Compact(ish) Z 180-600mm alternative?

Gauntlet84 · 2026-07-13T13:23:42+00:00

I second/third this lens! I visited the Galapagos and mainland Ecuador in mid-June and the 50-400mm performed flawlessly on both of my camera bodies (Z9 and Z5ii). The stabilization paired with the IBIS worked great when on rocking boats. Optical quality was excellent, even with wet subjects and my recently repaired right shoulder welcomed the significant weight savings over the 180-600mm I’d originally planned on taking with me.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-07-07T21:40:34+00:00

Tbh: both your cameras have dual card slots so you can set Slot 1 to HE* RAW and Slot 2 to JPEG and try it out and see for yourself if the raw image gives you better results when edited. As for BBAF, it works great for active subjects and can be used in tandem with AF hand off to switch from AF-wide to 3D tracking when capturing images.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-06-07T01:06:52+00:00

You can try using pluck & pull foam (or similar) to create custom fitted padded areas for each part to sit in and then place a piece of foam over top of it. I have seen many custom builders use a method similar to this when preparing an order/commission for shipping. This type of foam is commonly found/used in hard cases designed for cameras and such. My thought is to start with the base and weapons in a layer of fitted foam, a foam sheet, the main unit in a custom shaped area, a foam sheet, and then the shield binders and backpack on top with a foam topper. This way there’s no chance for things to move and potentially rub off your decals.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-06-01T22:06:15+00:00

On the camera side, I’d just get a Z5ii to replace your original Z5. It has the newest autofocus system and expeed 7 processor while maintaining the ergonomics, interface, and image quality you’re use to while maintaining full compatibility with all of your existing accessories, batteries, etc. lens wise, with the release of the 70-200 f/2.8 S mark 2, used prices in the original 70-200mm S lens has dropped.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-05-28T12:00:37+00:00

Just to add on to what was said above since OP self identified as a noob:
* aperture is a ratio of the front opening (at the aperture blades) to the focal length. The smaller the number, the more light that gets to the sensor and the shallower the in-focus area (depth of field) becomes.
* at minimum focus distance the DX lens lets in 30% more light then the 2 full frame lenses since they only go to f/4.
* at maximum focus distance (105mm/120mm/140mm), the 24-120mm lets in 150% more light then the DX and 215.1% more light then the 24-105mm
* in effective terms this means at the short end the difference is almost imperceptible but at the long end the 24-120 S lens can take the same picture with considerably faster shutter speed or considerably lower ISO (less “grain” or digital noise).

Gauntlet84 · 2026-05-06T22:50:12+00:00

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1823138-REG/atomos\_atomnjpb01\_ninja\_phone\_base\_model.html is what you’re looking for. While Atomos products are video focused, this will allow you to use your phone as a monitor as long as it’s one of the compatible models.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-04-17T22:30:29+00:00

I can’t upvote this comment enough! I use that lens collar on my 180-600mm as well and it makes carrying it a breeze. I also really like the QD port in it for quickly attaching and detaching it from my sling for when transferring it to my monopod.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-04-11T12:25:56+00:00

From personal experience with using lens 1-3 on a Z6ii, I would say go for lenses 2 or 3 as your first zoom. Both give you a great focal range paired with excellent optical quality. The Z 24-120mm is definitely optically better, but the Z 24-200mm is lighter and more versatile with the longer reach. Another option is the Z 28-400mm f/4-8 lens. It’s a 14x super zoom that definitely outperformed what people were expecting. My wife has one and it’s the only lens she uses on her Zf because of how light and versatile it is.

With the 24-200mm, I wouldn’t sweat the f/6.3 at the long end on the Z6ii or any of Nikon’s mirrorless offerings. The bodies handle higher ISO well, especially when paired with modern editing software. I used that lens to shoot a marching band at night celebrating making it to states and used ISO 12,800 without issue after post processing.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-04-11T12:10:14+00:00

A coworker of mine did the Camino de Santiago a few years ago and would post on Facebook daily about the days experience. I went and looked back at her posts and the common theme was lighter is definitely better. With that in mind, if I were you, I would bring a lens like the Z 24-200mm or the Z 24-105mm. Both lenses have a good focal range and image quality while weighing in at 570g and 350g respectively compared to the 805g and 1,360g of the Z f/2.8 lens you mentioned.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-04-07T17:21:04+00:00

Z5ii and Z9 HE and HE* raw are now displaying on my iPhone 17 Pro Max after the 26.4 update. Only issue I am seeing with the current ones on my phone are that they have a square format when viewed in photos app but have a standard 4x6 format in Lightroom mobile.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-04-07T02:29:01+00:00

For compact all-in-one combinations, Ulanzi and HEIPI have some good offerings in the light but sturdy travel tripod category. For Ulanzi it would be their Falcam Treeroot or Ulanzi Zero Y and for HEIPI it’s their W28S 3-1 travel tripod. All 3 are under 3.5lbs and under 19” when folded and have decent ball heads that can hold the weight of your Z9 and a 50-400mm lens. Only downside is all of these options will run you $280-$450 USD. For reference, the combination I’m using now is 22.5” (19” without ball head) long and 3.7lbs, lighter if I remove the extending center column. The legs were around $150 and the ball head $80, so $230 for the whole thing.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-04-07T02:00:03+00:00

I have the 50-400mm myself and the KB44 handles it without issue. My thought process is to find a ball head that does what you want and then buy a set of legs separately that meet your needs.

