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 enlarge | Brand: Nikon
Category: Photography
List Price: $749.99
Buy New: $634.89
You Save: $115.10 (15%)
New (16) Used (7) Refurbished (2)
Avg. Customer Rating:  268 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Fragile: No
Batteries Included: No
Optical Zoom: 11.1
Maximum Focal Length: 200
Minimum Focal Length: 18
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 4 x 6 x 9
Warranty: 1 Year Warranty + 4 Years Extended Service Coverage - 5 Years of Protection Included directly from Nikon USA
MPN: 2159
Model: 2159
UPC: 182080215984
EAN: 0182080215984
ASIN: B000BY52NU
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Brand new in retail pack, shipping same day with ups.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Met my expectations April 10, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I've had this lens for a month now and what a wonder it is. I've been in and out of photography for 30 years but am still a beginner. I read a lot about this purchase on the internet and it was overwhelmingly positive. It pays to research. I am selling my nikon 55-200mm but keeping my kit 18-55mm as backup. I also love my D40. Will probably pick up a 50mm 1.8 for indoor. Highly rated also.
 Good Lens April 8, 2007
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I agree with many of the reviewers--in the mid range and wide angle the lens is superb, but it is not quite as sharp as a tele--as one of the reviewers said--it does many things, and not all of them perfectly--the lens is a compromise, but an excellent compromise--the VR is an added boost--
I'm still debating whether or not to keep it or send it back, because of the weakness in the tele-- but there is nothing else that can replace its versatility.--I don't want to keep changing lenses.
There's a reason why this lens is in short supply.... April 5, 2007
I was lucky to find one on a recent trip to Japan. Several reviewers complain that it isn't as sharp as, say the 70-200mm f/2.8 or that the construction is a little lightweight or the optics are good but not great. Others are uncritically exuberent. While all of them are right, they miss the point of this lens; it is not intended for studio portaiture or photojournalism. However, for >90% of even serious photographers, no other lens will give you the breadth of focal lengths, speed and sharpness in a package as compact as this one; the vaunted 70-200 f/2.8 weighs in at 3.0 lbs while the 18-200mm, a mere 19.8 ounces. It may not be a pro lens but it comes damn close; the Vibration Reduction is an indispensible addition and the resulting images at the longer focal lengths are far sharper than the optics would be expected to render. Some of the reviewers summarized it best; while it may not get you a cover on National Geographic, it will easily replace 2-3 other lenses and make travel photography less "burdensome", with very satisfying photographic results.
 Good, but not great March 19, 2007
21 out of 30 found this review helpful
I read glowing review after review about this lens. I finally put myself of a waiting list and 5 months later, I got the new lens. I guess it is hard to live up to extreme hype, so please don't let me lead you to believe that this is a bad lens. It just isn't the great lens that it is made out to be. It is very versitile, and it does a lot in a small package. Unfortunately, it does everything well, and nothing extremely well. It is just an average lens. Frankly, I am shocked that so many people give this lens 5 stars. Maybe 4, on a stretch, but not 5.
I'm a little disapointed after spending $749, but I would be very sad had I spent $1,000. Don't pay a markup. It's not worth it.
Great for outdoors or well lit indoor shots. 4.75/5 March 19, 2007
32 out of 32 found this review helpful
I have had this lens for about two weeks. It is solid with respect to both build quality and performance. I am using it with a Nikon D200 and I am very happy with it.
It seems to really work well outdoors. Let me say that again - it works really well outdoors! With a fair amount of light outside, this lens delivers. I am able to shoot 5fps of my son riding his bike and almost every shot is in focus and is a potential keeper. As it gets a little darker, it starts to struggle with moving subjects, which is to be expected. I wish I would have had this lens for the past trips I had taken to Europe. As a walk around lens, it is great.
The VR functionality will help you get shots that are only possible on a tripod with the same lens, settings, etc., while shooting hand held, even at 200mm (300mm effective). Search on Flickr for "DVD Player VR" to see some shots I took of the text on my DVD player at in a poorly lit room. VR works, and it works well. Since I am not a great photographer, this helps out a lot. You can see the VR correction happening in the viewfinder when you are zoomed out to 200mm and autofocused on a still subject.
Now I give this lens a 4.75/5 mainly because the indoor performance isn't always great. It isn't a super fast lens so it needs a bit more light. I will be doing some more experimentation with adjusting the shutter speeds, but overall if you can afford a faster lens for indoors you won't regret it. If the kids are running around the lighting isn't very bright, VR isn't enough. Now, for shooting portraits, this lens works great. I will stick to my 50mm f/1.8 for indoor "around the house" shots. If I am leaving the house, and I don't know if I will be in a coffee shop, an airport, or stopping to take a nature shot on the side of the road - the 18-200 is the lens I'll take. If I know I am going to be indoors, the 50mm wins every time.
At 18mm with the lens hood on and using a D200, the lens is not useful with the built in flash for indoor shots. The flash will cast a massive shadow that will enter in the bottom third of your picture. Take the lens hood off, use another flash, or zoom out a bit and you'll be fine. Minor annoyance.
Because this lens is approaches f/5.6 as you zoom out to 200mm, this is not a great lens for shooting indoor sports such as hockey or basketball without a flash. With a flash, it works well, but flashes can be distracting and sometimes are not allowed. Don't get this lens if you think you are going to be able to sit in the stands and shoot your kids basketball game and get perfect results. For that, you'd have to spend some money getting the 70-200mm f/2.8 or a faster fixed lens. I will likely buy a 85mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 to fill the indoor sports needs. My son is young so the fields are small, and 85mm should do the trick for me.
I struggled if I should give this lens a 4 or a 5 (4.75 if I could). My would be docking of a quarter star really is more of a reflection of the lens' usefulness. Even though this thing has incredible range, I still need at least one more lens in the bag, mainly for low light indoor shots. Some of the reviews (on other sites) have this lens walking on water, but as good as it is, you will likely still need to buy some other lenses at some point.
Having said that, this lens does perform exactly as you would expect it to perform based on the specs. I feel it performs slightly better than a f/3.5-5.6 lens should because of VR. But just remember that VR is not going to get you the same results that a f/1.4 or f/1.8 will when the lighting isn't ideal. VR will not make you ready to work for Sports Illustrated.
If you can only choose one lens, this is about as good of choice as as you could make if you can afford it. It is a bit pricey, but it will make you a little better than you are if you are a beginner. It isn't magic, but the technology and solid build of this lens make it a winner.
Should it be a 5/5? Maybe. I just don't want people to read the other reviews and think that this lens will turn them into a pro, magically add lighting to every shot or reverse global warming trends. It is a very very good lens, but isn't a substitute for knowledge and experience. I don't have much of either yet, but I am having fun gaining both while using this lens.
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