Nikon has officially launched the Nikkor Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S, a professional telephoto zoom lens designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras. The company first announced the development of this S-Line lens in May. While similar telephoto options exist, the new model stands out because of its built-in 1.4x teleconverter, a feature absent from other 120-300mm f/2.8 zoom lenses. The new lens is a member of Nikon’s S-Line series, promising exceptional image quality, performance, and build quality.
Performance and Build Details
The lens contains 30 elements arranged across 24 groups and uses a nine-bladed aperture. It features Nikon’s ARNEO coating to reduce ghosting and flare, along with the Meso Amorphous Coat for improved anti-reflection performance. Construction includes one ED element, one fluorite element, a short-wavelength refractive element, a piece of Super ED glass, and one aspherical element. Weighing 2,735 grams, the lens is approximately 1.1 pounds lighter than the previous model despite the added teleconverter functionality. Nikon achieved the weight reduction by using thinner lens elements and lighter autofocus motors. The design mirrors the lighter build of the Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II.
The lens measures 353.5 millimeters long with a maximum diameter of 128 millimeters. It features a front 112mm filter thread and accepts 46mm drop-in filters. The device includes an Arca Swiss-compatible tripod foot, eliminating the need for a separate plate. The tripod collar also includes a rubber cushion and an integrated finger grip. The lens is approximately 13.9 inches long with a maximum diameter of 5.1 inches.
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Autofocus and Image Quality
Internal focusing allows the lens to focus as close as 0.98 meters at 120mm and two meters at 300mm. The autofocus system, called Silky Swift VCM, promises rapid and accurate performance. With the teleconverter engaged, the setup reaches an equivalent focal length of 168-400mm, which functions similarly to Nikon’s classic 200-400mm f/4 F-mount lens. This makes the equipment suitable for indoor sports like basketball and hockey, as well as longer-range activities such as baseball and soccer. The 1.4x teleconverter significantly boosts the lens’s versatility, making it ideal for indoor sports where the 120-300mm range and f/2.8 aperture excel, as well as for longer-range situations like baseball, soccer, and football. The lens also suits wildlife, particularly large mammals.
The lens incorporates vibration reduction technology. The VR-equipped lens promises up to 6.5 stops of shake correction at the center and edges of the frame when used with a Nikon body that supports Synchro VR, which includes the Z9, Z8, Z6 III, Z5 II, Z5 IIC, Zf, and ZR at the time of writing. Without the teleconverter engaged, the best reproduction ratio is 0.18x at 150mm. With the teleconverter enabled, that goes to 0.25x at an equivalent focal length of 210mm. Available in mid-November, the lens has a suggested retail price of $13,999.95.
