Review by Martin Turner for Nikon 18-200MM F3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX Rating:
I was deeply suspicious of this lens before I eventually got to play with one, and the one year wait for them to make it to the UK market did not help things.
Half an hour with it was enough to completely change my mind.
Traditionally speaking, camera manufacturers do not make lenses like this. Equivalent of 27-300 on 35mm film, ultra-zooms of this kind have always been the territory of independent manufacturers like Sigma and Tamron. In fact, until 2005 even the independents were not offering lenses with this much range. The reason is that any zoom lens is a compromise of size, weight, range, aperture and sharpness, and premium manufacturers were simply not prepared to make the quality trade-offs. The smaller format of DX sized digital sensors has changed the game somewhat, but Nikon have created a near miracle cramming fast silent-wave focussing, Vibration Reduction, a very reasonable f3.5-5.6 aperture, and a minimum focus distance of 50cm into a tube which weighs only 560g and measures just 77 x 96.5mm.
Given what it does, the 18-200 is extremely sharp and relatively distortion free. It performs considerably better, for example, than the old Nikon 70-300 G (not the new 70-300 VR), and is at least as sharp as my old 24-120, while being only marginally heavier.
The jewel in the crown, though, for this lens is Vibration Reduction (VR II), which effectively gives 4 stops reduction in shutter shake, which should you to effectively shoot unblurred shots at focal length 200 mm with a shutter speed of 1/15, or at focal length 18, with a shutter speed of 1 second. At 1 second f/3.5, this means you would get a sharp shot in near darkness — something which could not even have been achieved with a 28 mm f/1.4 prime lens. In practice you need to take account of the fact that using a DX lens extends the effective focal length by a factor of 1.5, so you should be aiming to shoot at a slightly faster shutter speed than you would have done on film. Looked at either way, though, the results are nothing short of astonishing.
Who is this lens aimed at? It is clearly quite an expensive purchase. If you already have an 18-70 kit lens, then you can round out your outfit with a 70-300 VR lens for much less money, and the total weight would come to about the same. On the other hand, despite being astonishing for what it is, this is not a top professional lens. It can’t give the creamy out-of-focus highlights of, say, the 70-200 f/2.8 lens, and it isn’t as sharp. On the other hand, it is 1/3 of the weight of the 70-200 and 1/3 of the price. This is certainly a lens which can be used in a professional context — in fact, it can replace all the lenses in your bag for many practical purposes. But it’s also a delightful lens for amateurs, hobbyists, and people who just like taking pictures. It will work on any Nikon digital SLR, including the D40, and it focuses quickly and easily with little drain on the battery.
Unless you obsess about the absolute last pixel of sharpness, or need to keep your costs down, this is a superb lens which is unlikely to disappoint.
–
Note on the hieroglyphics.
You may be wondering what G ED-IF AF-S DX VR Nikon F stands for.
G – this lens does not have an aperture ring, unlike older models. Aperture is controlled from the camera
ED – Extra-low dispersion glass, Nikon’s premium. This lens has three ED elements which is one reason why it performs as well as it does.
IF – Internal Focusing. This means that the front of the lens does not turn when you focus, thereby not upsetting any filters you may have.
AF – Auto-focus
S – Silent Wave, Nikon’s newest auto-focus, which is faster and quieter. The D40 only functions with Silent Wave lenses.
DX – Digital Exclusive. This lens will not function correctly on 35mm film cameras, such as the F5 or F6.
VR – Vibration Reduction
Nikon F – uses the Nikon F mount. In principle this camera should fit any Nikon from the last twenty or thirty years. However, being a DX lens it will only function properly on digital cameras.
Review by Mo for Nikon 18-200MM F3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX Rating:
A year ago I got rid off my 28-200mm, that was a good lens but hard work in low light with no VR (Vibration Reduction). I did buy two new lenses but not very practical to carry several lenses whilst on holiday and trying to change lenses whilst on the move is not a wise thing to do.
This lens came in time for my trip. I had my doubts considering the 3.5-5.6 aperture as i got use to having fixed 2.8 aperture, but after reading some of the reviews regarding the VR2 and i needed a descent lens, i decided to take the plunge.
In a few minutes of trying the lens out, i became convinced this lens will be a great companion on my trip. Even in low light (room) by reducing the shutter speed to 5th of a second and aperture at 3.5 and keeping the VR2 at norman mode, the pictures are very clear, without any blurr. This i have not managed to do with other lenses with similar aperture.
The lens features the very useful features of manual and auto focus on the lens. Ideal when the camera has complex focusing to do. It is very quick to switch over to manual focus without having to fiddle with the camera focus control.
