Nikon Increases the Price of its Popular Z 180-600mm Lens by $200
Nikon increased the price of one of its most popular and exciting Nikkor Z lenses, the Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 by $200.
The Nikkor Z 180-600mm, one of the best lenses for the Nikon Z-mount, launched in August 2023 for $1,696.95. Following an earlier price hike in Germany, noted by Nikon Rumors, Americans now must pay a higher price for the 180-600mm telephoto zoom lens. The lens is now priced at $1,896.95 — although Nikon says the MSRP is $1,899.95.
Whether this new higher price is fair, which one Nikon photographer on Reddit describes as “worth every penny,” it is never good news for consumers when a product costs more, especially when that price hike comes as a surprise.
Typically, customers can feel bamboozled when they buy a product at one price and its price then suddenly drops. However, it’s much rarer for someone to regret not pulling the trigger on a camera or lens because it now suddenly costs more.
Price increases aren’t altogether unheard of, though. Fujifilm upped the prices of various film products and some X and GFX products in 2022.
When balancing production costs, demand and supply, secondary and tertiary economic concerns, ever-changing exchange rates, and overall financial objectives, it’s not outright shocking that Nikon, or any other company, would increase the price of a product after launch. But that doesn’t make it less frustrating, even if the Nikon Z 180-600mm is fantastic, and few would have batted an eye at a $1,900 price at launch.
PetaPixel reached out to Nikon for more information, including an explanation for the price increase and if photographers should expect other products to get a similar price hike.
“As of August 1, the MSRP of the Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens will be $1899.95 in the United States,” Nikon tells PetaPixel over email. “We evaluate pricing based on market considerations, and remain committed to providing the best value to our customers.”
Some good news is that the Nikkor Z 180-600mm is actually in stock at B&H, which has not consistently been the case since the very popular lens released last year.
Image credits: Product photo of the Nikon Z 180-600mm lens on a Nikon Z8 camera courtesy of Nikon. Background graphic licensed via Depositphotos.
