Impressive reach. Incredible speed. Absolute versatility.

Sixty years after the introduction of the iconic Nikon F Mount, the dependable mainstay of every stunning NIKKOR SLR lens since, the AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR brings a beautifully bright f/2.8 constant maximum aperture to the world of pro telephoto sports photography. A versatile zoom range with highly sought after speed and agility, glorious sharpness and bokeh for stunning fast action and portraiture with dazzling subject isolation.

Zoom flexibility. Prime performance.

A refined optical architecture gives the AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm staggering image rendering properties with quality and resolution one might expect from a 300mm prime. One ED glass element, two fluorite lens elements and a newly developed SR (Short-wavelength Refractive) lens element work together for brilliantly detailed shots with exceptional color rendering. In addition, ghosting and flare are effectively minimized through the application of innovative ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coats, for sharp, clear images even when a light source is in the frame.

All-new SR (Short-wavelength Refractive) technology

Chromatic aberration is a common lens anomaly that occurs when varying wavelengths of light fail to collect at the same point, resulting in color fringing. Specifically, short-wavelength light can be difficult to compensate for. The newly developed SR lens element is a high- and specialized-dispersion glass with breakthrough light-refracting properties that specifically target shorter color wavelengths like blues and violets for highly precise chromatic aberration compensation.

Prime-rivaling AF performance

AF performance is paramount when photographing athletes and other fast moving subjects at a distance. A newly-enhanced AF servo drive provides optimal autofocus power, resulting in incredibly accurate subject tracking, even for subjects that erratically change speed, for pro dependability shot after shot.

Powerful Vibration Reduction (VR) with SPORT mode

Tack-sharp, action-charged sports shots are easier than ever with a powerful VR image stabilization, optimized for fast action with a SPORT mode option. With VR engaged, image vibration is significantly reduced, equivalent to a shutter speed 4.0 stops** faster. SPORT mode goes a step further, stabilizing subjects that change speed and direction quickly and unpredictably within the viewfinder for accurate shot composition.

Professional, stress-free operability

The AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR adopts controls and operability enhancements commonly found on Nikon's premiere telephoto and super telephoto lenses. The zoom ring, focus function buttons, tripod collar ring and controls are all designed to ensure pro-caliber operability. A fluorite lens element and magnesium alloy construction contribute to a lightweight, durable lens that covers the focal lengths of multiple lenses for nimble all-day shooting.

Dust and drips denied

With pro photographers in mind, the AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR was built to withstand less than ideal shooting environments and harsh conditions. The lens body is well-sealed to keep dust and moisture out and the front lens surface features Nikon's fluorine coat to effectively repel dust and dirt for worry-free shooting on any assignment.

Improved communication between camera and lens

A specialized electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism electronically syncs with the camera and makes precise aperture adjustments for fast, consistently reliable exposure control, even during high-speed continuous shooting.

TECHNOLOGY

Short-Wavelength Refractive Lens

SR is a high- and specialized-dispersion glass lens that refracts light with wavelengths shorter than that of blue. By controlling short-wavelength light, the lens is able to achieve highly precise chromatic aberration compensation so that the colors in your images are more accurately reproduced. It also allows for more flexible optical designs, which allows for compact, lighter lenses to be designed.

ARNEO Coat

An anti-reflective coating developed by Nikon and used in conjunction with Nano Crystal Coat to further reduce ghost and flare effects caused by incident light entering the lens vertically. This allows for the outstandingly clear capture of images even when a light source is located within the frame.

ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) Glass

An optical glass developed by Nikon that is used with normal optical glass in telephoto lenses to obtain optimum correction of chromatic aberrations.

Nano Crystal Coat

An anti-reflective coating developed by Nikon that virtually eliminates internal lens element reflections across a wide range of wavelengths. Nano Crystal Coat uses ultrafine, nano-sized** crystal particles to eliminate reflections inside the lens throughout the spectrum of visible light waves (380 to 780 nm) in ways that far exceed the limits of conventional antireflection coating systems. Nano Crystal Coat not only solves ghost effects caused by red light, which was incredibly difficult for previous systems. It also effectively reduces ghost and flare effects caused by light entering the lens diagonally. The result: clearer images.

Electromagnetic Diaphragm Mechanism

An electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism in the lens barrel provides highly accurate electronic diaphragm or aperture blade control when using auto exposure during continuous shooting. With conventional D/G type lenses, the diaphragm blades are operated by mechanical linkage levers.

Vibration Reduction

A Nikon in-lens technology that improves image stability by automatically compensating for camera shake. Lenses that offer VR will feature the abbreviation VR on the lens barrel.

Fluorine Coat

Photographers need gear that can withstand the elements. Nikon’s fluorine coat effectively repels dust, water droplets, grease or dirt, ensuring easy removal even when they adhere to the lens surface. Nikon’s fluorine coat endures a high frequency of lens surface wiping and its anti-reflective effect also contributes to the capture of clear images.

IF Lens

A NIKKOR lens in which only the internal lens group shifts during focusing. Thus, IF NIKKORS do not change in size during AF operation, allowing for compact, lightweight lenses capable of closer focusing distances. These lenses will be designated with the abbreviation IF on the lens barrel.

