Nikon AF-S DX VR 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED
Manufacturer: Nikon Inc. Part number: 2159
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Though you pay for the convenience, the Nikon AF-S DX VR 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 G IF ED covers a range that would normally take two lenses, yet remains compact with a solid build.
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Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
Nikon AF-S DX VR 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED price range: $1,199.95
- Reviewed by: Matthew Fitzgerald
- Edited by: Lori Grunin
- Reviewed on: 07/21/2008
- Released on: 11/15/2005
The good: Compact; broad focal-length range; Vibration Reduction for better handheld photos, especially at telephoto.
The bad: Suffers from lens creep.
The bottom line: Though you pay for the convenience, the Nikon AF-S DX VR 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 G IF ED covers a range that would normally take two lenses, yet remains compact with a solid build.
One of the blessings of an SLR can also be a curse: having to choose which lenses to carry, which means finding the right balance between weight and bulk, and having the focal lengths you need. The Nikon AF-S DX VR 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 G IF ED lens offers Nikon shooters a satisfying single-lens solution. Introduced in November 2005, it is compatible with all Nikon DX digital SLRs including the D300, D60, and D40.
There is an awful lot to decipher in its name:
| AF-S | Autofocus |
| DX | Designed and optimized for Nikon's digital SLRs, which use the DX-aspect CCD |
| G | No aperture ring |
| ED | Extra-low dispersion glass for improved contrast and reduced chromatic aberration |
| VR | vibration reduction optical stabilizer to minimize blur from camera shake. |
Its extensive zoom range and relatively compact size, along with VR, makes it a great all-around lens capable of handling almost any occasion. It's especially well suited for traveling of any sort, from weekend getaways to a safari. This level of convenience comes at a cost well north of $600.
Design
• The lens measures 4 inches long with a 3-inch diameter and accepts 72mm screw-on filters.
• Solid construction with a quality feel to it, black crinkle finish, metal lens mount and base for added durability.
• Variable maximum aperture from f3.5 to f5.6 and a variable minimum aperture from f22 to f36.
• Magnification factor of 1.5x yields a working focal length of 27mm to 300mm on a Nikon DX body such as the D300, D60, or D40.
• Minimum focusing distance of 19.7 inches throughout the zoom range, with a maximum magnification of 1:4.5.
Features
• Optical Vibration Reduction system for sharper handheld photos at slow shutter speeds, especially in low light and at the telephoto end. The VR compensates in real time for shake and vibration with no degradation to the image. Offers two VR modes, normal (assumes horizontal motion is panning) and Active (assumes horizontal motion is shake).
• Nikon's exclusive M/A (manual/auto) mode provides full-time autofocus with instant manual-focus override by just turning the focus ring. Also has a full-time manual-focus mode.
• Included with the lens are a lens hood (HB-35) and a lens pouch (CL-1018).
• Large easy-to-read zoom markings at 18mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, 135mm, and 200mm. Distance scale window that measures in meters and feet, handy when setting the focus manually.
Hands on
The first thing you notice about this lens is its focal length range, covering just about everything you could need. Even with all of the coverage it provides, at 19.8 ounces it's not that heavy and fully extends to about 6.3 inches. It's comfortable to carry for long periods of time, especially since it will frequently be the only lens you have to carry. A large (0.75 inch) ribbed rubber zoom ring located at the front of the lens sits within easy reach. The zoom feels adequately dampened even though it suffers from lens creep; when the lens faces down, gravity causes the zoom ring to rotate unintentionally. Manual focusing was good for an AF zoom lens, with a distance scale to show how far you are focused to. With the M/A mode you can manually focus at any time. The lens focuses internally (the front lens element does not rotate during focus), which is helpful when using a circular polarizer filter.
Performance and image quality
In our lab tests, the lens displayed considerable barrel distortion (where objects appear to curve toward the outside of the image) at its widest, 18mm; although noticeable, that's par for a lens this wide. Beyond that, distortion is evident as well, with noticeable pincushion (inward) distortion at 70mm and 200mm. It delivered good sharpness at the center of the image at all points in the zoom range, with the wider end of the range being the sharpest. It also maintained good corner sharpness down to 35mm, with corner sharpness suffering at 18mm. It may not be as sharp as a 50mm prime lens, but considering its zoom range, it is very good. While zooming, the lens maintains its maximum aperture of f3.5 from 18mm to 30mm, at 30mm it shifts to f4 and turns to f5.6 at about 135mm.
To find a competing lens you have to look at one from a third-party manufacturer like the cheaper but unstabilized Tamron 18-200mm XR Di f3.5-6.3 or the similarly priced Sigma 18-200mm DC OS f3.5-6.3.
If you like the convenience of a single lens that you can carry on your vacation, and shoot the kids' ball games as well as family portraits, this lens is worth a look. Though expensive, it does cover the range of several smaller-range lenses for about the same price as each individually. Although it may not have the optical performance of a high-end professional lens, for its range and price it is an all-around good performer.
