stockae92

i posted this in OT forum, but maybe this is the right place to post this instead.

for a Nikon D80, would it be better off to have the 18-135mm kit lens + the nikkor 12-24mm wide angle or to have the 18-200mm VR as the only lens?

BioBanker

When I picked up my D80, I went with the body only and grabbed an 18-200 VR with it.

Understanding that Im a novice, I love that 18-200VR for what it is: the perfect walkaround lens. It has far enough reach for anything that is not specialized, its fast enough, focuses fast, clear....

If you suspect that you will end up using the 12-24 the most (I find I do not use the low end of the VR range that often), Id consider the two lenses. If you believe that you'll use the 18-135 more often (I have no personal experience with that lens), Id just skip it and go for the VR.

It is an AWESOME do everything well lens.

bluextc

you probably would not use the 'kit' lens very long.

I don't think 18-135mm and 12-24mm is a good combo.

18-135 doesn't have the picture quality to begin with and 12-24 certainly is a nice wide angle but distortion and Chromatic Abberation is noticeble.

18-200 isn't a 'IT' lens for nikon but it certainly gets all the job done with out a hitch. picture quality is good.

here's my sample with 18-200mm VR

@ 18mm




@ 200mm







also shot @ 18mm






bottom line...you won't regret with 18-200mm VR... I think you will regret with 18-135 and 12-24 combo.

get the 18-200mm VR now..and add 12-24mm to your collection later.

SupermanZ11

Great shots!


When I had my D70, even though it came with the good 18-70 lens, I ended up buying the 18-200vr and used it all the time. Right now I'm having a blast with the d80 and the 18-200 vr. It's a great lens to have as you're "all-in-one" unless you don't mind carrying a bunch of lenses when you're out and about. The price is worth it to have the vr in the lens!

pointa-b-c

That 18-200VR is a neat lens, the only down side, is the down side. When you point the lens down, the zoom mechanism will creep, slip and slide. Otherwise, it is a great sharp lens that allows you to get away from shooting hand held in low light with VR. It's a lot lighter than my 70-200VR and IQ isn't too far off.

chartchaiganan

18-200VR lens is hard to come by since it's out of stock alot no?

bluextc

Nikon 70-200 VR is one awesome glass, but you better have a strong left arm.

SupermanZ11

I bought mine online last year and to this day I don't really hear much about people walking into a store to purchase it...unless it sold as a kit lens for the D200.

robs04s2k

FYI Calumet has them in stock right now which is very rare. They are also offering one of the cheapest prices I have seen for this lens. I really wish I could afford it right not but I am afraid it will have to wait a couple of months.

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/NT21378/

GPWhiteS2kFTW

The 18-200mm VR lens is amazing. The only reason I did not buy it was because it was more the the D40 I would mount it on!.