Bill_de Loc: US

I have the VR-1 version. IIRC it was the kit lens with a D300. My nephew has the D300, I still have the lens. Yes, there is lens creep, but so does the 200-500. I consider it the nature of the beast.

I have no issues shooting with the lens nor with the results.

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chapin in utah Loc: Utah

Wow! Apparently everybody who owns this baby loves it.
I am going to take the plunge and get it.
Thank you all for your comments. Regards.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Enjoy the decision. You won't look back.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I have owned the first and second version of the 18-200 mm lens. The first issue, which at first was made in Japan and some folks feel it was the sharpest version of this lens manufactured, had lens creep problems. The second version came with a zoom lock and a upgraded VR system. I currently own the current version and it is my go to vacation lens, that and the Nikon 10-20. I can take 90 % of my shots with this lens, I recently mounted it to my D500 cause my grand daughter was in town and I wanted a lens that I would not have to switch out on the fly. The photo's I get from this lens are very very good. On vacation this lens is a lot lighter than the 18-300 version and I mount it on a smaller Black Rapid strap and it is comfortable all day, not too heavy on my shoulder. The zoom range becomes 27-300 on your D7200 and that should cover most photo ops. This lens is very affordable MINT IN THE BOX on ebay. Mine has stood the test of time and will remain a valuable option for years to come.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

I use one on a 7200 and would describe it as OK and nothing more. My advice would be get a 50mm 1.8 Prime and use your feet to zoom. Depends how sharp you want you pictures but over 150 mm the lens your thinking of buying has sharpness fall off problems.

GQ Loc: Windsor, Ontario Canada.

May want to consider 28-300 which is what I have for my D7100 & D7200. This is an FX lens, so you are using the center "sweet" spot on your D7200 & if you ever upgrade to full frame (FX) camera you can still use this lens. I purchased this to replace 70-300 as a walk-around lens as the 70-300 is not wide enough at times. Keep that trusty 50mm with you & you will have great range & the bokeh you like. The 28-300 also focuses down to 18" & has a zoom lock Trust me you will want the 300 end for shooting birds, I have the 200-500 mm and even add 1.4 teleconverter at times for wildlife shots. I figure on long hikes I will be able to carry the 28-300 rather than the 200-500 that weights in at over 6lbs.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I used the 18-200 on my DX bodies. When I got FX, I got the FX equivalent, the 28-300mm. Both nice lenses.

https://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/lenses
http://lenshero.com/lens-comparison
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx
http://www.lenstip.com/lenses.html
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare
http://www.lenscore.org/

74images Loc: Los Angeles, California

What is Creep or Creeping, that's a New one to me

74images

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

With my first DSLR I got a 18-200 lens. I thought it was a great all-round lens and I used it extensively. Eventually I got some more lenses. The 17-55 gave me significantly more sharpness, but not the range I wanted, so I got the 70-200, which was also sharper than the 18-200. I still used the 18-200 for casual shots since it was more convenient than switching lenses all the time.

Eventually I got into FX, and picked up a 28-300, which is about the same range on FX that the 18-200 was on DX. I found the 28-300 significcantly sharper on FX than the 18-200 was on DX, but still not quite as sharp as the 24-70 and 70-200. Since it's really convenient to have only one lens to lug around, it still gets a lot of use.

As far as lens creep goes, it did happen. I put a rubber band around the lens with a couple turns so it could go on both the static and moving part of the lens. That pretty much stopped the creep and still allowed me to move the focal length.

Lens creep is just gravity. When the lens is pointing downwards, gravity will pull the lens out to longer focal lengths. Not a really big problem, just an annoyance.

lrattner

The only issue I had with the 18-200 2.8 lens was its weight. Really sharp and not experience with creep with that lens.

SteveTog Loc: Philly

I found a Nikkor 18-200 VRI for sale at a flea market this summer for $50. It was kind of abused and needed a good home so I bought it. Even though someone had turned the zoom ring around 180 degrees and had mucked up the barrel enough to make it tough to turn through 100mm with one hand, it was still sharp and had a fast enough AF that I decided to send it in to Nikon to repair. For $180, they turned it into pretty much a new lens.

It is very sharp by my standards and has a wonderful range. It's now my walk around lens unless I'm being super sensitive about weight and then I go to a 18-55mm Nikkor. I also use the Tokina 11-16, Nikkor 55-200 and 35mm DX F/1.8 as my strictly DX lenses. i would recommend them for any photos that I am not considering for submission to a gallery (which I have done) and National Geographic (which I have not done.) You can get very nice bokeh doing portraits out towards the 200mm range.

This is a fine lens to use for most professional work that will appear on a computer screen, a CD cover or in a normal magazine (which I have done.) It is good enough for portraits, close in wild life, events, general landscapes and architecture (especially if you correct profiles with Lightroom software.)

If you are doing a lot of professional work for demanding customers, you might want to buy a few different, higher priced and lower ranged lenses to cover the range of this very utilitarian lens, but it is an excellent lens for most applications, and I'd recommend it for most people.

Elsiss Loc: Bayside, NY, Boynton Beach, Fl.

Wonderful lens which I use on my d7000, especially when traveling. Mine creeps occasionally. If it bothers you, get a Lensband. I am not bothered by occasional lens creep and enjoy this lens immensely. One of the best travel lens for versatility. The 18-300 has more reach. Depending on your shooting style and what you are shooting, you need to choose which one will suit you. The 18-200 is lighter weight. Have fun.

Gspeed Loc: Rhinebeck, NY

I have this lens for my D90. I don't find the creeping to be an issue. I've upgraded to the D610 (full frame camera) and am interested to see how 18-200 performs on the D610 once I get it back from my daughter: Nikkor AF-S 18-200mm DX ED SWM VR IF, retail $646

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Gravity causes the lens to extend when carried face down. Not a big deal. Some lenses (28-300mm) have a lock, but then you must release it to adjust the focal length.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I am entirely satisfied with my 18-200 VR lens. Yes they creep if extended while holding the camera with the lens down but as you have said, that is not an issue for many. The new version has a button that will stop that.
As a general walk around lens it is excellent but unless the birds you plan to shoot are at close range I would not use it for bird photography. In that case in particular the 70-300 VR is better.