User reviews
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Great lens for all around use
by jim_stott on August 22, 2006
Pros: VR allows shooting in low light with good results
Cons: Unable to lock the lens so it extends by itself while walking
Summary: I have been using this lens for 2 months and find it to be extremely versatile. Focus is fast and the VR is a great feature. I had been using ...
Summary: I have been using this lens for 2 months and find it to be extremely versatile. Focus is fast and the VR is a great feature. I had been using a Tamron 28-300 and although it is a good lens the VR allows me to shoot in much lower light without the need for a tripod. I gain a good 4 stops due to the VR feature. The 18-200 range enables me to do the majority of my photography without having to change lenses. I am looking to buy a macro lens and will definitely get a Nikon VR lens when I do.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Creeps the Crap out of me
by Toscane on July 22, 2008
Pros: Hey it's a Nikon
Cons: Creepy Creepy
Summary: I have absolutely no idea what the downside of a creepy lens is.
Summary: I have absolutely no idea what the downside of a creepy lens is.
3 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great lens to carry for extended periods.
by Photographinganything on February 21, 2008
Pros: Great range, VR very good, Light weight
Cons: Variable aperture, plastic filter threads, soft at 200mm.
Summary: I've been using this lens since the beginning 2007 on a Nikon D200 and then the D40x. This is a great 11x range lens for all day use inside ...
Summary: I've been using this lens since the beginning 2007 on a Nikon D200 and then the D40x. This is a great 11x range lens for all day use inside or out. I've carried it for hours through parks and woods and used it for simple family gatherings. This lens is almost a permanent fixture on my Nikon D40x now. The VR is fantastic when shooting at or close to 200mm and it even works great for tracking shots of flying birds.
It can be very soft at 200mm and you need to watch your parallel lines at 18mm. But what the heck, for every day shooting it beats replacing the lens every 10 minutes.
A constant 2.8 aperature would be nice but it would probably push the cost up another $500 or more like the 70-200mm AF-S VR G. I would have liked a little more metal up front for the filter threads. You need to be very careful when changing the filters on this and all Nikon lenses with those nasty plastic threads. And watch out for temps below 20 degrees F. The AF-S lens motor sounded like a death rattle when I was shooting at my favorite lake with a temp at 12 degrees F.
But all in all I really like this lens, especially on a light weight camera body like the Nikon D40x. It can hang around my neck all day long without being a drag. And it makes pretty decent images. 11x power, VR up to 3-stops, light weight, pretty fast autofocus... not too many variable aperture zoom lenses can do it all but this one comes very close.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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No thanks - No way
by mwalshaw on July 23, 2008
Pros: Cant think of any
Cons: yesterdays gear on the way out
Summary: Why would anybody want a DX lens. Both Nikon and Canon, the only two manufacturers which matter in photographics, are heading for full frame sensors - the same size as ...
Summary: Why would anybody want a DX lens. Both Nikon and Canon, the only two manufacturers which matter in photographics, are heading for full frame sensors - the same size as the traditional 35mm film plane. A DX lens on a F/F sensor will crop the image by a third. This lens is a cheap build lens with lots of softness at either end and some CA to boot. This lens cannot be used on quite a number of Nikons which dont support AF-S.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The creep is a joke!
by goodeyej on December 13, 2008
Pros: Great range.
Cons: The lens creep is unbelievable. In this day and tech age, this is a product that should never have left the drawing board.
Summary: I can't believe Nikon would release a product with such a major mechanical malfunction. The lens "creep" is a pain in the backside. Try to do a tripod shot ...
Summary: I can't believe Nikon would release a product with such a major mechanical malfunction. The lens "creep" is a pain in the backside. Try to do a tripod shot for a product shot or any shot with the lens pointing down. It will drive you crazy when your trying to frame and focus a product shot or any shot with the lens pointing down and the lens won't stop moving. Just carrying the camera with the strap over your shoulder will make the lens creep out to it's 200mm length allowing it to bang around. I've been shooting with Nikon gear for 30 years. I am beginning to see why Canon is winning the DSLR wars as I hear the techs at Nikon tell me to just not point the camera downward. Whoppy do to you Nikon.
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Great all-purpose lens
by jay.butler on August 9, 2008
Pros: Zoom range,vibration reduction
Cons: Zoom creeps on my early version
Summary: This is a great travel lens. If you only have space to pack one lens, this would be the one. It can also be the one lens that you leave ...
Summary: This is a great travel lens. If you only have space to pack one lens, this would be the one. It can also be the one lens that you leave on the body all of the time.
I think that Nikon has addressed the zoom creep. My lens is one of the first. A friend with a later lens has had no creep issues.
Sure, it would be nice to have a full-frame lens, but that would add bulk and weight. Plus, FX camera bodies are still only in the $3,000+ range. -
A worthwhile buy
by idapons on July 28, 2008
Pros: Nikon name, focal range, VR, resale value
Cons: Image quality trade-off for the convenience
Summary: Ever since it's announcement, this has been one hot lens. Convenience for the photog who wants to travel light without too much trade-off in image quality. Ok, it's ...
