Over half a century, the 200 f2 and 300 f2.8 have been among the venerable icons of Nikon's leading status. Okay... since 1976 the 200 f2 versions have not sold as many copies as the 300 f2.8's but this Fatman continues to stand out against any other fast telephoto. Excellent in its own right, a fast 300 prime have always been a keystone lens for many sports and wildlife shooters; and the 300 f2.8 is still the most affordable of the exotic Nikkor telephotos. A similar argument applies to the 200 f4 Micro-Nikkor (1978) and also the 180 f2.8 (1970).
IN deciding how to refresh/ build up the F and Z systems, presents Nikon's strategists with a combination of novel challenges with both opportunities and tough decisions! They can widen and enliven the options across primes and zooms. This will strengthen the overall system: especially for those who shoot F and Z systems in tandem. Conversely, it makes sense to maintain their leadership in telephotos for the F-mount. Yet some might argue OTTH that telephotos such as a 400 f4S PF and 600 f5.6S will increase investment in their MILC. The higher quality of the Z Teleconverters also underscores another benefit of the Z system - provided the 'Z9' not only materializes but matches the AF of the D5 or better D6.
All considered we photographers face too many unknowns at this stage, while Nikon faces tough decisions given finite resources and strong constraints. Overall, if the Z roadmap holds true, and all these rumours materialize....we are heading into an interesting landscape. By early 2022, potentially (subject to personal budgets especially) Nikonians will be agonizing over an array of impressive products. There soon will be the widened inventory of ~30 Z-Nikkors with solid Z II cameras capped by a Z9 etc; extending across D6 and D880 et al, a D550 possibly and all the F-mount glass, new and classic!
