Nikon Z 180-600 Sharpness: Problem with the Lens or Am I Being Crazy?

[DrSnail]

A couple of days ago, I got my hands on the shiny new Nikon Z 180-600 f5.8-6.3 VR. After snapping a few shots (check out the edited examples below) at the full 600mm, I've got some burning questions. Is this lens sharp enough?

Here are the tweaked images:


Nikon Z5 + Nikkor Z 180-600mm. ISO 2000, 600mm, f / 8.0, 1/500s. Cropped


Nikon Z5 + Nikkor Z 180-600mm. ISO 1800, 600mm, f / 6.3, 1/500s. UNcropped

Sure, these shots might be decent, but personally, I'd love to see those bird feathers pop in the second image.

Now, call me crazy, but I decided to run a little test to figure out whether my lens is A-okay or if something's off (this lens set me back quite a bit, so cut me some slack).

Check out this test shot (only one image bellow). I'm reaching out to you guys to spill the beans on whether the sharpness is on point and if there's nothing wonky going on.

What's the verdict?


Nikon Z5 + Nikkor Z 180-600mm. ISO 100, 600mm, f/8.0, 10s. Converted from RAW to jpg. Toned down the background exposure because I had the metering set to spot (on the dog).

 

[Bill Ferris]

The sample photos at high ISOs aren't representative of the lens's capabilities. The last photo was obviously made in exceptionally low light. It also isn't an accurate representation of the zoom's optics.

For a good test of optical sharpness, setup a static subject in good light. Mount the camera & lens on a tripod, set the lens wide open, use the camera's mirror up function to remove vibration as a factor affecting image quality, and make a set of exposures at or near base ISO.

A good field test will also be made in good light photographing birds or other moving subjects that fill most of the frame. Keep the lens wide open, use good handhold technique, and a shutter speed that pairs well with ISO 400 or 500.

The lens is probably fine. Give it a chance to shine and I'm sure it will.

 

[tclune]

...use the camera's mirror up function to remove vibration as a factor affecting image quality...

Bill, your age is showing...

 

[Bill Ferris]

...use the camera's mirror up function to remove vibration as a factor affecting image quality...

Bill, your age is showing...

OMG, you are so right and I am so busted

"mirror up"...mirrorless Z5...doh!

 

[DavidWright2010]

You say the second image is uncropped, but it is only 2000x1333 px.

David

 

[CJDahl]

What brand/model lens filter are you using?

 

[FrancoD]

I would be more worried about where that lady is about to put her foot into than the sharpess of your lens.



BTW, that last photo :10 seconds ! (probably not the best light to judge a lens by).

 

[DrSnail]

ДэвидРайт2010 написал:

Вы говорите, что второе изображение не обрезано, но его размер всего 2000x1333 пикселей.

Дэйвид

Yep Just a mistake, sry) Not sure how to edit my first message

 

[DrSnail]

What brand/model lens filter are you using?

I do not have any lens filter on it

 

[New Wrycuda]

A couple of days ago, I got my hands on the shiny new Nikon Z 180-600 f5.8-6.3 VR. After snapping a few shots (check out the edited examples below) at the full 600mm, I've got some burning questions. Is this lens sharp enough?

Here is the tweaked image:


Nikon Z5 + Nikkor Z 180-600mm. ISO 2000, 600mm, f / 8.0, 1/500s. Cropped

I can see “jaggies” on pram’s wheel spokes (pixels making their presence felt) and that’s a good sign of high resolution. BTW, “EXIF” is automatically shown, so need for caption data.

As for the other shot, “You need a bigger bird”. ;-)

Best to use a resolution chart such as ISO12233.

https://www.imatest.com/solutions/iso-12233/

 

[DrSnail]

The sample photos at high ISOs aren't representative of the lens's capabilities. The last photo was obviously made in exceptionally low light. It also isn't an accurate representation of the zoom's optics.

For a good test of optical sharpness, setup a static subject in good light. Mount the camera & lens on a tripod, set the lens wide open, use the camera's mirror up function to remove vibration as a factor affecting image quality, and make a set of exposures at or near base ISO.

A good field test will also be made in good light photographing birds or other moving subjects that fill most of the frame. Keep the lens wide open, use good handhold technique, and a shutter speed that pairs well with ISO 400 or 500.

The lens is probably fine. Give it a chance to shine and I'm sure it will.

Ok! Thank you a lot! I will try it, but without "mirror up" step :-D

Also, i will try a shot a test chart, like ISO 12233. All of these shots will post soon (maybe within a day or two)

 

[dazzerfong]

The first mistake every single photographer who starts out birding is not being close enough, and thinking a 600mm lens is going to compensate for distance. Fact is, unless you're a few meters away (longer for larger birds), the bird will never be crispy sharp.

