Nikon 120-300mm f/2.8FX AF-S E FL ED SR VRIntro Format Compatibility Specifications USA Version Performance Compared Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR (112mm filters, 114.6 oz./3,250 g/7.2 pounds, 6.6'/2m close focus, $9,497). bigger. I'd get mine at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.
January 2020 Better Pictures Nikon Reviews Nikon Lenses Nikon Manual-Focus Lenses All Reviews IntroductionTop Intro Format Compatibility Specs USA Version Performance Compared
The Nikon 120-300mm is a 50% longer focal-length version of an 80-200mm f/2.8 lens, with the same fast f/2.8 maximum aperture. Making the focal lengths "just" 50% longer with the same maximum aperture require an inordinate amount of engineering, materials, size, weight and expense. This 120-300mm is a whale of a lens, 50% bigger in every dimension than a 70-200mm f/2.8, only focuses half as close as the 70-200mm f/2.8 FL (6.6'/2m versus 3.6'/1.1m), it's over twice as heavy as the 70-200mm f/2.8 FL and costs over three times as much as the state-of-the-art Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 FL, all to get just 50% more focal length. This is a man's lens, a 7¼ pound beast that goes way beyond what a kid with a 70-200mm f/2.8 FL can do. Show up with this on your camera and they know you're the boss; a full-time pro, not just some weekender, blogger or YouTuber. The public gets out of your way, and the people who can help you whisk you up to the VIP area. It's also great for video, giving a more useful range with a fat f/2.8 aperture than a 70-200/2.8. Size, weight, close-focus distance and expense aside, this is a much better lens to pair with a 24-70mm because the 200-300mm range you gain is much more useful than not having the range from 70-120mm. You should never try to cover every millimeter; if you do you wind up carrying too much. (more at How to Assemble a System.) This 120-300mm lens sees the same angles-of-view on full-frame as an 80-200mm sees on DX. Used on a DX camera, this lens sees the same angle-of-view as a 180-450mm lens sees on FX (see crop factor). Just turn the focus ring at any time for instant manual-focus override. I'd get my Nikon 120-300mm at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually get it used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
NewNikon's first 120-300mm f/2.8. Nikon's first use of an SR glass element (Short-wavelength Refractive, same as Canon's BR Blue Refractive compound) to reduce spherochromatism, also used in the Z 70-200mm f/2.8 introduced the same day.
GoodOutstanding optical quality. Programmable front control buttons: AF LOCK, or AF ON, or Instantly return to previously-saved focus distance. Ultra-fast autofocus. Direct mechanical zoom.
BadBig, heavy and expensive.
MissingOnly stops down to f/22, not f/32 or f/45. No 52mm rear filter drawer. No protective front glass plate; buy and use a 112mm B+W MRC 010 UV filter instead.
FormatTop Intro Format Compatibility Specs USA Version Performance Compared I'd get my Nikon 120-300mm at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually get it used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. This is a full frame FX lens, and I'm reviewing it as such. It works great on DX cameras, too, on which you may make the usual inferences.
CompatibilityTop Intro Format Compatibility Specs USA Version Performance Compared I'd get my Nikon 120-300mm at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually get it used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. This 120-300/2.8 is optimized for use on Nikon's DSLR cameras. It works on all FX DSLRs, and works well on DX Nikons introduced since about 2007. For use on Z mirrorless cameras, use the FTZ Adapter. It has a new electronic diaphragm; that's the "E" designation, so it won't work properly on older (pre-2007) DSLRs or on any 35mm camera; they won't be able to work with the electronic diaphragm and will only shoot wide-open at f/2.8, which may or may not be a problem. If you don't mind shooting wide-open, go ahead and shoot it on older cameras if you like. Even on a 1959 Nikon F you can focus manually and shoot wide open. It won't work with any of the Nikon 1 series (even with the FT1 Mount Adapter) or Pronea cameras — but who cares? See Nikon Lens Compatibility for more.
SpecificationsTop Intro Format Compatibility Specs USA Version Performance Compared
I'd get my Nikon 120-300mm at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually get it used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
NameNikon calls this the AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR:AF-S and SWM: Silent Wave Autofocus Motor. NIKKOR: Nikon's brand name for all their lenses. E: Electronic diaphragm. Silent operation, but only works with cameras introduced since about 2007. FL: Fluorite element(s) for sharper images in telephoto lenses. ED: Magic Extra-low Dispersion glass for reduced secondary chromatic aberration. SR: Short-wavelength Refractive, a new optical material that helps reduce spherochromatism. VR: Vibration Reduction.
Also has: IF: Internal focusing; nothing moves externally as focused. G: Gelded; has no aperture ring. Nano Crystal Coat (N): Magic anti-reflection coating that has a variable index of refraction that's far more effective against ghosts and internal reflections than traditional multicoating. ARNEO Coat: Magic anti-reflection coating that's especially good for use in high-speed lenses. ∅112: 112mm filter thread.
