fastharper
Member
I'm hoping they revise the 120-300mm f/2.8 for the Z mount, or even make a Z 300mm f/2.8 TC. Lighter would be good; the current 300 is pretty heavy for what it is.
Any guess on a Z 300mm f/2.8?
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nmerc_photos
Well-known member
I think it's only a matter of time. Canon has shown the 100-300 f2.8 can be done. Sony has shown a 3lb 300 f2.8 can be done.
It's up to Nikon to decide which option they want. Personally I would prefer a 100-300 f2.8 with 1.4x built in, around the $10K range and 6-7lbs. But I know lots of people who would prefer the prime 300 f2.8 at $6K and 3lbs.
I think it'll be more interesting to see which manufacturer drops the first modern 200mm f2...
It's up to Nikon to decide which option they want. Personally I would prefer a 100-300 f2.8 with 1.4x built in, around the $10K range and 6-7lbs. But I know lots of people who would prefer the prime 300 f2.8 at $6K and 3lbs.
I think it'll be more interesting to see which manufacturer drops the first modern 200mm f2...
Considering what a staple the 300 f2.8 was for serious photographers in the film days (and then DSLR days), it is surprising that it took so long for mirrorless. It is even more surprising Nikon has not even hinted at making one for Z mount. If they can add a built-in 1.4 teleconverter as they did with their 400 f2.8 and 600 f4 then they would have a real winner. However the light weight of the Sony is very appealing and I am not sure Nikon can match that, based on the fact that their Z 70-200 f2.8 is almost as heavy as the F mount (whereas the Sony version 2 is significantly lighter).
Never having used a 300 f2.8 I am wondering why it was so favored when there are so many strong lenses at 200, 400, 500 and 600 plus the 70-200mm f2.8.
I can see that shooting dx with a crop camera would give you a really lightweight birding rig.
I have settled on a setup that uses the 70-200, 400mm f4.5 and 800 pf. I can't imagine adding another lens in that range other than the super primes. I had the 600mm pf but sold it because it wasn't getting used enough.
I feel I can't use more than two telephoto lenses in a shoot. Too much switching around.
I can see that shooting dx with a crop camera would give you a really lightweight birding rig.
I have settled on a setup that uses the 70-200, 400mm f4.5 and 800 pf. I can't imagine adding another lens in that range other than the super primes. I had the 600mm pf but sold it because it wasn't getting used enough.
I feel I can't use more than two telephoto lenses in a shoot. Too much switching around.
fastharper
Member
300 is a great focal length for parades and public events, and for some sports too. I'd buy the Nikon 120-300mm f/2.8 except I'm not investing in F mount glass any more. There are times when the 70-200 just isn't long enough; I could easily leave the 70-200 and use a 120-300.
Dawatm
Member
Will be interesting to see what comes first. Certainly, a Z replacement for 300 2.8, 180-400tc 4, 120-300 2.8. I guess the 200 2 is sort of in that discussion as well. Any could be with a tc built in and that would be nice, but would definitely add some length and weight.
nmerc_photos
Well-known member
As I understand it the main value of a 300 2..8 historically has been the "poor man's 400". The 400 f2.8 has been prohibitively expensive and heavy. The 300 f2.8 has always been smaller, lighter, and cheaper than the 400 f2.8.
Same reason exists for Sony right now. 400GM for $10K at 6.5lbs, or 300GM for $6K at 3lbs. 90% of the performance for 50% of the size/weight/price.
I do a lot of walks around local woods and having a lightweight f2.8 is much more desirable than lugging the big primes. I also prefer a 200 f2 over 300 f2.8, but everyone is different in their desires.
While the 70-200 f2.8 gets you close to a 200 f2 or 300 f2.8, it will never be the same in terms of "best" aperture, IQ, etc. Bokeh from the 200 f2 and 300 f2.8 is noticeably better than from a 70-200. and that's a big part of the extra value.
With my current kit, a 300 f2.8 standalone probably would not provide much value. Especially when competing against a 400TC or 400 4.5. If it was a 100-300 I may be interested. If it was a 100-300 with built in 1.4x - I would be extremely interested.
The built in TC's are a gamechanger, and can take a lens one would normally never use (like a 100-300 or 400mm for wildlife) and suddenly make it an exceptional offering.
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John Navitsky
Well-known member
i can’t help but think we’ll see the 120-300 come to the z, but hard to say when considering the f mount is still competitive
I’ve used the 1.4TC with the 70-200 in order to get some extra reach. It’d be useful to have a 300mm f/2.8 option, though.
The Sony 300/2.8 works on a DJI RS3 gimbal, which is one of the reasons so many of us are salivating. I'd absolutely buy a Z version
With the Olympics starting in June - if something is coming "soon" - it is likely to be announced within the next 5 weeks.
