- Fast sports lens for the Nikon Z system
- Innovative built-in 1.4x teleconverter plus zoom, extends range to 420mm
- Full-frame coverage, but will it undercut the AF-S?
Nikon confirms that a new 120-300mm F2.8 sports lens is under development for the Z system, albeit one with a twist. Potentially reducing bulk over the use of an FTZ adaptor and the current, near-£7,000 AF-S 120-300mm F2.8, the mirrorless system has opened up a different possibility.
As the full name implies – Nikon Z 120-300mm F2.8 TC VR S – the new lens includes a teleconverter. Is this the first telephoto zoom with a built in TC? Nikon’s 400mm and 600mm TC primes are established, high-end models. Combining a fast sports-focused zoom with a convenient integrated converter makes a lot of sense.
The 1.4x conversion increases reach to 420mm, with a corresponding drop in the fixed-aperture zoom’s F2.8 rating to F4.
Official release is expected in September, potentially alongside a new flagship Z body. You may spot some pre-production examples in use around the 2026 FIFA World Cup, however – which would explain the announcement of the lens development pre-release.