Would love to see a thorough detailed comparison of the z 100-400 vs z 180-600 for wildlife/bird photography.

Another PRO for the 100 - 400 is the minimum focal distance. That makes it such a versatile lense.

When thinking about gear - a useful question is "What am I wanting to photograph that I can't with my current gear?'

I have the 100-400mm AND the TC 1.4x (na, na Matt) ... love the size, weight and images .... no plans to buy the 180-600mm.

Ordered 180-600 the first day I could. Now only have 24-70/4 and 24-200.
Turning 60 in September so 180-600 can be my birthday present. I was thinking of starting with bird photography, let's see if I manage to take some good pictures.❤😊

I love the Nikkor 100-400mm with my 1.4 TC on Z8.  No need for the much heavier 180-600mm in my case and the 100-400mm is so versatile.

I went with the third option, the Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S. It's even lighter than the 100-400mm, noticeably sharper, and faster—which is very helpful for wildlife and sports. It also gives you a creamier and more pleasiing bokeh. I love it.

One factor not mentioned is respect for wildlife. A 600mm lens will let you give wildlife some respectful distance and not stress them by trying to get too close. I have spent most of my career with a 600mm f/4 lens with a 1.7x teleconverter glued to it. The downside to that is the owl will never open his eyes for you. Now that I am older I am ready to give up the 600mm f/4 F lens for the 180-600. It may be bigger and heavier than the 100-400, but it will be a relief compared to my 600mm. I will be able to hand hold a 600mm again.

Have the 100-400 and the 1.4 Converter. As i also use it for landscanpe and hiking, this is/was the better choise for my use. And as i often go to the zoo, the 400 is mostly enough for my animal shots.

Hi Matt,

I have been watching your YouTube channel for a while now.  I thoroughly enjoy the content and have come to rely on it when making Nikon equipment purchasing decisions.  As such, I have a suggestion for a new video for you to make.  With the release of the new Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 lens many YouTubers (yourself included) have done introductory videos, but NO ONE (and believe me I have looked and looked) has shown the lens on the Z6ii (or Z5, 6, 7, 7ii) with the lower megapixel sensor and less responsive Auto focus.  I can only find videos showing the lens with the Z8 or Z9 (it’s actually spooky, it’s like these are the only Z cameras anymore).  A whole huge segment of the market has been ignored.  I am sure there are 10’s of thousands of Z6ii owners, many of whom have been waiting for the release of this lens and are looking for some information before spending their hard earned cash (myself included).

I’d be interested in a video showing how fast the AF is with this lens compared to the 200-500 with an FTZ, both using the Z6ii (and between the Z6ii and the Z8 or Z9).  I’d like to see how sharp the images from this lens are compared to the 200-500, both using the Z6ii.  I’d like to see if it makes a difference on the Z6ii with or without the MB-N11 grip (faster to AF or something).  I’d like to see what the low light performance is using this lens with the Z6ii.  I’d like to see how responsive this combo is for BIF images (better, worse, or the same as with the 200-500, both using the Z6ii).  I’d even like to know how the balance is using this lens and camera combo with and without the MB-N11.

As a wildlife photographer who uses a Z6ii currently, I am really looking forward to someone providing this kind of information.

Thank you again for all your wonderful videos and sharing your knowledge.  Thank you also for considering this request.  Happy Shooting…

Rich

I have the 100-400.  Works great for shooting my grandson’s youth baseball games.  But I also would like longer reach for birding. That said, I did not realize there was 1.4x Z tele out.  I pre-ordered the 180-600 but now I am re-thinking that. May cancel that, get the 1.4 tele, and try that for a while along with crop mode when needed. Or I may just keep the 180-600 on order. Decisions decisions. Just a hobbyist.

As I already have the 100-400… and also the tc1.4… wait to see how better the 600 is better than the 400 + tc…

I think some important differences not mentioned are both related to the internal zoom of the 180-600. I can't imagine the 100-400 is sealed as good in the front as a lens that doesn't contract. Also, the short internal zoom throw of the 180-600 may mean getting shots of fast moving objects when you're still turning the ring on the 100-400. The second one is an ENORMOUS improvement in usability over the external zoom 200-500 or any of the 150-600 offerings.