I'd just use a test chart or a brick wall to see nothing's strange, but honestly unless the lens is broken you'll be limited by distance way more often than your lens' optics.

 

[New Wrycuda]

The sample photos at high ISOs aren't representative of the lens's capabilities. The last photo was obviously made in exceptionally low light. It also isn't an accurate representation of the zoom's optics.

For a good test of optical sharpness, setup a static subject in good light. Mount the camera & lens on a tripod, set the lens wide open, use the camera's mirror up function to remove vibration as a factor affecting image quality, and make a set of exposures at or near base ISO.

A good field test will also be made in good light photographing birds or other moving subjects that fill most of the frame. Keep the lens wide open, use good handhold technique, and a shutter speed that pairs well with ISO 400 or 500.

The lens is probably fine. Give it a chance to shine and I'm sure it will.

Ok! Thank you a lot! I will try it, but without "mirror up" step :-D

Also, i will try a shot a test chart, like ISO 12233. All of these shots will post soon (maybe within a day or two)

You need to "stretch" the distance to really test lenses, particularly with the old 12233.

This is Nikon D7100 with 85mm f/1.8 at 3x standard distance.

Result is 11 x 300= 3300 line pairs. Good for a DX Nikon.(Mirror UP)

Another interesting res. test due to JC Brown. In that test, Res. =4000/1.2 = 3333.

 

[DrSnail]

The sample photos at high ISOs aren't representative of the lens's capabilities. The last photo was obviously made in exceptionally low light. It also isn't an accurate representation of the zoom's optics.

For a good test of optical sharpness, setup a static subject in good light. Mount the camera & lens on a tripod, set the lens wide open, use the camera's mirror up function to remove vibration as a factor affecting image quality, and make a set of exposures at or near base ISO.

A good field test will also be made in good light photographing birds or other moving subjects that fill most of the frame. Keep the lens wide open, use good handhold technique, and a shutter speed that pairs well with ISO 400 or 500.

The lens is probably fine. Give it a chance to shine and I'm sure it will.

Ok! Thank you a lot! I will try it, but without "mirror up" step :-D

Also, i will try a shot a test chart, like ISO 12233. All of these shots will post soon (maybe within a day or two)

You need to "stretch" the distance to really test lenses, particularly with the old 12233.

This is Nikon D7100 with 85mm f/1.8 at 3x standard distance.

Result is 11 x 300= 3300 line pairs. Good for a DX Nikon.(Mirror UP)

Another interesting res. test due to JC Brown. In that test, Res. =4000/1.2 = 3333.

I have a question about illumination. Can i place ipad with white screen on it directly before an image in order to illuminate test chart properly?

Also, i've read about how to perform this test, but i have no good light source for it and this problem result me to think about illumination by ipad

 

[FrancoD]

You could pin/tape/blue tak them to a wall/garage door/window outside...

 

[New Wrycuda]

The sample photos at high ISOs aren't representative of the lens's capabilities. The last photo was obviously made in exceptionally low light. It also isn't an accurate representation of the zoom's optics.

For a good test of optical sharpness, setup a static subject in good light. Mount the camera & lens on a tripod, set the lens wide open, use the camera's mirror up function to remove vibration as a factor affecting image quality, and make a set of exposures at or near base ISO.

A good field test will also be made in good light photographing birds or other moving subjects that fill most of the frame. Keep the lens wide open, use good handhold technique, and a shutter speed that pairs well with ISO 400 or 500.

The lens is probably fine. Give it a chance to shine and I'm sure it will.

Ok! Thank you a lot! I will try it, but without "mirror up" step :-D

Also, i will try a shot a test chart, like ISO 12233. All of these shots will post soon (maybe within a day or two)

You need to "stretch" the distance to really test lenses, particularly with the old 12233.

This is Nikon D7100 with 85mm f/1.8 at 3x standard distance.

Result is 11 x 300= 3300 line pairs. Good for a DX Nikon.(Mirror UP)

Another interesting res. test due to JC Brown. In that test, Res. =4000/1.2 = 3333.

I have a question about illumination. Can i place ipad with white screen on it directly before an image in order to illuminate test chart properly?

Those individual charts are PDFs printed at A3 on a laser printer, which was the only way I could get sufficient detail. They are fixed to a board 1.0m x 1.5m. Are you thinking of using an iPad as the primary light source? Not enough light, considering the size of the combined charts.

Also, i've read about how to perform this test, but i have no good light source for it and this problem result me to think about illumination by ipad.

Do the test outside, just as you would be doing for wildlife.

 

[JasonTheBirder]

You will simply never get feathers to pop when the birds are so far away. I wouldn't expect that with my 500PF either, and it's a sharper lens.

