Nikon Z 180-600mm Lens Serial Numbers, Continuous Thread

Got the "getting ready to ship your order" email today for the 180-600. Turns out I had ordered one on June 30th, it has just never appeared in my account which is why I ordered another one in August, so I'll cancel that one now.

Will provide serial # when it gets in, but sounds like they're making some good progress now on catching up w/ stock.

Not outside the current range. Received October 26. Ordered June 21. Serial 200343xx. Four months. Much faster than the 14 months it took for the 800 PF

I've been surprised by the metrics in this and prior thread:

• perhaps only ~12,000 produced so far
• high speed at which the backlog is getting filled despite low-sounding monthly production.

I expected more units/month and a bigger demand backlog for the 180-600. I mean a LOT of people were not happy about the 180-600 being on the roadmap and it taking almost 4 years to appear, I thought there was HUGE pent-up demand for the 180-600.

As far as getting it/not getting it, I can't decide as I have the 100-400, TC14, and 800PF. When people are reporting it's sharp, I think I should get it! But then other folks, and I appreciate everyone's perspective on this, are reporting some concerns about wide-open performance. So then I think to myself, I won't get the 180-600 as my 100-400 with TC14 should get me very similar range and performance, albeit at ⅔ stop light-gathering penalty, the 100-400 is lighter and smaller, and I already own it . Then I think I should save a little longer, not a rush, and get the 600PF or another modern camera body LOL!

I intend to more critically evaluate my own 100-400 with TC14 examples as step 1. Step 2 would be to shoot it side-by-side with a 180-600. And also at f/7.1 for the 180-600 cause apparently that makes a difference. For me I want telephoto sharpness as much as possible. I feel like I'm not as picky about shorter lenses but long lenses I want them to be sharp, decently fast focussing, and as light as practical ;-)

--
Best Regards,
SteveK
'A camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.' -- Dorothea Lange

KnightPhoto2 said:

I've been surprised by the metrics in this and prior thread:

• perhaps only ~12,000 produced so far
• high speed at which the backlog is getting filled despite low-sounding monthly production.

I expected more units/month and a bigger demand backlog for the 180-600. I mean a LOT of people were not happy about the 180-600 being on the roadmap and it taking almost 4 years to appear, I thought there was HUGE pent-up demand for the 180-600.

Click to expand...

How could you expect more units/mo when the public doesn’t know Nikon’s production capabilities for this product? Likewise, how do you know the current backlog? At one regional dealer they have filled less than 10% of the current orders. At my LCS they have filled approximately 5%.

KnightPhoto2 said:

As far as getting it/not getting it, I can't decide as I have the 100-400, TC14, and 800PF. When people are reporting it's sharp, I think I should get it! But then other folks, and I appreciate everyone's perspective on this, are reporting some concerns about wide-open performance. So then I think to myself, I won't get the 180-600 as my 100-400 with TC14 should get me very similar range and performance, albeit at ⅔ stop light-gathering penalty, the 100-400 is lighter and smaller, and I already own it . Then I think I should save a little longer, not a rush, and get the 600PF or another modern camera body LOL!

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I can’t decide for you as you know what FL’s and conditions you shoot in better than anyone else. It appears that you have the zoom and FL covered with the 100-400 though with the drawbacks associated with an external zoom and tc. The sharpness issue is a bit concerning though it’s too early to determine whether it is user error, copy variation, or unfair comparisons to prime lenses. If you’re on the fence, don’t rush as there will likely be plenty of copies including used in a couple of months and maybe even sales? I bought the famed 70-180 f/2.8 and it went on sale a little more than a month after release.

A second body is always useful and helps to avoid the need for lens swaps and missed shots.

KnightPhoto2 said:

I intend to more critically evaluate my own 100-400 with TC14 examples as step 1. Step 2 would be to shoot it side-by-side with a 180-600. And also at f/7.1 for the 180-600 cause apparently that makes a difference. For me I want telephoto sharpness as much as possible. I feel like I'm not as picky about shorter lenses but long lenses I want them to be sharp, decently fast focussing, and as light as practical ;-)

Click to expand...

Here you are answering you own question and my observation is considering the importance you place on the performance factors, you’ll be happier with the 600 f/6.3, albeit loosing the zoom capabilities.

