Product Description

Nikon is a precision optical company with worldwide manufacturing, research and marketing capabilities. The Nikon name is equated with extraordinary photographic performance, innovation, precision and optical quality.PRODUCT FEATURES:Offers broad 18 - 200mm focal range for use in a variety of situations (equivalent to a 27-300 lens in 35mm format);11x zoom coverage offers a perfect compact and lightweight, one lens solution;VR II system offers the equivalent of using a shutter speed 4 stops faster;Two ED glass and three aspherical lens elements minimize chromatic aberration, astigmatism and other forms of distortion, while ensuring high resolution and contrast;Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC) offers superb color reproduction while minimizing ghosting and flare;Incorporates a SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for fast quiet focusing;Delivers high-level optical performance designed for use exclusively with Nikon DX format digital;Employs a seven-blade rounded diaphragm opening that achieves a natural blur for out-of-focus elements;Enables focusing from as close as 50cm from the subject through its entire focal range;M/A mode for rapid switching between autofocus and manual focus operation;Flower-shaped Lens Hood HB-35 (provided) greatly reduces stray light.

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

Fantastic Lens!
I love this lens! While it does have some shortcomings, it is very very nice to not have to switch lenses whenever I want some more "reach."

With that being said, AF has some trouble locking on in low-light situations sometimes. No big deal, I just grab the focus ring and shoot.

Well ... sticker shock is wearing off
Ok ... sticker shock, it's wearing off, but it's hard to think my one lens cost more than my camera and kit lens. BUT one trip in the field with this one lens vs carrying the kit 18-55 and the 200 telephoto ... eased the pain.
The lens in the VR mode make a slight clunking sound. That bothered me till I went to several camera shops and called Nikon. Seems they all do. OK I can live with that. The VR does works well. Doesn't seem to be that big a battery drain either. There's a warning in the literature that the VR doesn't work with the autofocus assist turned on ... that's annoying but workable.
It's just really nice to be able to cover that much wide angle to zoom and only lug one lens. It's heavy but not objectionable.
I use it on a D40 ... which I love much better than the D40x or D60 simply due to the strobe sync speed being double that of the later two.
Anyway gave it a five star ... it's worth that ... and below 650 is a good price ... not great but better than the retail price.

Really appreciate the VR when zoomed out. So panning with it can make some very nice shots of a moving target. Hard not to like this lens

Incredibly Versatile Lens
I've had my 18-200mm lens for a little over a year now and can't imagine what life was like before I bought mine. The range is great and covers most of what I want to shoot. Sure, there are times when I want something wider or longer but that'll always be the case. This lens covers a very large percentage of what I need and keeps me from having to continually swap lenses.

You could go with the two kit lenses that cover the same range. They're lighter (individually, not together) than this one and they use the 52mm diameter filters. But you're back to lens swapping. The 18-200mm lens is as fast as the two kit lenses (f/stop), the focus motor is possibly faster and definitely faster than swapping lenses.

The VR on this lens is incredible. Once you get used to it, you'll never want to back to a non-VR lens. Enough said.

Couple of drawbacks: The lens is a bit larger than either of the smaller kit lenses. Personally, I don't see this as a problem as one lens is much easier than carrying around two.

The other issue has to do with zoom creep. Supposedly this has been fixed in the later lenses but mine does tend to creep a bit. Wrapping a rubber band around the lens solves this problem handily.

Oh, and 72mm filters tend to be a bit more expensive than the 52mm ones that fit the kit lenses.

I'm giving this a 5 star rating. If I were rating the lens I own, I'd give it 4.5 stars for the lens creep but, seeing as Nikon has supposedly fixed the problem (and Amazon doesn't do half stars), I'm going with 5.