Nikon Announces Nikkor Z 70-180mm F2.8 & Nikkor Z 180-600mm F5.6-6.3 VR Lenses

Nikon introduced a pair of zoom telephoto lenses supporting the company’s extenders. The first is a compact and affordable 70-180mm F2.8 while the other is a super zoom 180-600mm F5.6-6.3 lens.

Nikkor Z 70-180mm F2.8

The newly announced Nikkor Z 70-180mm F2.8 is not designed to compete with or replace Nikon’s top-of-the-line NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S. Instead this lens will join the existing Nikon Z 17-28mm F2.8 and Z 28-75mm F2.8 zoom lenses as a more compact affordable f/2.8 (none S line).

It is worth mentioning that all these focal lengths and apertures seem to indicate that Nikon has some sort of partnership with Tamron regarding those lenses (or at least their optical design as the AF seems to be different and so is the lens body).

When it comes to the lens itself it has 19 elements in 14 groups, including 5 ED elements, 1 Super ED element, and 3 aspherical elements. The lens was designed to be around 40% smaller than its Z 70-200mm F2.8 zoom and significantly lighter at 795g (1.75 lbs).

One important feature of this new lens is its close-up capabilities. It has a minimum focus distance of 0.27m (10.6″) at the wide end and 0.85m (33.5″) at the telephoto end but even more importantly it has a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:2 (just like the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD).

The lens is compatible with Nikon’s TC-1.4x and TC-2.0x teleconverters (which will get you to 360mm at f/5.6 with the TC-2.0x).

The new Nikkor Z 70-180mm F2.8

Nikkor Z 70-180mm F2.8 Main specs

Here are the main specs for the new Nikkor Z 70-180mm F2.8:

Lens: 70-180mm F2.8 lens with FF coverage.
Optical design: 19 elements in 14 groups.
AF system – Stepper motor system.
Weather-resistant construction – yes.
Aperture blades: 9.
Minimum focus distance: 27cm.
Max macro magnification: 1:2.
Filter thread: 67mm.
Mounts: Nikon Z.
Weight: 795g (1.75 lbs).

Nikkor Z 180-600mm F5.6-6.3 VR

The NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR is a very different animal. This large and heavy lens (almost 2kg/4.2lbs) was designed to have a modern Z mount option for the same audience that was interested in the older AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR (we tested here in 2016).

The lens has a complex optical design with 25 elements in 17 groups including 6 ED glass elements and it has a removable tripod foot and AF/MF switch as well as a dual-mode focus limiter and two user-programmable buttons.

The lens does not extend (the zoom is all internal) and the VR system on the lens is rated for 5.5 stops of vibration reduction. It has a min focus distance of 1.3m (4.3 ft) at 180mm and a fairly short 70-degree zoom ring throw.

Like the 70-180mm lens, it also is compatible with Nikon’s TC-1.4x and TC-2.0x teleconverters which can get you to a whooping 1200mm (albeit at f/13).

The new Nikkor Z 180-600mm F5.6-6.3 VR

Nikkor Z 180-600mm F5.6-6.3 VR Main specs

Here are the main specs for the new Nikkor Z 180-600mm F5.6-6.3 VR:

Lens: 180-600mm F5.6-6.3 lens with FF coverage.
Optical design: 25 elements in 17 groups.
AF system – Stepper motor system.
Weather-resistant construction – yes.
Aperture blades: 9.
Minimum focus distance: 130cm.
Macro magnification: 1:4.
Filter thread: 95mm.
Mounts: Nikon Z.
Weight: 4.3 lb / 1.95 kg.

Pricing and availability

When it comes to pricing and availability:

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 will start selling in July 2023 for around $1250.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR will start selling in August 2023 for $1700.

First hands-on from around the web

Here are a few early hands on from around the web with the two new Nikon zoom lenses:

Chris Niccolls from Petapixel testing the Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

Steve Perry with the Nikkor Z 180-600mm F5.6-6.3 VR

Matt Irwin testing a pre-production sample of the Nikkor Z 70-180mm F2.8

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Iddo Genuth

Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.