The VR has two modes, normal and active. Normal is fine for everyday use, although some sharpness is taken away (at extreme zoom), therefore where possible, keep it off. Active is really for sports and fast moving photography.
In general, the lens is superb and i will highly recommend this for a general lens. It is a step up from a kit lens, but the result and overall practicality out-weighs the cost. This is an all round lens that will suit everyday photography and will take enjoyment to a new level for the photographer who has just purchased their SLR or for the photographer who wants more than the kit lens offers. The next level is the professional type lenses, therefore if you are more demanding, then the only option is to buy separate wide angle lens and telezoom lens, which can set you back around £2000.
In conclusion, the best way to get the very best result is to shoot in manual mode or shutter priority. The lens is superb, colour, sharpness, functionality and all round ability, there really is not a lens that is comparable in this price bracket in terms of quality and results.
Review by I. B. Harvey for Nikon 18-200MM F3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX Rating:
This lens is alot better than it should be given it’s range. I have compared my 18-70(Which I was happy with) with this lens and cannot believe the results.
Mine is made is Thailand. Not only is the 18-200 sharper at all comparable lengths but the distortion at 18mm is less on the 18-200 lens than the 18-70. In fact when printed out at A4 size and measured with a ruler the 18-200mm lens has 25% less distortion at 18mm than the 18-70. I am using a Nikon D70 and the sharpness and contrast is better. Maybe I have just been lucky. I can see no reason to keep my 18-70.
After several Months of use I have noticed that the VR works less well if you rest yourself on or against a fixed object or if you switch on VR when using normal to high shutter speeds. Bottom line is to switch off VR when it is not needed. Dont lean against fixed objects when using VR. VR works great when it is needed. Recommend that you don’t leave it on all the time or it may take a slight edge off of the sharpness when not needed.
Review by P. Tudor for Nikon 18-200MM F3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX Rating:
When the shutter is open it is lens the does the work. So it is never an idea to skimp on investing in good lenses. It is hard to believe that a 11x zoom could be a good lens. But it is. Let me qualify that – it is a great lens for what it is designed for i.e. an ideal one-size-fits-all travel lens. It takes the place of at least two, possibly three lens in your camera bag.
Optically it is categorically not a top flight Nikon lens – for best results use software such as DXO in your work flow that can correct for the distortion and boost contrast. The long end is a little soft and there is visible chromatic aberration at the edges – all can be corrected in software. At the shortest end there is noticeable distortion – again correctable. It is surprising good for close up work!
Handling and build quality – again not top flight, but good enough. I don’t like the flimsy, short hood but I use it – but watch out if you have a DSLR with built-in flash because it will mask some of the flash. It extends a long way out when zoomed out and feels a bit wobbly whilst its there – but the pictures seem okay. It will also creep under the effects of gravity if not locked at either end – again live with it or use a wide elastic band to hold it steady.
Utility – this is where it scores. If you are traveling it is an absolute boon. Just one lens to carry and it stays on the camera – which means no risk of sensor contamination in wild places.
Bonus – VRII – this makes up somewhat for the slow max aperture especially at the long end. My hand holding technique is pretty good (modest eh?) but useable handheld pictures at 1/6th of a second – read the EXIF and believe. Note however that VR is good for keeping the background steady – moving subjects still need fast shutter speeds to freeze motion – I would not recommend this lens for action sports.
Gripes- there will always be some – I would prefer it 0.5 stop faster across the range, I would like a zoom lock, I would like it to use 77mm rather than 72mm filters, I would prefer an internal zooming design. All that and it would probably cost three times what it does.
Conclusion – take into account the limitations, understand what this lens is good for. You will see a lot of hype on the Internet about this lens. How could a 11x zoom be that good? One answer – its a Nikon – believe!
Review by AMK for Nikon 18-200MM F3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX Rating:
the Nikkor 18-200 mm lens is a great lens for versatility. I travel a lot and like to travel as light as I can. However, with this lens comes a drawback, which is that it renders images somewhat soft…at all focal length points. I also have a Nikkor 150mm macro lens, which – in comparison – renders wonderfully sharp photos. Just before I was about to sell my 18-200mm, I played around with it as much as I could to see if perhaps I could get it to produce as sharp photos as my other lens. It was tough…but I finally landed on the magic formula…MANUAL FOCUS. Do not rely on the auto-focus for this lens. But, with manual focus, it works a charm. Keep the VR switched on and in ACTIVE mode, and all photos come out far more sharp than previously. I also must be one of the lucky ones because no distortion shows up in my photos at either extreme end of the lens, but still manual focus is the way to go.
