Nikon AF-S DX VR 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED user reviews

Pros Does a good job for nearly every purpose. The VR lets it take very sharp pictures in quite poor light.

Cons You have to remember to put the zoom lock on or the lens falls out to maximum zoom while you walk. The lens sun shield seems to be as frail as a taco shell & I left it in the box. I am going to buy a rubber one.

Summary I bought a Nikon D7000 camera to use with an old 35-105 Nikkor AF lens that was on my redundant 1988 film camera. It wasn't flexible enough - not enough zoom & the minimum shoot distance was too great. The 18-200 DX lens does practically everything I need to do photographically. A fixed focal length, low f-stop lens is better for specific jobs but if you want to carry one lens, this is a pretty good choice.

Pros - Zoom range, VR (normal and active), ease of use, metal mount, quiet focusing.

Cons Severe problems focusing in situations: low light, low contrast surfaces (snow, beach, etc..), light directed down barrel.
Long focusing distance - must stand at least 3ft away at 18mm, 2.5ft at 200mm.
Questionable material choice on critical internal c

Summary This has been my primary lens for the last 3 years on a D200 and now D90. While the 18-200 is a fantastic all-in-one lens it's internal construction quality coupled with it's weight worries me as I've already had to replace it once.


All in all I give it 3 and a half stars. I used to work at a camera store and have handled manylens for extended period of time. Nikon has the best version of the 18-200 and it has allowed me to capture a vast variaty of shots over the years. However, it's obvious problems cannot be over looked.

Pros Great range.

Cons The lens creep is unbelievable. In this day and tech age, this is a product that should never have left the drawing board.

Summary I can't believe Nikon would release a product with such a major mechanical malfunction. The lens "creep" is a pain in the backside. Try to do a tripod shot for a product shot or any shot with the lens pointing down. It will drive you crazy when your trying to frame and focus a product shot or any shot with the lens pointing down and the lens won't stop moving. Just carrying the camera with the strap over your shoulder will make the lens creep out to it's 200mm length allowing it to bang around. I've been shooting with Nikon gear for 30 years. I am beginning to see why Canon is winning the DSLR wars as I hear the techs at Nikon tell me to just not point the camera downward. Whoppy do to you Nikon.

Pros Zoom range,vibration reduction

Cons Zoom creeps on my early version

Summary This is a great travel lens. If you only have space to pack one lens, this would be the one. It can also be the one lens that you leave on the body all of the time.

I think that Nikon has addressed the zoom creep. My lens is one of the first. A friend with a later lens has had no creep issues.

Sure, it would be nice to have a full-frame lens, but that would add bulk and weight. Plus, FX camera bodies are still only in the $3,000+ range.