p.1 #1 · Buying used 120-300 f2.8: Now or wait until Z-mount verson released?
I want to get a Nikon 120-300 f2.8. I think I would rather save the money and get a used copy of the current "G" version.
Do you guys think that the release of the new Z-Mount version will significantly drive down the selling prices of the used G versions that are already out there?
p.1 #3 · Buying used 120-300 f2.8: Now or wait until Z-mount verson released?
oguruma wrote:
I want to get a Nikon 120-300 f2.8. I think I would rather save the money and get a used copy of the current "G" version.
Do you guys think that the release of the new Z-Mount version will significantly drive down the selling prices of the used G versions that are already out there?
The only version so far is the 120-300 f2.8E FL VR, that is an "E" version. The "G" version is the 300 f2.8G VRII. Both for F mount.
I would suggest that there may be a few more used copies of both once the Z version is released and yes, they *may* be cheaper but it is only a guess.
p.1 #4 · Buying used 120-300 f2.8: Now or wait until Z-mount verson released?
It's possible they'll get a bit cheaper. Most F mount super telephotos have. There are a number of good reasons for that.
Many single FL primes now have 2-5 iterations over the previous 25-30 years. I strongly suspect from informally watching the marketplace that most folks don't immediately pull out a credit card instantly to replace an $8000-14000 lens every 3-5 years, but over time, folks may replace a lens that's 10-15 years old and doesn't have many/any parts for servicing. Lighter lenses (500/5.6, 400/4.5, 600/6.3, 800/6.3, 200-500, 180-160) make larger and heavier supertelephotos less attractive which again can drive more lenses to the marketplace.
Why might it not fall a lot?
The 120-300/2.8 has been manufactured in pretty small numbers. There aren't a large number of the zooms themselves to replace and they're all very modern/work well with Z bodies. https://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html#SuperZoom
I actually think more than anything we might start to see a few more 300/2.8's show up for sale in various markets. There are >40000 of those with AF-S motors in varying types out in the wild.
If it's a lens that fits your shooting really well, a good well cared for used copy or refurbished copy should give you many years of great service without the cost of a Z version. I personally don't believe the Z model is going to be only $8000, not that I'd be sad to be wrong.
p.1 #5 · Buying used 120-300 f2.8: Now or wait until Z-mount verson released?
huddy wrote:
It's possible they'll get a bit cheaper. Most F mount super telephotos have. There are a number of good reasons for that.
Many single FL primes now have 2-5 iterations over the previous 25-30 years. I strongly suspect from informally watching the marketplace that most folks don't immediately pull out a credit card instantly to replace an $8000-14000 lens every 3-5 years, but over time, folks may replace a lens that's 10-15 years old and doesn't have many/any parts for servicing. Lighter lenses (500/5.6, 400/4.5, 600/6.3, 800/6.3, 200-500, 180-160) make larger and heavier supertelephotos less attractive which again can drive more lenses to the marketplace.
Why might it not fall a lot?
The 120-300/2.8 has been manufactured in pretty small numbers. There aren't a large number of the zooms themselves to replace and they're all very modern/work well with Z bodies. https://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html#SuperZoom
I actually think more than anything we might start to see a few more 300/2.8's show up for sale in various markets. There are >40000 of those with AF-S motors in varying types out in the wild.
If it's a lens that fits your shooting really well, a good well cared for used copy or refurbished copy should give you many years of great service without the cost of a Z version. I personally don't believe the Z model is going to be only $8000, not that I'd be sad to be wrong....Show more →
I also doubt that it will sell for $8,000, but assuming Nikon can still sell it at a reasonable profit at that price, if they DID sell it for $8,000, I'd imagine it might attract a lot of sports/action shooters to the Z-Mount ecosystem. since it would be about $2,500 less than the Canon equivalent (100-300 f2.8)
p.1 #7 · Buying used 120-300 f2.8: Now or wait until Z-mount verson released?
Good point Nikon1960. I own the 120- 300 and it is a sweet lens. If I still own the lens this fall for high school football I would like to find a reasonably priced D6 to pair with the 120-300 and see how it compares to the Z9 120-300 combo which is fantastic.
The Nikon 120-300 lens was around 9500 bucks when it was released without a TC. No way the Z version with the TC will be 8000 bucks. I expect more like 11-12K.
p.1 #9 · Buying used 120-300 f2.8: Now or wait until Z-mount verson released?
EB-1 wrote:
The Canon 100-300/2.8 is $10.6K, so the Nikkor will be at least $1K or more beyond that with the TC. No free lunches.
EBH
True, there's no free lunches — but the Canon RF 100-300 launched at $9,500 and only later moved up to around $10.6K in the U.S., which Canon publicly stated was tariff-related.
When Nikon brings out the 100-300/2.8 TC, I’d expect it to be in the $11k range. But I’m not sure Canon’s current U.S. price is the cleanest baseline. The real question is whether Nikon prices it against Canon’s original launch point, Canon’s current tariff-inflated U.S. price, or simply uses it as a premium halo lens and goes higher.
p.1 #10 · Buying used 120-300 f2.8: Now or wait until Z-mount verson released?
One should expect the Z version to be 8 ounces lighter and provide better VR and cost twice as much and have an order lead time of up to 1 year. One option is to buy the FX lens now and then trade up to the Z lens when it becomes available to buy and after you have read the reviews for the new lens.
p.1 #11 · Buying used 120-300 f2.8: Now or wait until Z-mount verson released?
elkhornsun wrote:
One should expect the Z version to be 8 ounces lighter and provide better VR and cost twice as much and have an order lead time of up to 1 year. One option is to buy the FX lens now and then trade up to the Z lens when it becomes available to buy and after you have read the reviews for the new lens.
When was the last time Nikon had that kind of backorder on a lens? That seems like a thing of the past.
