Nikon 18-200 VR Lens

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18 - 200 mm f/3.5-5.6G DX ED VR

Has anyone got their hands on one of these yet? I love the idea of being able to shoot at 1/15 at 200mm. The only downside seems to be the distortion.

And the price :0)

...and the 8 week wait

people probably haven't had time to use this much yet, but want to bump this back to the top- if this lens turns out to be a good one, it might be enough to make me jump ship to nikon for convinience sake.

would love to hear comparisons to tamron's too.

I have gotten mine almost 1.5 months ago, and I love it. Its not perfect, like some mention, the distortion. The clarity is good, lens size is fantastic, gets you shooting away, no need to change any lens at all, the VR works well, though initially caused some nauseating feeling, only slightly. I travel a lot, almost every week, so this is my perfect companion I don't think the price is unreasonable.

I was in London shooting at Trafalgar Square, when they had the second Muslim Cartoon Protest, you can see it here. Perfect lens for fast action and mobility. I have not had any rejects from istock since I started using this



(Edited on 2006-03-06 11:27:44 by Nikontiger)

I've been disappointed with the amount of vignetting I've seen on some of my shots. It's bad enough that I'm back to my 24-120VR and a 70-300 I just got.

> though initially caused some nauseating feeling

The image in the viewfinder shackes as the VR system starts up???

I'm planning to buy a 18-200 (I travel a lot by motorbike, it might be a perfect companion...)

Sounds like a good travel lens ... seems like Canon is always one step behind Nikon when it comes to lenses ...

I have:
Nikkor 17-35 mm f/2.8 ED
Nikkor 28-70 mm f/2.8 ED
Nikkor 70-200 mm f/2.8 G VR ED

So I thought COOL!!! one lens could replace all three of these.

I borrowed it for a test run & was disappointed when compareing it to my other 3 lenses.

Yes it was convient... but it was not as fast.. not as sharp.. and there was distortion at either end.

So I decided to just stick with my 3 lenses & swapping them out when needed.

I would have probably loved it, if I did not have the lenes I do, to compare it with.

It seems to be a nice travel lens but 1/15th at 200mm? I don't think you will have too many pleasing results - maybe every now and then you are really lucky and get a sharp picture with those settings but don't count on it happening every time you snap a picture...

Here's a review of the lens: http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/nikkor_18200_3556vr/index.htm

Problems seem to be the distorsion and vignetting indeed, but it's an 11x zoom so flaws are expected... as the reviewer sais.

Johan

Cheers for that link- I read the bythom...

...review the other night, and decided to definitely go for it. But from what I've found so far, it doesn't look like it's available here in the UK until early May. Shame as I'm away on holiday soon and was hoping to have it for that.

But I don't think that this review will put me off getting the lens in the end. For what it does, and at that price, I don't think I'll find anything else as good. My plan then is to use it along with my 50mm f1.8 which is great, and save up for the 100mm f2.8 Micro VR when it appears.


edit - messed up the link



(Edited on 2006-04-11 16:31:10 by resonants)

Not that its bad, its a matter of getting used to it, the image compensates for shakiness, so it causes minute motion sickness like feeling for me .... take a look at this, its taken from a moving car.

nice shot!

I'm reading the reviews listed here...
I'm still deciding.

I have a 35-105 f3.5/4.5 and a beautiful 80-200 f2.8 (three position focus lock). Fantastic lens, but a bit too big to carry around all the time. So, I'm thinking about the 18-200 as a travelling lens.

I've got this lens and it is now the main lens I am using.

I must admit however that it isn't the best lens I've ever used. There is noticeable distortion on both ends and occasional vignetting.

However...The zoom range of this lens is great, and the VR just adds to the utility of this single lens. I already have a number of images on iStock using this lens and expect to get quite a few more using it.

The biggest advantage is that I can carry around my smallest camera pouch with this lens and be confident that I can get the majority of the shots I want to. This is a big advantage to me when I am travelling, hiking and backpacking. I carry other lenses in a second bag when travelling, as backup (and for when I NEED to get a particular shot the 18-200 can't get), but generally just secure the second bag while I am out.

Could this lens be better? Definitely. It isn't a miracle lens, but for the cost and versatility, I think it is a great value and am quite happy with it.

That's a really helpful review, thanks. I have this lens on order, now I'm wondering if I should get the motorbike on order too.

I am also considering to buy the 18-200
I have 35-135 and like it since I am using also the macro.
Would like larger zoom , light lense and macro , but seems I have to compromise.

Found this thread very useful.
Just wanted to add some info:
1.Some photos taken with the lens
2. There is some production problem with it:
forum

nikon

I found the len very good to be used in conjunctions with the D200

My main kit is composed by 2 d2x and only f/2.8 lenses I do mainly press so I tend to stick a 17-55 and a 70-200VR, I generally do not need to swap ar od any change of lenses...occasionally I use a 300 or a 12-24..

recently I was doing a test for a magazine and tried the D200 and the 18-200VR I must say I was really surpised by the result and manage to get one ....I am planning to use it when not working and for some stock! Ken Rockwell has an excellent review on his website.


Marco

Got the Tamron 18-200 and have been using it for about a week but I have not been very pleased with it. I went in to get the 24-135 which is well rated but the sales guy suggested I check the 18-200 out instead. The size and the reach is perfect but it's a bit too soft for my taste so I am returning it this week. Other complaints are severe distortions at 18mm and a little more CA than I would expect for this price range. After close observation and many test shots, the only advantage is the range, the optics fall a little higher than the 18-55 kit lens but not much.


The cannon looks great though. Sigma also has a 18-200 out which so far has gotten rather mixed reviews with positive reviews being dominant.


I think if I can try out the sigma and if they have it in stock, I will, otherwise I might just go with the 24-135 since it's tried and true and does not have the design limitations of the digital SLR only lenses.



(Edited on 2006-04-16 01:00:17 by Zuki)