Nikon 55-200 mm F/4 5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR SLR Camera Lens w/ Vibration Reduction
Nikon
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(41)
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I've been using this lens on my Nikon D40. Truth be told, I wasn't too thrilled with the basic kit that only came with the 18-55 lens. I'd been using my Canon SI3 as my preferred camera for sporting events, travel, and school activities.
I'd had my eye on this lens for a while but just couldn't justify the price until I found a reasonably priced refurbished lens. The icing on the cake for me is that I get incredible compositions with a very modest investment (my lens was half the retail price of a new one at Circuit City). I couldn't be more pleased.
Low lighting and shadows do limit some shots that include action or rapid movement. On the other hand, most lenses and cameras have this limitation. But if your subject is relatively still, you'll have no problem letting in more light at a slower shutter speed to get great photos.
Like any lens, your best shots will be in good daylight or strong indoor lighting. You won't be disappointed.
Because it's a zoom lens, you won't
I'd had my eye on this lens for a while but just couldn't justify the price until I found a reasonably priced refurbished lens. The icing on the cake for me is that I get incredible compositions with a very modest investment (my lens was half the retail price of a new one at Circuit City). I couldn't be more pleased.
Low lighting and shadows do limit some shots that include action or rapid movement. On the other hand, most lenses and cameras have this limitation. But if your subject is relatively still, you'll have no problem letting in more light at a slower shutter speed to get great photos.
Like any lens, your best shots will be in good daylight or strong indoor lighting. You won't be disappointed.
Because it's a zoom lens, you won't
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I bought this lens to complement the kit lens (18-55mm) that came with my Nikon D40. After about a month of using this lens, my fondness for it has depleted... let me explain:
The performance of this lens is quite surprising for its low cost. It's relatively sharp, and the colors are quite good. Obviously (since this is a cheap lens) the body of this lens is not rugged and up to pro standards, but average amateur photographers will probably not be disappointed by it. It is sturdier than the 18-55mm kit lens, but not A LOT sturdier. The bokeh (out-of-focus area rendering) that this lens produces is well controlled. It's un-distracting and smooth, but not "stunning."
At this point, you're probably thinking to yourself that this seems like a great lens for the price. It is... However, after only about a month of use, I have returned this lens, and bought the 70-200mm VR f/2.8 Nikkor. Why? Because I realized quite quickly that this lens (the 55-200mm VR) does not allow me to get many of the
The performance of this lens is quite surprising for its low cost. It's relatively sharp, and the colors are quite good. Obviously (since this is a cheap lens) the body of this lens is not rugged and up to pro standards, but average amateur photographers will probably not be disappointed by it. It is sturdier than the 18-55mm kit lens, but not A LOT sturdier. The bokeh (out-of-focus area rendering) that this lens produces is well controlled. It's un-distracting and smooth, but not "stunning."
At this point, you're probably thinking to yourself that this seems like a great lens for the price. It is... However, after only about a month of use, I have returned this lens, and bought the 70-200mm VR f/2.8 Nikkor. Why? Because I realized quite quickly that this lens (the 55-200mm VR) does not allow me to get many of the
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If you bought a D-40 with the 18-55mm lens kit, this zoom lens is a perfect addition for any beginning D-SLR users. I have gotten sharp images at 1/15 shutter speed. Great for nature and sports photography. If you have some extra cash, check out the "all-in-one" 18-200 Nikkor VR.
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There are two good reasons not to buy this lens.
The first is the 18-200 VR lens from Nikon.
The second is the 70-200 f/2.8 lens from Nikon.
Since this lens is less than half the cost of the former and less than a sixth the cost of the latter, if you're considering this lens those should not be a factor; if you can afford either of the primo lenses, get it. If not, get this without a regret.
The VR in this lens has allowed me to handhold at 1/8 second at 200mm. I have clear action shots at 1/15 second. This just can't be done with a lesser lens.
Additionally, the bokeh is great for portraits even at the wide end, 55mm. Even though it's a slower lens than the real pricey stuff, you'll get high quality results. I can't emphasize enough that if you're shooting sports, theatre, concerts, or portraits, this lens is the best $250 you can possibly spend.
