Nikon 18 - 200 VR any good?

[JL1500k]

Personally, I like the lens very much (especially with D80).

Some sample pictures taken using D80 + 18-200mm VR handheld at ISO settings of 640 & above. Some curve adjustment done in photoshop.

More pictures here at ISO 200 = http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=221638

wow itzit better than AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED

 

[lsisaxon]

wow itzit better than AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED

My opinion is yes even though I have not done a side-by-side.

 

[Ansel]

My opinion is yes even though I have not done a side-by-side.

Why don't we do it? Anyone got the 18-135?

But judging from Phil Askey's review of the D80, the pix coming from the 18-135 looks pretty impressive. I will not be surprised if the sharpness surpasses the 18-200. Go check the D80 gallery under the review. Download the full size image of the choir and take a look yourself.

 

[nicekit]

Why don't we do it? Anyone got the 18-135?

But judging from Phil Askey's review of the D80, the pix coming from the 18-135 looks pretty impressive. I will not be surprised if the sharpness surpasses the 18-200. Go check the D80 gallery under the review. Download the full size image of the choir and take a look yourself.

u mean the kit lens from D80?
if yes.. i do

then i can check out the 18-200 VR also
been thinking real hard
whether to buy it or not.. since there alot of ppl saying the sharpness is not there
but just for the all in one purpose...

i simply cant afford to buy a 2.6K lens just for .. mid-range zoom
then another 2.4K lens for telephoto zoom

that's abit too much LOL

 

[looka]

Found this site from another forum. 18-200VR is a great Lens once you know how to use it right. http://www.j-roumagnac.net/index.php?x=browse He did some PP but did not addin or remod them (photo).

 

[yowch]

I am a poor and cheap photographer, no 17-55 f2.8, but I will only use my 18-200 VR for non-photographic tour or genreal home shots, I prefer the 18-70 kit lens for most other works considering sharpness, chromatic aberation and distortion of the verticals and horizontal.

To me the 18-200 is good for the compactness, VR (when you really need it, like shooting on a rocking boat where even tripod is quite useless) and the range.

 

[lsisaxon]

I am a poor and cheap photographer, no 17-55 f2.8, but I will only use my 18-200 VR for non-photographic tour or genreal home shots, I prefer the 18-70 kit lens for most other works considering sharpness, chromatic aberation and distortion of the verticals and horizontal.

To me the 18-200 is good for the compactness, VR (when you really need it, like shooting on a rocking boat where even tripod is quite useless) and the range.

I am surprised because I found the 18-200 sharper than the 18-70 in all aspects.

 

[jenpet]

I have considered selling the lens but with an indoor shot as follows, it's worth keeping (best walkabout lens).

From my scrutinizing tests, it's a tad sharper than the 18-70mm (tough at 18mm it's quite similar). And unlike matching quality and sharpness with 17-55mm 2.8, 17-35mm 2.8, 28-70mm 2.8 to the prime lens, the 18-200mm VR is unable to deliver.

(18mm, no flash, handheld, F/3.5, 1/30sec, ISO100, AP mode, EC 0, VR active).

 

[viclam]

Why don't we do it? Anyone got the 18-135?

But judging from Phil Askey's review of the D80, the pix coming from the 18-135 looks pretty impressive. I will not be surprised if the sharpness surpasses the 18-200. Go check the D80 gallery under the review. Download the full size image of the choir and take a look yourself.

I agree...It would be nice if someone is able to do a test on both lenses.

I'm in the mist of deciding whether to get the D80 kit or a D80 + 18-200VR. The price difference is pretty significant. Just not sure if the 18-200VR is worth the extra.

Anyone able to advice?

 

[lsisaxon]

I agree...It would be nice if someone is able to do a test on both lenses.

I'm in the mist of deciding whether to get the D80 kit or a D80 + 18-200VR. The price difference is pretty significant. Just not sure if the 18-200VR is worth the extra.

Anyone able to advice?

The VR is already worth the extra.

 

[jenpet]

I agree...It would be nice if someone is able to do a test on both lenses.

