I think what he meant by "niche" is that the 180-600 is wildlife lens pretty much exclusively while the Z8 Is a camera for all kinds of photography. "Niche" just means something that fits in a particular role, and while I agree with you about the importance of the 180-600, I agree it's "niche" by the standard definition. Put differently, since the Z8 serves wildlife photographers and portrait photographers and event photographers and macro photographers and product photographers and sports photographers and all other sorts, but the 180-600 serves mainly only wildlife photographers with perhaps odd one out here and there from maybe sports shooters, he doesn't expect the lens to outsell the camera.
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Z180-600 Ship Date - B&H
- Thread starter MattNJ81
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LTheWafflePWN
Senior Member
On the other hand, by that definition I would argue most of the lenses out there today are "niche". Take for example the 85mm f/1.8, it's undoubtedly a portrait lens. The lens is not particularly suited to wildlife photographers, nor sports, nor macro, nor astro, and rarely landscapers. Even among event photographers, if you aren't shooting a wedding a 70-200mm lens would prove far more useful than the 85mm, if you had to choose between one or the other. Yet, even without sales numbers in front of me, I'd expect the 85mm f/1.8 to end up in the hands of more photographers than the Z8 will.
I suppose I can agree that the 180-600mm is "niche" but I'd still wager that this lens will outsell a Z8 in the long run. Although I don't see this sort of lens pairing all that well with current bodies lower than the Z8, it's undeniable that there are users here using even a Z50 (ANAYV) that can take better BIF photos than me, even if I had the best gear in the world. Even then, I'm sure some purchasers of this lens know that Nikon will continue releasing cameras, and surely a Z6iii, Z50ii, etc., would pair well with this lens.
From my perspective, I'm not remotely close to being considered a wildlife photographer. I do weddings, events, and portraits. There's maybe a 2% chance I would ever consider using this lens on paid duty, and I still bought one. Why? Well, I'm fully aware that this is the lens for Nikon shooters that want a wildlife lens that won't break the bank. Not only is this the most affordable option to get to 600mm (or more with TC's and/or DX mode), it's probably going to stay that way for the next 10+ years. In that time, this lens will sell for the Z5/Z6/Z7/Z6ii/Z7ii shooters, the Z50 shooters, the Z8 and Z9 shooters, but also the Z6iii/Z7iii shooters, the Z50ii shooters, Z8ii, Z9ii, etc. Nikon does have other lenses that can reach or exceed 600mm, but for a lot of enthusiasts this lens is the clear choice, and will continue to be for a long, long time.
shuncheung
Veteran Member
The 180-600 has a narrow application for bird photography. I am not sure I would need 600mm for general wildlife photography. It is certainly too slow for most sports photography. Such lens is never going to outsell a 50mm/f1.8 or 24-70mm/f4, etc.
I happen to shoot birds and wildlife a lot, but before the Z9, I would only use Nikon DSLRs, where there are plenty of lenses available from the 200-500, 500mm PF and various third-party 150-600 type, plus various 500mm/f4, 600mm/f4 .... All of those lenses are still useable on Z, but if one is not using either a Z8 or Z9, I am afraid that bird photography with Nikon Z is going to be frustrating. I have tried that with both the Z6 and Z6ii, which I still own.
Perhaps in the future Nikon produces a Z DX equivalent of the D500 or something similar to the Canon R6ii, maybe they'll sell a lot of 180-600, but at this point I don't see that as some "must have" lens. If one can afford a $4000 Z8, the excellent 400mm/f4.5 + 1.4x TC is a possibility, or the 500mm PF. I would by far prefer those lighter lenses over some 180-600 that is heavy to hand hold for quick action.
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ghostfox_1
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For all our sakes, I'm hoping there's a good amount of supply. I'll find out in a few days if one of the first batch makes it to my local shop. Probably Wednesday, unless they're shipping out to stores on Thursday.Yes, well I'm waiting to see how available this lens ends up being. If it's in an in stock situation at year end I may be tempted. Otherwise I'll just wait till that time comes.It's the #1 lens on B&H. I ordered it for my Z50.
ghostfox_1
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Sure, but... That's comparing apples to oranges. By that argument, the Z8 is niche because not everyone buys a camera, much less spends more than 2k on one. I just don't think it's an apt comparison to make.
My point by saying it's not niche is for the purpose it serves, it's going to be the most common lens out there for the purpose (though the 100-400 will be close).
But going by that, all lenses are niche, since they won't outsell the camera bodies. Just seems like an awful argument given the context to me.
It's also possible the 180-600 will outsell the Z8 over the long run, because apsc users will pick it up too.
shuncheung
Veteran Member
Not sure exactly what “#1 lens on B&H” means. Since Nikon does not allow dealers to ship the 180-600 before August 31, 2023, which is 3 days from today (August 28), B&H has not sold even one yet. I can see that there are a lot of pending pre-orders since Nikon announced it two months ago but have not yet shipped.It's the #1 lens on B&H. I ordered it for my Z50.
Again, no PF element, no large FL element, there should not be any manufacturing bottlenecks. Unless something unexpected such as Covid gets really bad again and returns the situation to it was a couple of years ago (I sure hope not), I don’t see any major shortages. There may be some wait for a few months, but I expect the 180-600 be in stock within 6 months.
Take the 400mm/f4.5 S as an example. That is another lens that has no PF and no FL elements. Nikon announced it on 29 June 2022, but that is an S lens and somewhat more expensive. They was no serious shortage. Nikon first gave it a $250 rebate in April 2023, in less than 10 months.
