18-200 vr

[dxer233]

Ok lets start this off. First does any one have one and what do they thing of it. How fast does it focus.

Jim

[ace]

Hi Jim,

been wondering about this lens myself. I know an all in one zoom does not alway give the best images. But knowing you are not exposing your sensor to more dust from constantly changing lenses interests me.

While the VR is a nice feature, not sure how much I would need that. I have considered Tamron or Sigma in a similar focal length with out VR.

I was in a Wolfe Camera store about a month ago and asked if they had this particular lens in Nikon or any other manufacturer. They had the Tamron, but said they could order the Nikon amd it would take a while to get it. He said they had sold 3 of them. So I asked what the people thought of the lenses. He replied that they had sent 2 of the 3 back for warranty work because they did not function correctly. He did not elaborate on what was wrong with them. I suspect he did not like the Nikon mostly because he did not have one there to sell to me, but could fix me up with the Tamron and make a commision that day. Don't mean to be suspicious but you never know at certain stores with some sales associates.

Randy

[Mig]

Hi
I have the Tamron 18-200. It's a good all-around lens when I'm not carrying anything else besides the Body D200 (mostly) or D2H. And with the new airport restrictions..... more useed.

The inital models on the market had some reported problems due noise when extended or even fall in two half's (Yeack!) , there were even some "thoughts" regarding the ones made in Japan being better than the ones in Thailand... people allways look for some pattern to be on the safe side.
Now, the multiple sites witch test it give the 18-200 VR the great value. ;D
The VR has a major impact, I own two lens with VR and I'm getting spoiled. It's a major feature for lens that are not Premium so to speak (f2.8 or f:2 on all lenghts for instance). And it does work!
Regarding dust, it is a good lens (even the mount is ruberized so...).
Besides the D200 gets more dust then the D2H... different sensors, different electrical charges... again looking for a pattern... oh well.

If youcan wait ($$$) ;D go for it.. if not, the Tamron is good enough but do test different examples.. some of them have out-of focus on the left side.... borders are allwyas hard on this type of lens.. still, you wanna that both sides match the "blur".

Apologies for my english as well.

cheers

Mig

[rpnix]

I'm shooting the Nikkor 18-200 VR, and have been very happy with it, other than an occational "frame jump" through the view finder. The image will actually jump a bit as the lens settles in. If you have good light and you're not shooting long or moving around, turning it off removes this issue, and it does come in handy for what it's designed for. Except for using my LensBaby, I haven't used any other lens yet, and have shot about 5000 frames since the start of August.

[big3ben]

I just received the camera & lens three days ago.
Have not been able to learn the camera as yet.
Must admit I am a little overwhelmed. This is my first Dslr.
I bought my first SLR in 1961.

Can’t say I have finished getting my first impressions settled. Could not focus on anything the first 6 hours. Frustrating and scary. Afterward everything started to settle down and work fine.

Of course lowlight is problematic, but even in lowlight I finally managed to get very decent test shots.

So far I am impressed, but I do not have any previous experience with any other Dslr or lenses.

Ben

[phiggys]

I own two of these lenses now and shot my friends wedding recently using them on a Fuji S2pro & S3pro bodies.
I always used a pair of 24mm-120 VR lenses before but was really impressed with the first 18mm-200mm VR I went and purchased a second one.

[wrtallman]

This lens has very rarely leaves my D100 since I quarter turned it on in February of this year. Which is also about the same time that I did not have to tote my tripod with me when taking flower pictures.
I was "..told." (on a different Nikon camera group) that any lens with this type of range it "..couldn't be any good at any of the ranges!" Hmmm, I have shot with it in any number of moving, low light conditions. You are welcome to see some of the pictures that I have taken with it at: www.artwanted.com/wrtallman or if you would like exif information click here: www.pbase.com/wrtallman
I encourage any and all comments. Thank You in advance

[mark1smiles]

If the question is still open, I consider the 18-200mm VR lens to be a super product. The only drawbacks are price and delivery! It is the best "all purpose" walk around lens in my kit, and if I'm limited to just one lens for a trip, that is the one attached to the camera body.

[Floyd Holsinger]

I've been using the 18-200vr for a while and I like it. I was using the 24-120vr before that and I always thought the 24-120vr was on the soft side compared to the 28-105 that it replaced. The 18-200 brought back the sharpness and contrast that was lost in the 24-120 but it still is no match to a prime lens and my 80-200 f2.8 will still beat it in sharpness and contrast. the 80-200 just doesn't have the zoom range on the wide side so I find the 18-200 more often on my D2X. The updated VRII software is 100% better than the 24-120 and it seems to focus faster. The extra wide end to 18mm to me is a godsend. I use to have to change to another lens to get the extra coverage for groups or tight spaces. With this lens I'm now selling 2 lenses my 24-120vr and 18-35 zooms. (any buyers?)