Nikon 18-200/f3.5-5.6 G DX IF-ED

unknowndomain · 27 Jul 2006 at 14:30

Has any one got any comments on the Nikon 18-200/f3.5-5.6 G DX IF-ED I have been looking at getting a new lens to replace my Sigma 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 Macro (Not the DG one, the one before DG). My current lens is good however I find that at full extension unless in good light camera shake is bad so I was hoping that the VR on this might improve things, also the lens tends to be quite slow at focusing and makes a dreaful noise, so I think the Silent wave motor should improve this too, however the lens aperture's arent much of an improvement and I would be loosing 100mm. An opinons or what ever would be appreciated.

King_Boru · 27 Jul 2006 at 14:39

good look trying to get hold that 24 - 200 vr lens. your going to be waiting about 3 -4 months before delivery. I have been trying to get hold of one myself.

your best bet would be to look at the sigma 70 - 200 f2.8. nice lens apparently but without and image stablization.

Good luck.

King.

unknowndomain · 27 Jul 2006 at 15:21

So as its in short supply that means its popular (or the factory blew up?) But this doesnt answer my question as to weather its a good lens, suitable as an alternative upgrade to my existing, also after reading further into it the retailers mention that it acts like a 28-300 on Nikon DSLR's due to the sensor size. If true it sounds even better!

Thanks

bigredshark · 27 Jul 2006 at 15:48

the 18-200 is an OK consumer lens, the only issues it has are distortion (par for the course in such a large zoom range),a bit of creep and slightly dubious build quality (not as good as the 18-70 kit lens as an indication.)

the 24-120 unfortunately isn't wonderful quality either, and it has the added problem that it isn't pin sharp and it's pretty slow compared to the 18-70.

bottom line is if you can live with the 18-200 build quality go for it, it's a good lens for the money and is pretty sharp.

really nikon don't have a mid range zoom with VR thats any good unfortunately, i wish they'd put VR in a 24-85 f2.8 or something....

EDIT: I assume you're using digital as this lens isn't for film (dx size sensors only). And yes, it's hard to get hold of because if you have a d50 or d70 it's a great travel lens or walkabout. (on a D200 it feels cheap)