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P
ProDude
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I'm not a betting man, but would put money on the table that ain't gonna happen.For all our sakes, I'm hoping there's a good amount of supply. I'll find out in a few days if one of the first batch makes it to my local shop. Probably Wednesday, unless they're shipping out to stores on Thursday.Yes, well I'm waiting to see how available this lens ends up being. If it's in an in stock situation at year end I may be tempted. Otherwise I'll just wait till that time comes.It's the #1 lens on B&H. I ordered it for my Z50.
Ernie Misner
Forum Pro
Well, they sure have had plenty of time to build up a supply.I'm not a betting man, but would put money on the table that ain't gonna happen.For all our sakes, I'm hoping there's a good amount of supply. I'll find out in a few days if one of the first batch makes it to my local shop. Probably Wednesday, unless they're shipping out to stores on Thursday.Yes, well I'm waiting to see how available this lens ends up being. If it's in an in stock situation at year end I may be tempted. Otherwise I'll just wait till that time comes.It's the #1 lens on B&H. I ordered it for my Z50.
Mackiesback
Forum Pro
Well, I don't disagree on the numbers, but this comment makes no sense. There is often a need for multiple bodies but rarely a need for multiple copies of the same lens. Also, the lens hasn't shipped yet, so I am guessing you haven't seen any of them.
I often wonder what the real demand for things are, as this board can be such a vacuum. You would swear reading here that 80% of photographers shoot barn swallows all the time. Its the lens that is generating a lot of noise. After it ships, something will be next.
ghostfox_1
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Well, they sure have had plenty of time to build up a supply.I'm not a betting man, but would put money on the table that ain't gonna happen.For all our sakes, I'm hoping there's a good amount of supply. I'll find out in a few days if one of the first batch makes it to my local shop. Probably Wednesday, unless they're shipping out to stores on Thursday.Yes, well I'm waiting to see how available this lens ends up being. If it's in an in stock situation at year end I may be tempted. Otherwise I'll just wait till that time comes.It's the #1 lens on B&H. I ordered it for my Z50.
vtpeters
Leading Member
I don't know if Nikon ships its gear to the US and Europe by air or by sea.
If it's by sea and the ship(s) carrying Nikon gear have to pass the Panama Canal, than the current drought over there could be a cause for some delay...
If it's by sea and the ship(s) carrying Nikon gear have to pass the Panama Canal, than the current drought over there could be a cause for some delay...
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Barleyman
Senior Member
A number of people on the Facebook group have indicated that they have just been charged for the lens and starting to get delivery dates (Thursday or Friday) for their lenses. Appears to be mostly in Europe.
shuncheung
Veteran Member
Some stores reported that they have already received the 180-600, but Nikon do not allow them to distribute them to customers until August 31 (2023), i.e. Thursday.
Barleyman
Senior Member
Sounds like Nikon kept their commitment. No delays on this lens. I expect that we'll start to hear roll out starting in the US later today. That is, credit cards being charged, shipping notices being sent, etc. Al in prep for the trucks to roll on Thursday.
Interesting, I did ask 2 of the photographers who had confirmation they are getting their lens this week, and neither were NPS. One had ordered from the Nikon Store. Hmmm. And no one (that I know of) has received an NPS shipment notification. I thought Nikon sent those when they shipped to dealer.
ghostfox_1
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Stores in Europe, or the US?
It's the lack of Z 180-600mm lens generating a lot of noise.
shuncheung
Veteran Member
I also read that on Facebook, and I think they were talking about a store in Australia; can’t remember exactly. But apparently B&H is also getting their allotment on Thursday. I wouldn’t take what people post on Facebook as gospel, or for that matter whatever is posted here. However it looks like first delivery is imminent.
I once read a story that a young man waiting to receive his inheritance at his late father’s lawyer office. The assistant told him that there was some delay so that it would be another 15 minutes. The young man replied that he had already been waiting for the money for 10 years; another 15 minutes was nothing.
So after waiting for 4 years ….I know it is easy for me to say that, since I am not getting the 180-600 myself, at least not now.
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Cute story. Be better fitting story, if after waiting for 4-years we got an inheritance from Nikon in form of cash and a free Z 180-600mm.The young man replied that he had already been waiting for the money for 10 years; another 15 minutes is nothing.
Alas, instead we get the Great and Glorious Honor of paying for Z lens.
bob elkind
Veteran Member
I am drawn to this thread by a family member who has ordered a 180-600mm lens for his Z50. Three points to make in response to comments in this thread --
- This lens may very well be in short supply for years. Perhaps not, but I recall the entirely analogous Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6e (F mount) lens being out of stock more often than not for two years after its initial ship date.
- This will find many homes with down-market camera bodies, not just Z8/Z9 bodies. At the $1900US price point, it is a very attractive value option for Z50 and Z5-7 owners who also see the Z50 and Z5-7 bodies as attractive value options.
- The 180-600mm lens is less a niche product than some commenters assert. Based on my own experience having owned the Sigma "Bigma" (50-500mm) and now a Nikon 200-500/5.6E lenses, I use it for:
- wildlife (including airborne fowl)
- sports (no, it is NOT too slow. If you can use this lens for BIF then you can use it for sports as well)
- kids (and grandkids) in motion
- wildlife (including airborne fowl)
- moon and planets
- nature scenery
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