Yeah, the details... check out Ken's review on kenrockwell.com for details. The bottom line is you'll never encounter real image
The first is the 18-200 VR lens from Nikon.
The second is the 70-200 f/2.8 lens from Nikon.
Since this lens is less than half the cost of the former and less than a sixth the cost of the latter, if you're considering this lens those should not be a factor; if you can afford either of the primo lenses, get it. If not, get this without a regret.
The VR in this lens has allowed me to handhold at 1/8 second at 200mm. I have clear action shots at 1/15 second. This just can't be done with a lesser lens.
Additionally, the bokeh is great for portraits even at the wide end, 55mm. Even though it's a slower lens than the real pricey stuff, you'll get high quality results. I can't emphasize enough that if you're shooting sports, theatre, concerts, or portraits, this lens is the best $250 you can possibly spend.
Yeah, the details... check out Ken's review on kenrockwell.com for details. The bottom line is you'll never encounter real image
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This lens is certainly cheap. But cheap applies to both the price and the product, not in the sense that it's a particularly good deal. The pictures, provided you are shooting within its relatively pedestrian envelope of capabilities, are fine. The real killer is the handling and build. The focus ring is terrible, and MF/AF switching is a pain. Minimum focus distance is also not particularly good. Overall, I think the better all-around usefulness of the 18-200 VR will outweigh its slightly more compromised optics (given that neither of these lenses are amazing performers in the first place), so I'm returning this for the 18-200.
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It was between this and the faster 55-300 for about twice the price. I'm glad I picked this lens. It's smaller, lighter, and does what I need it to do, which is to chase two small children around and capture their play anywhere we go. The autofocus is not quite fast enough to grab every shot I want when I'm in tight and they're moving quickly, but believe it or not the manual focus option allows me to capture most shots anyway in that situation, it just takes a little practice. If you need to shoot fast moving sports in low light situations or you really need to reach out into the distance to catch a small bird, and you're very dedicated to your equipment, this might not be the lens for you. But for most uses, it's a perfect balance between price, weight, size, and speed.
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Vibration reduction is very good. I payed 50 dolars more to have a VR lens and it is realy worth! you can take pictures in a good zoon and slow speeds(without tripod)and you won't have any problems with vibration.
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This is an update to August 14th review.I continue to like this lens and use it frequently, but did suffer from the plastic construction.The bad news - a small (half inch) curved plastic section of the mount did break when the camera with lens on did get a severe bump.The good news - Nikon did fix under warranty.There is always a trade off in life - in this case good lensperformance at a great price, along with light weight (great for me since I hike a lot) but this is not a pro lens that is resilient to bumps and bruises.
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If you looking for something relatively inexpensive and fun to carry around, this is the lens for you. Quality is good in good light, most of the time, and can be exceptional sometimes. The plasticy feel doesn't bother me because I avoid carrying around a hunk of metal.
The VR works like a charm in good light.
However, I've noticed softness (at all apertures) often enough where I would not use this lens for any professional work. For example, the Nikkor 180 f/2.8 blows this lens away in quality of manufacture and resulting photos.
I've also noticed softness and noise in almost all of my night photos using this lens, even with a very heavy tripod and no wind.
If you want to have fun and need a good lens, buy this one. If you are a professional or OBAM (obessessed amateur), save for the higher quality lenses because you'll be disappointed.
I wish more people would objectively weigh the positives and the negatives in their reviews so that those considering buying this lens can
The VR works like a charm in good light.
However, I've noticed softness (at all apertures) often enough where I would not use this lens for any professional work. For example, the Nikkor 180 f/2.8 blows this lens away in quality of manufacture and resulting photos.
I've also noticed softness and noise in almost all of my night photos using this lens, even with a very heavy tripod and no wind.
If you want to have fun and need a good lens, buy this one. If you are a professional or OBAM (obessessed amateur), save for the higher quality lenses because you'll be disappointed.
