These are the best Nikon telephoto lenses, chosen for how they deliver elegant compression, fast and reliable autofocus, effective stabilization, and weather-sealed builds that thrive on the sidelines, in wildlife blinds, and at portrait distance—mixing sharp native Z-mount glass with F-mount legends that sing via FTZ. Telephoto is about control and confidence: optics that stay crisp wide open, VR/IBIS that lets you work in fading light, motors that lock onto eyes and erratic motion, and barrels that balance on monopods and gimbals without drama. Start with the Z workhorse zooms—NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 S for pro events, portraits, and indoor sports (tack-sharp, beautiful bokeh, takes Z teleconverters for extra reach), Z 100–400mm f/4.5–5.6 S for travel-friendly reach with prime-like acuity and close focus, and Z 180–600mm f/5.6–6.3 for wildlife and airshows in a robust, internal-zoom shell that tracks brilliantly from a hide; the lightweight Z 70–180mm f/2.8 is a budget-friendly, constant-aperture tele that pairs well with the Z 17–28/28–75 trio for hybrid shooters. Prime shooters get a ladder of options: Z 85mm f/1.8 S for portraits with snappy AF and clean color, the Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena for cinematic separation and cat’s-eye-free highlights, Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S as the featherweight field tele that loves handheld birds-in-flight, and the PF super-tele twins—Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S PF and Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S PF—for astonishing reach in travel-able packages; when only flagship speed will do, the Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S and Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S build in a 1.4× teleconverter with blistering AF, top-tier VR, and weather sealing that shrugs off rain and dust. F-mount classics remain incredible values on Z via FTZ: AF-S 70–200mm f/2.8E FL VR (or earlier VR II) for indoor sports and weddings, AF-S 70–200mm f/4G VR for lighter travel, AF-S 200–500mm f/5.6E VR as the price-to-reach king for wildlife, AF-S 300mm f/4E PF VR and AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF for razor-sharp, featherweight field kits, and the AF-S 120–300mm f/2.8E FL for arena versatility; portrait specialists still adore the AF-S 105mm f/1.4E for luminous compression. Image priorities that make these “best” in practice: dependable, quiet AF that tracks eye and erratic motion, stabilization that stacks with IBIS for slower shutters, disciplined longitudinal CA so backlit fur and jerseys don’t fringe, coatings that hold contrast in haze and under stadium lights, and tripod feet/collars that clamp solidly on Arca plates. Technique multiplies results—set a sensible minimum shutter (1/1000+ for birds and field sports, 1/250–1/500 for portraits), run Auto ISO with exposure comp to protect highlights, use a monopod or compact gimbal head for 400–800mm days, and keep teleconverters handy to extend the Z 70–200/2.8 S and 100–400 S without repacking; for video, favor lenses with modest breathing (Z 70–200/2.8 S, Z 135/1.8 S) and set a 1/50–1/125 “cinema” shutter, letting VR/IBIS smooth handheld drift. A practical kit recipe is simple: for all-around action and portraits, anchor with Z 70–200/2.8 S and add Z 100–400 S (or 180–600 for wildlife); for lightweight reach, pair Z 400/4.5 with Z 600/6.3 PF or 800/6.3 PF depending on your subjects; for premium pro field work, run Z 400/2.8 TC or 600/4 TC and keep the 1.4×/2.0× TCs in the pouch; on a budget via FTZ, build AF-S 200–500/5.6 + 300/4E PF (or 500/5.6 PF) with the AF-S 70–200/4 for travel. Whether you’re freezing a striker at full sprint, isolating eagles against a winter sky, crafting creamy headshots at golden hour, or filming sideline b-roll, the best Nikon telephoto lenses deliver reach, stabilization, and rendering grace that make distant moments look close, clean, and intentionally cinematic.