Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm F 4 TC VR S Review | 54 Data compared

The Photography Life review deems the Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S an exceptional, top-tier lens for sports and wildlife, highlighting its integrated 1.4x teleconverter that converts it into an 840mm f/5.6. Key advantages include incredible sharpness wide open, silent and fast autofocus, and a lighter, more balanced design than its predecessors, complete with robust, professional-grade weather sealing. Conversely, the lens comes with a very high $16,200 price point and remains a bulky, physically large piece of equipment despite its improved weight. While performance is excellent, the review notes potential for chromatic aberration when stacking additional teleconverters and advises that more affordable, specialized alternatives exist in the Z-mount lineup.

Despite its stellar performance, the lens comes with several notable disadvantages, chief among them being an eye-watering price tag of 17,249 EUR / 15,497 USD / 15,499 GBP, making it more expensive than rival 600mm primes from Sony and Canon. On the technical side, users will notice a substantial 16% image magnification change due to focus breathing when pulling focus from infinity to close distances, which can detract from video applications. Additionally, the focus position shifts slightly when toggling the internal teleconverter on and off, requiring photographers to refocus their shot. Other minor design drawbacks include the omission of an OLED status display and Nikon’s continued failure to make the included tripod foot Arca-Swiss compatible right out of the box.

However, these premium features come with significant compromises in weight and cost. The lens is a massive "beast" that weighs 3,260g, making it significantly heavier and over six times more expensive than alternative options like the Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S. Furthermore, while its long-distance sharpness remains impressive when the teleconverter is engaged, lab and real-world testing revealed a noticeable loss of sharpness at close-range focusing distances when shooting at 840mm. Ultimately, it is a highly versatile, top-tier optic, but its massive size, high price tag, and close-up limitations at 840mm mean it is not a tool to be taken lightly.

The Photography Life field review highlights the Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S as a top-tier super-telephoto lens, praising its outstanding sharpness, effective 5.5-stop Vibration Reduction, and the seamless integration of a built-in 1.4x teleconverter that converts it to an 840mm f/5.6. Further, the lens is lauded for its fast, silent Silky Swift VCM autofocus, robust weather-sealed construction, and excellent handling, particularly regarding weight distribution compared to older models. Conversely, the review notes the significant drawbacks of an extremely high price point (roughly $14,700–$16,000) and the inherent bulk of a 7.2-pound, 600mm f/4 lens, which can cause fatigue. Other criticisms include a long 14.1-foot minimum focusing distance and potential, minor, ergononomic issues regarding the placement of the manual focus ring.

Despite its stellar "two-for-one" value proposition, the review points out several notable drawbacks, led by its eye-watering price tag, which sits roughly $2,500 higher than rival 600mm mirrorless options from Sony and Canon. Optically, the lens suffers from relatively strong focus breathing, which may frustrate videographers looking for smooth focus transitions. From a usability standpoint, the tripod foot lacks native Arca-Swiss compatibility, the body lacks an OLED status display, and the included padded lens case is unfortunately too short to accommodate the lens while a camera body remains attached. Nevertheless, its extreme versatility, robust weather sealing, and reliable autofocus earn the lens a "Highly Recommended" verdict for those who can justify the heavy investment.

The Photography Life review of the Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S highlights it as a top-tier performer, boasting an exceptionally large 150mm entrance pupil for superior light gathering, impeccable backlit performance, minimal distortion, and outstanding sharpness. Its built-in 1.4x teleconverter increases versatility, while autofocus is described as fast, accurate, and reliable in demanding scenarios. However, the lens has notable drawbacks, including a massive front element and substantial, cumbersome lens hood that make transportation challenging, and the absence of physical VR switches on the lens barrel. Additionally, the extreme 600mm reach often means that image resolution is limited by atmospheric haze rather than the lens’s own high-level optics.