I wish more people would objectively weigh the positives and the negatives in their reviews so that those considering buying this lens can
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Decent lens, 52 mm filter size, lacks a stainless steal lens mount and does not have a manual override (A/M) in the lenses auto focus ( A ). The Vibration Reduction ( VR ) is the best in the industry. Good value for $$$. Small size. I recommend this lens to all my students.
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I have had this new VR 55-200 lens for over two weeks and love it. This lens definitely captures pictures in lower light without the blur of a non VR lens. Last week I was up in the mountains above Park City Utah when a Bull Moose came walking by me. It was about 6:00PM so the light was pretty low. I shot the moose with my Nikon D80 at 200MM at a F 5.6, ISO 200 at 1/40th of a second. The picture is amazingly clear. If this was my other non VR zoom Nikon lens, the picture would have been a total loss.
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If you own a Nikon D40x with its stock autofocus zoom lens rated at 18-55 mm new digital style and equivalent to 26-83 mm old style, this is the obvious next step purchase. Rated at 55-200 mm new style and equivalent to 83-300 mm old style it's small, light and really does cut out camera shake to allow genuine "point & shoot" at its higher focal lengths, giving you a "tripod-less", perfectly matched combination of two autofocus Nikkor lenses covering a full 18-200 mm new style (26-300 mm old style). Just perfect... and, for the price, stunningly good value.
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If your digital Nikon came also with a 18-70mm lens then this 55-200mm zoom lens is a must. Since I got it, is has not been off the body! The automatic focusing is dead-on and I use the anti vibration setting as well. Pictures are just fantastic. The "reach" is just right, without getting into someones space you can frame the exact amount of view you want, effortless. With my separate mounted flash inside pictures are much better lighted without that typical "right at you" circle of brightness.
I find peoples faces more natural when taken from a longer distance for what ever technical reason.
This lens will be used a lot and gives photography a big boost.
I find peoples faces more natural when taken from a longer distance for what ever technical reason.
This lens will be used a lot and gives photography a big boost.
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This lens has wowed me,such a fantastic lens with excellent clarity. The bokeh you can achieve is just spectacular. The VR function has helped me wonderfully, having a disability and only able to use one arm effectively, camera shake is a non issue with hand held shots. I have used the Sony H5, it has Image stabilization, but now I entered a new world that allows me to make hand held shots I could never achieve before. I have posted two images above that I hope you look at. They are both hand held.Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor Lens I personally love this lens.
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My camera came with a 17-55mm kit lens and I was salivating over the idea of saving up and getting the 17-200mm lens. The quality of the kit lens itself became apparent when I took identical pictures with different lenses and the kit was clearly better. But that elusive 17-200mm- it cost 750 bucks (at least) IF you could find it in stock, and reports were that the quality was uneven- some individual lenses worked better than others. I don't have the option of trying out several lenses- I have to order online and get what I get. So when THIS baby came out, I tried it and loved it. Yes, you have to lug an extra lens around and swap it out, and if that's an issue for you then take your chances with the more expensive one. But for a fraction of the cost I expanded the range of my camera. Usually I'm in a situation where I'll probablly only need one or the other- the kit lens for indoors or parties, the telephoto for going to the zoo or camping or whatnot. My only warning: Earlier models
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Having used the the 55-200 VR version for a month or so, Ihave mixed feelings about it.I have gotten some nice shots, even at 200mm. I do love the VR and the noise, thoughnoticeable, has not been an issue for me.On the other hand, bokeh is so-so, but better than the18-200 VR.I shoot a lot of sunrises and sunsets, and shooting into thesun blows out the bright colors often, although on the plusside there is little flare.Landscape areas that are outside the depth of field look alittle iffy to my eye. The kit 18-70mm does much better inthat situation, but then you would not expect to do manylandscapes with a 55-200 lens.I want to shoot some candid street scenes and I think itwill do well for that situation.I do wish it focused a little closer. At nearly 4 feet itdoes not work all that well as a faux-macro. Sharpness isgood, though.I hate the manual focusing ring - too small and too hard tofind by feel.Skip the non-VR version, as the price is almost the same.It all depends on what you tend to
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My Nikon ownership goes back nearly 30 years to the days when cameras were made of metal and carrying one with a few lenses tested your stamina.
