PDA

View Full Version : I never thought I would do it...



Scream And Fly
06-09-2009, 04:59 PM
But I did. I ordered the Nikon 18-200VR - a lens that I always swore I would never buy for any reason. Well, a photo shoot came up and it turns out that Nikon does not make any pro lenses in the focal range I needed, and for this shoot I will not be able to swap lenses or even camera bodies on the fly, so I settled on this jack-of-all-trades lens.

We'll see how it performs...

ozziffied
06-09-2009, 05:08 PM
I had that one and switched to the AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED I like that one allot better... the 24-85mm 1.28-4 is still my ultimate favorite though!

Scream And Fly
06-09-2009, 05:47 PM
I would love to take my 70-200 2.8, but I need something wider. The 24-120 is an option, but I understand this lens is not so great. I'm shooting from a helicopter, so I really won't have a chance to swap lenses. I have the 16-85, but it doesn't have the reach I need for this shoot. The 18-200 has the range (and then some), but I have reservations about this lens. I never owned a "superzoom" before.

Motorcies
06-09-2009, 07:24 PM
is good for your pictures
Perfect is 17-55 and 70-200
18-200Vr is good, wat is your camera ?

Casey
06-09-2009, 07:26 PM
Greg I bought one earlier this year and love it. I think once you use it a few times you will think differently as long as you remember it is what it is, a jack of all trade lens.

http://cgudgell.smugmug.com/photos/495737268_sVWRo-XL.jpg

http://cgudgell.smugmug.com/photos/521566095_wdZ7H-M.jpg

hsbob
06-09-2009, 08:54 PM
its not the best lens butdoes cover the water front. just remember the vr in low lite does not stop moving objects.

seahorse
06-09-2009, 11:03 PM
Just remember that the 18-200 zoom works best from about 24 to 175 or so and at f5.6, f8, and f11. Your images will be the sharpest within those settings.

pyro
06-10-2009, 05:33 AM
Just remember that the 18-200 zoom works best from about 24 to 175 or so and at f5.6, f8, and f11. Your images will be the sharpest within those settings.

:iagree: Stay within the middle of its range and it should be fine. I know you've said some bad stuff about this lens, but I was actually thinking of replacing my 18-135 with one in the future. Let us know how it works out...

jmc
06-11-2009, 01:11 PM
Many reviews say its the best superzoom out there.

cutwater
07-01-2009, 05:08 AM
So, Greg, did you try out the 18-200 and if so, what did you think?

Scream And Fly
07-01-2009, 05:20 AM
So, Greg, did you try out the 18-200 and if so, what did you think?

Yes - I used it for that shoot. The 18-200 did well, it was plenty fast, and it gave pretty good results. I won't say I was totally pleased with its resolution, but it did OK. Not a bad lens, but not something I would use unless I really needed it.

Some samples from that shoot are here:

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1689099&postcount=43

Motorcies
07-01-2009, 05:59 AM
My work D200 and 17-55 Nikon
F1 Portimao 2009

http://www.motorciesracing.com/Galerias_imagenes/Portimao_f1/Selec_albums.html

select album please

Shaun K
07-01-2009, 06:19 AM
I would love to take my 70-200 2.8, but I need something wider. The 24-120 is an option, but I understand this lens is not so great. I'm shooting from a helicopter, so I really won't have a chance to swap lenses. I have the 16-85, but it doesn't have the reach I need for this shoot. The 18-200 has the range (and then some), but I have reservations about this lens. I never owned a "superzoom" before.

Drop the 70-200 on a FF D3 or D700...Youll be at 70mm instead 105mm..Could always bring a 2nd body/lens combo (D200/D300) too right ? If I was in your neck of the woods I would simply lend you D3/24-70

Dinomite
08-18-2009, 01:48 PM
Pictures I posted over the years is with a little pocket Cannon SD800 IS
Digital camera. :eek::eek:

Probably should have had another AR15 custom built!! But last weekend
I purchased Nikon D90 SLR Camera with 18-105mm DX VR Lens after talking
with Greg. Taken several pictures this D90 is incredible!! :thumbsup:

Now I am looking for a 70-200 or 70-300... What is available? "Used"

Dinomite

Scream And Fly
08-21-2009, 04:07 AM
Dean, I'm glad to see that you're enjoying your D90. That camera body is capable of producing images of the highest professional standard. The rest is up to the lens and you :). Before the 70-300, I would strongly consider the Nikon 80-200 2.8. It doesn't have VR, but honestly I've only used VR 3 times in my life in a professional shoot. It's really not needed in my opinion unless you're shooting a lot of still subjects in low light. The 80-200's optics are on par with the Nikon 70-200 2.8, and although it does not have an internal focus motor (AF-S), it focuses plenty fast for sports, and it will certainly focus faster than the 70-300. Of course, if you can find a great deal on a 70-200, that lens in my favorite. :)

Call anytime if you need help with it.