Adam2 said:

How could you expect more units/mo when the public doesn’t know Nikon’s production capabilities for this product? Likewise, how do you know the current backlog? At one regional dealer they have filled less than 10% of the current orders. At my LCS they have filled approximately 5%.

Click to expand...

Based on the latest serial number increase rate, Nikon had around 6000 lenses ready when they started shipping on August 31. It is almost two months later (today is October 28, 2023, and incidentally Nikon announced the Z9, 24-120 and 100-400 exactly two years ago), and the S/N has jumped by approximately another 6000. Hence my estimate is that production is about 3000 a month. Those numbers are all ballpark, rough estimates, to the best of my/our knowledge here.

There are a lot of recent reports that if one orders directly from Nikon Europe or Nikon USA, one can get the 180-600 in about 10 days to two weeks. Clearly B&H is having a much longer waiting list as they are still working on day 1 pre-orders from the afternoon of June 21. But the shortage is not that serious.

Now consider the two zooms Nikon announced exactly two years ago. According to Roland Vink's web site: http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html#Z_Zoom

Nikon has sold roughly 64K and 20K, respectively, over close to two years. I certainly wouldn't believe for a second that only some 10% of all 180-600 pre-orders are filled, which would have implied that the overall demand is over 100K lenses, far more than the highly popular 24-124/4 S. Perhaps certain individual stores are getting very little shipment from Nikon; if so, those two parties (Nikon and the store) need to provide an explanation.

Since the 180-600 is cheaper than the 100-400, I can see that Nikon will eventually sell more 180-600, but it is not going to be a lot more. At 3000 a month, it is very likely that all outstanding 180-600 orders will be filled within 2, 3 months. Since a number of people have pre-ordered from 2, 3 or more stores, I am sure even Nikon is having a hard time estimating the real demand.

shuncheung said:

Adam2 said:

How could you expect more units/mo when the public doesn’t know Nikon’s production capabilities for this product? Likewise, how do you know the current backlog? At one regional dealer they have filled less than 10% of the current orders. At my LCS they have filled approximately 5%.

Click to expand...

...

Now consider the two zooms Nikon announced exactly two years ago. According to Roland Vink's web site: http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html#Z_Zoom

...

Click to expand...

I've seen a problem here.


I tried to register my 18-140:
the form proposed "180-600" but not "18-140" nor any other option.




Is that in a way confusing to me,
as it should be... for Nikon from what I see at the Nikon's Web App?









--
___.............................!............................ ___
Mid of French/Italian Alps - Hardiness Zone 8A
I Love all Carnivores, I have mostly Red Dioneas.

AlainCh2 said:

shuncheung said:

Adam2 said:

How could you expect more units/mo when the public doesn’t know Nikon’s production capabilities for this product? Likewise, how do you know the current backlog? At one regional dealer they have filled less than 10% of the current orders. At my LCS they have filled approximately 5%.

Click to expand...

...

Now consider the two zooms Nikon announced exactly two years ago. According to Roland Vink's web site: http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html#Z_Zoom

...

Click to expand...

I've seen a problem here.

I tried to register my 18-140:
the form proposed "180-600" but not "18-140" nor any other option.

Is that in a way confusing to me,
as it should be... for Nikon from what I see at the Nikon's Web App?



--
___.............................!............................ ___
Mid of French/Italian Alps - Hardiness Zone 8A
I Love all Carnivores, I have mostly Red Dioneas.
https://eu.zonerama.com/AlainCH2/1191151

Click to expand...

That is Roland Vink’s web site for Nikon camera and lens info. Roland lives in New Zealand and I have been feeding info from this thread and other threads to him, but of course Roland has many other sources.

That is not Nikon’s official web site.

shuncheung said:

AlainCh2 said:

I've seen a problem here.

I tried to register my 18-140:
the form proposed "180-600" but not "18-140" nor any other option.

Is that in a way confusing to me,
as it should be... for Nikon from what I see at the Nikon's Web App?

Click to expand...

That is Roland Vink’s web site for Nikon camera and lens info. Roland lives in New Zealand and I have been feeding info from this thread and other threads to him, but of course Roland has many other sources.

That is not Nikon’s official web site.

Click to expand...

I think you missed the point:
I'm saying that my 18-140Z serial is recognized by Nikon as a 180-600Z.

I have no idea how to register it if the Form is wrong on that point.

