Can anyone shed any light on the availability of the Nikon Z 180-600mm Lens? I am leaving for a tiger safari in India on 2 April and it looks like I will have to do with my 24-200mm Lens for my new Z8. Unfortunately, I waited untiul February to order the lens from B&H and it is still back ordered with no promise date. Looked at the Nikon USA website for ordering the lens and it shows back ordered. Sent a request to Nikon for any information and got a "sort of" I don't know answer from the Nikon support folks. Any rumors or other information would be sincerely appreciated.
Nikon Z 180-600mm Availability
- Thread starter rbrowers
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LL4D500
Active member
Too bad I didn’t know that yesterday! Received a call yesterday saying they got one in and I was next on the list! Turned it down as it is too heavy for me and raised issues in regard to SKB case/backpack space. Could have gotten it for you!
Last info I’ve seen re: B&H is that they were shipping orders from Sept/Oct. It’s probably going to be awhile before they ship recent orders.
UK retailers such as Grays of Westminster have the lens in stock for £1,799 (approx $2300). It’d be worth an email to see if they’d ship to USA in time for your trip.
I hesitate to recommend this but I’ve seen various gray market sellers which say they have it in stock. You can find them by googling. Buyer beware with these sellers, though.
Check other USA retailers daily to see if they have it in stock. Hope you can find one in time for your trip!
It might vary by region but my wating time was about 10 weeks (order beginning of December, delivery mid February)
Here it seems like the big dealers (Camera Expresss is shipping across Europe) were a bit slower, because many clients tend to order from the bigger companies, and because Nikon seems to prefer thriving for not splitting packaged orders the time until a big order package can be shipped is sometimes longer as for smaller dealers having ordered a smaller quantity. I could observe the availablity traffic lights in smaller online shops going on green faster.
Good luck and "happy tigering"
Here it seems like the big dealers (Camera Expresss is shipping across Europe) were a bit slower, because many clients tend to order from the bigger companies, and because Nikon seems to prefer thriving for not splitting packaged orders the time until a big order package can be shipped is sometimes longer as for smaller dealers having ordered a smaller quantity. I could observe the availablity traffic lights in smaller online shops going on green faster.
Good luck and "happy tigering"
ajrmd
Well-known member
If you can't find one, have you considered a 100-400?
Rent one?
Fiat
Member
You may want to check Panamoz.com (UK). Though selling new grey market products, they offer lower prices than most US dealers and they ship to the US for free (7-10 days, better let them know your trip date, so they can expedite). Their products won't be honored with Nikon USA warranty, but they do offer their local service warranty for 3 years. Their products are legit as I purchased Z8 from them and registered with Nikon USA successfully by the product serial number (and got Nikon USA congratulations). GL (if this is not allowed to be posted, remove)
If you’re doubting being able to get your copy before you leave, I agree with renting one.
I could think of nothing worse than being in a situation where you really wished you had it but didn’t & missed the shot.
Not only that, in hiring one your doing away with any stress that may be building up regarding is my copy going to arrive in time only for it not to.
Bite the bullet & hire it I say, but whatever you decide I hope you have a great trip.
I could think of nothing worse than being in a situation where you really wished you had it but didn’t & missed the shot.
Not only that, in hiring one your doing away with any stress that may be building up regarding is my copy going to arrive in time only for it not to.
Bite the bullet & hire it I say, but whatever you decide I hope you have a great trip.
Can you recommend or suggest possible places to rent a lens? Thanks for the input.
Unlikely you will get it from B-H in within time. I got a call from Allen's Camera (Levittown, Pennsylvania) couple weeks ago that they had a few in stock. Also, buy direct from Nikon. I ordered and received within a week, plus they did not charge me tax. Good luck
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Not much help for those in USA - some UK retailers have it in stock - with next day delivery an option readily available.
Looks like ServicePhoto in Baltimore might have some. Their website says "in-store only" though.
Good idea. Admitttedly I have never had the opportunity to shoot tigers, but I think i depends a little on the scenario.
On the one hand, tigers are pretty big animals, on the other hand it depends on the expectations on IQ / filling the frame.
Both lenses take a dip at the long end. I have them both and as long as I have the choice I shoot the 100-400 up to around 350mm and let the 180-600 take over from there.
P.S. Sorry, missed the send button last night
Nick B.
Member
Vistek in Canada (https://www.vistek.ca) lists the 180-600 as available for on-line purchase and shipping. Whether they would ship to the US, I don't know.
Received one very quickly from Nikon USA, even though the lens showed "back ordered" on their web site.
I’ve rented from lenstentals,com. Somewhat expensive but they had what I needed and it was a good experience.
When?
I just returned from shooting tigers in three Indian parks and I brought both the Z100-400 and 500PF on two bodies, the 100-400 got used quite a bit so I'd suggest that as a good alternative. Tigers can come quite close.
My husband was using the Z180-600 and it was pretty perfect except sometimes the tiger was too close at 180mm, whereas I could get the shot with the 100-400. But if you can rent the 180-600 that might be the best choice. Just keep in mind that your gear will be inundated with dust, it's much worse than in Africa especially at this dry time of year. I just spent a good part of a day cleaning the dust from my cameras and lenses so if you rent, I'd get insurance with it I've used Lensrentals.com in the past and they are great.
My husband was using the Z180-600 and it was pretty perfect except sometimes the tiger was too close at 180mm, whereas I could get the shot with the 100-400. But if you can rent the 180-600 that might be the best choice. Just keep in mind that your gear will be inundated with dust, it's much worse than in Africa especially at this dry time of year. I just spent a good part of a day cleaning the dust from my cameras and lenses so if you rent, I'd get insurance with it
I've used Lensrentals.com in the past and they are great.
GregT943
Active member
Nikon still seems to be shipping lenses in no apparent order. The way they have handled the release of this lens has made them look like absolute clowns.
Place your order thru Nikon and check local stores. I ordered mine day of announcement and I got it a week after the announce shipping. It's a good lens for 1700.00.
Post today on NikonRumors says they are now shipping in USA:
nikonrumors.com
A new batch of Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lenses now shipping in the US: B&H now fulfills pre-orders placed in November 2023 - Nikon Rumors
A new batch of Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lenses is now shipping in the US. The current shipment from B&H is for pre-orders placed in November 2023. Check the US 180-600mm lens availability at Adorama, B&H Photo, Amazon, Paul’s Photo, and Service Photo. I find it strange that the...
nikonrumors.com
rjpawl
Member
My 180-600mm is scheduled to be delivered today. It is on-board a fedex truck now . I placed the order from B&H on 11/8/2023.
. I placed the order from B&H on 11/8/2023.
i had a Sept order and just got mine from Service Photo ....they are super helpful
Two used ones at MPB as I write this:
Woodyg3 - Thank you so much for the lead - pruchased one of the two they were offering.
Everyone - This forum is absolutely amazing - great timely information - Tnaks to everyone for helping me out.
Admin - Recommend closing this thread.
Everyone - This forum is absolutely amazing - great timely information - Tnaks to everyone for helping me out.
Admin - Recommend closing this thread.