Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S lens Review

As an avid wildlife and sports photographer, I’ve been eagerly awaiting a lightweight super-telephoto prime lens that can keep up with fast action and capture shy subjects from afar. The new Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S lens fills that need perfectly with its innovative blend of incredible 600mm reach, advanced image stabilisation, robust weather sealing, and a remarkably compact, hand-holdable design.

Over the past several weeks, I’ve used the NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 extensively for birding, motorsports, events, and more. It has quickly become my go-to lens when I need the framing versatility that only a super-telephoto can provide. This review shares my real-world experiences and images from using this lens in the field. Read on for my full hands-on evaluation.

Unrivalled 600mm Reach

Make no mistake, 600mm is an extreme focal length that lets you isolate subjects from great distances. When I first mounted the lens, I was amazed by how much closer and tighter everything appears in the viewfinder compared to standard zooms.

Whether for filling the frame with shy wildlife, capturing intense emotions at sporting events, or compressing perspectives in landscape shots, the 600mm perspective completely transforms how you can portray scenes. It allows more intimate views of faraway subjects.

I also found the angle of view versatile for creative framing when shooting events like airshows. The lens handles brilliantly for panning and tracking movement. The lightweight build makes it easy to manoeuvre for extended periods.

Remarkably Compact & Portable

Weighing in at just 1,390 g, the NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 is astonishingly compact and well-balanced for a super-telephoto lens. I was able to comfortably carry it around my neck for hours when hiking and birding without fatigue.

The relatively short 278mm physical length also makes it quite unobtrusive and low profile for moving through crowds. It fits easily in my camera bag alongside other standard zoom lenses. Yet despite its smaller size, the lens still incorporates extensive weather sealing and a fluorine-coated front element to stand up to the elements.

Superb Optics & Vivid Clarity

With any speciality super-telephoto lens, excellent optics are paramount. I’m thrilled to report that the optical performance of the NIKKOR Z 600mm is simply outstanding. Nikon’s optical technologies including ED and SR elements all but eliminate chromatic aberrations, delivering crisp sharpness and vivid clarity even at f/6.3.

I made large prints from shots of distant birds and motorsports and was amazed by the fine details resolved. The lens maintains excellent contrast and colour accuracy. When shooting into bright light, Nikon’s nano crystal coat noticeably cuts down on ghosting and flare. Overall, the image quality exceeded my expectations.

Steady & Stabilised for Low Light Shooting

A relatively slow f/6.3 maximum aperture would normally make this lens challenging for handheld use in anything but bright light. Fortunately, Nikon’s excellent optical vibration reduction (VR) provides up to 5.5 stops of stabilization, giving me the ability to shoot at surprisingly slow shutter speeds and still get sharp shots.

I captured crisp images handheld with the 600mm lens at speeds down to 1/60s, letting me shoot dusk landscapes and wildlife at high ISOs with confidence. When tripod mounting for extreme pixels-on-target sharpness, the stabilization still proved valuable for smoother, sharper views through the eyepiece.

Fast, Quiet Autofocus Performance

The stepping motor AF drives the NIKKOR Z 600mm lens quickly and quietly, which is a huge benefit for wildlife and video work. It was able to swiftly lock focus and track erratic motion from birds and athletes reliably. The AF speed makes it feasible to capture the action with this lens.

The focus motor itself makes only faint noise, allowing me to shoot videos of wildlife without excessive AF noise disrupting the audio. Manual focus control is smooth and precise, with a nice amount of focus through the range. For static subjects, an instant focus memory button quickly snaps back to pre-set focus distances.

Overall, I’m very impressed by how capable the autofocus system is given the extreme 600mm focal length which poses greater challenges compared to wider lenses. AF accuracy and tracking exceeded my expectations and enabled sharp results in challenging scenarios.

Intuitive Ergonomics in a Refined Package

Nikon designed the NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S lens to excel in real-world shooting situations. The zoom and focus rings operate smoothly for precise control. The lightweight carbon fibre tripod collar evenly balances the lens when shooting from a monopod or tripod.

Useful controls like the AF/MF switch, VR on/off switch, and custom function buttons are perfectly positioned for instinctive operation while shooting. Little touches like the rotating tripod foot, pinch lens cap, and locking lens hood demonstrate thoughtful attention to detail.

By eschewing bulky heft in favour of lightweight portability without compromising optics or weather sealing, Nikon engineered a 600mm lens that can go anywhere and handle any assignment. The refined design inspires you to take it on adventures and delivers professional results.

Ideal Uses for This Lens:

• Wildlife & Bird Photography
• Sports, Motorsports & Airshows
• Capturing Distant Landscapes
• Events Photography
• astrophotography
• Photojournalism & Documentary Shooting

Final Verdict

After using the NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S lens extensively in real-world conditions, I’m convinced it’s a game changer for super-telephoto work. Nikon packs an incredible 600mm reach into a surprisingly compact and lightweight lens that almost anyone can handhold comfortably. It brings subjects incredibly close with brilliant sharpness and clarity. For wildlife, aviation, sports, and general distant subject photography, it provides framing options beyond any standard zoom. Despite its lightweight body, the lens still delivers pro-grade construction, weather sealing, and top-tier optics.

Any Nikon Z series mirrorless shooter who needs access to the unique perspectives and creative potential of super-telephoto focal lengths should have this 600mm lens at the top of their wishlist. It’s the new gold standard for lightweight hand-holdable performance in a super telephoto prime.