- Entering Field Testing Just One Month After Development Announcement… A Professional Flagship Lens with a Built-in 1.4x Teleconverter
Nikon’s latest unreleased super-telephoto zoom lens has been spotted at the French Open (Roland Garros), one of the world's four major tennis tournaments, capturing the intense attention of photojournalists and gear enthusiasts worldwide.
On June 4, foreign camera media outlet Nikon Rumors reported that a professional photographer was seen shooting at the Roland Garros stadium with the unannounced full-frame mirrorless telephoto zoom lens, the ‘NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S’. This confirms that the lens is already undergoing real-world field testing just a month after Nikon officially announced its development in early May.
■ The ‘Dream Lens’ Awaited by Sports and Press Photographers
The newly spotted NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S belongs to Nikon’s premium ‘S-Line’ flagship lineup. Its most defining feature is the built-in 1.4x teleconverter.
With a simple flick of a lever, photographers can instantly extend the focal length from the native 120-300mm (with a constant f/2.8 aperture) up to 168-420mm (at f/4 equivalent). This serves as an all-in-one solution for fast-paced environments like tennis or soccer matches, allowing users to seamlessly cover both mid-range and long-distance shots without the time-consuming hassle of switching lenses.
■ Lighter Weight, Uncompromised Image Quality, and an Estimated Price of Over $8,000
According to visual assessments from the field, despite adopting the inherently large diameter of the Z-mount, the lens appears to have a more compact profile and superior weight balance compared to its legendary F-mount predecessor from the DSLR era (AF-S 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR). Designed exclusively for mirrorless systems and packed with Nikon’s latest optical coating technologies, it is expected to deliver the S-Line's signature razor-sharp resolution and blazing-fast AF tracking.
Industry insiders cautiously estimate the retail price to start at at least $8,000 (USD). Analysts suggest that since real-world validation has already begun on the clay courts of Roland Garros, an official launch and pre-order announcement are highly likely to align with the upcoming global sports season.
💬 Editor's Note
"Back in the F-mount days, the 120-300mm f/2.8 lens was legendary for two things: monstrous image quality and an equally monstrous weight. This newly spotted Z-mount version, however, boasts a much sleeker silhouette despite housing a built-in teleconverter. What better weapon could there be to capture the brutal baseline rallies on the Roland Garros clay? While the price tag will undoubtedly be out of reach for casual shooters, it is bound to become the ultimate, one-body super-telephoto zoom that is worth every penny for working pros."
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