Nikon makes it pretty easy for us to decide on this,  We have to get them both!  Well done guys !

Yes, you failed to mention that the 100-400mm focuses closer than the 180-600mm.  As primarily a landscape photographer, I find the 100-400mm  great for making abstract images of near-macro scenes.  The 100-400mm has basically replaced the 70-200mm in my kit.  And for those occasional times when I include wildlife in my images the 100-400mm, and the small 1.4x TC, takes me out to 560mm.  Which is a lot of flexibility in a small kit.

I recently flew with my 100-400mm and with its compact size, I could easy store the lens attached to a Z6ii, under the seat in front of me...I don't think that could be done with the 180-600mm. I think the 100-400mm is a fantastic all around lens (except for fast action).

The key thing is, one has to decide what they will be shooting, and decide if the 100-400mm is better, or the 180-600mm is better.  If one isn't shooting wildlife all the time, I think the 100-400mm is a more useful lens, IMO.

When the 180-600 was announced, I pre-ordered within the first hour. Sold my 200-500 and FTZ (it was my last remaining F lens, bittersweet) so that covered about 1/2 the cost of the 180-600. With its internal zoom, +100 reach, and last but not least - a proper lens hood with a lock button (!) I feel this is a significant upgrade for the price, and worth the wait. This is what we get when companies take their time and do things right 👍🏻

f/4.5 and be there! I'm very happy with my 400 f/4.5 and both Z TCs. Sure would be nice to have that 2.8 w/ built-in TC but as an occasional wildlife photographer the 4.5 suits my needs, not to mention budget. I've noted before that the 4.5 w/ 2xTC gets you f/9 , compared to f/11 w/ 100-400.

I have the 100-400 currently and most birders will tell you that's not quite enough reach( will elaborate in a bit ). Now if you're in a hide like you are and things are set up to attract birds close to a hide a 100-400 might be all you need. If you are laying on a beach and patient enough, the shore birds will come close enough to you where the 100-400 is enough as well. But there is a reason the almighty 600mm f4 is the gold standard for nature photographers and since the 180-600 get's to 600 it carries the same benefit at a much reduced cost. The longer focal length allows you to fill the frame with animals and birds that may be very wary of people and you just can't get close to them to get a picture, or in some instances the subject may be potentially dangerous so you as a photographer don't want to get too close such as shooting Bison, Bears, Crocs etc. The longer focal length is also a great benefit when trying to capture Birds in flight, with the added reach you can pick up on your subject sooner and have a better chance of ensuring a properly focused subject. Now the Zoom has the added benefit of accommodating you when your subject gets closer which is an advantage over a fixed telephoto, sometimes you just can't back up, and although 180mm isn't 100mm it will accommodate you just fine the majority of the time. I took 10's of thousands of pics with the F mount 200-500 with my D850 in the day and was very happy with that range the 180-600 is even better. As you say Matt, it all depends on your use case. I also don't see myself choosing one lens over the other, they both have there benefits, if you can swing it, get both. One final note , you can lose shots if you have to take off your lens to add a TC, just sayin.

just wanted to thank you for this video after I watched it I cancelled my 180-600 Nikon z lens and and bought 100-400mm z lens. I think I was also so surprised by the price that I thought I had to have it. I have the 800pf z lens and I love it and I have 400mm f2.8e fl ed vr lens that I use with my Z9. But after watching your video i knew the 100-400mm z lens would better fit my need. thank you I really enjoy your videos you do a great job

I bought the 100-400 whilst waiting for the 180-600 to arrive.  I LOVE that lens (find my reasons among the previous posts, lol), but I acquired the 180-600 as soon as it was available for an NPS member.  I LOVE that lens.  Haha, but I do have uses for both.  Lately I've been messing with a dot sight (the Oly...couldn't get the Nikon) on the big lens and it's a blast!  But If I'm shooting surfing from the Huntington Beach pier, it's the smaller zoom, or for, like, an arboretum shoot.  I'm really happy to have both of these lenses.