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View Full Version : Nikon 18mm to 200mm VR AFS

AzRich
March 26th, 2006, 08:08 PM
I gotta admit, I was a bit worried about this lens when I ordered it. Seeing so many people giving thumbs up and down made me wonder.

My goal was to get a lens that would travel well. I realize that there's no substitute for a f2.8 or faster lens, but this guy seemed to be a good compromise.

It's not bad. Quick and sure to focus, reasonably sharp 'wide' open on each and, and a pleasant bokeh in my taste. Here's a few shots. It does get dark corners when stopped down. Overall I feel it's worth the price and will serve me well.

All these were convrted with Bibble and corrected for distortion with the free plug in.

http://i.pbase.com/o4/68/497568/1/57791996.18to200mmVR09.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/o4/68/497568/1/57791994.18to200mmVR08.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/o4/68/497568/1/57791991.18to200mmVR05.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/o4/68/497568/1/57791990.18to200mmVR04.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/o4/68/497568/1/57791989.18to200mmVR03.jpg
easternherp
March 26th, 2006, 10:46 PM
Looks pretty good on screen. What is the distortion like?
Bill C
March 27th, 2006, 03:59 AM
All of the reviews I've read indicate that this is a good piece of glass. It certainly is a hot item and most sites are backordered. (some ebay sales are over $1,000 for the lens which lists at $699!). I have an order in for one at less than $699 - of course I just have to be patient!)
Nice pics by the way!
Bill
proberts
March 27th, 2006, 05:39 AM
I'd recommend treating it *very* gently:

http://www.nikonians.org/dcforum/DCForumID6/16650.html

Paul
AzRich
March 27th, 2006, 02:54 PM
Nice link Paul, Pretty cool lookin' lens when it's in 1/2.

I will be careful :)

I got mine from robertsimaging.com where it's listed at $669.97.
AzRich
April 5th, 2006, 01:03 PM
And NR from Bibble-

Here's the EXIF, with distance info!

This is the shot with the chair-
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time 04-Apr-2006 13:59:54
Make Nikon
Model NIKON D200
Flash Used No
Focal Length 18 mm
Exposure Time 1/25 sec
Aperture f/8
ISO Equivalent 500
Exposure Bias +1/3
White Balance (9)
Metering Mode matrix (5)
JPEG Quality (6)
Exposure Program manual (1)
Focus Distance 1.18 m

This one is the train car-
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time 04-Apr-2006 13:58:54
Make Nikon
Model NIKON D200
Flash Used No
Focal Length 18 mm
Exposure Time 1/40 sec
Aperture f/8
ISO Equivalent 1600
Exposure Bias +1/3
White Balance (9)
Metering Mode matrix (5)
JPEG Quality (6)
Exposure Program manual (1)
Focus Distance 1.18 m

interesting, seems I focus at 1.18m a lot :confused: