Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR User manual

©2023 Nikon Corporation
SB3E01(11)
7MM01711-01 En
• Read this document thoroughly before using the product.
• To ensure proper use of the product, be sure to read “For Your Safety” (page 4).
• After reading this document, keep it readily accessible for future reference.
Reference Guide
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

Table of Contents
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Before You Begin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
ForYourSafety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Using the Lens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
PartsoftheLens: NamesandFunctions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
AttachmentandRemoval. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Attaching and Removing the Lens Hood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Attaching a Lens Strap. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Using the Tripod Collar Ring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Vibration Reduction (VR). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
PrecautionsforUse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Lens Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Technical Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Cameras with AF-Assist Illuminators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Using the Lens on Cameras with a Built-in Flash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
2Table of Contents

Introduction
Before You Begin
Before using this product, please read these instructions carefully. You will also
need to consult the documentation provided with the camera.
• This lens is intended exclusively for use with mirrorless cameras featuring a
Nikon Z mount.
• Update the camera firmware to the latest version. With earlier versions, the
camera may fail to detect the lens correctly and some features may not be
available. The latest version of the camera firmware can be downloaded from
the Nikon Download Center at the URL below.
https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/
No reproduction in any form of this document, in whole or in part (except
for brief quotation in critical articles or reviews), may be made without written
authorization from NIKON CORPORATION.
3Before You Begin

ForYourSafety
To prevent damage to property or injury to yourself or to others, read “For Your
Safety” in its entirety before using this product.
After reading these safety instructions, keep them readily accessible for future
reference.
WARNING: Failure to observe the precautions marked with this
icon could result in death or severe injury.
CAUTION: Failure to observe the precautions marked with this
icon could result in injury or property damage.
WARNING
Do not disassemble or modify this product. Do not touch internal parts
that become exposed as the result of a fall or other accident.
Failure to observe these precautions could result in electric shock or other
injury.
Should you notice any abnormalities such as the product producing
smoke, heat, or unusual odors, immediately disconnect the camera power
source.
Continued operation could result in fire, burns or other injury.
Keep dry.Do not handle with wet hands.
Failure to observe these precautions could result in fire or electric shock.
Do not use this product in the presence of flammable dust or gas such as
propane, gasoline or aerosols.
Failure to observe this precaution could result in explosion or fire.
4ForYourSafety

WARNING
Do not directly view the sun or other bright light source through the lens.
Failure to observe this precaution could result in visual impairment.
Keep this product out of reach of children.
Failure to observe this precaution could result in injury or product malfunction.
In addition, note that small parts constitute a choking hazard. Should a child
swallow any part of this product, seek immediate medical attention.
Do not entangle, wrap or twist the straps around your neck.
Failure to observe this precaution could result in accidents.
Do not handle with bare hands in locations exposed to extremely high or
low temperatures.
Failure to observe this precaution could result in burns or frostbite.
5ForYourSafety

CAUTION
Do not leave the lens pointed at the sun or other strong light sources.
Light focused by the lens could cause fire or damage to product’s internal parts.
When shooting backlit subjects, keep the sun well out of the frame. Sunlight
focused into the camera when the sun is close to the frame could cause fire.
Do not leave the product where it will be exposed to extremely high
temperatures for an extended period, such as in an enclosed automobile
or in direct sunlight.
Failure to observe this precaution could result in fire or product malfunction.
Do not transport cameras or lenses with tripods or similar accessories
attached.
Failure to observe this precaution could result in injury or product malfunction.
6ForYourSafety

Using the Lens
PartsoftheLens: NamesandFunctions
The parts of the lens are listed below.
1 2
Lens hood mounting mark
Use when attaching the lens hood.
“Attaching and Removing the Lens Hood” (p.21)
Zoom ring
Rotate the ring to zoom in or out.
7PartsoftheLens:
NamesandFunctions
1
2

3 4 5
Focal length scale
Determine the approximate focal length when zooming the lens in or out.
Focal length mark
Determine the approximate focal length when zooming the lens in or out.
Control ring
• Autofocus mode selected:
Rotate the ring to adjust a setting such as [Focus (M/A)] or [Aperture]
assigned using the camera. For more information, see the description of
[Custom control assignment], [Custom controls], or [Custom controls
(shooting)] in the documentation provided with the camera.
• Manual focus mode selected:
Rotate the ring to focus.
8PartsoftheLens:
NamesandFunctions
3
4
5

6 7 8
Lens rotation indices
Use when rotating the camera to shoot in landscape (“wide”) or portrait
(“tall”) orientation. There are four indices positioned around the lens at 90º
intervals.
“Using the Tripod Collar Ring” (p.26)
Tripod collar ring rotation index
Use when rotating the camera to shoot in landscape (“wide”) or portrait
(“tall”) orientation.
“Using the Tripod Collar Ring” (p.26)
Tripod collar ring
The camera can be rotated between “wide” and “tall” orientations when a
tripod is attached to the tripod collar.
“Using the Tripod Collar Ring” (p.26)
9PartsoftheLens:
NamesandFunctions
6
7
8

109 11
Lens mounting mark
Use when mounting the lens on the camera.
“Attachment and Removal” (p.16)
Rubber lens-mount gasket
Helps prevent the ingress of water droplets or dust along the surfaces
where the lens and camera meet when the lens is mounted on the
camera.*
There is no guarantee that the gasket is completely proof against the
ingress of water droplets or dust in all circumstances.
CPU contacts
Used to transfer data to and from the camera.
10 PartsoftheLens:
NamesandFunctions
9
10
*
11

12 13
L-Fn buttons
Press to perform a function assigned using the camera. For more
information, see the description of [Custom control assignment],
[Custom controls], or [Custom controls (shooting)] in the documentation
provided with the camera. There are four buttons positioned around the
lens at 90º intervals.
Strap eyelets
For use when attaching a lens strap. There are two eyelets, one on each
side of the tripod collar ring.
0“Attaching a Lens Strap” (p.24)
11 PartsoftheLens:
NamesandFunctions
12
13

1514
Tripod collar
Attach a tripod.
“Using the Tripod Collar Ring” (p.26)
Tripod collar ring attachment screw
Fix the tripod collar ring in place.
“Using the Tripod Collar Ring” (p.26)
12 PartsoftheLens:
NamesandFunctions
14
15

16 17
Focus limit switch
Choose the autofocus range.
• FULL: Choose to focus on subjects at any distance between 1.3m
(4.27ft) and ∞.
• ∞ – 6m: Focus is limited to distances of 6m (19.69ft) and more. Select
this option for faster focusing if your subject will always be at distance of
at least 6m (19.69ft).
Focus-mode switch
Choose a focus mode.
• A: Autofocus
• M: Manual focus
Note that regardless of the setting chosen, focus must be adjusted
manually when manual focus mode is selected using camera controls.
13 PartsoftheLens:
NamesandFunctions
16
17

18 19 20 21
Lens hood
Lens hoods reduce stray light that would otherwise cause flare or ghosting.
They also serve to protect the lens.
“Attaching and Removing the Lens Hood” (p.21)
Lens hood alignment mark
Use when attaching the lens hood.
“Attaching and Removing the Lens Hood” (p.21)
Lens hood lock mark
Use when attaching the lens hood.
“Attaching and Removing the Lens Hood” (p.21)
Lens hood lock release button
Use when removing the lens hood.
“Attaching and Removing the Lens Hood” (p.21)
14 PartsoftheLens:
NamesandFunctions
18
19
20
21

22
Lens cap (front cap)
23
Lens cap (rear cap)
15 PartsoftheLens:
NamesandFunctions
22
23

AttachmentandRemoval
Attaching the Lens
Turn the camera bodyoff, remove the camera body cap,
and detach the rear lens cap.
16 AttachmentandRemoval
1.

Position the lens on the camera body, keeping the
mounting mark on the lens aligned with the mounting
mark on the camera body (q), and then rotate the lens
in the direction shown (w) until it clicks into place.
17 AttachmentandRemoval
2.

DWhen the Lens Is Mounted on a Tripod: Attaching the Camera Body
Position the camera body on the lens, keeping the mounting mark on the lens
aligned with the mounting mark on the camera body (q), and then rotate the
camera body in the direction shown (w) until the lens clicks into place.
18 AttachmentandRemoval

Removing the Lens
Turn the camera body off.
Press and hold the lens release button (q) while turning
the lens in the direction shown (w).
19 AttachmentandRemoval
1.
2.

DWhen the Lens Is Mounted on a Tripod: Removing the Camera Body
Press and hold the lens release button (q) while turning the camera body in
the direction shown (w).
20 AttachmentandRemoval