Nikon’s lack of a Z 70-300mm lens

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Wade Abadie

Wade Abadie

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Is anyone else here disappointed that Nikon has not released a Z series 70-300mm zoom lens? I am hoping they release one soon (or something comparable).

I would really like a lightweight mid-range zoom for using alongside my 500mm f/4 to capture more environmental or “animalscape” photos of wildlife. When I was using DSLR gear, I always had a 70-300mm for this purpose and it served me well. I know that Tamron has a 70-300mm for Z mount, but I’m not sure it is quite up to par since it is lacking VR and doesn’t seem to have much in the way of weather sealing.

I know many here love the Z 100-400mm and I know it’s a superb lens, it’s just a tad heavier and more expensive than what I have in mind as a side-kick to my 500mm prime. I have looked hard at the Tamron 50-400mm as well, and am really tempted to give it a try.

I just wish Nikon would release a Z 70-300mm lens with VR and decent weather sealing for around $1,000. I can’t imagine it not being a big seller.

On a related note, I know Nikon has the 28-400mm F/4-F8 which is certainly a versatile zoom range. I just worry about being forced into F/8 at the long end for anything having to do with wildlife.

Sorry for the rant. Just had to vent my frustrations a little.
 
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It's certainly surprising Nikon has left this niche vacant, considering the all round success of its F-mount editions of this zoom.

An FTZ on the light and capable 70-300 AFP FX zoom is more than capable. The 120-300 f2.8E SR provides arguably the best optical quality, but it's a distinctly different instrument. It's obviously narrower at the shorter end. I think this is the only F-mount Brad Hill still uses
 
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I think it is largely an issue of capacity. Everyone wanted their big primes, long PFs, wide angles, zooms with integral TCs, their fast glass……something has to wait. They have a good range for the Z system and there is still a few gaps to fill.
While you wait you could try the 70-200 + 1.4 TC as you need it.
 
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Wade Abadie said:
I probably would if it had VR. I’m just hesitant to buy a lens without VR since it will be used handheld virtually 100% of the time. Perhaps it’s okay with IBIS, I need to do more research.

I also wish it had some proper weather sealing.
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I own the 70-300 Tamron and it works fine with IBIS. It’s also feather light and travels well. The optics are good and so is the price. The 50-400 looks great as well but it’s not as compact or light.

The Tamron is 1/3rd the price of the 100-400, 1/2 the weight and it is weather sealed, there’s 6 seals in the schematic for the lens.

Its main strength is how light and compact it is. It ends up in a compact bag with some primes when a 100-400 would not so it’s with me.

The camera labs review has the results of IBIS test on the Z7 which worked well if that's a concern. I personally wouldn't even worry about that on this lens with the IBIS in the Z8/9 as it's better than the Z7's.

The 100-400 and 70-200 would be a bit nicer optically but substantially larger and heavier.
 
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I'm sure they will eventually. I'm guessing it has to do with juggling production between plants and DSLR and Z mount lens and sales forecasts. Takes a while to fill out a full line of lens. Yes there are holes but I think they did a great job filling out the Z line. They do have a 28-400 available if you are looking for walk around zoom.
 
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Here's a breakdown of size and weight for the Z lenses available in the 28-400 range.

Screenshot 2024-12-24 at 9.43.01 AM.png
 
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I would love to see a z mount Nikon 70-200mm f4 S lens or a Nikon Z mount 70-300 f x.x S lens. Thom Hogan mentions both as gaps at his Z mount site. My F mount 70-200mm f4 is a joy to use as it is sharp and light weight. And I have the Z mount 100-400mm S lens that I bought instead of the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 S lens.
 
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joe43 said:
I would love to see a z mount Nikon 70-200mm f4 S lens or a Nikon Z mount 70-300 f x.x S lens. Thom Hogan mentions both as gaps at his Z mount site. My F mount 70-200mm f4 is a joy to use as it is sharp and light weight. And I have the Z mount 100-400mm S lens that I bought instead of the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 S lens.
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I would love to see a Z 70-200 F/4 as well…I might actually prefer that!
 
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I have the “F” mount version 70-300mm (f/4.5-5.6 E ED VR AF-P). This is an excellent lens and will pair w/Z platform via FTZ adapter…. just a suggestion to get you through until Nikon comes up with one…..
 