Just get closer. Simple as that. It's sharp enough for sharp photos as long as you get close enough.

 

[Mark S Abeln]

Some general advice:

• Half of the equation for sharpness is contrast. Your first photo lacks contrast, as it does not have a full range of tones from white to black; brightening ought to make the image pop more.
• Sharpening is almost a necessary part of digital image processing. Adobe's raw processors, and some cameras, only sharpen lightly at their default settings. Sharpening well is something of an art, and oversharpening is worse in some respects than undersharpening, and so a bit of subtly is needed so you get the visual effect without actually noticing the sharpening artifacts.
• Fill the frame with your subject if you want more sharpness on average. Get closer, zoom in more. A lens/sensor combination can only deliver so much resolution at a given contrast level, and cropping destroys resolution.

 

[Bill Ferris]

The sample photos at high ISOs aren't representative of the lens's capabilities. The last photo was obviously made in exceptionally low light. It also isn't an accurate representation of the zoom's optics.

For a good test of optical sharpness, setup a static subject in good light. Mount the camera & lens on a tripod, set the lens wide open, use the camera's mirror up function to remove vibration as a factor affecting image quality, and make a set of exposures at or near base ISO.

A good field test will also be made in good light photographing birds or other moving subjects that fill most of the frame. Keep the lens wide open, use good handhold technique, and a shutter speed that pairs well with ISO 400 or 500.

The lens is probably fine. Give it a chance to shine and I'm sure it will.

Ok! Thank you a lot! I will try it, but without "mirror up" step :-D

Also, i will try a shot a test chart, like ISO 12233. All of these shots will post soon (maybe within a day or two)

You need to "stretch" the distance to really test lenses, particularly with the old 12233.

This is Nikon D7100 with 85mm f/1.8 at 3x standard distance.

Result is 11 x 300= 3300 line pairs. Good for a DX Nikon.(Mirror UP)

Another interesting res. test due to JC Brown. In that test, Res. =4000/1.2 = 3333.

I have a question about illumination. Can i place ipad with white screen on it directly before an image in order to illuminate test chart properly?

Also, i've read about how to perform this test, but i have no good light source for it and this problem result me to think about illumination by ipad

Do you have a access to a room that gets indirect sunlight? If so, I'd recommend using a simple setup of static objects on a flat surface in even ambient room lighting. This isn't an optical bench test situation. You're just making a few photos to confirm the lens is focusing well and making a quality image.

--
Bill Ferris Photography
Flagstaff, AZ

http://www.billferris.photoshelter.com

 

[DrSnail]

The sample photos at high ISOs aren't representative of the lens's capabilities. The last photo was obviously made in exceptionally low light. It also isn't an accurate representation of the zoom's optics.

For a good test of optical sharpness, setup a static subject in good light. Mount the camera & lens on a tripod, set the lens wide open, use the camera's mirror up function to remove vibration as a factor affecting image quality, and make a set of exposures at or near base ISO.

A good field test will also be made in good light photographing birds or other moving subjects that fill most of the frame. Keep the lens wide open, use good handhold technique, and a shutter speed that pairs well with ISO 400 or 500.

The lens is probably fine. Give it a chance to shine and I'm sure it will.

Ok! Thank you a lot! I will try it, but without "mirror up" step :-D

Also, i will try a shot a test chart, like ISO 12233. All of these shots will post soon (maybe within a day or two)

You need to "stretch" the distance to really test lenses, particularly with the old 12233.

This is Nikon D7100 with 85mm f/1.8 at 3x standard distance.

Result is 11 x 300= 3300 line pairs. Good for a DX Nikon.(Mirror UP)

Another interesting res. test due to JC Brown. In that test, Res. =4000/1.2 = 3333.

I have a question about illumination. Can i place ipad with white screen on it directly before an image in order to illuminate test chart properly?

Also, i've read about how to perform this test, but i have no good light source for it and this problem result me to think about illumination by ipad

Do you have a access to a room that gets indirect sunlight? If so, I'd recommend using a simple setup of static objects on a flat surface in even ambient room lighting. This isn't an optical bench test situation. You're just making a few photos to confirm the lens is focusing well and making a quality image.

Yep. I've find the way to perform this test by using indirect light in room. So the shutter speed is about 0.8 second. Could you guys please check it? Waiting for you advice.


Innnes squares in center was printed not properly, but i can still see the differences in 3th inner squares by eyes.




Weges arount 15 is indistinguishable by eyes

P.S. Images was printed on inkjet printer Epson L850. File resolution for printing was almost 1800 ppi.

P.P.S. It's minus 30 at my city these days, so it's hard for me to go outside and make some test shots :-D