Times sure have changed. There's hardly a metal camera to be found and you can carry a bag full of equipment in one hand. The Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor is the latest lightweight from this heavyweight of the camera industry.
Plastic construction right down to its lens mount. This thing looks and feels like the label should say Fisher Price and not Nikon. However, looks can be deceiving as I soon found out.
My only reason for buying this lens was that I needed to fill a void in my kit until I saved up enough for a 70-200mm f2.8. I had no intention of keeping the 55-200 VR once the 70-200 arrived.
After shooting with the 55-200 for a few months I've come to appreciate what it can do. It's limited to use in good light as even VR can't change the laws of physics. In this case, it's not even the current VR-II but the original
Times sure have changed. There's hardly a metal camera to be found and you can carry a bag full of equipment in one hand. The Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor is the latest lightweight from this heavyweight of the camera industry.
Plastic construction right down to its lens mount. This thing looks and feels like the label should say Fisher Price and not Nikon. However, looks can be deceiving as I soon found out.
My only reason for buying this lens was that I needed to fill a void in my kit until I saved up enough for a 70-200mm f2.8. I had no intention of keeping the 55-200 VR once the 70-200 arrived.
After shooting with the 55-200 for a few months I've come to appreciate what it can do. It's limited to use in good light as even VR can't change the laws of physics. In this case, it's not even the current VR-II but the original
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This is a lens that doesn't make sense. The price pointshould be double the current price. Very sharp images,decent boke, great range and VR is simply incredible. Handhold 85mm 1/6 sec, no problem. It blows me away. Asteal, buy one.
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I picked this one up because I needed a lens that could manage lower light situations without blur (and I grew tired of waiting for the 18-200). At 1/3 the cost, I am not regretting some of the short-comings of the narrower, 55-200mm range. I got this one to replace my older Sigma 28-200, which will result in 35% less weight (11.8 oz vs 18.2 oz). Slightly off topic, but I noticed when I did a comparison test that the Sigma 200mm setting is wider (not zoomed as closely) as the Nikon 55-200, Nikon 70-200, or Tamron 100-300 at the 200mm setting.
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I researched the Nikon D80 and the lenses to go with it and was very happy when I found this lens. The Vibration reduction feature was a major selling point. I have been very satisfied with this lens. I ordered the d80 and the lens seperately and I saved money. I didn't want the kit lens. You can't get too close to your subjects or else you will need the shorter lens but overall it's a great buy.
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I didn't expect much from this lens but to my surprise it's a great lens. I just got mine and tried it for the first time. I took a picture from my pickup truck at 60 mph, holding the camera with one hand and the lens zoomed right out. The result was, a sharp picture and able to read the tag of the SUV a long way from me. It looks as though I'm tailgating him because it is so sharp and clear. I have also done that with a non-VR 18-200 lens and can get only blurred pics.For the price, there ought to be no complaints.
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I bought this lens with the Nikon D80 body. The main attraction is the VR (Vibration reduction), followed by the price (under 250 USD) and the lightness (as if it weighs nothing compared witht the old AF lenses.)
The photo quality is excellent (at least by my standards) and at 200mm (equivalent to 300mm in film camera), flowers, birds, landscape are all at a close distance. Taking the lens out for a long trip is no burden at all. The VR function allows me to take snapshots at 1/30 s in dimlight. Moreover, by increasing the ISO film speed, this guarantees good quality and sharp photos in most situations.
The minuses include changing lens (I get the very affordable 18-55 to couple with this 55-200 VR) which may include dust to the sensors. For now, I change the lenses very conveniently and the dust problem has not bothered me yet. Besides, the great 18-200mm Nikkor lens is nearly 2.5 - 3 times the cost of these 2 lenses combined. Another minus is some people prefer the 18-70mm and 70-300mm
The photo quality is excellent (at least by my standards) and at 200mm (equivalent to 300mm in film camera), flowers, birds, landscape are all at a close distance. Taking the lens out for a long trip is no burden at all. The VR function allows me to take snapshots at 1/30 s in dimlight. Moreover, by increasing the ISO film speed, this guarantees good quality and sharp photos in most situations.
