Wildlife and sports photographers, rejoice! Nikon has officially announced the NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S. This new and eagerly anticipated pro-grade lens is lighter, faster, and it's the first zoom in its category to feature a built-in teleconverter.
Some will see this new S-line optic as the spiritual successor to the AF-S 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR, which was the last lens Nikon made for its F-mount DSLR system (although that lens did see plenty of use on the Z system via an FTZ adapter). But while both of these lenses share a focal range and similar overall footprint, that's where most of the commonalities stop. More than a marginally improved successor, the new NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S is a lighter, more-optimized zoom with prime-like image quality, unparalleled focusing performance, and much more.
At First Glance
The Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S keeps with the S-line's super telephoto tradition by featuring a built-in 1.4x teleconverter. Simply flip the large switch at the rear of the lens and extend your focal range from 120-300mm to 168-420mm. This is advantageous when shooting wildlife, or sporting events where the action is across the field.
With that added reach comes a greater need for solid image stabilization. The NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S delivers with 6.5 stops of Synchro VR. On its own, it provides greater correction than any other lens in its category, and that's not even considering a paired camera's in-body image stabilization working in tandem.
Of course, you could always put the lens on a tripod. Although it is nearly 10 ounces lighter than its predecessor, it's still quite heavy for longer uses, so a sturdy base can come in handy. This is made much easier now as the Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S is the first Nikon lens to feature a built-in Arca-Swiss tripod foot. Simply attach the lens to any compatible tripod without the need for additional plates or alternative feet. We hope to see this addition made standard in future super-telephoto lens releases.
Image Quality
As expected, the NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S delivers exceptional detail across its entire zoom range. In fact, Nikon states that its optical rendering performance is equivalent to not only its highly acclaimed predecessor, but the AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II, which is arguably one of the sharpest lenses Nikon has ever made.
Furthermore, the lens provides the superior backlight resistance unique to S-line lenses. This is achieved through the implementation of what's known as a Meso Amorphous Coat, which delivers outstanding anti-reflective performance across both straight-on and off-angle light. Additionally, an ARNEO coat minimizes reflections from light hitting the lens surface head on.
Suffice to say, this lens performs exquisitely across lighting conditions with minimal flare thanks to multiple anti-reflective coatings. That said, in order to see this lens's sharp, clean results, you'll first need to get an image in sharp focus. That shouldn't be an issue.
AF Performance
Autofocus performance comes down to two primary factors: speed and accuracy. Accuracy falls mostly under the camera's purview; however, speed is almost entirely determined by the lens itself. Across both platforms, we've come to a point where all cameras and lenses perform quite well. It's like comparing an F-15 Eagle to an SR-71. There's fast and then there's really fast. This lens is the latter.
This lens is equipped with Nikon's Silky Swift Voice Coil Motor (SSVCM) AF drive system, which enables unmatched autofocus performance. Compared to its predecessor, this lens's AF performance is nearly 60% faster at the wide end and 30% faster at the telephoto end. In fact, it is said to be comparable to (or better than) the NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, which is widely considered to be one of Nikon's fastest focusing primes.
Looking Down the Barrel
It should come as no surprise to hear that this lens is pretty tough. It feels just about as solid as any other big prime or high-end zoom from Nikon. Like its S-line contemporaries, the Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S is weather sealed, meaning it can handle just about any adverse weather conditions—save for a torrential downpour.
A new hood has been made for this lens, streamlining the design and of course, saving space. It features a minimized taper for maximum portability, meaning it won't take up as much space in your bag. And while we're on the front of the lens, we can't forget to mention that it does feature a 112mm filter thread. That said, if you're not ready to take the plunge into 112mm filters, you can still use 46mm drop-in filters at the rear.
Further up the barrel sits the Click Control Ring. While control rings have been featured in most if not all Z-series lenses, this one can be either click or clickless at the flip of a switch.
Who Is This Lens For?
The NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S was initially designed with a focus on sporting events, building upon the popularity of the versatility of a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom and the fine detail-rendering capabilities of 300mm and 400mm f/2.8 primes. However, a shift toward shorter, faster primes among wildlife shooters has given this lens a whole new world to conquer.
Both wildlife and sport shooters will be stunned by this lens's power and speed—and even some event/portrait shooters may be inclined to give it a go. Either way, it's a great lens and one that'll allow users to travel light-ish with one lens instead of several.
As always, if you'd like to learn more about the NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S, be sure to check out the detailed product page.
