simon_hickie1 Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 If it's any help, when my 18-200 comes back from Nikon (zoom creep, softness @ 200mm) it's going straight back on my D80 where I expect it to stay 99% of the time & my 18-70mm will go back in the cupboard - not even the camera bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liljuddakalilknyttphotogra Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Simon, I've got a great new fix for zoom creep for the 18-200VR which someone on DPR shared there. Seen the bracelets made of sturdy rubber with messages around? Often to cure some disease.... Get one of those & thread it over the lens. Will most assuredly keep the lens in place. If not available to you - - buy a heavy duty rubber band & thread it on. Lil :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_yoon Posted June 18, 2008 Author Share Posted June 18, 2008 or my original post wasn't detailed enough yes i just bought D40 that came with 18-55mm. and i wanted 18-200 but i'm not a pro in anyway. i just want to take decent pictures and have fun. i dont print pictures that much. and i was looking at 18-200 but really dont feel like spending 800 dollars on a lens at this moment. so i am just thinking if i should just get 55-200 so i can cover all the way from 18 to 200 or just save the money and get some other lens in the future. i could get 55-200 for around 230-250. but the 18-200 is like 700-800 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Laur Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 That helps, Jeff! More info generally improves the quality of the responses, and cuts down on the... other stuff. I'd consider the 70-300, perhaps, as your next choice, then. You already have a short lens you can work with for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Jeff, I am not sure that it makes a huge difference, but you should be able to get a new 18-200mm DX for about US$650 or so. Incidentally, a member who is not a moderator alerted me about some off-topic posts in this thread, and I have done some clean up. Unfortunately, I am leaving some gaps among the posts as there are now references to comments that are gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liljuddakalilknyttphotogra Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Hi again Jeff, based upon what you've just told us I would say that the 70-300VR, like Matt suggests, would be a great way to go & Shun is right about the cost of the 18-200VR. B&H should have it at about that price... Good luck Jeff Lil :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsypkin Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Here is an example of 18-200mm VR at 1/30 sec f3.5, ISO 250, taken at dusk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsypkin Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Sorry, have been unable to upload -- some technical glitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_yoon Posted June 18, 2008 Author Share Posted June 18, 2008 ok i'll consider 70-300. i actually tested one out at bestbuy yesterday. $550 thank you guys for fast/helpful response. you guys ROCK :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rarmstrong Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Jeff, I agree with both Shun and Matt. The 70-300 seems to be a great lens, but, the 18-200 is a super convenient lens to have for multi-purpose use. Here is another example at 18mm...<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Oh, I just realized that Jeff is in Canada. B&H is selling the 70-300 AF-S VR for $480: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/449088-USA/Nikon_2161_70_300mm_f_4_5_6G_AF_S_VR.html Prices in Canada is probably a bit higher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_yoon Posted June 18, 2008 Author Share Posted June 18, 2008 yes i'm in canada.. in the link @ B&H there are other 70-300 for alot cheaper. do i really need the VR function for this ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liljuddakalilknyttphotogra Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Jeff, the VR will help you unless you're planning on using a tripod a lot. Today most people go for VR when it's available.... Only shop BestBuy when they'll price match... If they won't it will always be cheaper (except for on sale) online.... JMHO Lil :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Well, only the latest version of the 70-300mm zoom is AF-S, and it also has VR. Since you have a D40, that is the only version that can auto focus with your camera. You can get the earlier versions if you don't mind manual focusing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C R Utra Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 18-200 is soft above 135. But you have to carry just one lens and that is unbeatable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galvin_zhang Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 I have all these three lenses, give you my opinions: 18-200: (p) convenient, sharp, quick focus, good build quality © a bit heavier than 18-55 plus 55-200, obvious distortion in wide-angle, the magnification in 200mm side is not as big as the 55-200 one in near distance shot, which is called 'zoom shrink' 18-55: light weight, decent build and optical quality, can do some micro photo use, no internal flash light block 55-200: light weight, decent build and optical quality, nice photo color like film (a bit warm yellow, using D40x), no internal flash light block As my experience, 18-200 is really the best for travelling, which can avoid you losing chance, but not make you hypodynamic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmm Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 I'll add my voice to those in favour of the 18-200VR here. You'll read a lot of comments against it and - sure - if you are getting into DSRL as a serious/artistic hobbyist or with aspirations to turn pro then maybe there are better lenses for you. But if you are looking at a DSLR as a 'step up' from point and shoot - that is - if you are looking for point and shoot type convenience and flexibility (including having one primary lens rather than switching all the time), but with the image quality and features that SLR allows, then it's a winner. I've been going through a prime lens phase for the last few months. But the convenience that this lens offers means that I'm not going to get rid of my copy anytime soon as a back-up option, and for when I want/need to go 'ultra-light'. For what it's meant to be and do, it's great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rene gm Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Just my 2 cent worth: I have the 55-200 VR and am quite satisfied with it. It is a very good lens, even wide open (which means F4) at 55mm. At 200mm it is somewhat softer, so you have to stop down to F8. The VR gives you 1-2 F-stops. I also used the 18-55mm a lot, but replaced it with the 18-135, which is sharper wide open and more versatile. I cannot, or better do not wish to, spend the money for the 18-200mm VR, which is still a lot more expensive here than the combo 18-55 and 50-200. If, however, you have the money and want one lens only, then the 18-200 VR is the way to go. The 18-135 has no VR. All in all, it is a matter of budget and your preferences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Here Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 I just want to know where Sanford Gerald got an 18-200VR with NO lens creep! That is my only complaint with the lens... otherwise I love it. I have not owned the other two lens, but compared to some older AF Nikkor lens I have had, I much prefer the performance and versatility of the 18-200.... Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanford Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 It's a new lens so either they fixed the problem or zoom creep is in my future. It is a bit on the tight side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l._f._zou Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 NIKON 18-200mm is much better, also convenient to use, plus you are risking getting more dust on the sensor if you keep switching lenses. 18-200mm is better made lens too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rarmstrong Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Mike, no creep in my 18-200...yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmm Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Stanford - come back to this thread and tell us what you find by say end of September. Mine was fine until the 3 month mark and has been a little creepy ever since... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Here Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Great! Mine was "creepy" from day one... I guess after 3 to 6 months it'll be in "free fall" :-) Regardless, I like the lens anyway.... Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Here Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Ok guys, I'm old enough to handle some derision for this suggestion, and even some laughs if you're not too obvious about it; but here is a possible fix for the lens "creep" with the 18-200VR. I have taken one of my football koozees, the insulated drink holder, and cut a 1-5/8" strip from the open end. Now, this is not the big fat foam type, but the 1/8" thick, fabric covered type. As it happens my team is navy blue, so it blends well with the lens; turn it inside out and pull it on down to the zoom ring. It stops the creep and as a bonus protects the middle portion of the lens and is a nice grip also. A negative is that you cannot see the zoom indicator. A field test will follow this weekend in the mountains. I knew it, I hear laughter, but I'm going to try it out anyway.... Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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