capturing wildlife, sports, events, portraits, landscapes, or everyday scenes, this lens offers ample focal length reach to fulfill your creative vision.
With its wide f/2.8 aperture, you can achieve stunning background blur and exceptional performance in low-light conditions. Enjoy the advantage of twice the brightness compared to an f/4 lens, allowing you to exercise greater control over light and depth of field.
Rich Features
When using a full-frame/FX-format Z series mirrorless camera equipped with in-body image stabilization, you can capture impressive details even in low-light conditions. By reducing your shutter speed, you can gather more light without compromising image sharpness or resorting to higher ISO settings.
Additionally, the 70mm-180mm lens offers remarkable versatility for close-up shots. Whether you’re in the 70mm zoom position or the 180mm zoom position, you can get incredible details up close with a minimum focusing distance of just 0.68 inches and 2.79 feet, respectively.
This 180-600mm lens truly stands out with its effortlessness and ease of operation, which is guaranteed with a quick release tripod foot, a strap eyelet, and customizable control ring and function buttons. The lens is not only packed with features but is also designed to be balanced and durable. Its internal zoom mechanism maintains its size and center of gravity, ensuring optimal handling while offering dust resistance.
Image Quality
Handheld photography is a breeze with the integrated optical Vibration Reduction (VR) feature in the 180-600mm lens. It effectively stabilizes your shots, simulating a shutter speed 5.5 stops faster. This means you can say goodbye to camera blur when capturing fast-moving subjects while panning.
Moreover, when shooting videos, you can seamlessly shift focus from the foreground to the background without significant alterations to the angle of view thanks to the suppressed focus breathing capability.
Build Quality and Design
These two new mirrorless zoom lenses from Nikon are an ideal choice for photographers seeking to capture awe-inspiring moments in wildlife, sports, and aviation photography. Plus, when you combine them with Nikon Z series teleconverters, you can double your reach, opening up even more creative possibilities. With just a twist of the zoom ring, you can narrow your field of view to tightly frame your subject at an impressive 600mm. This results in striking background compression.
Additionally, when you pair these lenses with a full-frame/FX-format Z series mirrorless camera that boasts in-body image stabilization, you can confidently extend your exposure time. This allows you to gather more light without compromising image sharpness or resorting to higher ISO settings. This ensures exceptional image quality even in challenging lighting conditions.
Who Are These Nikon Mirrorless Z Series Zoom Lenses For?
Wildlife Photographers
Shooting wildlife is a photography niche all its own. It’s unique and challenging to capture without the proper equipment. When in controlled environments, like a zoo, the 70-180mm f2.8 lens will get you sharp, clean shots of animals. The ability to focus at close distance allows for close-up and detailed shots — especially of their eyes at a short focusing distance.
For wildlife photographers who find themselves out in the field where animals are farther away, their movements can be a bit chaotic. Here is where you’ll find the 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 lens to be a much more usable focal length. You can shoot medium framing as well as really tight frames of animals when zoomed in. With this focal range, you can zoom in over long distances without disturbing birds or other wildlife. This enables you to capture quick moments instead of wasting time and making noise with lens changes.
Sports Photographers
The 70-180mm lens is almost the ideal focal length for sports photographers or sports shooters, especially those just starting out. The 180mm lens at f2.8 results in some stunning images. One of the things to remember when shooting at stadiums are the lighting conditions. When shooting at f2.8, especially at night, you’ll want to let more light into the lens, especially at smaller stadiums like high schools.
The 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 would be much better suited for professional stadiums that are already professionally lit for TV and where you’ll be farther away. These conditions are more suitable for a slower lens with a longer throw.
Landscape and Portrait Photographers
When you’re immersed in nature, the last thing you want is the burden of carrying a bulky case of lenses. It’s always more convenient to have one or two lenses that offer versatility for framing landscapes while keeping your gear bag lightweight. The 70-180mm f2.8 lens is an excellent choice for capturing detailed shots of distant subjects, be it majestic mountain peaks or even individuals.
Thanks to its fast f2.8 aperture, you can achieve razor-sharp images even in challenging low-light environments. With this lens, you can enjoy the benefit of both worlds: convenience and exceptional image quality.
Comparable Lenses
These two new zooms join the existing full-frame NIKKOR Z series lenses. With this new release, Nikon offers some impressive glass with some of the most popular focal lengths ranging from 70mm to 180mm and 180-600mm as well as the most sought-after f2.8 aperture. These two lenses are lightweight, compact, affordable, and have virtually everything you need to capture everyday shooting with your Nikon Z series camera.
Final Thoughts
With these two new zoom lens additions to Z series cameras, Nikon photographers, and even videographers, will have a wider range of possibilities — whether you’re shooting outdoors, in the studio, or on location. Pair each lens with a teleconverter for up to 2x more reach, enabling you to capture thrilling photos/video of wildlife, sporting events, concerts, people, planes, and more.