IainD
Well-known member
My 300 f2.8 was just a bit too heavy so I was using my 300 pf much more. Good enough for my needs so I have given my 300 f2.8 to a friend. I can always borrow it back if I need it!
foxysport
Active member
Literally have sold today my 300mm 2.8 VRII AF-S. For what it is, it was too heavy for me--but as mentioned elsewhere, I'm all for using a heavy 600mm FL even in the AF-S case.
Having said that, maritime photos for example and at a certain distance landscapes and even full body portraits--there are actually a lot of 'use cases'. I would consider re-purchasing a lighter 300mm in Z.
Having said that, maritime photos for example and at a certain distance landscapes and even full body portraits--there are actually a lot of 'use cases'. I would consider re-purchasing a lighter 300mm in Z.
Darrellhar
Well-known member
I think its just a matter of time and I wouldn't be surprised if it was released this year. Nikon only has so many resources and I'm sure they wanted to get the bigger selling exotics created first to get more users over to their Z bodies. 120-300 f/2.8 appeared to be a fantastic lens but I have a feeling that it didn't sell as well as they hoped. If you are just shooting sports for your local HS teams its an expensive lens. Especially compared to the Sigma version. 300mm is missing from the Z line and I would not be surprised if they filled that hole this year at some point.
joe43
Well-known member
I own and use both Nikon 300mm F mount lenses--the latest version of the 300mm f2.8 and the 300mm f4 pf. I bought the 300mm f2.8 when I wanted a better lens than the 300mm f4 lens available at that time. While I loved its background rendering, fast AF and high image quality, I did not like how much it weighed. I used it mostly for things like dragon flies or as a long macro lens with an extension tube. Things changed when the 300mm f4 pf came out. Its image quality was wonderful, it focused closer and weighed a lot less than the 300mm f2.8. Once I started using the 300mm f4 pf, I rarely used the 300mm f2.8 Given the other tele primes from Nikon now available in the Z mount, I doubt if I would ever buy a 300mm Z mount prime, f2.8 or f4. I would much prefer Nikon to make a Z mount 200mm f4 macro lens or maybe a 200mm f2.8 macro lens.
CJC2
Member
It might be interesting to see a Nikon Z 300/2.8 PF with, or without a TC!
Owney
Active member
As a photojournalist, the most important missing lens is 120-300 2.8. That would be a money maker for us.
O
Well-known member
It will come but sell the farm to pay for it LOL, the 300 F2.8 with in built TC should be maybe 10-15% cheaper than the 400 version and uphold the DSLR 300mm DSLR used price.
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I wonder if it'd be technically possible to eke out a little more on the wide and/or long end without a TC? "80-320." Either way, I'm really hoping they release a competing 100-300 2.8 à la Canon's RF version soon.
O
Well-known member
What about expanding the 70-200 F2.8 to just 300 or 320 ?
O
Well-known member
That's nice and the ticket, look forward to that.
fcotterill
Well-known member
The legacy of Nikon's "3, 2-8" telephotos began with Pro requests from the professional sports photographers to cover the Winter Olympics in 1972; an obvious open for Nikon for proud advertising on Japanese soil.
Looking back, it's surprising on one hand Nikon never updated the excellent G model to E FL quality with improved weight balance. However, it's now obvious the decision was to launch the D6 with the hefty E SR 120-300 zoom for the Summer Olympics in 2020..... err.... 2021.
An ergonomically elegant fast 300 prime in Z mount should sell well and qualify the 120-300 f2.8E SR, however Nikon has promised more surprises in forthcoming Z Nikkors, so they might well have another new angle on the venerable 3, 2-8....
Looking back, it's surprising on one hand Nikon never updated the excellent G model to E FL quality with improved weight balance. However, it's now obvious the decision was to launch the D6 with the hefty E SR 120-300 zoom for the Summer Olympics in 2020..... err.... 2021.
An ergonomically elegant fast 300 prime in Z mount should sell well and qualify the 120-300 f2.8E SR, however Nikon has promised more surprises in forthcoming Z Nikkors, so they might well have another new angle on the venerable 3, 2-8....
Gaduf
Well-known member
I still have my E 120 -300 f2.8, which I purchased from Nikon South Africa at a very discounted price a few years ago.
This was the last one they had in stock and they were having a stock clearance on F lenses.
A superb lens which I have used with the FTZ adaptor on my Z8 with excellent results.
Gavin
This was the last one they had in stock and they were having a stock clearance on F lenses.
A superb lens which I have used with the FTZ adaptor on my Z8 with excellent results.
Gavin
I’m a relative newcomer to the 120–300/2.8, but I can see that it’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship. I’ve been shooting it adapted to my Z8, though for the eclipse tomorrow, it will be on my D850 as I’m primarily shooting a 600 PF on the Z8 for that event. This pairing will be the foundation of my kit when I return later this year to Namibia, complemented by my 70-200/2.8 VRII and a Voigt WA or two.