The last DSLR lens Nikon announced, back in 2019, was the Nikon AF-S 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR. Its spiritual successor leaked online before Nikon revealed official images or specifications, fuelling speculation about the much-anticipated lens. Now, major US retailer B&H has listed the Nikon Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S as "coming soon".
What's also "coming soon" is the price of Nikon's latest professional-grade S-line telephoto zoom. Its DSLR predecessor launched at around $9,500 / £9,500 six years ago, but photographers online speculated that the new Z-mount version would cost significantly more.
Rumored to be the most expensive lens in Nikon's Z lineup, the optic has attracted price speculation as high as $16,000 / £12,000. Now, Nikon Rumors report that "the US price of the upcoming Nikon Nikkor Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens will be $13,999" – around $2,000 less than some photographers had expected.
However, even at this rumored price, Nikon's new lens remains out of reach for many photographers, especially those who don't work full-time professionally and there's another catch…
Nikon's most expensive S-line telephoto lens?
To date, Nikon's most expensive S-line lenses are the Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S, priced at $16,196.95 / £14,999, and the Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, available for $14,696.95 / £13,499. Both optics are currently discounted at B&H in the US, with savings of up to $2,000.
The Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S is rumored to be announced on October 28 or 29, so we could soon find out the retail price of Nikon's highly anticipated telephoto zoom.
The Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S will feature an integrated 1.4x teleconverter, extending its maximum focal length to 420mm while reducing the maximum aperture to f/4.
Nikon has already incorporated the same teleconverter technology into its Z 600mm f/4 and Z 400mm f/2.8 fast telephoto prime lenses.
The Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S is expected to be produced in very limited quantities, and Nikon Rumors reports that long waiting times are expected.
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