(out of 28 reviews)
Review by Martin Turner for Nikon 18-200MM F3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX
Rating:
I was deeply suspicious of this lens before I eventually got to play with one, and the one year wait for them to make it to the UK market did not help things.
Half an hour with it was enough to completely change my mind.
Traditionally speaking, camera manufacturers do not make lenses like this. Equivalent of 27-300 on 35mm film, ultra-zooms of this kind have always been the territory of independent manufacturers like Sigma and Tamron. In fact, until 2005 even the independents were not offering lenses with this much range. The reason is that any zoom lens is a compromise of size, weight, range, aperture and sharpness, and premium manufacturers were simply not prepared to make the quality trade-offs. The smaller format of DX sized digital sensors has changed the game somewhat, but Nikon have created a near miracle cramming fast silent-wave focussing, Vibration Reduction, a very reasonable f3.5-5.6 aperture, and a minimum focus distance of 50cm into a tube which weighs only 560g and measures just 77 x 96.5mm.
Given what it does, the 18-200 is extremely sharp and relatively distortion free. It performs considerably better, for example, than the old Nikon 70-300 G (not the new 70-300 VR), and is at least as sharp as my old 24-120, while being only marginally heavier.
The jewel in the crown, though, for this lens is Vibration Reduction (VR II), which effectively gives 4 stops reduction in shutter shake, which should you to effectively shoot unblurred shots at focal length 200 mm with a shutter speed of 1/15, or at focal length 18, with a shutter speed of 1 second. At 1 second f/3.5, this means you would get a sharp shot in near darkness — something which could not even have been achieved with a 28 mm f/1.4 prime lens. In practice you need to take account of the fact that using a DX lens extends the effective focal length by a factor of 1.5, so you should be aiming to shoot at a slightly faster shutter speed than you would have done on film. Looked at either way, though, the results are nothing short of astonishing.
Who is this lens aimed at? It is clearly quite an expensive purchase. If you already have an 18-70 kit lens, then you can round out your outfit with a 70-300 VR lens for much less money, and the total weight would come to about the same. On the other hand, despite being astonishing for what it is, this is not a top professional lens. It can’t give the creamy out-of-focus highlights of, say, the 70-200 f/2.8 lens, and it isn’t as sharp. On the other hand, it is 1/3 of the weight of the 70-200 and 1/3 of the price. This is certainly a lens which can be used in a professional context — in fact, it can replace all the lenses in your bag for many practical purposes. But it’s also a delightful lens for amateurs, hobbyists, and people who just like taking pictures. It will work on any Nikon digital SLR, including the D40, and it focuses quickly and easily with little drain on the battery.
Unless you obsess about the absolute last pixel of sharpness, or need to keep your costs down, this is a superb lens which is unlikely to disappoint.
–
Note on the hieroglyphics.
You may be wondering what G ED-IF AF-S DX VR Nikon F stands for.
G – this lens does not have an aperture ring, unlike older models. Aperture is controlled from the camera
ED – Extra-low dispersion glass, Nikon’s premium. This lens has three ED elements which is one reason why it performs as well as it does.
IF – Internal Focusing. This means that the front of the lens does not turn when you focus, thereby not upsetting any filters you may have.
AF – Auto-focus
S – Silent Wave, Nikon’s newest auto-focus, which is faster and quieter. The D40 only functions with Silent Wave lenses.
DX – Digital Exclusive. This lens will not function correctly on 35mm film cameras, such as the F5 or F6.
VR – Vibration Reduction
Nikon F – uses the Nikon F mount. In principle this camera should fit any Nikon from the last twenty or thirty years. However, being a DX lens it will only function properly on digital cameras.
Review by Mo for Nikon 18-200MM F3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX
Rating:
A year ago I got rid off my 28-200mm, that was a good lens but hard work in low light with no VR (Vibration Reduction). I did buy two new lenses but not very practical to carry several lenses whilst on holiday and trying to change lenses whilst on the move is not a wise thing to do.
This lens came in time for my trip. I had my doubts considering the 3.5-5.6 aperture as i got use to having fixed 2.8 aperture, but after reading some of the reviews regarding the VR2 and i needed a descent lens, i decided to take the plunge.
In a few minutes of trying the lens out, i became convinced this lens will be a great companion on my trip. Even in low light (room) by reducing the shutter speed to 5th of a second and aperture at 3.5 and keeping the VR2 at norman mode, the pictures are very clear, without any blurr. This i have not managed to do with other lenses with similar aperture.
The lens features the very useful features of manual and auto focus on the lens. Ideal when the camera has complex focusing to do. It is very quick to switch over to manual focus without having to fiddle with the camera focus control.
