Nikon confirms NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S telephoto zoom development

Nikon confirms it's developing the NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S for full-frame mirrorless cameras, with a built-in 1.4× teleconverter and S-Line pedigree. No price or timeline yet. 

Nikon has confirmed long-standing rumor that it is developing the NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S, a telephoto zoom lens for full-frame/FX-format mirrorless cameras.

Part of the top-of-the-range S-Line series of NIKKOR Z lenses, the lens covers a focal length range of 120 mm to 420 mm, with the upper end of that range made possible by a built-in 1.4× teleconverter. Nikon says the lens is aimed at sports photographers and similar professional users.

Analysing the image

There is not a lot to go on. But from the single image Nikon has provided (which the company is swift to point out may not represent the final released product), some things are obvious. Visible features include three rings (function, zoom, and focus), at least one custom function button, a rotatable lens collar with what appears to be a tripod foot, and potentially a drop-in filter mechanism. 

There's even speculation that the nameplate revealing the number 20002001 means that this is the first lens to roll off the production line rather than a pre-production model, which sounds like wishful thinking to us.

Partly this is because no pricing, availability date, or further technical specifications have been announced at this stage. We basically have no idea where in the development cycle the lens sits, so while a 2026 announcement is probably a good bet, there are no guarantees. Price? Looking at previous and comparable lenses, $10,000 and above seems to be a reasonable ballpark.