Greg

hsbob
08-21-2009, 10:01 AM
i fully agree with gregs last post. your better spending the vr moneyon a good flash like the nikon 800 or 900. they run over 300 but its a far better way to go then vr. note greg said still objects in low lite. moving objects will blure.

Casey
08-21-2009, 11:42 AM
like Greg said this is the lens you want. Nikon lenses hold their value, so don't bother buying a used one unless you know is mint and you’re getting a steal on it, otherwise buy a new one for a couple of hundred more. I paid $825 for mine 3 years ago brand new from buydig, now they sell used for that. A new one is around a grand.

a 70-200 will cost $1500 plus for a used one and the newest one that was just released will be closer to $2500

http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=NK80200AFDT

Dinomite
08-22-2009, 07:21 AM
Thanks for your help! Nikon 70-200 will be my next lens.
http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=NK80200AFDT

Next weekend in Augusta we have 5th Annual Georgia/South
Carolina "King of the Hill" Rally August 28, 29, 30. Looking
forward to taking pictures for 3 days.

Dinomite

Dinomite
10-19-2009, 03:49 PM
Last weekend I took a few pictures at 2009 Boshears Memorial Air Show

This one we could feel the heat when Gary Ward flew next to
the explosion.

I really like my Nikon.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r162/drbimmer1/2009%20Boshears%20Memorial%20Airshow/GaryWardJetTruck-1b.jpg

Liberator*21
10-20-2009, 06:23 AM
Now that's one "HOT PIC"................:thumbsup:

Casey
10-20-2009, 07:44 AM
nice shot!

pyro
10-20-2009, 08:49 AM
I'll second that! Nice one.

I purchased an 16-85 VR a couple of months ago, and I'm regretting not getting a super-zoom.
Lenses like the Nikon 18-200vr and the Sigma 18-250 are around the same size, with only a few minor quirks at the wide and long ends, and around the edges. Big deal, I crop images all the time. Any recommendations? Gary, don't you have a Sigma on your D200?

Does anyone have an interest in buying my 16-85vr? Used only 2 or 3 times...

Casey
10-20-2009, 10:39 AM
Chad you could ebay the 16-85 for enough to almost buy a new 18-200.

Casey
10-20-2009, 10:46 AM
Here's a few i took with mine last weekend at "The Texas Mile" (http://www.texasmile.net/)


http://cgudgell.smugmug.com/photos/685234296_4wtxm-L.jpg

http://cgudgell.smugmug.com/photos/685280384_LRJoU-L.jpg

Dinomite
11-10-2009, 05:01 PM
I found the lens I am going to buy...

Nikon launches the AF-S NIKKOR 70-200MM F/2.8G ED VR II. Professional
tele-zoom remastered; class leading quality under any lighting conditions.

http://www.eclecticelectronics.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/nikon-af-s-nikkor-70-200mm-f-2.8-ed-vr-ii-600x450.jpg

Any thoughts on this lens except wait a while for the price to drop...

Dinomite

pyro
11-10-2009, 07:26 PM
Pretty much same as the old one but with vr "II", right?

I have the 2.8 70-200 vr, it's a fantastic lens.

dp29
11-11-2009, 05:11 PM
Dinomite I found some information for you.

Nikon AF-S 70-200mm F/2.8G ED VR II is a professional telezoom lens
featuring a brand new optical design for better image quality and
extended Vibration Reduction capability. The lens is shorter but
heavier than its predecessor and will be available from November
2009 at an RRP of £1999 / €2430 / $2399.95.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/ProductDetail.page?pid=2139

Casey
11-11-2009, 05:22 PM
if I was you I’d save a grand and buy the old one, that's what I did last month when I sold my 80-200.

one reason for the newer one is to help with the edge to edge sharpness on a full frame, but after a lot of reading I’m not even sure if the older 70-200 had a problem.