RoswellAlien

Currently I have a 200-500 on a D850. The rig takes great pictures (wildlife, birds, and such, but just turned 80; it is starting to become a beast to lug around.
I have a Z7ii with several shorter lenses, but am seriously thinking about going all mirrorless. So, I would appreciate personal experiences with the 100-400 (with and without the 1.4 converter) and/or the 180-600. I am aware of the speed, size, weight — and cost differences.

Also, I try to have to do as little post as possible — not much could be done with E-6 or Kodachrome for all those years and that’s what I grew up with.

Thanks to all in advance. I appreciate your responses.

photoman43

When I bought my Z9, I got two Z mount lenses, the 100-400mm S and the 24-120mm. I also got the z mount 1.4xtc. I have found the 100-400mm to be very useful for a lot of wildlife shooting situations. It is easy to use, the extension that takes place when you zoom out to 400mm is not that bad and the lens focuses quickly and accurately. At shorter focus lengths its minimum focus distance is small which can be a benefit if you shoot flowers, butterflies, etc. For birds and wildlife the 180-600m allows for more reach and its price is very attractive. If its weight and size is OK with you, the 180-600mm might be more versatile. I usually find that I need the extra reach.

If the 180-600mm is a possibility for you, check out the 70-180mm Z mount for other shooting situations. It costs less than the 70-200mm S lens.

RoswellAlien

Thanks. Have the 70-180 already along with the 24-120. Use both a lot.

MJPerini

From a weight saving perspective, it should be fairly easy to figure out, just figure the different combinations look up the weight and compare. Apples to apples you may not save a really significant amount of weight.
Only you can decide if you want to give up the reach or lens speed to make weight savings more significant.
Since you already own two fine cameras, think about renting a lens and converter so you can try the combination yourself. Then you will know for sure, by your own experience.
Nikon has also made long but slow telephotos, that do save a lot of weight. Only you can decide if those might work for you.
Good luck

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...Also, I try to have to do as little post as possible..." Why, who are your clients?
It appears from you UHH post that you're trying to establish a persona as a Photographer via the Kit you own...

Let's see some Published tear-sheets instead, k?
Photographic Excellence isn't a consumer product, period!

Have you considered a Gym Membership?
At your age seeking a fitness paradigm to increase both your aerobic stamina and range of motion would be a very wise (a.k.a. intelligent) path forward.

I'm precisely you age, and currently proactive in modifying my lifestyle to accommodate and minimize limitation from stage III CHF. It's hard work, blood, sweat and yes tears to reverse the damage done, however the alternative is totally unacceptable.

FYI: Class III CHF - Marked limitation in activity due to symptoms, even during less-than-ordinary activity, e.g. walking short distances (20—100 m). Comfortable only at rest.

I workout everyday (7 days a week), in multiple 15 minute sessions... I'm gaining back considerable range of motion and increasing limit strength via an advanced Yoga practice and progressive resistance exercises... I have a Lat Pull-Down Machine and an entire rack of Free Weights in my Home Gym. The quality of my life is vastly improving, word!

Best Advice? Follow my path... Start selling all your photo-gear to fund an in-home Exercise Gym.
I'm speaking from experience here... This is working well for me...

btw, I still have client work in the queue... Mostly Fashion Catalog and Editorials (all done in my Studio)!
I knew after having a NSTEMI (Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction) That some major lifestyle changes were predicated. I strongly suggest you cease and desist spinning your tail of remorse here on UHH and turn you life around ASAP!

"A bend in the road is not the end of the road…“

tkphelps

My previous experience was a D850 with the 80-400 lens. I never thought that was inconvenient or beastly at 55oz. I now have a Z 8 and the 180-600 lens. I am very impressed with the results, but at 75oz it feels beastly. I like the results with the 2x TC also, but that is more of a beast yet. I do bicep curls daily to try to convince myself that I am not 80 years old and these cameras are not beasts. I don't think it's working.

tramsey Loc: Texas

I live in a winter Texan resort which has an exercise room. Several times a week (More than three) I walk to it taking the long way which is about a mile and take pictures of wild life etc on the way. I have a d850 with a 80-400 lens. While I am there I do mild weight lifting and other exercise on a Natalus. That is an exercising equipment that can work out all the large muscle groups. I work out on it for maybe an hour, shower and take a different way home so I can shoot different things.
The point I am trying to make is with a little work the 850 and large telephoto lens is not a big deal even for an eighty five year old kid. BTW I have found this little routine to be very enjoyable, met new friends and feel good inspite of some aches and pains

Judy795

Get the 500 PF and keep the D850

photoman43

I should have added this comment too. My long lens for my Z9 is my F mount 500mm f5.6 pf. I use the 500mm on my D850, Z9 and D500.

TerryVS

This is good advice!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

At the end of Ken Rockwell's review of the Nikon 180-600 Z lens, he suggests that if you own the Nikon 200-500 just get the adapter when switching to the Z body. Now, many here do not like him, I find him very accurate on several counts, especially this one, your 200-500 will work great on a Z body.

"If you already own the superb AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E VR I'd just get an FTZ or FTZ II and call it a day for use on Z cameras, but if you're only going to use it on Z and don't already own the 200-500mm, I'd get this 180-600mm as it has a slightly broader zoom range on both ends".

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

I'm 80. I can't hand hold my D850 with 200-500. I use a 300 f4 with 1.4 and it offers enough that I don't plan to go longer for hand holding.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

If that is the case,then u do not want the 180-600 z.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Sounding like another candidate for a Sony RX10 iv. 😎

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

As someone who has used both the 200-500 and the 180-600 I don’t even think it’s close. The 200-500 is a good lens and it worked better on the Z9 with the adapter than on my D500. That being said, the 180-600 is better in almost every way. It focuses faster, it’s sharper, it’s weathersealed, it has internal zoom and focus. The only edge for the 200-500 is a constant f/5.6, but I’ll go an extra 1/3 stop for more range and all the other improvements. I actually preferred the 100-400 Z with the 1.4 TC at f/9 over the 200-500.