Since your advice has helped me so much in the past...

[NikonNewbie]

I have someone who is "willing" to sell me their Nikon 55-200mm Lens for 125.00

I'm wondering if it's gonna work, my manual has a list of Len's that wont work, and I'm conflicted, I'm under the impression that if it's a NIKON lens it will fit my D40 with no problems.

What say you mighty knowing peoples?

 

[Light Artisan]

It'll work just fine.

Is it a VR version of this lens? You can get a VR version, refurb with warranty for $149.95 at Adorama. I'd pay the extra $25 if it were me I guess. If not, $125 isn't that great of a deal, Adorama has them as low as $110 for used ones.

2166B Nikon 55mm - 200mm f/4-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR (Vibration Reduction) Autofocus Zoom Lens - Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A.

 

[o hey tyler]

Yeah, it will work.

 

[NikonNewbie]

It'll work just fine.

Is it a VR version of this lens? You can get a VR version, refurb with warranty for $149.95 at Adorama. I'd pay the extra $25 if it were me I guess. If not, $125 isn't that great of a deal, Adorama has them as low as $110 for used ones.

2166B Nikon 55mm - 200mm f/4-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR (Vibration Reduction) Autofocus Zoom Lens - Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A.

No, I dont believe it is, it does say Nikon DX... this guy says he got it 2 years ago and it cost him over 200 and he's only used it a handful of times because he got a different lens shortly after, so it's barely been used.
Thats why I'm conflicted...I can probably get a new one for almost the same price, this lens is basically right next door to where I will be on Thanksgiving and I'd really like to use it this weekend.
I hate making decisions like this, because if I buy it, then I just KNOW KNOW KNOW that within 3 days Ill see the same thing for cheaper.

 

[Sonoma]

That's why I'm conflicted...I can probably get a new one for almost the same price, this lens is basically right next door to where I will be on Thanksgiving and I'd really like to use it this weekend.
I hate making decisions like this, because if I buy it, then I just KNOW KNOW KNOW that within 3 days Ill see the same thing for cheaper.

Ask if you could borrow it for the weekend. Or even offer to rent it for a small fee just to try it out and give yourself more time to look around for other options.
It's a win win situation, he may get a little extra cash for nothing and you get to use the lens for the weekend.

Hope it works out!
Gary

 

[Light Artisan]

Well, the same thing IS cheaper - just depends if you have more time or money.

Can't hurt to make an offer either, let him know the information I shared above then offer $115 or something.

I have more time than money usually, but I'm a fan of instant gratification so I'd probably just buy the convenient one.

 

[ababysean]

Do you shoot indoors?
Is it the kit lens, 55-200?
If so, I'd skip it.
I never ever use mine. Well I take that back, if I'm shooting my kids on the soccer field I might, but even then I d on like it at all.
Indoors, the lens is going to be useless unless you use your flash.

 

[ababysean]

oh and if it is 2 years old, it probably is not the VR version, which makes zooming to 200 without camera shake pretty pointless.

 

[NikonNewbie]

He def wont let me rent it...I think he wants xmas money for black friday
also, I know its not VR, I really take almost all my shots outdoors and of people (been getting into landscapes alot to, but my pics leave a lot to be desired..but i'm working on it

He originally wanted 150, and he will take 125 that was the best I could talk him down from...I'm not a very convincing person...I should get my father in law to call him because that man could talk the underware off a begger.

and both time and money are my issues...and I am a junkie for instant gratification...I have absolutely NO PATI

 

[NikonNewbie]

ENCE....


SEE~ I hit the send button b4 I even finished typing...thats how bad I am

 

[orb9220]

Yep picked up my VR version of the 55-200VR for $125. And the optics and usability goes up quite a bit with the VR version and is necessary in my opinion. And would pay up to $160 for a used in good shape. And as pointed out for a few bucks more you get A Lot more usable lens. And wouldn't touch the non-VR version myself.
.

 

[NikonNewbie]

Yep picked up my VR version of the 55-200VR for $125. And the optics and usability goes up quite a bit with the VR version and is necessary in my opinion. And would pay up to $160 for a used in good shape. And as pointed out for a few bucks more you get A Lot more usable lens. And wouldn't touch the non-VR version myself.
.

ok well now I set my husband after him, now he might take 100 if we come TODAY to get it...is it a good deal for 100?

 

[Blake.Oney]

I have the non VR version. I don't have any problems with it, but then again I'm pretty steady hand held, and whenever possible I use a shutter speed above the focal length I'm at. If you can get it cheaper it's simple to talk him down. Tell him camera stores have it cheaper and he can keep it for that price. No one else will buy it either. He will sell it to you.

Edit: take it for $100.

 

[tirediron]

..it probably is not the VR version, which makes zooming to 200 without camera shake pretty pointless.

Not at all, you just have to remember to keep your shutter-speed appropriate to the focal length (Remember, shutter speed > 1/FL)

...he might take 100 if we come TODAY to get it...is it a good deal for 100?

I have a firm rule about buying anything from someone so eager to sell. I don't! At $100 it's not a bad deal, but it's also not a great lens. Why not wait 'til late January when there should be a flood of used glass on Craig's List after everyone's got their new Christmas toys. You should be able to get either a better lens or at least a better deal. To coin a phrase, "Patience little grasshopper!"

 

[NikonNewbie]

I have the non VR version. I don't have any problems with it, but then again I'm pretty steady hand held, and whenever possible I use a shutter speed above the focal length I'm at. If you can get it cheaper it's simple to talk him down. Tell him camera stores have it cheaper and he can keep it for that price. No one else will buy it either. He will sell it to you.

Edit: take it for $100.

I just told my hubs what you said...and he said "I told him Ill come today if he'll give it to me for 90, otherwise it's not worth the hour and a half drive especially when I'll be in the area again on Thursday"
so...maybe he can swindle them down. I"m not to shaky unless it's cold...and I've really been using the hell out of that tripod I got for 2 bucks!
I love it! Ive noticed a difference in my photos looking cleaner/clearer when I use the tripod while snapping structers...especially when I look up...I sway real bad if I look up and shoot..same with down...I was at FDR (Phila) this past summer for a skate demo/bike show and just standing on the edge of the bowl was making me sway and feel sick, I almost fell down 2x after walking away from the edge...don't know if it's because I lost my sense of balance when I was in the hosp all those months and had to learn to walk again, or if I'm just a little paranoid and afraid of heights meh...could be anything...i suck at living. :meh: