Nikon announced on December 10^th, 2009, the release of two new lens products, compatible with the FX format. The telephoto AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II prime lens is equipped with vibration reduction (VR II) that reduces the effects of camera shake equivalent to a shutter speed increase of approximately four stops. The AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III, is the world’s first teleconverter to utilize an aspherical lens element.

AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II primary features:

• Built-in vibration reduction (VR II) offering camera shake compensation equivalent to a shutter speed increase of approximately 4 stops
• The addition of A/M (autofocus with manual override; AF priority) focus mode prevents accidental switching from autofocus to manual focus. Along with M/A (autofocus with manual override; manual priority) mode, which enables manual focusing by rotating the focus ring while autofocus is operating and M (manual) mode, this makes for a total of three focus modes.
• The lens optics and Nano Crystal Coat so well received with previous lenses have been adopted without modification

AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III* primary features:

• An FX-format compatible teleconverter that extends the focal length of the primary lens by 2X*
• The world’s first teleconverter to utilize an aspherical lens element
• A new optical design that offers superior contrast and resolution
• Utilization of an aspherical lens element enabled a more compact and lightweight teleconverter

* Using this teleconverter with a lens decreases the effective aperture by two stops.

Prices in The Netherlands (expected by the end on January 2010):

• AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II : EUR 6299,-
• AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III : EUR 549,-

With a comparable Canon EF 300/2.8 L USM IS at about EUR 3989,- these are really competative prices. NOT.... When will Nikon learn......

For more specs on these products see here in English or here in Dutch.