Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm F/2.8 and NIKKOR Z 180-600mm F/5.6-6.3 VR Released

Lens News

by Jeff LochJune 23^rd, 2023

Nikon has just released two new NIKKOR Z telephoto zoom lenses: the NIKKOR Z 70-180mm F/2.8 and the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm F/5.6-6.3 VR. Both lenses cover full-frame image sensors and are designed as lightweight and more affordable than top-of-the-line NIKKOR Z S-series lenses. So let’s take a closer look at these new telephoto zoom lenses!

After the recent launch of the NIKKOR Z 28-75mm F/2.8 and 17-28mm F/2.8, Nikon has just released the third lens of that affordable trio of F/2.8 zoom lenses: the NIKKOR Z 70-180mm F/2.8. This new lens is a lightweight and affordable alternative to the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm F/2.8 VR S lens. The latter offers built-in lens image stabilization but retails for twice as much.

If you’re in the market for a super-telephoto zoom lens but don’t want to spend $6,496 on the NIKKOR Z 800mm F/6.3 VR S, the very compact NIKKOR Z 180-600mm F/5.6-6.3 VR could also be a lovely addition to your kit for 1/3 of the price.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm F/2.8 – features

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm F/2.8 has a similar range to its 70-200mm F/2.8 VR S sibling but in a more compact and lightweight package. Indeed, the 70-180mm F/2.8 only weighs 795g/28oz for a length of 15.1cm/6in.

The lens features a zoom, and there is a physical lock switch as the lens barrel extends when you zoom in. Also, there is no “proper” focus ring but only a user-assignable control ring at the bottom of the lens. Of course, you can set up the control ring to act as a focus ring, but you can also assign it to adjust the aperture, the ISO, the white balance, or the exposure compensation.

On the inside, an STM stepping focus motor should provide quick and noise-free autofocus performances. Also, according to Nikon, it is “optimized for video with suppressed focus breathing.”

Lens design

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm F/2.8 lens design comprises 19 elements in 14 groups, including five ED, one Super ED, and three aspherical elements to help suppress chromatic aberration and reduce lens flares. The aperture diaphragm consists of nine aperture blades.

Nikon claims that the “entire lens is sealed” and is dust and drip resistant. Furthermore, the front of the lens features an antifouling coating that should resist dirt/fingerprints/smudges and make it easier to clean.

The front filter diameter is uniform between 17-28mm F/2.8, 28-75mm F/2.8, and 70-180mm F/2.8 at 67mm. Last but not least, the minimum focusing distance is only 27cm/0.89ft at 70mm.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm F/5.6 -6.3 VR – features

Next is a massive super-telephoto zoom lens: the Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm F/5.6-6.3 VR. With a weight of 1.99kg/4.38 lbs and a length of 31.5cm/12.5in, this is the kind of lens you take with you on purpose.

This lens has proper focus and zoom rings, an A/M focus switch, and a focus limiter switch. The lens doesn’t extend as you zoom in or out, and you can go from 180mm to 600mm with only a 70° turn of the zoom ring. Also, there is a click-less user-assignable control ring and multiple customizable Fn buttons at the front end of the lens barrel.

As its name suggests, the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm F/5.6-6.3 VR has built-in image stabilization “equivalent to a 5.5-stop increase in shutter speed,” according to Nikon.

Similarly to the Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm F/2.8, the 180-600mm F/5.6-6.3 VR features an internal STM stepping focus motor, and the lens is dust and drip-resistant thanks to multiple internal gaskets.

Lens design

The lens design of the 180-600mm F/5.6-6.3 VR consists of a whopping 25 elements in 17 groups, including six ED glass elements, to reduce chromatic aberrations. The aperture diaphragm has nine aperture blades. The lens’ front element features the same antifouling coating as the 70-180mm F/2.8.

The front filter diameter is 95mm, and the minimum focus distance at 180mm is 1.3m/4.3 ft.

Pricing and availability

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm F/2.8 should start shipping in mid-July for $1249.95. The NIKKOR Z 180-600mm F/5.6-6.3 VR lens will begin shipping in August 2023 and retails for $1699.95.

For more information, please visit Nikon’s website here.

What do you think about these two new Nikon NIKKOR Z telephoto zoom lenses? Do you think the 70-180mm F/2.8 would be a better addition to your kit than the 70-200mm F/2.8 VR S? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!