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Introducing a new gem, the INCREDIBLE Nikon Z120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S zoom lens

Writer: Andrew JK Tan
Andrew JK Tan
3 hours ago
3 min read

My sincere thanks to Nikon Singapore for the opportunity to put the new Z120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens though it's paces.


Key Specifications

  • weighed in at 2.7kg which was lighter than the f-mount FL ED VR version weighing in at 3.25kg

  • has a built-in 1.4x Tele-Converter

  • Arca-Swiss compatible tripod collar

  • Made in Japan

  • Silky smooth VCM (SSVCM) AF motors

  • Internal Focusing | physical lens size does not change during zoom |

  • Meso-armorphous & Arneo coating

  • minimum focusing distance 0.82m @120mm, 2.0m @300mm



How I tested the Z120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S ?

  • Paired the lens to my trusty Nikon Z8

  • Photographed the entire session hand-held

  • AF-area mode used | Wide-C1 customized with Animal detection on

  • Frame release rate | 20fps

  • Subjects for the shoot | Amazingly fast dogs training with owners in a dog agility course | NOT staged in a controlled manner for photography session.



Performance & experience summary

  • at 2.7kg, this lens was very hand-holdable even when matched to my Nikon Z8,

  • overall combo's handling & balance was superb enabling me to easily hold & track with the combo for the entire session

  • AF tracking performance was just superb, tracking was spot-on even with the "speed demons" I was tracking. Check out the images below where the dog negotiated the slalom at high speed, even with the weave poles AF tracking was spot on with tack-sharp hit rate of more than 95%.

  • AF focusing was so accurate, fast & silky smooth (I can't express this experience enough) and we were talking about tracking dogs that run between 20kph to 40kph & at close shooting distances, tracking became even more challenging. For a zoom lens, the Z120-300mm f/2.8 VR S AF performance was just incredible, AF felt just as smooth & as fast as my Z400mm f/2.8 TC VR S which was a prime lens.


  • short clip showing how the combo tracked the dogs & the complicated environment challenge I had to photograph in. The clip's recorded action was slowed down a little vs. the dog' actual speed.


  • The built-in 1.4x TC can be engaged easily to get longer focal lengths with 1 stop sacrifice in aperture, the image quality was still excellent & with no observable impact to tracking performance. Image below captured with 1.4x TC engaged.

  • Overall, very high success rates achieved photographing these incredibly challenging subjects.

  • The compositional flexibility that this lens offers was incredible, the 120mm to 300mm focal length range with the 1.4x built-in Tele-Converter (providing a further 168-420mm) made this lens incredibly useful & practical for photographing different subjects compared to say my fixed Z400mm f/2.8 TC prime lens.

  • This lens also provides a much more practical minimum focusing distances from 0.82m to 2.0m to enable better flexibility at shooting subjects up close.

  • Paired with the right Z camera, the Z120-300mm f/2.8 Focal length flexibility setup potential was just incredibly useful. (focal length reach & max. aperture for each setup listed)

    • | FX | 120-300mm | f/2.8 |

    • | camera in DX | 180-450mm | f/2.8 |

    • | FX with 1.4xTC engaged | 168-420mm | f/4.0 |

    • | camera in DX with 1.4x TC engaged | 252-630mm | f/4.0 |

    • | camera in DX with 1.4x TC engaged |+external 1.4x TC | 353-882mm | f/5.6 |

    • | camera in DX with 1.4x TC engaged |+external 2.0x TC | 504-1260mm | f/8.0 | with the right subject matter, environment conditions & lighting, these potential setups are key to capturing the moments when they happen.


Check out the remaining Z120-300mm f/2.8 TC + Z8 combo highlights in this gallery

Click to enlarge image



Final summary of testing experience

Bottomline, the Z120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S was definitely a TRUE GEM, a telephoto zoom with almost NO compromises, well at least NO practical performance compromises that I could see or feel during my time with it.

To put it simply, this is one zoom lens that performs like a premium prime lens.


Improvements ?, none really.

Sure I would have liked this new Z lens to be:

  • just a little bit shorter or equal to it's f-mount predecessor but to be fair this new beast of a lens has a built-in TC, so the slight increase in length was understandable.

  • a little lighter but hey at 2.7kg, this new Z version was already ~600g lighter than the last f-mount version & this weight included a built-in 1.4x TC, can't complain really.


Now for the most important question, would I be getting one ?

I am not sure what the price in singapore will be (likely sky high) but I do plan to own this gem of a lens for sure !!!!


Till the next post, happy shooting. If you find this post useful , you could buy me coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/AndrewJKTan



Cheers,

Andrew













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