Zoom lens question
Sep 16, 2023 15:04:12 #
jjanovy wrote:
I have the 18-300mm on a D3400 and love it for the creative flexibility it provides.
Thank you!
Sep 16, 2023 18:10:21 #
larryepage
Loc: North Texas area
I just looked the 18-200 mm lens up again, to make sure I'm not hallucinating. It comes up on the NikonUSA website for $649.95, the same price I paid for my wife's Version I probably 15 years ago, but if you click the button to buy one, it comes up as "Out of Stock," just as it has for the last 15 months.
B&H has one for sale at the same price, but it is clearly noted as a gray market product. This lens has a pretty consistent history for being quirky and problematic, so I'm not brave enough to buy without a factory warranty, at least not without a pretty significant discount.
KEH and other sources have them advertised for around $100 and up. Those prices are too low to give me any sense of comfort about buying.
You might feel differently about these concerns than I do. If so, you might want to check out some of the options.
B&H has one for sale at the same price, but it is clearly noted as a gray market product. This lens has a pretty consistent history for being quirky and problematic, so I'm not brave enough to buy without a factory warranty, at least not without a pretty significant discount.
KEH and other sources have them advertised for around $100 and up. Those prices are too low to give me any sense of comfort about buying.
You might feel differently about these concerns than I do. If so, you might want to check out some of the options.
Sep 16, 2023 19:51:19 #
Sep 16, 2023 23:49:51 #
SewClever wrote:
Hi friends, I have Nikons d7200 and d500 and my fa... (show quote)
I had the same situation, loose 18-200 Nikon, apparent loss of sharpness. Ran into a resale on UHH for same lens as Z was catching on, bought it. Comparison results proved that my old lens was less sharp.
I reviewed all the Nikon lenses made and there was no good substitute. I shot with a friend years ago that had the 18-300, took a number of pics with his lens, and was not happy with the results at 300mm. I avoid second party lenses other than those with special features.
I just checked and KEH lists two Nikon 18-200 lenses rated E(Excellent). I have bought two other lenses from KEH rated E; I totally recommend them for any lens rated E- or above.
Boris
Sep 17, 2023 06:56:35 #
Boris77 wrote:
I had the same situation, loose 18-200 Nikon, appa... (show quote)
Thank you. What do you think about sending it to Nikon for repair?
Sep 17, 2023 09:03:37 #
I also had a Nikon 18-140 on my D7100. I liked it even more than the 18-200. It was lighter and I felt sharper.
Sep 17, 2023 09:06:31 #
AndyT wrote:
I also had a Nikon 18-140 on my D7100. I liked it even more than the 18-200. It was lighter and I felt sharper.
Thank you!!
Sep 17, 2023 13:51:54 #
SewClever wrote:
Thank you. What do you think about sending it to Nikon for repair?
You can ask Nikon what their fee will be to check out the lens. They will contact you to get approval if something has to be repaired. If that were to occur, then you would have the option of the lens being repaired or returned to you.
It may be cheaper to buy a used lens is good working order. KEH and MPB usually give you a time period in which to return a lens if you are not happy with it. Just check their websites or call them to get the exact language.
Over the 60 years I have been using Nikon lenses, I have bought many used Nikon lenses and never had any problems with them.
Sep 17, 2023 14:09:31 #
photoman43 wrote:
You can ask Nikon what their fee will be to check ... (show quote)
Thank you for your thoughts. I was under the impression that most of my lens issues are due to the age of the lens. That's why, since it is a zoom lens, I hesitate to buy it used. Both my cameras (d7200 and d500) are used and I LOVE them, plus I have several other lenses I purchased used. This is the first time I've had these issues.
Sep 17, 2023 21:59:47 #
SewClever wrote:
Thank you. What do you think about sending it to Nikon for repair?
I have never sent old equipment to Nikon for repair; I stopped having cameras repaired when I could not do it locally. That is pre-digital. I have NO faith in Nikon supporting obsolete gear. but
If you can get a positive response from Nikon at a suggested price that is OK by you, go for it.
I have bought at least two (Nikon) cameras and two lenses from resale (KEH and Adorama) as well as two lenses thru UHH, and every one of them has lived up to the excellent quality advertised.
I keep the old lens for rainy days; my gear never comes back totally dry.
Boris
Sep 18, 2023 07:36:35 #
Boris77 wrote:
I have never sent old equipment to Nikon for repai... (show quote)
Thank you. I think I'm going to send it and see how I like the service. Lens is very clean, just needs to be calibrated and tightened, or something like that. My d7200 could use a good cleaning, so I'll send it there at the same time 🤞
Sep 19, 2023 22:42:55 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
While I am not a fan of "do it all" zooms, they have their place when you just want a single lens or are trying to travel light.
There are three possibilities...
Nikon 18-200mm DX (replacement), still avail. at B&H Photo, but gray market only.
Nikon 18-300mm DX
Tamron 18-400mm
Although the longer focal length lenses are a little larger, they are surprisingly close to the same weight and price as your 18-200mm.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/Nikon_AF-S+DX+NIKKOR+18-200mm+f_3.5-5.6G+ED+VR+II+Lens_vs_Tamron_18-400mm+f_3.5-6.3+Di+II+VC+HLD+Lens+for+Nikon+F_vs_Nikon_AF-S+DX+NIKKOR+18-300mm+f_3.5-6.3G+ED+VR+Lens/BHitems/644744-GREY_1345956-REG_1045736-REG
No guarantees that these won't have "zoom creep", too. It's common in zoom lenses. Some have a "zoom lock". I don't know if any of these do. I'll leave it to you to research them further... there are probably lots of reviews online, if you do a search.
There are three possibilities...
Nikon 18-200mm DX (replacement), still avail. at B&H Photo, but gray market only.
Nikon 18-300mm DX
Tamron 18-400mm
Although the longer focal length lenses are a little larger, they are surprisingly close to the same weight and price as your 18-200mm.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/Nikon_AF-S+DX+NIKKOR+18-200mm+f_3.5-5.6G+ED+VR+II+Lens_vs_Tamron_18-400mm+f_3.5-6.3+Di+II+VC+HLD+Lens+for+Nikon+F_vs_Nikon_AF-S+DX+NIKKOR+18-300mm+f_3.5-6.3G+ED+VR+Lens/BHitems/644744-GREY_1345956-REG_1045736-REG
No guarantees that these won't have "zoom creep", too. It's common in zoom lenses. Some have a "zoom lock". I don't know if any of these do. I'll leave it to you to research them further... there are probably lots of reviews online, if you do a search.
Sep 19, 2023 23:27:09 #
larryepage
Loc: North Texas area
amfoto1 wrote:
While I am not a fan of "do it all" zoom... (show quote)
Tamton also makes a 18-200 DX zoom, but it is different from the Nikkor in just about every way you can think of.
Sep 20, 2023 07:17:00 #
Sep 22, 2023 01:16:27 #
Harry02
Loc: Gardena, CA
SewClever wrote:
Hi friends, I have Nikons d7200 and d500 and my fa... (show quote)
I still have my "silver" Nikkor 28-80 FX lens- yeah kid thinks it looks "tacky".
BUT on those DX cameras it's like a 40-125. And it's small, light, cheap and quick.
Not an "only" lens, but a good all rounder for most. An excellent lens.
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