Nikon launches 120-300mm f/2.8 lens with teleconverter

Nikon has released the NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S telephoto zoom lens for its full-frame mirrorless cameras. It is the first interchangeable zoom lens to pair a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture with a built-in 1.4x teleconverter.

Aimed at professional sports and action photographers, the lens is designed to let users adjust reach quickly without changing equipment. It covers a focal length range of 120-300mm and extends to 420mm via an internal teleconverter, with the maximum aperture shifting to f/4 when the teleconverter is engaged.

Retail pricing in Australia is AUD $23,699.

Nikon positions the model within its S-Line range of NIKKOR Z lenses for fast-moving shooting environments such as indoor sport, outdoor field games and wildlife photography. It is intended to help photographers respond to changing conditions with a single switch rather than swapping lenses on the sidelines or at trackside.

Design changes

The lens weighs about 2,735g, around 515g lighter than the AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR introduced in 2020. That reduction matters in a segment where photographers often carry long lenses for extended periods and work handheld for parts of an event.

The design uses internal focusing and internal zoom, so the overall length remains constant during focusing and zooming. It also supports Arca-Swiss screw-type quick-release tripod clamps and includes a tripod collar with a rubber cushion and integrated finger grip.

The body uses a magnesium-alloy construction with sealing intended to improve resistance to dust and dripping water. The lens also accepts both front screw-on filters and rear slip-in filter holders.

Autofocus and optics

For autofocus, Nikon has fitted the lens with its Silky Swift VCM autofocus drive system. The system is designed to deliver fast, smooth autofocus for subjects moving quickly across the frame, including athletes, vehicles, animals, performers and birds in flight.

That focus on subject tracking reflects the market Nikon is targeting. Sports photographers often work under tight deadlines and changing light, while action shooters value equipment that can hold focus as subjects move unpredictably.

On the optical side, the lens uses Meso Amorphous Coat and ARNEO Coat to reduce ghosting and flare. Those coatings are intended to maintain image quality in difficult lighting conditions, including stadium lighting, backlighting, bright sunlight and floodlit venues.

Nikon says the lens is designed to deliver image rendering comparable to a prime lens across the frame while retaining the flexibility of a zoom. The optical design also supports detailed subject rendering and smooth background blur.

Handheld use

The lens includes vibration reduction rated at up to 6.5 stops at the centre and edges of the frame when paired with a camera that supports Synchro VR. That should help photographers shoot handheld for longer and reduce the effects of camera shake when a tripod or monopod is not practical.

The launch adds another high-end option to Nikon's Z-mount lens line-up as camera makers continue to target professional users with specialist optics for sport, wildlife and news photography. Long telephoto lenses remain an important category because they help define a system's appeal to agencies, freelance professionals and specialist shooters who might otherwise hold on to older DSLR equipment.

The NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S extends from 120-300mm to 420mm using its built-in teleconverter and will sell in Australia for AUD $23,699.