Nikon 18-200 VR2: I am currently using a Nikon D7000 with a Nikon 18-70 and a Tamron 70-300 VC but was thinking about selling these two lenses and buying a Nikon 18-200 VR2. Adorama is...

h2odog Loc: Brooklyn NY

I am currently using a Nikon D7000 with a Nikon 18-70 and a Tamron 70-300 VC but was thinking about selling these two lenses and buying a Nikon 18-200 VR2. Adorama is selling a used one with an E+ rating for $559 and a refurb for $659. I rarely use the 70-300 and was wondering what you guys think? Thanks for any feedback.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

h2odog wrote:

I am currently using a Nikon D7000 with a Nikon 18-70 and a Tamron 70-300 VC but was thinking about selling these two lenses and buying a Nikon 18-200 VR2. Adorama is selling a used one with an E+ rating for $559 and a refurb for $659. I rarely use the 70-300 and was wondering what you guys think? Thanks for any feedback.

Here's my quick suggestion - before lashing out on a new lens why not do an analysis of, say, 100 photos where you have most used your lenses. Check on the focal lengths you used. You'll get a good idea of your most commonly used focal length ....... perhaps the results might surprise you as they did me ! It certainly helped me decide which lenses I should have in my arsenal !

h2odog Loc: Brooklyn NY

craggycrossers wrote:

Here's my quick suggestion - before lashing out on a new lens why not do an analysis of, say, 100 photos where you have most used your lenses. Check on the focal lengths you used. You'll get a good idea of your most commonly used focal length ....... perhaps the results might surprise you as they did me ! It certainly helped me decide which lenses I should have in my arsenal !

Thank you for your suggestion. It certainly makes a lot of sense. My thinking is that with the 18-200, I would have that extra reach when needed without having to carry two lenses.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

h2odog wrote:

Thank you for your suggestion. It certainly makes a lot of sense. My thinking is that with the 18-200, I would have that extra reach when needed without having to carry two lenses.

No problem ! I have no experience of the lens you're looking at, I'm afraid. After I did my "focal length analysis" I settled on 2 lenses - the Sigma 17-50 f2.8 OS and the Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 (non OS). That was my choice having done my own research as to what would suit my needs and my pocket. Good luck with making your own choice.

John Lawrence

h2odog wrote:

Thank you for your suggestion. It certainly makes a lot of sense. My thinking is that with the 18-200, I would have that extra reach when needed without having to carry two lenses.

For what it's worth, I shot a Nikon D80 with an 18-200 lens on it for many years. It was my walk-around lens and stayed on my camera 75% of the time. When I eventually traded my D80 for a full frame camera, the first lens I bought was a 28-300 which is basically the same lens made for full frame. I still have the lens 5 years later and it's still on my camera 75% of the time.

The biggest limitation I found is the lens is slow. I bought a 50mm lens that I carry in my bag for those times when I need a faster lens to shoot in low light situations. Good luck.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

h2odog wrote:

I am currently using a Nikon D7000 with a Nikon 18-70 and a Tamron 70-300 VC but was thinking about selling these two lenses and buying a Nikon 18-200 VR2. Adorama is selling a used one with an E+ rating for $559 and a refurb for $659. I rarely use the 70-300 and was wondering what you guys think? Thanks for any feedback.

You might want to consider the 28-300mm. It's FX, but it will work fine on your D7000.

http://www.google.com/search?q=nikon+280300mm+refurb&oq=nikon+280300mm+refurb&aqs=chrome..69i57.8022j0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=nikon+28-300mm+refurbished&tbm=shop

buffmaloney Loc: Indiana

Check this http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/633-nikkor182003556vrii

and

http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/235-nikkor-af-s-18-70mm-f35-45-g-if-ed-dx-review--test-report

then try to decide.

h2odog Loc: Brooklyn NY

John Lawrence wrote:

For what it's worth, I shot a Nikon D80 with an 18... (show quote)

