Nikkor Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S Launched: Nikon’s Most Ambitious Super-Telephoto

Nikon just announced the NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S, a flagship super-telephoto zoom aimed at sports and wildlife photographers. It’s a lens that wants to replace both your zoom and your prime. The headline feature is a built-in 1.4x teleconverter that flips the focal range to 168-420mm f/4 in an instant. At just under $14,000, it’s not for everyone. But for those it’s for, it’s a serious statement.

The integrated teleconverter is one of the main pitches. Flip the switch, and you go from 120-300mm f/2.8 to 168-420mm f/4 without breaking the weather seal or swapping glass. That’s a meaningful practical advantage on the sideline or in the field.

When it comes to autofocus, Nikon claims 30% faster AF than their own 400mm f/2.8, which is already a class leader. The Silky Swift VCM drives focus with magnets rather than gears, resulting in smoother, quieter, and more precise tracking. That matters for video shooters too – focus breathing is minimized, and the motor runs near-silent.

Optically, this is full S-Line construction. A Super ED element, an ED element, an SR element, and an aspherical element work together to suppress chromatic aberration. The SR element handles short wavelengths below blue light, which also helps keep the physical size down. Meso Amorphous and ARNEO coatings handle flare and ghosting from both direct and angled light. Image stabilization covers 6.5 stops and extends edge-to-edge.

A major downside is obvious, and it’s the weight: 2,735g isn’t light, but then again, this is a super-telephoto lens so you wouldn’t expect it to be tiny and light. That said, Nikon says they’ve actively reduced weight through thinner elements and simplified mechanics. The lens also ships with an integrated Arca-type plate on the foot, a drop-in filter slot for 46mm filters, and two customizable L-Fn buttons.

NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S Specs

Specification	Details
Focal Length	120 to 300mm
Aperture	Maximum: f/2.8 / Minimum: f/22
Lens Mount	Nikon Z
Lens Format Coverage	Full-Frame
Angle of View	20° 20′ to 8° 10′
Minimum Focus Distance	3.2′ / 98 cm (Wide) to 6.6′ / 2 m (Tele)
Magnification	1:4 Macro Reproduction Ratio / 0.18 to 0.25x
Focus Type	Autofocus
Image Stabilization	Yes
Tripod Mounting	Removable and Rotating Collar
Filter Size	112mm (Front) / 46mm (Drop-In)
Dimensions	128 x 353.5 mm (Diameter x Length)
Weight	6 lb / 2735 g

Pricing and Availability

The NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S is priced at $13,996.95. It is available for preorder with an estimated ship date of November 12.

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