The minuses include changing lens (I get the very affordable 18-55 to couple with this 55-200 VR) which may include dust to the sensors. For now, I change the lenses very conveniently and the dust problem has not bothered me yet. Besides, the great 18-200mm Nikkor lens is nearly 2.5 - 3 times the cost of these 2 lenses combined. Another minus is some people prefer the 18-70mm and 70-300mm
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I was at first disappointed in my new Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G DX VR lens. Then I found the VR on/off switch on the side. Since then I have been pleased with the lens' VR capability (what I bought it for).
My previous digital camera was a Canon PowerShot S1 IS. Without being aware of it, I became used to that little camera's image stabilization. I casually took handheld shots that came out tack sharp. I didn't realize how dependent I was on the image stabilization until a few months ago when I got my Nikon D80. I love the camera but was driven to using a tripod for most of my shots. I was taking close-up photos for publication and had to have perfect sharpness. And, I have two kittens; kittens beg impromptu, handheld shots. I was excited when I found this lens because of the low cost.
You really can take photographs three stops slower than is possible without a VR lens. That means more depth of field for close-up shots (used with a filter-like close-up lens). I'm taking my first manual
My previous digital camera was a Canon PowerShot S1 IS. Without being aware of it, I became used to that little camera's image stabilization. I casually took handheld shots that came out tack sharp. I didn't realize how dependent I was on the image stabilization until a few months ago when I got my Nikon D80. I love the camera but was driven to using a tripod for most of my shots. I was taking close-up photos for publication and had to have perfect sharpness. And, I have two kittens; kittens beg impromptu, handheld shots. I was excited when I found this lens because of the low cost.
You really can take photographs three stops slower than is possible without a VR lens. That means more depth of field for close-up shots (used with a filter-like close-up lens). I'm taking my first manual
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I had the 55-200mm non VR version for about 5 months, sold it to essentally recover my cost, and bought the VR version as a replacement. The non VR version was very compact and light, and produced excellent photos, but the slightly larger VR version is so much more usable I don't miss the other lens at all. The VR works as advertised and allows me to take pictures at 3 times or more lower shutter speeds than the non VR version. While I would love the 18-200mm VR for the convenience, I will never be able to justify the $750 price, so my 18-55mm kit lens and this lens will likely cover my needs as long as I own my camera. I also seriously considered the 70-300mm VR, but couldn't accept twice the price for only 50% more reach. And at twice the length of the 55-200mm non VR version, it would be too awkward for me to carry around. I am very satisfied with this 55-200mm VR lens and if you are considering it, please give it a try. You will not be dissapointed.
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I just got this lens last week and I am very impressed with it. The VR helps to reduce camera shake. It gives me sharp clear pictures indoors with a flash and also outdoors. I was going to save up and buy the 18-200mm VR lens in the fall. When I saw this lens at the bargin price of $249.00 I desided to get this one instead. At some point I will buy the 18-55mm lnes to complete my set of lens. As I do not have a great need for a wide angle lens, I felt the 55-200mm VR lens was the perfect choice. I am looking forward to many years of use from this lens. Money well spent!
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Bought this lens for my wife to take on safari in South Africa with a Nikon D40. She came back with outstanding photos; lens is sharp, has excellent depth of field and autofocus is fast enough.
Antishake feature is outstanding; she took around 1000 photos, most from a moving Land Rover, many in extremely low light on night drives. Less than a dozen photos show any blurring.
Only thing she complained about was occasional trouble with it focusing on foreground item instead of subject, but she admitted this was probably user error, caused by her inexperience with the camera.
Antishake feature is outstanding; she took around 1000 photos, most from a moving Land Rover, many in extremely low light on night drives. Less than a dozen photos show any blurring.
Only thing she complained about was occasional trouble with it focusing on foreground item instead of subject, but she admitted this was probably user error, caused by her inexperience with the camera.