Nikon's unreleased Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S super-telephoto zoom has shown up in public at the Singapore Grand Prix. Trackside images published by Nikon Rumors show two separate working photographers shooting with the optic, both paired with Nikon Z9 camera bodies.
The sighting points to a final release right around the corner. Nikon Rumors expects the company to unveil the lens formally before the end of October. Nikon previously confirmed the lens was on the way with a development announcement in May, even publishing a placeholder product listing, but official specifications have stayed sparse since then.
Built for Sports and Wildlife
What Nikon has confirmed is the core optical hardware. The lens joins the professional S-line roster and carries an integrated 1.4x teleconverter. Flipping the internal converter switches the zoom range from 120-300mm at a constant f/2.8 aperture up to 420mm at f/4.
That built-in switch gives sports and wildlife shooters immediate reach without having to detach the lens or swap bodies in dusty trackside trenches. Keeping maximum aperture at f/2.8 on the native range also lets photographers lock in fast shutter speeds without pushing sensor sensitivity into high ISO noise.
Nikon uses an identical teleconverter design on its prime super-telephotos, specifically the Z 400mm f/2.8 and Z 600mm f/4. Bringing that flip-switch hardware to a fast telephoto zoom fills one of the remaining gaps in the Z-mount system for sideline shooters.
The Successor to a DSLR Legend
This lens is the mirrorless counterpart to the AF-S 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR. That piece of glass arrived in 2019 alongside the Nikon D6 pro body, marking the final F-mount DSLR optic Nikon ever announced.
Nikon has since discontinued that older F-mount version. When it debuted, it retailed around $9,500 in the US and £9,500 in the UK. Nikon has not shared pricing for the new Z-mount model, nor have Indian retail prices appeared, but buyers should prepare for a similar four-figure outlay.
If the rumored late-October window holds, Nikon will likely detail final optical configurations, weight, and retail availability within weeks.
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