Nikkor 18-200MM Telephoto

[Klptix17]

Hey guys does anyone have this lense for their Nikon and have any thoughts on it?

I'm trying to do my research on what telephoto lense I should buy.

 

[sabbath999]

I suggest doing a search on the forum... there have been lots of topics on this particular lens.

 

[Antithesis]

There are literally thousands of reviews around the internet. Here's a synopsis: Enormous focal length and Vibration reduction are highly convienient, and this particular lens is relatively good considering it's large focal range. However, it won't ever be quite as sharp as a prime lens and many zoom lenses. It also has a relatively slow max aperature, and while it's handholdable in pretty low light, it won't be very good at capturing subjects in motion. Distortion will also be very bad at the extremes of the focal range, you will have barrel distortion on the wide end, like this: ( ), and pincushion at the tele end, like this: ) (. Hope that helps.

 

[Garbz]

There are literally thousands of reviews around the internet.

There are literally thousands of reviews on this very forum!

 

[EricBrian]

There are literally thousands of reviews around the internet. Here's a synopsis: Enormous focal length and Vibration reduction are highly convienient, and this particular lens is relatively good considering it's large focal range. However, it won't ever be quite as sharp as a prime lens and many zoom lenses. It also has a relatively slow max aperature, and while it's handholdable in pretty low light, it won't be very good at capturing subjects in motion. Distortion will also be very bad at the extremes of the focal range, you will have barrel distortion on the wide end, like this: ( ), and pincushion at the tele end, like this: ) (. Hope that helps.

I have that lens and I agree with Antithesis.

 

[Rhubarb]

I have that lens and I agree with Antithesis.

+1

 

[Ben-71]

I have the 18-200 and some others. It was the first for the D300, and is the most used.
It is not at the level of the Pro 70-200 for instance, but it is the one that's constantly on the camera. The 18-200 is good enough, light enough, and has the wide range to capture the moment that would have slipped away if I stopped to change lenses.

 

[jlykins]

I have it on my D70 most all of the time. It's a great walk around lens (meaning just this lens and the camera is all you'll need) for just about every situation I am in.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

If you don't care about quality and need to go from 18mm to 200mm in a split second, then get it. It's convenient, and if you're in an area with adverse conditions, you won't have to change lenses.

However, if you go for a lens with a smaller range, you'll get higher quality images because there will be fewer compromises. For the amount of money the 18-200 is, I think the 16-85 is better, and if you're not afraid to buy used, you can get a 17-55 f/2.8 for a smidgen more. I used to own the 17-55 f/2.8 and it will knock the socks off the 18-200. Sharpness is about on par with the 16-85, but 17mm at f/2.8 is just as sharp as f/8, it's insane.

 

[usayit]

JIP and Socrates must be offline.. hehehe lol

 

[RyanLilly]

JIP and Socrates must be offline.. hehehe lol

You beat me to the punch! Ha :lmao:

 

[JIP]

I think I will stay out of this one.

 

[usayit]

I guess the "crusade" is over...

 

[JIP]

No but my opinion has been covered so no need to repeat and antagonize people.

 

[Garbz]

New experience. I got my hands on one of these lenses that suffers the creeping problem. I thought it was a nuisance before. I won't ever recommend this lens again. The problem if it exists in your particular lens makes the lens almost unusable if it's not horizontal.

Especially if you're pointing up or down zooming the lens becomes the kind of a chore that makes you stop and ask do you really need to take this photo.