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Larry S. said:
I have the “F” mount version 70-300mm (f/4.5-5.6 E ED VR AF-P). This is an excellent lens and will pair w/Z platform via FTZ adapter…. just a suggestion to get you through until Nikon comes up with one…..
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That is an option….however anytime I would be using the 70-300mm, it would be at the same time I’m using my 500mm F/4 which is already utilizing my FTZ adapter. I’m really not keen on buying a second FTZ, but it is something to consider.
 
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@Lee R Great chart - very useful. As some others have suggested, I use 70-200 f2.8 often with teleconverter. However, I do wish it was lighter. Surprisingly, Nikon made it the same weight as the 70-200 f2.8E that I had for F mount. Meanwhile, Sony has come out with a version II that is significantly lighter and Canon now has two different versions (the older external zoom and newer internal zoom), both of which are also significantly lighter.
 
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Wade Abadie said:
That is an option….however anytime I would be using the 70-300mm, it would be at the same time I’m using my 500mm F/4 which is already utilizing my FTZ adapter. I’m really not keen on buying a second FTZ, but it is something to consider.
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I did buy a 2nd FTZii and found it useful to have both available for situations like this. The “Cash $ Cow” hasn’t wandered into my yard lately and I’ve had to use the “F” mount lenses occasionally. Secondly, Nikon just hasn’t offered some lens configurations that were useful and excellent for SLR/DSLR cameras. Another one that comes to mind is the “F” 200mm f/4 D Micro lens. I’m sure they are aware of this but we just have to make “do” with what we have in-house….
 
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Another option is the z 70-180 with and without the 1.4 TC. Fairly inexpensive and decently sharp. Also very light. About the same size as the 70-300. Doesn’t have VR but Nikon’s in camera vibration reduction is sufficient, imo.
 
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I recently bought the Tamron Z mount 50-400 to replace my F mount 70-300 afp. It was my last piece of F mount glass, I'm happy to finally ditch the FTZ. Great lens, nice and sharp, quick to focus, VC works well. It is a little heavier but that doesnt bother me at all, I actually really like having the extra 100 mm of reach. I don't know why more people aren't talking about this lens. It's a great landscape telephoto, and I use it for wildlife on hikes when I don't feel like carrying my 180-600.
 
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Wade Abadie said:
Is anyone else here disappointed that Nikon has not released a Z series 70-300mm zoom lens? I am hoping they release one soon (or something comparable).
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I’m in the same boat as you! Been waiting for the Z 70-300 or 70-200 F4 as a companion lens for my wildlife setup.

I used the 70-300 AFP with the FTZ adapter, but it makes the setup too cumbersome and front heavy..

The Tamron 70-300mm lacks VR (no go as I will use it as well with my Z50).

The 24-400mm is also a no go due to the f8.. I do most of my work in dense forests with very little light.

The 100-400mm isn’t compact and light enough.. not to mention not wide enough.. (overkill, when my setup is the Z8+400 f4.5)

I try to use my 50-250 as a temporary solution, but that f6.3 becomes unusable pretty quickly too (specially in winter).

I do understand, Nikon has other priorities.. but I don’t understand why Tamron isn’t releasing its G2 70-300 which has VC / VR.. considering they did it already with their 28-75mm G2 for Nikon (which I have and love!)
 
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Ado Wolf said:
I’m in the same boat as you! Been waiting for the Z 70-300 or 70-200 F4 as a companion lens for my wildlife setup.

I used the 70-300 AFP with the FTZ adapter, but it makes the setup too cumbersome and front heavy..

The Tamron 70-300mm lacks VR (no go as I will use it as well with my Z50).

The 24-400mm is also a no go due to the f8.. I do most of my work in dense forests with very little light.

The 100-400mm isn’t compact and light enough.. not to mention not wide enough.. (overkill, when my setup is the Z8+400 f4.5)

I try to use my 50-250 as a temporary solution, but that f6.3 becomes unusable pretty quickly too (specially in winter).

I do understand, Nikon has other priorities.. but I don’t understand why Tamron isn’t releasing its G2 70-300 which has VC / VR.. considering they did it already with their 28-75mm G2 for Nikon (which I have and love!)
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I’d like to see another 70-300 option as well but the difference between the 70-300 5.6 of the Nikon and 6.3 of the 55-250 doesn’t make a difference. It sounds like you might need an F/4 or faster option.
 
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