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.
NEW YORK, Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — B&H is excited to announce the Nikon NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens. The lens got first teased in May of 2025 is finally here in all of its glory. It’s lighter, it’s faster than the original F-mount version, and it’s the first zoom in its category to feature a built-in teleconverter.
Just before shifting focus solely to the Z mirrorless System, Nikon had released the AF-S 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR. While designed for Nikons DSLR system, this lens saw plenty of use on the Z system via the FTZ adapter. Sounds like a match made in heaven, but Nikon, always striving for perfection, thought it was about time to take things up a notch and bring this lens to the Z mount.
While these lenses share a focal range and similar overall footprint, that’s about all they have in common. This wasn’t a simple facelift and changing of mounts. You see, Nikon gave the Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S the full works, delivering a lighter, optimized zoom with prime like image quality, unparalleled focusing performance, and much more.
NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1970079-REG/nikon_nikkor_z_120_300mm_f_2_8.html
Product Highlights:
- Full-Frame | Constant f/2.8 Aperture
- Fast, Versatile High-Performance Zoom
- Built-In 1.4x Teleconverter
- Silky Swift VCM AF System
- 6.5-Stop Synchro VR Stabilization
- Aspherical, SR, ED & Super ED Elements
- Meso Amorphous and ARNEO Coatings
- Fn Ring and Click Control Ring
- 46mm Drop-In & 112mm Front Filter Thread
- Arca-Type Compatible Tripod Foot
The Nikkor Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens keeps with S line 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 when 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 lens 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 cameras 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 of additional plates or alternative feet. We hope to see this addition made standard in future super-telephoto lens releases.
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 it’s 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 minimized 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 lenses’ sharp, clean results, you’ll first need to get an image in sharp focus. That shouldn’t be an issue what’s so ever. 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. And this lens falls under really fast.
This lens is equipped with Nikon’s Silky Swift VCM AF drive system, or SSVCM for short. Rolls of the tongue, right? What does this mean for the Z 120-300mm lens in use? Simple. It means it delivers unmatched AF performance. When compared with its predecessor, it’s 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 that of the NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, which is widely considered to be one of Nikon’s fastest focusing primes.
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 conditions with the exception of a torrential downpour. At that point we suggest using at least a rain sleeve.
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. Ands 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 make 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 controls 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. The Nikon 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 towards 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 lenses resolving power and speed, yet a few event/portrait shooters may be so inclined as 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.
YouTube First Look Video on the New Nikon NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens https://youtu.be/Z7KHxgbcAvA
Learn more with B&H Explora – NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/news/nikon-releases-the-nikkor-z-120-300mm-f28-tc-vr-s-lens
Livestream Nikon Event at B&H Photo
https://www.youtube.com/live/oemEdETa-CM
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