( no complaints about Roland's data, which I confirm are correct )









--
___.............................!............................ ___
Mid of French/Italian Alps - Hardiness Zone 8A
I Love all Carnivores, I have mostly Red Dioneas.
https://eu.zonerama.com/AlainCH2/1191151

AlainCh2 said:

shuncheung said:

That is not Nikon’s official web site.

Click to expand...

I think you missed the point:
I'm saying that my 18-140Z serial is recognized by Nikon as a 180-600Z.

I have no idea how to register it if the Form is wrong on that point.

( no complaints about Roland's data, which I confirm are correct )

Click to expand...

PS:
<suddenly>

I remembered what the hick was....

I was registering the 18-140 on the Italian site.
As I buy from Amazon IT as well as Amazon FR...

It was bought in Az FR !!!

AND I was using the wrong site!!



I registered it correctly in Nikon France as my Z30 and the 16-50Z.

Problem solved!!!







--
___.............................!............................ ___
Mid of French/Italian Alps - Hardiness Zone 8A
I Love all Carnivores, I have mostly Red Dioneas.

shuncheung said:

Adam2 said:

How could you expect more units/mo when the public doesn’t know Nikon’s production capabilities for this product? Likewise, how do you know the current backlog? At one regional dealer they have filled less than 10% of the current orders. At my LCS they have filled approximately 5%.

Click to expand...

Based on the latest serial number increase rate, Nikon had around 6000 lenses ready when they started shipping on August 31. It is almost two months later (today is October 28, 2023, and incidentally Nikon announced the Z9, 24-120 and 100-400 exactly two years ago), and the S/N has jumped by approximately another 6000. Hence my estimate is that production is about 3000 a month. Those numbers are all ballpark, rough estimates, to the best of my/our knowledge here.

Click to expand...

That’s a reasonable estimate assuming production lines and/or supply chain do not overlap .

shuncheung said:

There are a lot of recent reports that if one orders directly from Nikon Europe or Nikon USA, one can get the 180-600 in about 10 days to two weeks. Clearly B&H is having a much longer waiting list as they are still working on day 1 pre-orders from the afternoon of June 21. But the shortage is not that serious.

Click to expand...

Thats what I’m hearing as well, though in the US, regional and LCS’ are being left out.

shuncheung said:

Now consider the two zooms Nikon announced exactly two years ago. According to Roland Vink's web site: http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html#Z_Zoom

Nikon has sold roughly 64K and 20K, respectively, over close to two years. I certainly wouldn't believe for a second that only some 10% of all 180-600 pre-orders are filled, which would have implied that the overall demand is over 100K lenses, far more than the highly popular 24-124/4 S. Perhaps certain individual stores are getting very little shipment from Nikon; if so, those two parties (Nikon and the store) need to provide an explanation.

Click to expand...

I never made that assertion, rather I provided statistics based on a large midwestern dealership and LCS, indicating that the distribution is skewed and Nikon has failed to deliver in segments of the country.

shuncheung said:

Since the 180-600 is cheaper than the 100-400, I can see that Nikon will eventually sell more 180-600, but it is not going to be a lot more. At 3000 a month, it is very likely that all outstanding 180-600 orders will be filled within 2, 3 months. Since a number of people have pre-ordered from 2, 3 or more stores, I am sure even Nikon is having a hard time estimating the real demand.

Click to expand...

Again, this assumes production remains constant and that Nikon works out the distribution issues.

shuncheung said:

Since the first thread is about to hit the 150-post limit, I am starting a second thread on that topic: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4726532

For the 180-600mm zoom, serial numbers apparently start from 20025001 and so far, in late October 2023, the highest reported is 200348**, such that Nikon has shipped approximately 10K lenses.

Click to expand...

Assuming NR (October 24th) was right and there was a "3rd batch" of Z 180-600mm shipping in U.S., which goes with burst of 7 new SNs reported in this thread; the addition of SNs for "3rd-batch" is over.

Updated list of SNs for production version of Z 180-600mm lens: 31 SNs an increase of 7 SNs over previous total of 24 SNs.

2002504x 2002523x 200259xx 200260xx 200262xx 200271xx 20028xxx 200282xx 200282xx 200282xx 200299xx 200299xx 2003015x 200303xx 200304xx 2003048x 200312xx 200313xx 200314xx 200314xx 200320xx 200329xx 20033xxx 200333xx 200333xx 2003367x 20034xxx 200343xx 200346xx 200367xx 200367xx

Lowest = 20,025,04x Highest = 20,036,7xx

Spreadsheet Histogram (20-bin distribution) shows 13 out 20 bins have SNs; 7 empty bins .vs. previous 9 empty bins.