Silent Wave Motor

AF-S NIKKOR lenses feature Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM). This technology converts “traveling waves” into rotational energy to focus the optics. This enables high-speed autofocusing that's extremely accurate and super quiet.

M/A

Select NIKKOR lenses have a focusing mode which allows switching from automatic to manual focusing with virtually no lag time by simply turning the focusing ring on the lens. This makes it possible to seamlessly switch to fine manual focusing while looking through the viewfinder.

Super Integrated Coating

Nikon Super Integrated Coating is Nikon's term for its multilayer coating of the optical elements in NIKKOR lenses.

**Based on CIPA Standard. This value is achieved when: FX-format compatible lenses are attached to an FX-format digital SLR camera and zoom lenses are set at the maximum telephoto position.

The lens incorporates an electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism. The following cameras are compatible with this lens:

D5, D4 series, D3 series, Df, D850, D810, D810A, D800 series, D750, D700, D610, D600, D500, D300 series, D7500, D7200, D7100, D7000, D5600, D5500, D5300, D5200, D5100, D5000, D3400, D3300, D3200, D3100, Nikon 1 J1, J2, J3, J4, J5 with FT-1, Nikon 1 V1, V2, V3 with FT-1, Nikon 1 S1, S2 with FT-1

PRODUCT SPECS

Superior optical performance throughout the entire zoom range with adoption of a newly developed SR lens element

The AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR is an FX-format, telephoto zoom lens that covers the 120 mm to 300 mm range of focal lengths with a constant fast maximum aperture of f/2.8 throughout that range. It demonstrates superior optical performance and image blur compensation, as well as enhanced AF performance throughout the entire zoom range, expanding telephoto shooting opportunities.

Optics are constructed of one ED, two fluorite, and one newly developed SR lens element for superior optical performance. The SR lens element is made of a high- and specialized-dispersion glass that significantly refracts short-wavelength light, enabling rendering with which the great majority of chromatic aberration is suppressed. In addition, adoption of Nikon's exclusive anti-reflection coatings, Nano Crystal Coat and ARNEO Coat, a first for NIKKOR F-mount lenses, ensures consistent and incredibly low reflection throughout the entire spectrum of visible light. These coatings effectively reduce the ghost and flare generated by incident light for sharp and clear images, even when a light source is included in the frame.

As a fast lens with a constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range, the AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR is capable of fast shutter speeds, even in low-light indoor situations, that suppress blur caused by camera shake and subject movement. It also achieves both sharp and clear rendering along the focal plane and beautiful blur characteristics (bokeh). What's more, the AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR is equipped with a vibration reduction mechanism that supports image blur compensation equivalent to a 4.0-stop* increase in shutter speed. Further, SPORT VR mode is optimized for photographing sporting scenes because it stabilizes the viewfinder image with shooting, making it easy to track subjects moving quickly or erratically throughout the frame. The algorithm that controls motor drive has also been enhanced for greater AF tracking performance with subjects whose speed of motion changes suddenly.

The AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR expands photo opportunities with sports photography by combining superior optical performance with agility, providing professional photographers with even greater support.

*Measured in accordance with CIPA standards in NORMAL VR mode when a digital SLR camera equipped with a full-frame, 35mm film equivalent image sensor is used. Measured at the maximum telephoto position.

Short-wavelength refractive (SR) lens element

Nikon's original, newly developed SR lens is a high- and specialized-dispersion glass lens featuring characteristics to greatly refract light with wavelengths shorter than that of blue. By controlling short-wavelength light that is difficult to compensate, light of various specific wavelengths can be more effectively collected achieving highly precise chromatic aberration compensation. Because this lens can be used in the same way as normal glass lenses, more flexible optical design is attained without limitations in lens layout. While realizing high optical performance, a compact and light lens can be designed.

PRIMARY FEATURES

A telephoto zoom lens compatible with the Nikon FX format that covers the 120 mm to 300 mm range of focal lengths with a constant maximum aperture of f/2.8

Optical performance that achieves extremely sharp and clear resolution, all the way to the extreme edges of the frame, throughout the zoom range

Adoption of one ED, two fluorite, and one newly developed SR lens element effectively controls chromatic aberration

The use of Nikon's exclusive anti-reflection coatings, ARNEO Coat and Nano Crystal Coat, effectively reduces ghost and flare

Superior AF performance through the use of AF detection results for more accurate subject tracking and nimble response to subjects whose speed of motion changes suddenly

A vibration reduction mechanism that supports NORMAL and SPORT modes and offers camera shake compensation equivalent to a 4.0-stop increase in shutter speed (NORMAL mode)

A minimum focus distance of 2 m throughout the entire zoom range

Positioning of four focus function buttons that enables quick and certain focusing

Adoption of components made of a magnesium alloy achieves both strength and durability, and a lighter weight

Sealed throughout with consideration given to dust and drip resistance

Nikon's exclusive fluorine coat that effectively repels dust, water, grease, and dirt applied to the outer surface of the extreme front lens element

Adoption of highly durable bearings for the tripod collar for quick and smooth switching between horizontal and vertical shooting orientations

An electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism that enables stable exposure control, even with high-speed continuous shooting