Is my reasoning sound? I have a Nikon D5000 with several lenses. One of them is a used Tamron 200-500MM that I purchased through Craigslist for a really good price. I've had it for...

Vick I Loc: Texas

I have a Nikon D5000 with several lenses. One of them is a used Tamron 200-500MM that I purchased through Craigslist for a really good price. I've had it for nearly two years and find that I haven't used it much. I am looking at a used 18-200MM Nikon Nikkor AF-S through Craigslist and thinking of selling my Tamron lens to fund the Nikkor purchase. I think I would use the 18-200MM all of the time, as opposed to rarely using the Tamron. Any thoughts?

ngc1514 Loc: Atlanta, Ga., Lancaster, Oh. and Stuart, Fl.

I had an older version of the Tamron 200-500mm and found it very soft at almost all zoom range. I got rid of it several years ago and haven't missed it at all. I bought the Nikkor 18-200 when I had my D70 and now, with the D300, still use it a lot. It's a wonderful all-in-one lens when you're packing light.

I take a 2 lens kit when traveling by air: the 18-200 and a Sigma 10-20mm.

I think it would be a good choice.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Go for it. You'll love it!

Vick I Loc: Texas

Thank you both for your input and Eric, I LOVE your avatar. I have an Opus too!

Glenn K

Funding a new (to you) lens by selling a rarely-used lens makes sense to me. Don't know about the Nikkor lens in question but I assume that whatever Nikon puts out is likley to be of high quality. Rely on Nikon shooters for an assessment of that particular lens. Whether an 80-200 range lens is the optimal choice would depend what other lenses you have. I guess you're the best judge of that. I, personally, would be leery of buying a lens off of Craigslist. But, then, I'm rather risk averse buying high ticket items online from private sources.

Vick I Loc: Texas

I have the two kit lenses, 18-55MM and 55-200MM. Also a Nikon macro zoom (28-105MM) which I also purchased through Craigslist. I have been very happy with the macro zoom. And I have a 35mm prime lens that I bought new. Am thinking of selling the kit lenses, too, if the prospective Nikkor works out.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

Vick I wrote:

I have a Nikon D5000 with several lenses. One of them is a used Tamron 200-500MM that I purchased through Craigslist for a really good price. I've had it for nearly two years and find that I haven't used it much. I am looking at a used 18-200MM Nikon Nikkor AF-S through Craigslist and thinking of selling my Tamron lens to fund the Nikkor purchase. I think I would use the 18-200MM all of the time, as opposed to rarely using the Tamron. Any thoughts?

your thoughts are my thoughts

Glenn K

Vick I wrote:

I have the two kit lenses, 18-55MM and 55-200MM. Also a Nikon macro zoom (28-105MM) which I also purchased through Craigslist. I have been very happy with the macro zoom. And I have a 35mm prime lens that I bought new. Am thinking of selling the kit lenses, too, if the prospective Nikkor works out.

Given that you're happy w/ the 28 - 105, and given that, with that lens, you've already got half of the range covered that the 18 -200 would give you, and given that a very large zoom range (that begins at the wide end) generally denotes a somehate diminshed IQ, had you considered, perhaps, a zoom that start higher and goes higher, maybe something in the, say, 70-300 range? That would give you a modest overlap with the 28 -105 and give you more reach at the long end. Not advocating for that; just throwing out a thought.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Last spring I got the Nikon 28-300 to take on vacation. If you want one lens that does almost everything, take a look at it. Very sharp, close focus, good colors and contrast. It stays on the camera most of the time now. And the price is coming down :?
Erv

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

I had the Nikon lens in question and it was good but then I changed to the Tamron 18-270 for the extra 70mm at the end. It has better VR than my Nikon 18-200 and that 70mm more is very nice to have.

The Nikon lens is more robustly built but as I mentioned, the VR is better on the Tamron and it is a good deal cheaper than the Nikon. I'd suggest going to a camera store, taking along a memory card and trying out both lenses on their cameras or your body. Go home compare the images, look in your pocket to see how much money you have and decide.

ishuttertothink Loc: Washington State

I love my 18-200 lens. Use it most of the time.

jtipps Loc: Dallas

ishuttertothink wrote:

I love my 18-200 lens. Use it most of the time.

I have several good lens but the 18-200 gets more use. My other ones are more specialized but the 18-200 will do most anything. Nice lens.

davpal Loc: long island

go for the nikon lens it is sharp and you have the wide angle and telephto. you will love the lens not heavy to carry

Frank 2012 Loc: Olathe, Kansas

Vick I wrote:

I have a Nikon D5000 with several lenses. One of them is a used Tamron 200-500MM that I purchased through Craigslist for a really good price. I've had it for nearly two years and find that I haven't used it much. I am looking at a used 18-200MM Nikon Nikkor AF-S through Craigslist and thinking of selling my Tamron lens to fund the Nikkor purchase. I think I would use the 18-200MM all of the time, as opposed to rarely using the Tamron. Any thoughts?

I think the Nikon 18-200 would be a good choice. I have a Canon 18-200 mm EF-S 3.5 5.6 IS that I bought with my Canon 50 D. This lens takes good pictures (I think). Maybe this lens in equivalent to the Nikon. I have other more expensive lens but I still use the 18-200. Including some sample pictures.

:x

1/200 at f 14 taken at 18mm on 1.6 sensor

1/500 at f 6.3 taken at 18mm on 1.6 sensor

full zoom 200 mm on 1.6 sensor

200 mm zoom on Canon 50 D

200 mm with Canon AF-S on Canon 50 D

Vick I Loc: Texas

Very nice. Thank you for the input.