Product Description

Nikon's 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor is a high-ratio 11x zoom lens with Nikon's exclusive VR II Vibration Reduction technology. Nikon's VR II provides the equivalent of a shutter speed 4 steps faster than would otherwise be possible, enabling substantially sharper pictures in challenging conditions. The Nikkor 18-200mm lens incorporates two ED glass and three aspheric lens elements to provide optimal color, contrast and clarity while minimizing chromatic aberrations and other distortion, resulting in outstanding image quality and versatility. In addition, Nikon's compact AF-S Silent Wave Motor provides fast and quiet autofocusing while the M/A mode allows for simultaneous switching between Autofocus and manual focus operation.

Product Details

• Brand: Nikon
• Model: 2159
• Dimensions: 9.00" h x 6.00" w x 4.00" l, 1.50 pounds

Features

• High-ratio, 11x zoom lens and 18-200mm focal range
• VR II Vibration Reduction technology provides a four-steps-faster shutter speed
• Lens incorporates two ED glass and three aspheric lens elements
• Delivers high-resolution and contrast, outstanding image quality, and fantastic photographic versatility
• AF-S Silent Wave Motor provides fast quiet autofocusing, and M/A mode makes it easy to switch from auto to manual focus

From the Manufacturer
The 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor lens is a compact, lightweight, 11.1x zoom lens that is ideal for high-performance, everyday photography, and it incorporates advanced features such as Nikon's Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass, Silent Wave Motor technology (SWM), and Enhanced Vibration Reduction (VR II) in a DX-Nikkor design engineered exclusively for use with Nikon DX format digital SLR cameras. With a remarkable 18-200mm focal length range (picture angle equivalent to a 27-300mm lens in 35mm format), the lens conveniently covers everything from wide landscapes to tight portraits and action photography. Advanced Nikon engineering has lent the lens a compact, lightweight design that offers excellent handling characteristics and superb optical quality.

Beyond the lens's incredible optical versatility is the benefit of Enhanced VR II Vibration Reduction, an innovation that makes it possible to take substantially sharper handheld pictures at slower shutter speeds than would otherwise be possible. This provides the distinct advantage of being able to shoot more effectively in a much broader variety of challenging conditions. With the new Nikon VR II advantage, users can take pictures at shutter speeds as many as 4 stops slower than they ordinarily could shoot without the image-degrading blur associated with camera shake at slow shutter speeds. Nikon's VR technology further enhances picture-taking potential with a choice of two modes to match most shooting conditions. VR Normal Mode primarily compensates for camera shake, and includes automatic panning detection, as well as automatic tripod detection. VR Active Mode effectively compensates for vibration in situations where it is more pronounced and more frequent, such as when shooting from a moving vehicle.

To further ensure outstanding optical performance, the 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor features two Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass elements and three complex aspherical lens elements that provide for higher resolution, high-contrast images while minimizing chromatic aberration, astigmatism, and other forms of distortion. The lens also features Nikon's compact Silent Wave Motor technology (SWM), which combines fast and precise autofocusing with super-quiet operation, as well as Internal Focusing (IF) construction that allows the lens to focus without changing its external size, improving balance and handling chrematistics.

All of Nikon's DX Nikkor lenses are engineered exclusively for use with Nikon DX format digital SLR cameras, making the lens smaller and lighter while providing exceptional center-to-edge-to-corner image quality and overall optical performance.

Major features of the Nikon 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor lens:

• Offers a broad 18-200mm focal range (11.1x zoom) for use in a variety of situations (equivalent to a 27-300 mm lens in 35mm format); VR II Vibration Reduction system offers the practical equivalent of using a shutter speed 4 stops faster
• Two ED glass and three complex aspherical lens elements minimize chromatic aberration, astigmatism, and other forms of distortion while ensuring high resolution and contrast
• Incorporates a compact SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for quiet focusing. Delivers high-level optical performance that is specially designed for use with the Nikon digital SLRs
• Employs a seven-blade, rounded diaphragm opening that achieves a natural blur for out-of-focus elements
• Enables focusing from as close as 50 centimeters (20 inches) from the subject through its entire focal range
• M/A mode for rapid switching between autofocus and manual focus operation
• Internal Focusing (IF) design simplifies the use of circular polarizing filters
• Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC) offers superb color reproduction while minimizing ghosting and flare
• Flower-shaped lens hood HB-35 (included) greatly reduces stray light, enhancing image quality

Customer Reviews

Great lens with one major caveat
I recently bought this lens with high hopes. I wanted to replace my Tamron 18-200 macro lens that I've dropped twice, and which now creeps terribly when pointed downward. Imagine my horror when I discovered this much vaunted Nikon lens does the same thing, brand new! A friend contacted Nikon, who told her that "excessive" creep can be adjusted somewhat, but the lens will always creep to some extent due to the way it's made. So if you never want or need to shoot something below you, buy all means, buy this lens with confidence. Otherwise, caveat emptor!

Versatile
I just want to preface this review by saying that I am a casual photographer. I just purchased a Nikon D40 and was looking for a lens for this camera. I like to read the bad customer reviews for any product I buy because I want to see what the downside of a product is. I was reading a lot of reviews that spoke of focus creep, and image bending / distortion, etc, so I almost didn't purchase this lens. I instead purchased the 55-200MM lens. The first time I used the 55-200MM lens I was taking pictures at a 50th anniversary party, and while the picture quality was great, I found myself switching lens to get close up pictures (pictures of subjects closer than 10 feet away). I missed a lot of photo opportunities because I had to switch lenses. That's when I decided to purchase this lens.

Having used this lens for about a month now, I have to say that I love it! It takes amazing pictures and it is extremely versatile. Gone are the days of carry multiple lenses and switching them out. The only down side of this product is its weight. It is much heavier than the 55-200MM, but it is a small price to pay considering you don't have to carry multiple lenses and miss photo opportunities.

The Only Lens You Need!
If you are like most of us that love photography, you're always looking for the "perfect lens". My camera bag was loaded with various lenses (five prior to this writing) so I would always be ready to capture some interesting shot. I outgrew two camera bags after starting with a very simple LowePro bag and got to the point that I didn't take my camera with me because it was cumbersome. Nikon 18mm-200mm VR lens to the rescue! I knew about this lens because my son had been using it since it first came out and I saw the MANY great photos he took...all with only this one lens. I finally realized that although a wee bit expensive, this one lens would free me of having to carry the big bulky bag, but at the same time would provide coverage for almost any shot I could imagine! I bought this lens from Amazon a few weeks ago and found it to be a perfect lens...VERY sharp, excellent color renditions due to the quality of the coatings and glass, light weight, fast focusing, and gives me the ability to take shots I would've missed before with the excellent VR function! I highly recommend this lens to anyone, amateur or pro (my son is pro photographer, by the way) as it truly is a "one-lens" solution where you don't feel like you've had to sacrifice anything to get this much flexibility!