Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR IF-ED Lens

This is another of the NIKON 'G' lenses that are manufactured without an aperture ring for use on Nikon's AF cameras that control controls electronically through the master control dial. For some of us old-timers who are accustomed to aperture rings, losing it from the lens barrel takes some getting used to. However, it is not that much of an issue because all of the newer Nikon AF cameras set aperture through use of the master command dial rather than on the camera lens where the lens meets the camera body.

This is a very inexpensive lens by Nikon standards. It was designed primarily to be sold with their lower end cameras such as the N55, N65, N75 and perhaps, even the N80. In the case of the N65 and N80, Nikon markets kits that include this lens; it can still be purchased separately.

This lens is intended for folks who feel they have outgrown their budget 28-70 or 28-80 lenses and who feel they need to have the extra focal length offered by a 28-100 or 28-105 lens. This Nikon lens costs less than half of the well-known and highly reputed Nikon 28-105 F3.5-4.5.

Although I own the more expensive lens and have reviewed it here at epinions, I had the opportunity to borrow one of these lenses for a week and have used it extensively during that time.

Here are my observations and Nikon's specifications to assist you with your decision making:

SPECIFICATIONS:

Focal Length: 28-100mm.

Aperture: f/3.5-5.6

Lens Construction: 8 elements in 6 groups.

Focusing: Manual and Auto Focus. Focusing is 70 degrees clockwise. The Zoom ring rotates 120 degrees counter-clockwise.

Lens Barrel Markings: The focal lengths utilized are clearly marked at 28,35,50,70,85 and 100 mm.

Field of View (diagonal): 74-24 degrees.

Weight: 8 5/8 ounces.

Filter: 62mm

Lens measurements: Closed: 3 1/8 inches, extends to 4 1/8 inches. Diameter across lens barrel: 2 11/16 inches.

This lens is fairly large and stubby. Despite this, its combination polycarbonate/plastic construction helps keep overall weight down to acceptable limits. This will be especially noticeable and appreciated by owners of Nikon's lighter, lower end bodies such as the N55, N65 and N75. It does not contribute much weight to the front end of the N80, either.

This lens possesses a zoom ring of appreciable width made up of knobby rubber. This makes gripping the lens effortless. However, manual zooming inward and outward is somewhat less than smooth and I was reminded of the less smooth action of my Sigma 70-300 which exhibited the same characteristics during manual operation. The focus ring for manual focusing is a very thin ring at the very tip of the lens barrel.

Note: While focal lengths available are marked on the lens barrel, aperture and distance scales are not. Nikon feels this information is no longer necessary (perhaps because they feel most buyers will use this lens only in auto mode?).

A friend of mine, a professional photographer who also works in a photo store with a great lab and I decided to do more extensive study of this lens and came up with the following info, which we hope will assist buyers who may not have the deep enough pockets to buy the more expensive 28-105.

Close focusing min. distance at 28 mm: 21 3/4 in. There was significant barrel distortion at 28 mm.

Excellent center image sharpness throughout the entire focal length of the lens.

Corner Sharpness: excellent from f3.5 through f16. We believe it should be called GOOD at f22 and its overall best is found at f8.

At 50mm, centers and corners were excellent from f4.5-f22. Very good at f27 and best overall sharpness we found to be again at f8.

At 100mm, centers and corners were excellent from f5.6-f22. Centers were good at f32. Corners only acceptable at f5.6, good at f8, again excellent from f11-f22 and reduced to acceptable at f32. The best overall sharpness at 100mm can be found at f8.

As is my friend the pro's practice, we used slide film to make our tests. Because we had several beautiful, sunny days at hand, we agreed (mutually) to use Fuji Velvia 100 to make our measurements. Despite our desire to get great photos, we did not concern ourselves with color rendition of the subject matter. Instead, we were primarily interested in determining sharpness, clarity and contrast.

After using this lens for 5 working days and 1 weekend day, we developed the above information. I concluded that this lens, a relative newcomer to the Nikon line-up is a real bargain. Buyers who obtain this lens as part of a Nikon camera body kit are much better served than those who receive the 28-80 G lens.

For its size, weight and cost, this lens is a bargain. Would I choose this lens over my Nikon 28-105? No. I already have that lens and while it's more expensive, it's also more robustly constructed and has a stainless steel lens mount which this lens lacks.

For those looking for performance at a bargain rate though, this is a fine lens and is well suited to beginners, amateurs and weekend snap-shooters who would use this lens as their starting point and may also have a 70-300 to complete their package.

This is a user-friendly lens. Just be aware that there is barrel distortion of linear subject matter to be found at 28mm.