Nikon Launches Bright Telephoto Zoom Lens with Builtin Tele-Converter

2026.10.29

Today Nikon announced the world's first bright constant-aperture zoom lens with a builtin tele-converter. It is made specifically for their Z-mount mirrorless-platform. The new lens is premium model designed for outdoor sports and wildlife photography.

The new Nikkor Z 120-300mm F/2.8S TC VR is telephoto zoom that incorporates a 1.4X tele-converter inside a durable weatherproof body. With the tele-converter engaged it becomes a 168-420mm F/4 lens. Managing an F/4 maximum aperture above 400mm is very rare. This lens can also be mounted on Nikon Z Mirrorless Digital Camera with an APS-C sensor to have an equivalent reach up to 630mm!

Looking at the image above, it is clear that this lens provides an unprecedented number of controls. In addition to the Zoom and Focus rings everyone expects, the new Z 120-300mm F/2.8S TC VR adds two extra rings. Both are customizable. The one closer to the mount is the same Control-Ring as in other premium Z-mount lenses. It can control the Focus-Distance, the Aperture, ISO sensitivity or Exposure-Compensation. The front-most one is called the Function-Ring and it works in conjunction with the Focus-Save button which memorized a focus-distance.

This lens boasts optical image-stabilization. It has minimum focus-distance just under one meter. The front of the lens accepts huge 112mm filters and there is a slot at the back to slide-in 46mm filers, which are easier to gut from gel sheets. A large optional lens hood is supplied. The specially-designed tripod collar mounts directly into an Arca-Swiss clamp or it can be screwed into a standard tripod or quick-release plate.

The body of this lens has a premium quality and is fully weatherproof, when mounted on a weatherproof camera. It measures almost 36cm long and weighs 2.7kg. While definitely heavy, this is actually less heavy that lenses of this reach and brightness that do not even have a tele-converter builtin.

Unsurprisingly for such a specialized lens, this one is very expensive. For securing it, Nikon includes a locking-loop that can be used to pass a metal wire. The Nikkor Z 120-300mm F/2.8S TC VR lens is expected to ship this November for $14,000 USD or $20,000 CAD. Due to its price, stock is expected to be limited, so it is possible to pre-order one today from B&H Photo or Adorama.

• Lens