Anyone got a Nikon 18-200 DX lens?

[Jonathan Bird]

Has anyone managed to get their hands on the new Nikon 18-200 DX lens? This looks like it will be a very handy general purpose land lens. I have had one on order for a while and no sign of it yet!

Jonathan

[Jerry Apple]

Yes, I got my lens with my D-200 in March. Light weight, very fast focus, am using it above water for landscape and birding. No distortion. Can not comment on its use under water because I use film cameras with fixed lens under water, and that will not change.

[The Rock]

I have been using the Tamron 18-200 on a Canon 20D. I like it up to about 135 or so. Full zoom is what I would call acceptable to grab and image but not always super sharp. Still, its a good knock around lens as its light and versatile. God some nice dolphin shots in Yap using the 18mm setting and a circular polarizer.

Best,

TR

[sdingeldein]

I've had one since January and I love the lens. It is the perfect "walk around" lens, very sharp and the VRII works well.

Steve

[Jonathan Bird]

I'm STILLLLLLL waiting for mine. I have it on order from Fred....haven't seen it yet....3 months and counting.....:confused:

[Jonathan Bird]

STILLLLLLLLLL Waiting!!

[Jonathan Bird]

OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY! Kelly from UW Photo Tech just e-mailed and my lens is in... I should have it in a couple days. yeah baby!!

:D

<Psyched!>


Jonathan

[Cass]

I got mine here from Wisetronics in three days. No problems. The lens is excellent above water, I will not take it Underwater!

http://www.wisetronics.com/product-p/nk18200vr.htm&click=2?gclid=CM7brI3SiYoCFQ3XgAodOlgxeg

[Jonathan Bird]

Wow, I waited months for mine. UW Photo Tech sold it to me for $729 which is what the street value should be. (Even B&H wasn't selling it that low). I have seen it advertised in many places in stock, but at up to $999. Last I checked, Amazon.com had it for $899. Basically, they are scalping them! Ebay people have been getting that much too. If I had not pre-ordered it from Fred months ago, I probably would have just coughed up $900 and bought it elsewhere, but I was patient and now I have it.

I expected it to be a little beefier, but it seems to have a very nice image, and I love the VR. They LIE when they say you can get 4 stops slower shutter speed out of it, but 2 is more realistic. It's just nice to keep on the (topside) camera as a general purpose lens that gives so much zoom range and being sharp across that range. I miss pictures all the time swapping lenses!

Jonathan

[Olmen]

Lucky you - you got a great lens ;) My workplace is an "official Nikon dealer" (what the heck that ever means) and we waited like nine months for TWO of those darned lenses. I was supposed to get the privilege of buying one of them but whent the they finally did arrive - they had become it. We called Nikon Sweden (which is where we get our stuff from) and they bluntly explained that all orders from Finland were put last on their waiting list and that there weren't enough lenses to go around. Thank you very much :(

So I was out of luck and now I can't get it from anywhere. What's the deal with making like *the best lens ever* and then not produce it in significant quantities?! Shame on Nikon...

[The Rock]

Hi Jonathan,

I have a little portfolio page:

http://www.photosource-enhanced.com/bin/Portfolios?launch=pdn-31809

And virtually every shot taken here that is not underwater was with the Nikon 18-200. I love the thing. Have fun!

Timbo