While we're talking "which lens" for Nikon...

[beano500]

What about this new 18-200?

Not normally a fan of zooms, but wondering about it as a travel lens. Plus it's a design for the DX size sensor so wonder if this has soem quality advantages?

Any thoughts? I haven't seen it reviewed anywhere yet?

[imperialism2024]

Mmm I like primes...

But at f/3.5-5.6, it seems a little slow. Especially when compared to the 80-200mm f/2.8 for $170-$200 more. The next lens I'm looking to get is the latter since I'm not too concerned with the 10mm gap between 70mm and 80mm that I would have with my kit lens as a secondary lens.

Just IMHO though.

[_dobbo_]

imperialism2024 said:

But at f/3.5-5.6, it seems a little slow.

You are forgetting it has VR.

And (if you own one) you can flog your 18-70mm and make back most of the cost.

Assuming it's any good at 18-50mm (which is where i take most of my pics) i'd get one and lose the 18-70 which in my case doesn't seem like I have the best one out there.

[simpo two]

_dobbo_ said:

And (if you own one) you can flog your 18-70mm and make back most of the cost.

I don't think so!
It crossed my mind to consider, but it's not cheap and whilst it has VR you still won't get the shallow DOF of fast lenses. So Simpo's money stays in the bank

[_dobbo_]

most, some, it's nearly the same thing...

[J1mmyD]

I love my old nikkon. Absolutely LOVE it. But I tend to use my olympus digi these days ... one day, I will splurge and get a D2.

Anyhooooo .... I have two general purpose lenses:

Hoya 28mm manual which is just one of the best lenses I've eve owned; then,
Centon 30-210 AF macro zoom, picked up on ebay years ago for something obscene like £20 - it's supposed to be a bad make, but you'd never guess from the photos I've got with it and it's still pristine.

Best advice - www.ebay.com

[poah]

if canon made one I'd not buy it. 10x zoom, too slow and too expensive. good for holiday snapshots though. like the canon 17-85 about £100 too expensive.

[CVP]

beano500 said:

What about this new 18-200? Not normally a fan of zooms, but wondering about it as a travel lens. Plus it's a design for the DX size sensor so wonder if this has soem quality advantages? Any thoughts? I haven't seen it reviewed anywhere yet?

Maybe if that's all you can carry e.g. it's a world tour with one back pack, but otherwise really I'd be wary myself. All that zoom range has got to have some compromises in plus look at that slow maximum aperture. VR is great and does work well but I wouldn't spend the cash on that particular lens myself.

assuming you've got amid range zoom already then maybe plump for a second hand 70-300 f5.6 (doesn't get you round the slow max aperture) but is cheap and light. Otherwise a second hand 80-200 f2.8 (AFS and non AFS available), yes it's a lot heavier but they are coming down in price as people move to the 70-200 f2.8 VR and also it's a really sharp lens.

Just my own 2p, but I'd make room for a couple of lenses when travelling. Ok you've got to compromise between kit taken and space / weight but you could fit body plus mid range 24-85 ish plus the telephoto in most small bags.

Chris

[imperialism2024]

[geriatric mode]"Back in my day, we used to carry around a big bag full of lenses!"[/geriatric mode]