Summary: Ever since it's announcement, this has been one hot lens. Convenience for the photog who wants to travel light without too much trade-off in image quality. Ok, it's not a pro lens, no one said it was. But there is ample evidence on the web of countless fabulous shots, including many I would be proud to post. As for the creep, most owners report that it stays locked at 18mm, including mine. You can pay less for a similar range zoom (but it won't be a Nikon) or for several shorter lenses. But you have to have them with you, swap them and risk dust and other critters crawling inside your cam. I am very pleased with the 18-200VR.
WWW.Swellshot.com for samples -
THE lens to carry
by Danä on July 28, 2008
Pros: Highly versatile, excellent VR, excellent image
Cons: A bit spendy
Summary: I?ve been using the lens on my D200 for a year and I rarely change out lenses as it is so versatile. It is excellent for activities like backpacking ...
Summary: I?ve been using the lens on my D200 for a year and I rarely change out lenses as it is so versatile. It is excellent for activities like backpacking where weight and compactness is important.
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The lens creep has turned me off this lens
by FrancisM on July 28, 2008
Pros: Versatile, replaces multiple lenses
Cons: lens creep, expensive, heavy
Summary: I have had this lens for a year and have not used it for most of the year. While 18-200mm is a very versatile range, the lens creep is so ...
Summary: I have had this lens for a year and have not used it for most of the year. While 18-200mm is a very versatile range, the lens creep is so annoying that I can't use the lens. I can't point upwards or downwards without it creeping. I can't walk around with the camera at my side for more than a minute or two before the lens creeps out. I sent it in to Nikon. They had it for three weeks and returned it in the same condition. I am much happier with my 24-120mm full-frame lens. It's too bad I was swindled by Nikon into spending $800 on this lens.
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great all around lens
by dtung118 on July 26, 2008
Pros: great range, small, light, VR, M/A
Cons: expensive, speed
Summary: c|net released this review a little late... but here goes... this lens is a great all around lens. by no means is this a professional lens.
people keep complaining ...Summary: c|net released this review a little late... but here goes... this lens is a great all around lens. by no means is this a professional lens.
people keep complaining about distortion and lens creep, but distortion occurs with every zoom lens, and this one is not much different than the nikon 18-70mm zoom, and it doesn't matter much at all, because this is a digital only lens, meaning that you won't be able to use it on a film camera, also meaning you can correct it with a few easy steps.
lens creep is not an issue as long as you reset your lens to 18mm. lens creep happens with most zoom lenses that have the weight to do so.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
- Part number: 2159
- Description: Nikon is a precision optical company with worldwide manufacturing, research and marketing capabilities. The Nikon name is equated with extraordinary photographic performance, innovation, precision and optical quality. PRODUCT FEATURES: Offers broad 18 - 200mm focal range for use in a variety of situations (equivalent to a 27-300 lens in 35mm format); 11x zoom coverage offers a perfect compact and lightweight, one lens solution; VR II system offers the equivalent of using a shutter speed 4 stops faster; Two ED glass and three aspherical lens elements minimize chromatic aberration, astigmatism and other forms of distortion, while ensuring high resolution and contrast; Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC) offers superb color reproduction while minimizing ghosting and flare; Incorporates a SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for fast quiet focusing; Delivers high-level optical performance designed for use exclusively with Nikon DX format digital; Employs a seven-blade rounded diaphragm opening that achieves a natural blur for out-of-focus elements; Enables focusing from as close as 50cm from the subject through its entire focal range; M/A mode for rapid switching between autofocus and manual focus operation; Flower-shaped Lens Hood HB-35 (provided) greatly reduces stray light.
General
- Length 4 in
- Diameter 3 in
- Weight 19.8 oz
Lens System
- Lens System Zoom lens
- Special Functions Zoom
- Intended For Digital SLR
- Focal Length 18 mm - 200 mm
- Lens Aperture F/3.5-5.6
- Optical Zoom 11.1 x
- Magnification 1 / 4.5
- Min Focus Range 19.7 in
- Focus Adjustment Manual, Automatic
- Zoom Adjustment Manual
- Max View Angle 76 degrees
- Min View Angle 8 degrees
- Lens Construction 12 group(s) / 16 element(s)
- Filter Size 72 mm
- Diaphragm Blades 7
- Lens Coating Nikon Super Integrated Coating
- Mounting Type Nikon F
- Features ED glass, Aspherical lens, Silent Wave Motor (SWM), Internal focusing system, VR (Vibration Reduction)
Miscellaneous
- Carrying Case Soft case
- Included Accessories Dust cap, Lens cap, Lens hood
Manufacturer info
- Nikon Inc.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Nikon Inc. products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.nikonusa.com/
- Address:
1300 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY 11747-3064 - Phone: 1-631-547-4200