The VR has two modes, normal and active. Normal is fine for everyday use, although some sharpness is taken away (at extreme zoom), therefore where possible, keep it off. Active is really for sports and fast moving photography.
In general, the lens is superb and i will highly recommend this for a general lens. It is a step up from a kit lens, but the result and overall practicality out-weighs the cost. This is an all round lens that will suit everyday photography and will take enjoyment to a new level for the photographer who has just purchased their SLR or for the photographer who wants more than the kit lens offers. The next level is the professional type lenses, therefore if you are more demanding, then the only option is to buy separate wide angle lens and telezoom lens, which can set you back around £2000.
In conclusion, the best way to get the very best result is to shoot in manual mode or shutter priority. The lens is superb, colour, sharpness, functionality and all round ability, there really is not a lens that is comparable in this price bracket in terms of quality and results.
Happy snapping
Review by I. B. Harvey for Nikon 18-200MM F3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX
Rating:
This lens is alot better than it should be given it’s range. I have compared my 18-70(Which I was happy with) with this lens and cannot believe the results.
Mine is made is Thailand. Not only is the 18-200 sharper at all comparable lengths but the distortion at 18mm is less on the 18-200 lens than the 18-70. In fact when printed out at A4 size and measured with a ruler the 18-200mm lens has 25% less distortion at 18mm than the 18-70. I am using a Nikon D70 and the sharpness and contrast is better. Maybe I have just been lucky. I can see no reason to keep my 18-70.
After several Months of use I have noticed that the VR works less well if you rest yourself on or against a fixed object or if you switch on VR when using normal to high shutter speeds. Bottom line is to switch off VR when it is not needed. Dont lean against fixed objects when using VR. VR works great when it is needed. Recommend that you don’t leave it on all the time or it may take a slight edge off of the sharpness when not needed.
Review by P. Tudor for Nikon 18-200MM F3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX
Rating:
When the shutter is open it is lens the does the work. So it is never an idea to skimp on investing in good lenses. It is hard to believe that a 11x zoom could be a good lens. But it is. Let me qualify that – it is a great lens for what it is designed for i.e. an ideal one-size-fits-all travel lens. It takes the place of at least two, possibly three lens in your camera bag.
Optically it is categorically not a top flight Nikon lens – for best results use software such as DXO in your work flow that can correct for the distortion and boost contrast. The long end is a little soft and there is visible chromatic aberration at the edges – all can be corrected in software. At the shortest end there is noticeable distortion – again correctable. It is surprising good for close up work!
Handling and build quality – again not top flight, but good enough. I don’t like the flimsy, short hood but I use it – but watch out if you have a DSLR with built-in flash because it will mask some of the flash. It extends a long way out when zoomed out and feels a bit wobbly whilst its there – but the pictures seem okay. It will also creep under the effects of gravity if not locked at either end – again live with it or use a wide elastic band to hold it steady.
Utility – this is where it scores. If you are traveling it is an absolute boon. Just one lens to carry and it stays on the camera – which means no risk of sensor contamination in wild places.
Bonus – VRII – this makes up somewhat for the slow max aperture especially at the long end. My hand holding technique is pretty good (modest eh?) but useable handheld pictures at 1/6th of a second – read the EXIF and believe. Note however that VR is good for keeping the background steady – moving subjects still need fast shutter speeds to freeze motion – I would not recommend this lens for action sports.
Gripes- there will always be some – I would prefer it 0.5 stop faster across the range, I would like a zoom lock, I would like it to use 77mm rather than 72mm filters, I would prefer an internal zooming design. All that and it would probably cost three times what it does.
Conclusion – take into account the limitations, understand what this lens is good for. You will see a lot of hype on the Internet about this lens. How could a 11x zoom be that good? One answer – its a Nikon – believe!
Review by AMK for Nikon 18-200MM F3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX
Rating:
the Nikkor 18-200 mm lens is a great lens for versatility. I travel a lot and like to travel as light as I can. However, with this lens comes a drawback, which is that it renders images somewhat soft…at all focal length points. I also have a Nikkor 150mm macro lens, which – in comparison – renders wonderfully sharp photos. Just before I was about to sell my 18-200mm, I played around with it as much as I could to see if perhaps I could get it to produce as sharp photos as my other lens. It was tough…but I finally landed on the magic formula…MANUAL FOCUS. Do not rely on the auto-focus for this lens. But, with manual focus, it works a charm. Keep the VR switched on and in ACTIVE mode, and all photos come out far more sharp than previously. I also must be one of the lucky ones because no distortion shows up in my photos at either extreme end of the lens, but still manual focus is the way to go.