Optics
Nikon 120-300mm internal optical construction. ED, Fluorite and SR elements. 25 elements in 19 groups. 1 ED extra-low dispersion elements, which help reduce secondary axial chromatic aberration. 2 Fluorite elements for extreme sharpness. 1 SR (Short-wavelength Refractive) glass element to reduce spherochromatism. Nikon Super Integrated multicoating (SIC), Nano and ARNEO anti-reflection coatings. Fluorine front element coating to resist dirt and smudges.
Filters112mm front filter thread. No rear filter holder.
Coverage
Diaphragm9 rounded blades. Stops down to f/22.
Focal Length120-300mm. When used on DX cameras, it sees the same angle of view as a 180-450mm lens sees when used on an FX or 35mm camera. See also Crop Factor.
Angle of View20.3º ~ 8.2º diagonal on FX. 13.3º ~ 5.2º diagonal on DX.
AutofocusNo external movement as focussed, so no air or dust is sucked in.
Focus ScaleYes.
Infinity Focus StopNo.
Infrared Focus IndexNo.
Close Focus6.6 feet (2 meters).
Maximum Reproduction Ratio1:6.25 (0.16 ×).
Reproduction Ratio ScaleNo.
Image StabilizerRated four stops improvement.
CapsLC-K103 Neoprene-padded Velcro front cover.
HoodHK-41 Lens Hood (same hood as 180-400mm), included.
CaseCL-L2 soft padded case, included with many Nikon ultra teles.
Size5.1" ø maximum diameter × 12" extension from flange. 128 mm ø maximum diameter × 303.5 mm extension from flange.
Weight114.6 oz. 3,250 g. 7.2 pounds.
Announced9:12 PM, 05 January 2020, NYC time.
Promised forFebruary 2020.
IncludedHK-41 Lens Hood (same hood as 180-400mm), included. LC-K103 Neoprene-padded Velcro front cover. CL-L2 soft padded case, included with many Nikon ultra teles. LN-2 strap, included with many Nikon ultra teles.
Nikon's Model Number20088.
Price, USAJanuary 2020 $9,497 at Adorama, at Amazon and at B&H.
Getting a Legal USA VersionTop Intro Format Compatibility Specs USA Version Performance Compared This section applies in the USA only. In the USA, be sure your box contains a card printed "4 YEARS USA EXTENDED SERVICE COVERAGE" and that the serial number on the card matches the one on your lens exactly. If not, you got ripped off with a gray market version from another country. (The serial number on the box doesn't have to match, but if it doesn't it means you bought from a shady dealer who took lenses out of boxes and then resold them as new.) This is why I never buy anyplace other than from my personally approved sources. You just can't take the chance of buying elsewhere, especially at any retail store, because non-USA versions have no warranty in the USA, and you won't even be able to get firmware or service for it — even if you're willing to pay out-of-pocket for it when you need it! Nikon USA enforces its trademarks strictly. It's unlikely, but possible that US customs won't let your camera back in the country if you bought a gray-market version in the USA, carried it overseas, and try to bring it back in. (If you take the chance of buying one overseas, be sure you have a receipt to prove you bought it overseas and be prepared to pay duty on it.) If a gray market version saves you $3,000 it may be worth it, but for $1,000 or less I wouldn't risk having no warranty or support. Always be sure to check your box while you can still return it, or just don't buy from unapproved sources or at retail so you'll be able to have your camera serviced and get free updated firmware as needed. I'd get my Nikon 120-300mm at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually get it used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. Get yours from the same places I do and you won't have a problem, but if you take the risk of getting yours elsewhere, be sure to check everything while you still can return it. Never buy at retail because the boxes are unsealed and it's an almost certainty that a lens as exotic and desirable as this will have been taken out on a few weekend "test shoots" by the salesmen before being sold to you. Never buy retail, unless you want to pay full price for a lens dropped - and returned - by others.
