adrian_kuryliw

<p>My approach is a bit different. I have the Nikon 18-200VR for the "vacation" zoom and the "grab" convenience and a good stable of AFD and AI/S Nikkor primes for serious shots or rangefinder-feel, low light, expeditions (street and concert shots). The mid-priced shorter zooms are only marginally better (if at all, often just a trading of compromises) than the 18-200 and the pro 2.8 zooms (with their weight and size) just kill the fun for me. I never had such a blast of good nostalgia as when I picked up a used D200 and resurrected all my prime lenses from my film era. FX will be in my future, a couple of years down the road, but until then, the D200 satisfies my needs perfectly.</p>

<p>I love the 18-200mm and have had used it for 2 years on my D200 and D70. No complaints about sharpness, contrast or colour. If any distortion is noticable, I can correct it quickly in PS, but that is an issue in maybe 2% of photos - likely less. I had 2.8 zooms (28-70 and 80-200) but have sold one and am selling the other. I now use the 18-200 for most of my wedding work, grab shots, and candid family stuff. I use primes (AIS and AFD: 20, 35, 50, 105, 200: cheaply acquired) for more exacting work. I never could get used to carrying around the big heavy pro zooms, though they were generally as good as the primes and which is amazing in itself. So the 18-200 gives me zoom convenience (I miss very few moments now) and the primes give me the the more thoughtful, considered shots. I've never had such a good hit-rate of quality pics. Overall, I tend to use the 18-200 for about 80% of my shots. I don't want to go back to big heavy zooms and don't feel the need to - neither do any of my clients.</p><div></div>