This lens is Nikon's latest offering in the superzoom category where one lens tries to do the job of many. With an 11.1x zoom ration is certainly packs a lot into a small body.
Features and handling.
The newer version of Vibration Reduction (VR)VRII - is fitted to this lens and has clamed to have a four stop advantage when handholding. We found no reason to dispute this claim, managing to shoot sharp images at 1/20sec at the 200mm end of the range, very impressive indeed. The optic is lightweight for its capabilities but manages to retain a solid and durable feel. As with the vast majority of Nikkors, all the controls feel smooth and well weighted.
Performance
Optics with this sort of zoom range are a compromise and this is no different, with the need to close it down a stop or so to get the best results. Performance as the wide end is slightly better that at the longer focal lengths. What is pleasing about the lens is Contrast, witch is good to excellent thought-out the range. Another area that has been well controlled is that of Chromatic aberration, which, although it does exist, has been evened out well enough for it not so show any great extent at any point.
For an all round lens with the ability to cover most subjects without the need to lug a tripod around, this optic fares well.
Why should you care what I think?
My relationship with this item: I have borrowed a friends Where did you buy this item?: N/A When did you buy this item?: N/A
Conclusions at a glance
Would you recommend this Item: Yes Pros: lengh of zoom, VR II Cons: none realy for this price and coverage.
User Lens Reviews
Average user rating from: 326 user(s)
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
4.3
Build Quality
4.3
AF Speed
4.3
Value for Money
4.3
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
The perfect Zoom Lens, Friday, 03 July 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
It is a perfect lens and a perfect buy! It is an excellent solution for travelers that are looking for supper flexible lens that can cover the need for a strong zoom and wide angle. The stabilizer is very good and the lens is fast enough. The only disadvantage is that the zoom pops out when hiking or running for a long time and when the lens faces down.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
What a great lens!, Monday, 29 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
This lens is amazing! An all time lens to capture the most important memories of your life. The VR function works great and I was able to take nice pictures using 1/30 sec without tripod. Worth every penny.
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Handle with care, not a miracle worker, Monday, 29 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
2.8
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
3.0
AF Speed
2.0
Value for Money
3.0
I had this lens a year. I've owned many Nikon lens over the last 20 years as a pro. I bought this thinking I might be able to hand hold at lower shutter speeds, which wasn't the case, so I was disappointed. When I dropped this on a carpeted floor it completely came apart, and Nikon refused to warranty it. Therefore,buyer beware, its not a sturdy lens, and the VR capability isn't a life changer! Otherwise its nice to have a lens with such flexibility, but I'm not replacing it....
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Fragile & Distorted, Monday, 29 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
1.3
Sharpness
1.0
Build Quality
1.0
AF Speed
2.0
Value for Money
1.0
I was starting to get really tired of trying to get the distortion out of every one my better shots using PS or CNX2. Zoom in - Zoom out - didn't matter, distortion was there.
The problem is solved! The lens practically self destructed yesterday.
The lens was in my padded camera bag which I put down on a living room recliner. The balance must have been off or something because the bag rolled over and fell about a foot and a half to the carpeted floor. It fell softly, I barely heard it.
Opened up the bag, the lens was cosmetically perfect. Tried to zoom it, totally jammed. Tried to focus it, dial moves but lens doesn't move.
Yes, it was my fault, but when you design a lens out of plastic parts with a goofy two stage zoom, you have to expect problems. I'll send it in to Nikon, but I'm not optimistic. I searched around to find some repair costs, and one guy had the plastic mount replaced at the back of his lens, a 3 screw job, and it cost $136.00. I always heard good things about Nikon service, but I found a lot of horror stories. Perhaps the sales of entry level plastic lenses and dSLR's is straining the system?
I bought 2 pro level metal Nikon lenses today, of course they cost more than a D300 and a D700 combined, but hopefully these are the REAL Nikon product and will last for my lifetime.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
simply the perfect lens, Saturday, 27 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
this is perfect all in one lens. compact and sharp! love this lense. I only use this and my 35mm prime. the perfect combo for me. it is expensive, but considering it could be your "only" lens it's well worth it!
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Nikon 18-200mm VR Zoom Lens, Friday, 26 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Product is the best match for your Nikon SLR. I have used other popular after market lens brands but always come back to the O.E.M. branded lenses.The quality is such that your pictures will pop off the prints or your computer screen. Color shift is minimal and the 200mm focal length will let more light in. Buying on Amazon was the best choice since there was an increase in pricing of Nikon products in the U.S.
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Good Lens But Droops Carrying Around, Friday, 19 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
3.5
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
3.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
3.0
I've been very satisfied with the images from this lens. I bought one of earlier units when my D90 was introduced.
My biggest complaint is that the barrel gradually droops down when walking around. So for a walking around lens, you have to hold it horizontal all the time, otherwise the lens extends and you have the long barrel hanging at your side.