PerformanceTop Intro Format Compatibility Specs USA Version Performance Compared
I'd get my Nikon 120-300mm at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually get it used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
SharpnessLens sharpness has nothing to do with picture sharpness; every lens made in the past 100 years is more than sharp enough to make super-sharp pictures if you know what you're doing. The only limitation to picture sharpness is your skill as a photographer. It's the least talented who spend the most time worrying about lens sharpness and blame crummy pictures on their equipment rather than themselves. Skilled photographers make great images with whatever camera is in their hands; I've made some of my best images of all time with an irreparably broken camera! Most pixels are thrown away before you see them, but camera makers don't want you to know that. If you're not getting ultra-sharp pictures with this, be sure not to shoot at f/11 or smaller where all lenses are softer due to diffraction, always shoot at ISO 100 or below because cameras become softer at ISO 200 and above, avoid shooting across long distances over land which can lead to atmospheric heat shimmer, be sure everything is in perfect focus, set your camera's sharpening as you want it (I set mine to the maximum) and be sure nothing is moving, either camera or subject. If you want to ensure a soft image with any lens, shoot at f/16 at ISO 1,600 at default sharpening in daylight of subjects at differing distances in the same image. Just like every Nikon f/2.8 tele since the 1970s, this lens is ultra sharp. Its MTF is actually rated better than the fixed 300/2.8 VR II, but in real-world use you'll never see a difference; all Nikon's f/2.8 ultra teles are all ultra-sharp. Anyone who thinks he sees a difference is seeing flaws in his test and comparison procedure; these lenses are essentially optically perfect — as you should expect from a $10,000 lens:
ComparedTop Intro Format Compatibility Specs USA Version Performance Compared I'd get my Nikon 120-300mm at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually get it used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
User's GuideTop Intro Format Compatibility Specs USA Version Performance Compared Nikon 120-300mm f/2.8E VR. bigger. A/M - M/A - M SwitchA/M: Auto Focus. You have instant manual focus override by turning the focus ring at any time. It will try to ignore minor accidental knocks. M/A: Auto Focus. You have instant manual focus override by turning the focus ring at any time, and will respond even to the slightest turn of the focus ring. M: Manual Focus only.
Full / ∞-6m SwitchThis is a focus limiter. Leave it in FULL. The ∞-6m position prevents the lens from autofocusing closer than 6 meters (20 feet). Use this setting only if you're having a problem with the lens attempting to focus on irrelevant close items, or if for some reason the lens is "hunting" from near to far looking for distant subjects.
Vibration Reduction (VR) SwitchOFF / Normal / SportI leave it in Normal. Use Sport if you're trying to track objects which change direction unpredictably. Only turn it OFF for long exposures on a tripod longer than about a second. Even on a monopod or tripod with normal exposure times I leave it at NORMAL to catch tripod wiggle.
Nikon forgot to label this switch as the AF BUTTON FUNCTION. This sets what the four little rubber buttons around the front of the lens do. AF-L is what I use. Pressing any of the buttons locks focus. I use this as things get in the way of a moving subject as I track it around, or if I want to set portrait focus and recompose. AF ON turns the four front AF buttons into AF ON buttons. MEMORY RECALL lets us save and recall a distance, like home plate or the bird feeder. Once saved, tap any of the front buttons and the lens immediately refocuses to that distance. To use the MEMORY RECALL: 1.) Be sure the slide switch is set to MEMORY RECALL. 2.) Focus on your preferred subject. 3.) Press the MEMORY SET BUTTON. 4.) To recall the set distance, tap any of the four front AF buttons. You don't need to hold it; one tap and it will spin all the way to your set distance.
♪ ∅This switch turns the beep on and off when using memory recall focus.
RecommendationsTop Intro Format Compatibility Specs USA Version Performance Compared This is a huge and expensive lens for just 50% more reach from an 80-200 — and you lose half the close-focus distance at the same time. We all have different needs; personally I only need f/2.8 when shooting film or using teleconverters, so I prefer my Canon 100-400mm IS II because it covers a longer and shorter focal lengths and focusses closer than any 70-200mm, about 2-3/4 feet (0.84m), so I can shoot more better with the much less expensive Canon lens. For Nikon, also consider the Nikon 80-400 VR. See also Is It Worth It. If you shoot every day, are often stuck at the 200mm end of your 70-200mm and often actually shoot at f/2.8 and not closer than 6½ feet (2m), this 120-300mm is probably the awesome new lens for which you have been waiting. If you shoot less often so the price matters, if you don't usually shoot at f/2.8 or need to get closer than 6½ feet (2m), then the 70-300 VR AF-P or 70-200/4 are probably better choices. The Nikon 80-400 VR and Nikon 200-500mm VR don't focus any closer, but they do get even longer if you don't need f/2.8, and they cost much less. The 200-500mm is the bargain of the century if you don't mind f/5.6; it's super sharp at a super low price. This is an easy enough lens for a man to hand-hold if you're a serious shooter, although if you're standing or sitting in one place for hours a monopod makes it much easier. I use a clear (UV) protective filter instead of the cap on my 120-300 so I'm always ready to shoot instantly. I only use a cap when I throw this in a bag with other gear without padding — which is never. The UV filter never gets in the way, and never gets lost, either. I'd use a 112mm B+W MRC 010 UV filter to protect this lens. I'd get my Nikon 120-300mm at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually get it used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. This 100% all-content website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. xx does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, non-USA, store demo or used xx. I use the stores I do because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new camera before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken, Mrs. Rockwell, Ryan and Katie.
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09-10 January 2020