For future, it would be better for tracking fulfillment progress if only last digit of SN was "x'; instead of last two digits.

Late reporting. 2003678x received on 10/25/23. Ordered on 6/21/2023 7:30 am at B&H.

I received my 180-600 from Kenmore on 10/24. serial # 200369xx.

With no new SNs being reported for Z 180-600mm lens in last 3-days (across the globe), 8 different stores with webpages still showing out-of-stock or back-ordered, and no word from Brick-n-Mortar store on more lenses coming: it has me wondering if Nikon:

a) has stopped manufacturing and shipping of lens due to Q.A. matter?

b) is holding shipping of lens till they have a stock pile built up? why stock pile?

c) put lens on hold, prioritizing making of another lens over 180-600mm?

d) this reporting thread fell of the Radar, thus no new entries?

e) ?????

Would help for Nikon to be forth coming with it's retailers (and in turn customers) on full filling initial demand. As in couple of months, six months, 9 months, full year?

Ordered 6/21/23 from BHPhoto. Received 10/25/23. SN 200370xx

astirusty said:

With no new SNs being reported for Z 180-600mm lens in last 3-days (across the globe), 8 different stores with webpages still showing out-of-stock or back-ordered, and no word from Brick-n-Mortar store on more lenses coming: it has me wondering if Nikon:

a) has stopped manufacturing and shipping of lens due to Q.A. matter?

b) is holding shipping of lens till they have a stock pile built up? why stock pile?

c) put lens on hold, prioritizing making of another lens over 180-600mm?

d) this reporting thread fell of the Radar, thus no new entries?

e) ?????

Would help for Nikon to be forth coming with it's retailers (and in turn customers) on full filling initial demand. As in couple of months, six months, 9 months, full year?

Click to expand...

There are plenty of people who have reported receiving their lens, or getting a shipping notice, in the past three days. The entire world is not this thread. In fact, the entire world is not the internet, so very likely there are people receiving lens orders who are not posting about it anywhere online.

Also, several people have reported (again, elsewhere than this site) that Nikon has told some retailers that it expects to have all pre-orders filled in November. Whether that proves correct or not, it's nevertheless the kind of information you're asking for.

Lazer42 said:

Also, several people have reported (again, elsewhere than this site) that Nikon has told some retailers that it expects to have all pre-orders filled in November.

Click to expand...

Interesting information. Would you mind sharing where the sources for that info are? There are a lot of reports that if people order directly from Nikon, be it Nikon Europe, Nikon USA, etc., they can get the 180-600mm lens around 10 days to two weeks, without NPS priority. It is the wait at some local camera stores that is long, and of course the waiting list at B&H is very long, most likely due to the PayBoo sales tax advantage.

SCoombs said:

Whether that proves correct or not, it's nevertheless the kind of information you're asking for.

Click to expand...

BTW, I appreciate everybody who is providing their serial number information. I tend to thank them individually via private messages, instead of making many thank you posts here to clog up this thread. It is clear that Nikon has already shipped over 12K 180-600mm lenses to customers.

Updating. Got my delivery Wednesday.

Serial number 200348xx

Ordered June 30th via Nikon USA

jovialphoto said:

Updating. Got my delivery Wednesday.

Serial number 200348xx

Ordered June 30th via Nikon USA

Click to expand...

Nikon USA orders are weird. Lots of people can get the 180-600 in a couple of weeks, but some take two months (as delivery started on August 31). In any case, congrats on your new lens.

shuncheung said:

Since the first thread is about to hit the 150-post limit, I am starting a second thread on that topic: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4726532

For the 180-600mm zoom, serial numbers apparently start from 20025001 and so far, in late October 2023, the highest reported is 200348**, such that Nikon has shipped approximately 10K lenses.

If you receive a new 180-600, please provide the first 6 digits of the 8-digit serial number. We don't need the last 2 digits for your privacy. Any S/N outside of the 20025001 to 20034800 range would be particularly interesting. BTW, some pre-production lenses may have very low, e.g 20002010 type S/N. We are mainly interested in production lenses to get an idea how many Nikon has shipped.

Thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

Received mine today SN 200399XX

So, that puts production around 15k so far...