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I use this lens 95% of the time, Tuesday, 09 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
This is a great lens. I use it almost all the time on my D90. The range is remarkable (equivalent to a 27 to 300mm) and the VR (vibration reduction) works really well.
The only other lenses I use are the Tokina 11-16 2.8 (for really wide stuff) or the new Nikon 35 1.8 (a great prime and perfect for low light environments).
Highly recommended. As always, check out Ken Rockwell's full review.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Superb Lens, Monday, 08 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
If could have only one lens for my Nikon DSLR this lens would be the one. I have read all the negatives (I always read the reviews from least to best) and must state that none apply to my lens. I have used the lens for several months now and am totally satisfied. The lens does not have any zoon creep but stays where I set it. I have checked my photos and find them to be sharp from center to edge. Now granted, I don't shoot a lot of test patterns but for everyday use, the 18-200mm Nikkor is a fabulous "does nearly everything" lens for my D90.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
18-200 F3.5-5.6 Aaaahh Take it or leave it compar, Sunday, 07 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
I purchased this lens new back in early spring 2007 and used it on my Finepix S2 Pro (where it is still used today), and have used it on my D300 which I purchased in February '08. I bought this lens to replace my 28-200 G series lens as I wanted more on the wider end. However, I now rarely use the 18-200 on the S2 Pro as I'd rather use the SHARPER 28-200 F3.5-5.6 zoom even if it doesn't have VR. Whenever I need a Bit more pull on my D300 that the Nikon 17-55 F2.8 can't give me, I reach for the cheaper, sharper 28-200. Now, that's not to say the 18-200 is not a very good lens. It is for it's intended purpose as a general purpose walk-about lens. I have shot over 100,000 images, more actually, with it and I sell many, many of those images. However, I am careful as this lens does exhibit a bit of Barrel Distortion which is correctible in the (dreaded) Photoshp. That, fixing lens distortion, and dust spotting are the only reasons I have and use PS. This lens does take a whipping. Like I said I used it from March of 07 through February 08 on my S2 and from February '08 to February 09 on my D300 ( I now use my 17-55 F2.8, and the S2 with the 18-200 is my backup) in ALL kinds of weather ranging from drenching downpours in a South Carolina swamp, Gale force wind driven sand on the Outer banks, to 30 degrees below zero windchill with flying, semi-frozen salt spray on the Maine Coast as well as over one-hundred degree temperatures in the Southwest deserts and it never balked, bound, squeaked, rattled. Nothing. (BTW: None of these are recommended operating conditions per Nikon) It still works, and looks perfect! I know you are not supposed to get it wet but believe me, this thing has had rain, sweat, salt water, fresh water spilled, dropped, and pretty much soaked in rain and even though I worry it will fail, it still functions perfectly. If I were going out to shoot for a day and was not taking a camera bag or anything else other than a filter and memory cards, I would probably choose this lens for its wide to tele option. In closing I just don't like the fact it's not very sharp unless you stop t down to F5.6 or beyond. The other thing is the silly 72mm thread for filters, same as it's 28-200G lens. So both of these lenses got the 72mm to 77mm step up rings as soon as they came out of the box so i only carry one size of filters with me.
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Bad Distortion, but it takes a lickin' and keeps o, Sunday, 07 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.0
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
3.0
I purchased this lens new back in early spring 2007 and used it on my Finepix S2 Pro (where it is still used today), and have used it on my D300 which I purchased in February '08. I bought this lens to replace my 28-200 G series lens as I wanted more on the wider end. However, I now rarely use the 18-200 on the S2 Pro as I'd rather use the SHARPER 28-200 F3.5-5.6 zoom even if it doesn't have VR. Whenever I need a bit more pull on my D300 that the Nikon 17-55 F2.8 can't give me, I reach for the cheaper, sharper 28-200. Now, that's not to say the 18-200 is not a very good lens. It is for it's intended purpose as a general purpose walk-about lens. I have a dedicated Macro lens so I don't use this lens for macro work. I have shot over 100,000 images, more actually, with it and I sell many, many of those images. However, I am careful as this lens does exhibit a bit of barrel distortion which is correctible in the (dreaded) Photoshp. That, fixing lens distortion, and dust spotting are the only reasons I have and use PS. This lens does take a whipping. Like I said I used it from March of 07 through February 08 on my S2 and from February '08 to February 09 on my D300 ( I now use my 17-55 F2.8, and the S2 with the 18-200 is my backup) in ALL kinds of weather ranging from drenching downpours in a South Carolina swamp, Gale force wind driven sand on the Outer banks; thirty degrees below zero windchill with flying, semi-frozen salt spray on the Maine Coast; over one-hundred degree, egg-boiling temperatures in the Southwest deserts and it never balked, bound, squeaked, rattled. Nothing. (BTW: None of these are recommended operating conditions per Nikon) It still works, and looks perfect! I know you are not supposed to get it wet but believe me, but this is a "tool"and I use it as such. This thing has had rain, sweat (lots), salt water, fresh water spilled, dropped, and pretty much soaked in rain, snow, ice, and hail and even though I worry it will fail (after having the Nikon Warnings flash through my mind) after each of those torture tests, it still functions perfectly. If I were going out to shoot for a day and was not taking a camera bag or anything else other than a filter and memory cards, I would probably choose this lens for its wide to tele option. In closing I just don't like the fact it's not very sharp unless you stop t down to F5.6 or beyond. The other thing I dislike is the silly 72mm thread for filters, same as it's 28-200G lens. So both of these lenses got the 72mm to 77mm step up rings as soon as they came out of the box so i only carry one size of filters with me.