Thank you John. I do have a 50 1.8 which has come in handy in low light situations. I love my D7000 and don't plan on going full frame so for me I want to be able to have a lens that I will use as you do 75% of the time. I have a 10-20 and a 90 macro as well for ultra-wide and macro work. I am not trying to convince myself to get the 18-200 and don't want to make a hasty decision.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I have the 28-300mm zoom on my D7000. It is on my camera most of the time. Often I will used the 200-300 range. If I need more of a wide angle, I have an 11-16. Nice thing about this 28-300 is that the lens is compatible with full frame if I ever take that plunge.

h2odog Loc: Brooklyn NY

ebrunner wrote:

I have the 28-300mm zoom on my D7000. It is on my camera most of the time. Often I will used the 200-300 range. If I need more of a wide angle, I have an 11-16. Nice thing about this 28-300 is that the lens is compatible with full frame if I ever take that plunge.

Not needing to go full frame but the 28-300 does seem interesting, I was wondering how it would compare to the Nixon 18-300.Size wise, is the 28-300 closer to the 18-200?

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

h2odog wrote:

Not needing to go full frame but the 28-300 does seem interesting, I was wondering how it would compare to the Nixon 18-300.Size wise, is the 28-300 closer to the 18-200?

I think the two lenses are actually quite close to each other dimension wise. The big difference between the two is that the 28-300 is an FX lens and the 18-300 is a DX lens. I know that the 28-300 is a f/3.5-f/5.6 depending on where the zoom is. The 18-300 might be a bit faster which would be a plus.

Gerry Robinson Loc: Oxfordshire, England

h2odog wrote:

I am currently using a Nikon D7000 with a Nikon 18-70 and a Tamron 70-300 VC but was thinking about selling these two lenses and buying a Nikon 18-200 VR2. Adorama is selling a used one with an E+ rating for $559 and a refurb for $659. I rarely use the 70-300 and was wondering what you guys think? Thanks for any feedback.

Hi H20dog,
I have a D7000 and used the 18-200 VR1, but after I dropped it I got the 18-200 VR2. Have been very pleased with both, but the VR2 has the lock to stop the lens extending when you carry it vertically. It gives a good range and the fact that you have one carry about lens means you are ready for most shots. I also have a 50mm 1.8 lens which I carry in my bag.
I wouldn't change it.

Kind regards

Gerry

jhud202 Loc: Prineville, OR

I have the exact same set up with an assortment of other lens. The 18-200 is my walk around, always on lens and I love it. Matched with the D7000, it provides excellent coverage from wide to telephoto producing great photographs and will not disappoint. I would buy the refurb and not a used one. Be sure to get the VRII because of the lock because they do have a tendency to creep when carried. Good luck and good shooting!

AceMan Loc: UK

When Nikon brought out their first 18-200 mm lens, I rushed out and brought 2 one for my wife and the other for myself.
We used them on 1 assignment and was so disappointed with the results at the 200 mm end that I traded them back in for the 16-85 mm lens which is absolutely stunning. The 16-85 mm lens is of a similar quality to the 18- 70 mm you already have both of these lenses are rated very highly in the UK.
I feel that the 10x magnification of the 18- 200 mm is pushing the optics to far in one lens and you would be better of with 2 lenses covering the range.
To reduce weight I have just brought the new 70-200 mm f4 a bit expensive but what a cracker and about half the weight of my old 80-200 f2.8.
Hope this helps.
Regards
AceMan

GPS Phil Loc: Dayton Ohio

h2odog wrote:

Thank you John. I do have a 50 1.8 which has come in handy in low light situations. I love my D7000 and don't plan on going full frame so for me I want to be able to have a lens that I will use as you do 75% of the time. I have a 10-20 and a 90 macro as well for ultra-wide and macro work. I am not trying to convince myself to get the 18-200 and don't want to make a hasty decision.

I was looking at the 18-200 when I purchased my D7000 and also researched what I used most. I did a good deal of digging and reading and ended up with the 16-85 DX lens. Very sharp and it stays on one of my cameras at all times.