Anyone using this lens? Have any opinions to share?
This lens came out just after I purchase my D200, and I was a bit leary of the image quality due to its range, but now I'm finding that 98% of my shots have been taken inside its f-stop range, and it could potentially cut about 3lbs from my pack.
Thanks
Posted by George Hager on July 14, 2007 at 6:23 PM
This site has a review of the lens that might help you decide:
http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html
Keep in mind, this was only one lens and others maybe better or worse.
Posted by Laurie Wendt on July 14, 2007 at 7:43 PM
I've had mine for about 6 months now and I love it. It rarely comes off my camera. The VR is fantastic. Here's another review
I have one and like it for its light weight and flexibility. I recently photographed a group in a parade with this lens and REALY liked it compared to the 70-200mm F2.8 Nikkor I used last year. The lens is lighter and I didn't have to carry any extra lenses with me. I recently did the portraits of the staff for a local company. The 18-200mm did a great job and I didn't have to change lenses.
It is reasonably sharp, but not as sharp as the either the 17-35mm F2.8 or the 70-200mm and it has more distortion and vignetteing . As far as sharpness, I think it is sharp enough for much of what I do. As for the distortion, I'm not shooting test grids and I'm rarely aware of any distortion, besides, anything I see that I don't like I'll fix in Photoshop.
Posted by Brian Jackson on July 16, 2007 at 11:51 AM
I have had one since they came out and use it all the time. I have done some field test against the 17-55 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8. It is almost as sharp as both at the center but not at the edges. Little slower focusing, and yes at the lower end ~18-30 there is some distortion and vignetteing. It's nice only having to carry around 1 or 2 lens.
Discussion
6 repliesThis lens came out just after I purchase my D200, and I was a bit leary of the image quality due to its range, but now I'm finding that 98% of my shots have been taken inside its f-stop range, and it could potentially cut about 3lbs from my pack.
Thanks
http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html
Keep in mind, this was only one lens and others maybe better or worse.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18200.htm
Check out Thom's review: http://www.bythom.com/18200lens.htm
I use my 18-200 all the time for hiking/when light is right
Much appreciated.
It is reasonably sharp, but not as sharp as the either the 17-35mm F2.8 or the 70-200mm and it has more distortion and vignetteing . As far as sharpness, I think it is sharp enough for much of what I do. As for the distortion, I'm not shooting test grids and I'm rarely aware of any distortion, besides, anything I see that I don't like I'll fix in Photoshop.
Hope this helps