NEW YORK – October 29, 2026 -- Nikon's NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S is a full-frame, constant f/2.8 zoom that stretches from 120-300mm to 168-420mm with a flip of a switch at the rear of the lens. It is the first zoom in its category with a built-in teleconverter, and B&H announced it after Nikon first teased the lens in May 2025.
It is nearly 10 ounces lighter than its F-mount predecessor
The lens follows the AF-S 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR, a DSLR-era design that many photographers used on Z cameras through the FTZ adapter. B&H says the new version is more than a mount change. It shares the focal range and a similar footprint with the older lens, but the optics and autofocus were reworked, and the weight dropped by nearly 10 ounces.
The 1.4x teleconverter adds reach for wildlife and sports
The built-in 1.4x teleconverter turns the 120-300mm range into 168-420mm, which helps when the action is across the field. For stabilization, the lens offers 6.5 stops of synchro VR. B&H says that is more correction than any other lens in its category, before counting a camera's in-body stabilization.
Autofocus is up to 60% faster than the older lens
The Silky Swift VCM AF drive system is nearly 60% faster at the wide end and 30% faster at the telephoto end than the predecessor. It is said to be comparable to or better than the NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, widely considered one of Nikon's fastest-focusing primes.
On image quality, Nikon states the optical rendering matches both its predecessor and the AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II. Meso Amorphous and ARNEO coatings reduce flare and reflections from both straight-on and off-angle light.
A built-in tripod foot and weather sealing target heavy field use
It is Nikon's first lens with a built-in Arca-Swiss-compatible tripod foot, so it mounts on compatible tripods without extra plates. The lens is weather sealed, though B&H recommends a rain sleeve in a torrential downpour.
The redesigned hood has a minimized taper to save bag space. The front filter thread is 112mm, and 46mm drop-in filters fit at the rear. The control ring can be switched between click and clickless operation, and an Fn ring is included.
Nikon designed the lens mainly for sports. B&H notes that wildlife shooters, who have been moving toward shorter, faster primes, now have a new option as well.