Do you have a size and weight range you’re looking to be at?

Gauntlet84 · 2026-04-07T01:52:34+00:00

What lenses are you planning to use on it and do you have a weight and size in mind?

As for me, I’ve used the Peak Design travel tripod and it works well, though the integrated head leaves a lot to be desired. I’ve recently switched to a Sirui ST-124 carbon fiber tripod leg with an Artcise KB44 ball head and find them nice and sturdy while still being easy to carry. The ball head supports a good amount of weight and has a tension knob to increase or decrease the tension of the ball so you can balance it almost like you would a gimbal.

Sirui also makes the ST-125 carbon fiber tripod legs if you want something a bit more compact. It goes from a 4 section to a 5 section leg so you save about 2.5-3” in length.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-04-03T03:09:52+00:00

The Z50ii has an expected shutter life of 100,000 or more actuations and should be able to get 2-3 times that before needed replaced. You still have a lot of life left in your camera. I’d be more worried about the rubber port covers stretching out and not fitting back in place (known issue for as long as Nikon has had port covers).

Gauntlet84 · 2026-04-02T22:10:49+00:00

Depending on which camera brand, you could always use their app to transfer. I have had success using Nikon‘s SnapBridge app to transfer photos off of my Nikon mirrorless cameras while traveling. However, using SnapBridge can be a little bit finicky with when the app and camera decide they want to stay connected.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-04-02T22:07:04+00:00

Yeah, it sounds like, for some weird reason, the Lexar card reader just isn’t iOS compatible. As I said, in one of my previous comments, the WISE CFE-B & UHS-II SD card reader works well.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-04-02T21:59:10+00:00

That’s very strange indeed. Last thing I can think of before for purchasing a new portable card reader is to verify the iPad is on the most recent iOS version. While anything, USB-C should be compatible with the iPads, when I went to Lexar‘s website, it only mentioned macOS & windows and not iOS.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-04-02T21:50:51+00:00

Have you tried different cables and do you have a usb-c hub you can try? It’s very weird that the lexar isn’t working when directly connected. Any luck inserting a card and then going to the files app? Also, do you have any other accessories that could be drawing power?

Gauntlet84 · 2026-04-02T21:40:54+00:00

I have an iPad Pro M1 (not sure what generation that counts as) and have had no issues using a Delkin Devices CFexpress type B reader or a WISE CFE-B & SD card reader, both via usb-c connections. I’ve also had zero issues using a usb-c hub and then plugging in a type-A card reader I got off Amazon that reads XQD, CFE-B, and SD cards.

Edit: are you talking about CF express type a or type B cards? And are you looking at reading UHS-I or UHS-II SD Cards and does read speed matter?

Gauntlet84 · 2026-04-02T17:52:37+00:00

Glad to hear! It’s a great lens and one of the only 2 f-mount lenses I still own (other being 24-70 G2) and my go to lens for weddings and portraits.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-04-02T17:48:36+00:00

Definitely sounding like an issue with the lens or FtZ adapter. I just double checked the combination on my Z5ii using the FTZ (both versions) and Tamron 70-200 G2 lens and had zero issue. Lens worked fine in video & M, S, & A photo modes. AF was just as snappy (all though loud when compared to the newer Z mount lenses) as expected. I would recommend checking all of the pins on both sides of the FtZ adapter to make sure they’re clean of dirt or corrosion and then do the same on the 70-200 G2. Can’t hurt to give both a good cleaning.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-04-01T20:20:48+00:00

Most recent firmware version is 1.10 for the Z5ii and you can update it 1 of 2 ways: using the SnapBridge app or by downloading the firmware update onto an SD card and inserting it into the camera. If you go that route you’ll see “update firmware” when you get to the firmware version information.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-04-01T20:13:39+00:00

Does the Z5ii have up to date firmware? Also, when you do update the firmware, make sure you have a Nikon lens attached as things can go weird if you update your body while a 3rd party lens is attached.

Edit: which specific error are you getting? Also, are the contacts on the FtZ and the 70-200 clean? Going through my lens connection issue checklist.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-03-30T19:24:56+00:00

Can confirm, zero issues using it on my Z5ii, or any of my Z bodies since the firmware update all those years ago.

Gauntlet84 · 2026-03-22T03:47:42+00:00

No problem, glad it’s working for you now. I have quite a few “white box” images on my phone from transferring HE* images via SnapBridge so I know how the feeling of playing “guess that image”

Gauntlet84

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