Nikon Nikkor Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens

Nikon Nikkor Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens

The Nikon Nikkor Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S is a professional-grade super telephoto lens. A completely new optical design, the best technologies, and a weight of only 3kg. The lens has a built-in 1.4x teleconverter, meaning that with one switch you can use a 168-420mm F4 equivalent lens. According to Nikon, this is their best and most advanced lens.

Additionally, this is compatible with Z-series extenders, meaning the 2x version already has a whopping 840mm F8 focal length. This combination of teleconverters and zoom makes the lens truly versatile, making it suitable for shooting multiple sports and wildlife.

It uses Nikon's most advanced autofocus and coating technology, making it the choice for sports competitions, wildlife photographers, photojournalists, and even government use.

• Built-in 1.4x teleconverter, also compatible with separate extenders
• Image stabilization: 5.5 fps and, for example, Syncro VR stabilization with the Z9's in-body stabilization
• Weight 2730 grams and length 35cm
• New VCM focus motor
• All the latest coatings and a completely new optical structure
  
• Closest focusing distance 0.9-2m
• Programmable control ring for example, exposure adjustment directly from the lens
• L-FN programmable buttons, e.g. focus distance storage
• Professional-grade durable and weatherproof construction

New lens design and technology

The Nikon Z 120-300mm F2.8 is a lens designed for demanding professional use and uses the manufacturer's latest and greatest solutions. Some of these names are a bit poetic, such as the Meso Amorphous Coat and the Silky Swift Voice Coil Motor.

In practice, the Meso coating is better than Nikon's traditional Nano Crystal Coat, and in addition, there is an Arneo coating. The two coatings work together as they eliminate reflections coming from different directions.

VCM focus uses magnets instead of gears to move the focus elements, the movement is faster and more precise than with traditional stepping motors. It is no coincidence that Canon has also used a focus motor that works on the same principle in its new top lenses. Focus correction can be started at any time, just by turning the focus ring. In addition to the powerful motors, the lens has a new control algorithm and the focus has developed to be even faster than previous Nikon super telephoto lenses.

Handheld photography is aided by a 6.5 f/2.0 stabilizer, which also works with the in-body stabilizer of certain cameras such as the Nikon Z9 / Z8 and Z7 II, with an effective f/2.0 stop.

It is difficult to describe the image quality briefly. The MFT curves show excellent sharpness at full aperture across the entire image area and other distortions and errors are also minimized. Longer texts on the subject can be found online, but in practice the image quality is excellent for the price range of the lens and in a good way unsurprising.

Usability of a professional lens

The number one feature of the Nikon Z 120-300mm F2.8 is the internal teleconverter. With one switch, you can use a second super telephoto. And since it is an integrated part, the optics have been adjusted specifically for the structure of this lens and the whole thing is also weather-protected. The whole thing is also compatible with separate extenders, so the options are as follows:

• 120-300mm f/2.8
• 168-560mm f/4 (extender activated)
• 235-784mm f/5.6 (internal and external 1.4X)
• 240-600mm f/5.6 (external 2x)
• 33-6840mm f/8 (internal and external 2x)

Sure, combining two telephoto extensions isn't optimal in terms of brightness and image quality, but it works and the test images are quite impressive. So if you really want a lot of dimension like nature photography legend Hannu Hautala, you can now add a couple of extensions.

The lens has comprehensive controls: a focus ring, a Control ring, and a programmable Fn ring. In addition, there are buttons for the focus limiter, a Memory set button, one L-Fn button, four L-Fn2 buttons, an autofocus switch, and a teleconverter switch.

The L-Fn buttons can be programmed to show, for example, the distance to a bird's nest or a soccer goal, so that if the situation arises, the correct focus is just a click away.

The tripod collar has a directly Arca-Swiss compatible foot, meaning a separate quick plate is not needed.

The lens is weather and dust-protected in several places, and the outer lens element is coated with a fluoride coating that repels dirt and makes cleaning easier.

Specifications:

• Compatibility: Nikon Z mount
• Focal length: 120-300mm / teleconverter activated 168-420mm
• Aperture: F2.8 / teleconverter activated F4 (minimum F32)
• Closest focusing distance: 0.9m at 120mm focal length and 2m at full zoom
• Image stabilizer: yes, power 6.5 f-stops
• Fixed swivel tripod collar
• 112mm filter thread and 46mm Drop-in filters
• Size: 128 x 353.5mm
  
• Weight: 2730g

• The sales package includes: Nikon Nikkor Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S (Nikon Z) lens
• Nikon LC-112B lens protector
• Nikon LF-N1 rear cap
• Nikon HB-120 lens hood
• Nikon LN-4 Lens Strap
• Nikon CL-L3 Lens Case