|
|
Online Store - Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
|
List Price: $749.99
Our Price: $618.88
Your Save: $ 131.11 ( 17% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Nikon
|
Average Customer Rating:  
|
|
Batteries Included: 0
Binding: Electronics
Brand: Nikon
EAN: 0182080215984
Feature: High-ratio, 11x zoom lens and 18-200mm focal range
Is Autographed: 0
Is Fragile: 0
Is Memorabilia: 0
Label: Nikon
Manufacturer: Nikon
Maximum Focal Length: 200
Minimum Focal Length: 18
Model: 2159
Optical Zoom: 11.1
Publisher: Nikon
Studio: Nikon
Warranty: 1 Year Warranty + 4 Years Extended Service Coverage - 5 Years of Protection Included directly from Nikon USA
|
|
|
Features
|
High-ratio, 11x zoom lens and 18-200mm focal range
VR II Vibration Reduction technology provides a four-steps-faster shutter speed
Lens incorporates two ED glass and three aspheric lens elements
Delivers high-resolution and contrast, outstanding image quality, and fantastic photographic versatility
AF-S Silent Wave Motor provides fast quiet autofocusing, and M/A mode makes it easy to switch from auto to manual focus
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Editorial Reviews:
|
Nikon's 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor is a high-ratio 11x zoom lens with Nikon's exclusive VR II Vibration Reduction technology. Nikon's VR II provides the equivalent of a shutter speed 4 steps faster than would otherwise be possible, enabling substantially sharper pictures in challenging conditions. The Nikkor 18-200mm lens incorporates two ED glass and three aspheric lens elements to provide optimal color, contrast and clarity while minimizing chromatic aberrations and other distortion, resulting in outstanding image quality and versatility. In addition, Nikon's compact AF-S Silent Wave Motor provides fast and quiet autofocusing while the M/A mode allows for simultaneous switching between Autofocus and manual focus operation.
|
|
|
Spotlight customer reviews:
|
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Hit or Miss but worth it.
Comment: I'm not going to go on about this lens and rehash the same info good or bad, like hundreds of reviewers before me. Instead, I will simply share my personal experiences with this lens.
I got this lens to use with my D100 1. Because all my other lenses were for film format and 2. I got tired of carrying and switching 4 different lenses. All in all, this was a great lens for me. It is an all in one lens that basically allowed me to take "pretty good" pictures in most situations without having to do a damn thing. All for under $700.
This lens became my main lens for 90% of my photography. What do I take pictures of primarily? My family and friends, my house projects, vacations and occasionally for work documentation.
The other 10% I use my other prime lenses for side jobs (weddings, restaurants) Yet I still used the 18-200 as well.
Unfortunately, my lens completely stopped working after about a year and a half. (no AF or VR) and I never registered after purchase to take advantage of Nikons free extended 5 year warranty nor did I still have the receipts or paperwork. Bummed, I continued to use my other lenses in the meantime. Didn't realize how much I relied on that lens until it was gone and I couldn't go back to relying on manual focus with my eye. It was going to cost more than a couple of hundred bucks to fix. I decided to buy a new lens anyway and sell the old as is. I bought the same lens and immediately noticed a difference! It didn't seem as sharp as the first. It seemed as if the AF was always a little "soft" even at high shutter speeds. My other lenses were tack sharp, so I knew it wasn't the camera. I immediately exchanged the lens for another. This third and final lens seems to focus just fine but now I have doubts about the VR. When the VR is turned on normal it sounds different than previous same lenses. I also seem to have a less success rate on controlling camera shake blur than before. It may just be me getting old but keep in mind after more than a years worth of constantly using that lens I got used to its every nuance. Something is not the same. I believe it has to do with different "batches" of manufacture. I miss that first lens before it quit. I'm thinking maybe I should have paid to fix it and kept it. This is the only Nikon lens I have ever had problems with and also the only lens I own not made in Japan. (That's a whole other discussion)
Basically, I think it is a hit or miss with this lens. But for what it is, it's a great all around lens. Well worth the $. Just be sure to register for Nikon's free 5 year extended warranty in case you have issues like me!
I recently got a D700 and am in the process of seeing how it performs with this lens. We shall see.
Customer Rating:
Summary: review if partnered with d40
Comment: it`s pretty closed to 5 stars but not perfect because it is too heavy for d40, probably perfect for other bigger nikkons which i dont have. makes it a good everday lens...very flexible but again...heavy for my d40 and seems a poor balance.. pictures come out great!!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Soft and slow
Comment: Not sure what most reviewers are craving about. I must have gotten a bad copy that came with d300. Yes, it is versatile, but that's about where it ends.