I'm in the mist of deciding whether to get the D80 kit or a D80 + 18-200VR. The price difference is pretty significant. Just not sure if the 18-200VR is worth the extra.

Anyone able to advice?

This link may shed some light, http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18-135.htm

In my opinion, at 135mm low light without VR is as good as not having. Save a bit for the 18-200 combo.

 

[Goondoo]

I have considered selling the lens but with an indoor shot as follows, it's worth keeping (best walkabout lens).

From my scrutinizing tests, it's a tad sharper than the 18-70mm (tough at 18mm it's quite similar). And unlike matching quality and sharpness with 17-55mm 2.8, 17-35mm 2.8, 28-70mm 2.8 to the prime lens, the 18-200mm VR is unable to deliver.

(18mm, no flash, handheld, F/3.5, 1/30sec, ISO100, AP mode, EC 0, VR active).

Maybe even sharper after post processing

(PS: edited just for fun ), hope you dun mind)

 

[swimcraze]

Hi, not sure if this has been discussed before.

is 18 - 200 VR any good?

the answer is YES :angel:

 

[extreme2]

the answer is YES :angel:

I replaced my 18-35mm, 28-70mm f2.8 and 80-200mm f2.8 with this lens. One lens cover all range. With it compact size and weight, it's a joy carrying around.

 

[swimcraze]

I replaced my 18-35mm, 28-70mm f2.8 and 80-200mm f2.8 with this lens. One lens cover all range. With it compact size and weight, it's a joy carrying around.

i replaced by 18-70mm and 80-200mm f.2.8 with this lens too :angel:

 

[AxeLa]

I replaced my 18-35mm, 28-70mm f2.8 and 80-200mm f2.8 with this lens. One lens cover all range. With it compact size and weight, it's a joy carrying around.

To me quite heavy...:bsmilie:

 

[viclam]

Just found some links on the 18-135 lens.

http://www.popphoto.com/cameralenses/3304/lens-test-nikon-18-135mm-f35-56g-dx-af-s.html

http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/993/cat/13

and 18-200VR,

http://www.popphoto.com/cameralenses/2763/lens-test-nikon-18-200mm-f35-56g-dx-vr-af-s.html

http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/250/cat/13

 

[Ramius]

i replaced by 18-70mm and 80-200mm f.2.8 with this lens too :angel:

Oooh... I'm going the other way.. Got a 18-200 , now looking for a 80-200...
I find myself stopping down to F8 and lower most of the time...

 

[Caussway]

I sold my KM 7D systems recently and picked up D80 and 18-200mm. I bought the 18-200mm first, even before D80 was available in M'sia, only 1 shop had stock of 1 set. Tested both D80 and D200 in Japan on the day of launch in Yodobashi and decided to pick D80 for the price diff.

I used 7D with km 17-35mm most of the time and I loved the output right out of the camera. The Image is sharp, has lovely color and contrasty. However the AF hunts in low light / indoor , was annoyed with many missed AF shots.

Last week was in Paris with D80 + 18-200mm for 10days. What a nice / convenient combo to use. The light weight saved me from neck pain. The AF is fast and spot on almost always. Really a all-in-one lens for casual shooter like me. 28mm wide angle , 300mm tele and close focusing for macro. VR performance is excellent, I went down to 1s and still able to get acceptable pictures. I never bring a tripod.

Its not fair to compare a 11x to a 2x zoom lens, but I still miss the crispier looking picture of KM 17-35mm. However 18-200 will always be my general purpose , travel lens. Really worth every cent spent on it. For me the benefits far outweight the a little trade in Image quality especially when travelling. And I hate changing lens when I need a reach.
Not comparing different brands here, just sharing my personal experience with both lenses.

Has anyone tried the Nikon version of tamron 17-35mm, how is the performance of tamron 17-50mm F2.8 or any Sigma equivalent with SSM ?

 

[ryuggen]

Any owner of 18-200vr managed to find out the sharpest aperture of this lens? Or at what aperture do you guys normally shoot at to give a sharp good image.