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Bad Distortion, but it takes a lickin' and keeps o, Sunday, 07 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.0
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
3.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
[...] I purchased this lens new back in early spring 2007 and used it on my Finepix S2 Pro (where it is still used today), and have used it on my D300 which I purchased in February '08. I bought this lens to replace my 28-200 G series lens as I wanted more on the wider end. However, I now rarely use the 18-200 on the S2 Pro as I'd rather use the SHARPER 28-200 F3.5-5.6 zoom even if it doesn't have VR. Whenever I need a bit more pull on my D300 that the Nikon 17-55 F2.8 can't give me, I reach for the cheaper, sharper 28-200. Now, that's not to say the 18-200 is not a very good lens. It is for it's intended purpose as a general purpose walk-about lens. I have shot over 100,000 images, more actually, with it and I sell many, many of those images. However, I am careful as this lens does exhibit a bit of barrel distortion which is correctible in the (dreaded) Photoshp. That, fixing lens distortion, and dust spotting are the only reasons I have and use PS. This lens does take a whipping. Like I said I used it from March of 07 through February 08 on my S2 and from February '08 to February 09 on my D300 ( I now use my 17-55 F2.8, and the S2 with the 18-200 is my backup) in ALL kinds of weather ranging from drenching downpours in a South Carolina swamp, Gale force wind driven sand on the Outer banks, to 30 degrees below zero windchill with flying, semi-frozen salt spray on the Maine Coast as well as over one-hundred degree temperatures in the Southwest deserts and it never balked, bound, squeaked, rattled. Nothing. (BTW: None of these are recommended operating conditions per Nikon) It still works, and looks perfect! I know you are not supposed to get it wet but believe me, this thing has had rain, sweat, salt water, fresh water spilled, dropped, and pretty much soaked in rain and even though I worry it will fail, it still functions perfectly. If I were going out to shoot for a day and was not taking a camera bag or anything else other than a filter and memory cards, I would probably choose this lens for its wide to tele option. In closing I just don't like the fact it's not very sharp unless you stop t down to F5.6 or beyond. The other thing is the silly 72mm thread for filters, same as it's 28-200G lens. So both of these lenses got the 72mm to 77mm step up rings as soon as they came out of the box so i only carry one size of filters with me.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Excellent all around lens, Friday, 29 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I switched from the 18-55mm VR 3.5-5.6 lens for use on a Nikon D40 to this one since I was frequently missing on zoom shots or constantly having to fumble around changing lenses. I enjoy shooting both close up wide angle shots as well as birding so I frequently need the full range of focal lengths. I can't believe what a difference it makes and after a recent trip to Iceland I'm glad I had the extra length.
Yes, there are some drawbacks to what I was using before. It is substantially larger and heavier which offsets the advantages of the lightweight D40. It also is a little softer but after printing the photos out I don't notice any difference. Finally, it seems to have a longer focus distance so it is more difficult to get closeups.
However, the advantages far outweigh these issues in my book and I highly recommend it to anybody who needs a versatile camera and dislikes having to swap or carry around a large number of lenses.
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Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-L, Monday, 18 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
I have owned Nikon cameras and lenses since 1978. When I purchased my Nikon D200 I found myself primarily using a Nikon 18 - 70 mm lens switching occasionally to a 70 - 300 mm lens. What I found was that this combination required frequent changes and meant I always had to carry two lenses. I was also never sure if the fully zoomed photos would be clear. With the purchase of the Nikon 18 - 200 mm VR Zoom lens I now can cover a much greater focal range with one lens and with the VR option do not need to worry about carrying a tripod. The Nikon 18 - 200 mm VR Zoom lens does it all. It may be the last lens I ever use and is now the only lens I carry. It also allows me to take great macro shots. If anyone owns a new Nikon digital camera I would recommend this lens without hesitation. I am extremely please with its performance.
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D300 lenses (18-200mm), Saturday, 16 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
This is my first DSLR, I just upgraded from Olympus C-8080. These lens on Nikon D300 are amazing. Worth the investment.