My major gripes with the lens are: (1) The lens is extremely slow. Don't even think about using it in low light without a tripod. (2) The focus is soft no matter what I tried. (3) At its widest settings there is bucketload of corner vignetting and barrel distortion. Be prepared to heavily post process each and every time you do wide angles (shoot in tif or raw to preserve detail).
Verdict: if you are serious about photogrpahy, you'd be better off buying specialized lenses in lieu of this underperforming generalist.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The best general purpose non-professional Nikon zoom lens you can buy.
Comment: This is great general purpose lens, just make sure that you understand its limitations.
This is not a professional lens. The speed of the lens (max aperture) is far too slow for low-light use, and--depending on the focal length--is too slow even in normal light at certain shutter speeds. The build is consumer grade, and the barrel/pincushion distortion is noticeable and occasionally difficult to correct in post-processing. The benefit from VR is negligible in my opinion, especially given the slow (max aperture) speeds.
All of that being said, this is still a great lens for most shooters and most situations. I included the aforementioned critique since I have heard many people discuss (and inquire about) using this lens in a semi-pro or pro capacity and I don't think that it will make the grade in that respect.
Here is why I would recommend this lens to any amateur/casual Nikon DSLR user:
Focal length range: let's face it--awesome. In fact this is probably why you are considering this lens. 18-200mm covers 95% of what you need for any normal shooting encounter, at least in terms of focal lengths. The only things you will miss are very wide angle and very long telephoto. With cropping taken into account, this loss of coverage will be negligible and barely noticeable. But yeah, this focal length coverage is awesome. This is essentially the only lens you need to take with you on any trip. No wasting time changing lenses and risking dust on your sensor; no extra baggage/equipment. Seriously, this focal length range is amazingly convenient in all ways.
Weight/size: also very convenient. Very light and small, more so than I expected from pictures before getting the lens in person.
Zoom ring: I like it a lot. I can't understand the complaints about being stiff. First of all, it is not remarkably or annoyingly stiff by any means. More importantly, it is just tight enough to eliminate all lens creep. I have experienced lens creep on most all other Nikon zooms, from $100 kit lenses to $1500 professional zooms. I really like the way this lens stay where I set it.
Sharpness: surprisingly sharp! I have found this lens to be noticeably sharper than the Nikon 18-55mm, 18-70mm, 18-105mm and 18-135mm consumer zoom offerings. Remarkably sharper.
Low-light ability: none. Sorry, but it doesn't have it, despite what others are saying. The VR does not save this slow lens from being a slow lens. VR does not give you an extra stop; do not buy the marketing hype. Do not listen to Ken Rockwell (in this instance anyway), VR will not eliminate the need for a tripod in situations here one is required. This is a slow lens unsuitable for low-light use. In normal lighting conditions this lens is outstanding, however, and again superior to the aforementioned Nikon consumer zoom offerings.
Cost: I think it is finally getting to a reasonable price. The initial price of $800-$900 that this lens commanded was too high. The price has become more reasonable over time, especially on the used market.
In summation, I would recommend this lens to anyone that was not planning on selling the output for money. Simple as that. If you are not planning on exchanging the pictures taken with this lens for money, you will love this lens. In my humble opinion this is the most effective way to judge if this lens is right for you.
Customer Rating:
Summary: All Rounder Lens
Comment: They say, you get what you pay for. This lens may be on the high end side when it comes to the price but it gives result which makes your investment worth every penny. I am not here to review all the technical details but I did a lot of research on web before I went for this one and I didn't make a bad choice. Right out of the box I shot a wedding and the results came out stunning with great details and colors (wedding in Asian countries have bright color dresses). Auto focus is fast even in low light, almost quiet focusing, great Zoom and VR works the way it is supposed to. There are tons of websites with all sorts of reviews to confuse you over the technical details and prove that it is not worth it but remember that this lens is a Jack of All Trades so don't analyze it only for a specific purpose and should consider other specific lenses for that. It is not as heavy as it looks so holding the camera with this lens for longer duration is not an issue. I have read of lens creep issue with this lens but I have yet to witness it. The lens is one stop brighter than the competition (which offers a choice on similar specs but a lot cheaper in price) and one stop may not sound a whole lot but it does make a huge difference for indoor low light situations. This lens offers you the convenience of photographing the right moment at the right time and not to waste it in changing lenses. Go for it !!!!.
Amazon dropped the price right after I bought so I am not happy over that as Amazon should guarantee price for some duration to increase consumer confidence or match it with a refund if the price drops within that duration. I think like other good stores do, it would be fair with the customers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
