Reply #7: Good review. [View All]

[bvar22]

I agree with your impressions of this lens.


It is an incredibly versatile lens, 18mm-200mm, but gives up a little something in the compromise.
It is very slow compared to the primes, especially at 200mm, difficult at twilight, indoors, in deep shadow, or even dark cloudy days.
This is especially noticeable when switching from the Primes.

Still, this is the lens that spends the most time on my camera (daytime) when walking around or driving in the car.
It is light, compact, and inexpensive (relatively). The 70-200mm F2.8 is 2 POUNDS heavier (3.2 lbs)

It takes GOOD pictures, and with the 18-200mm range, it is ready for most quick shots of the unexpected. It also offers a WIDE range for exploring creative framing without much effort.
I was also pleasantly surprised with the MACRO ability in good light.

I've found the VR helpful, but only when I remember to turn it on. While helpful, it is no substitute for a tripod.
I do think the VR is oversold as "Lets you shoot 3 stops slower!!!!!".....well.....yeah, but only if the wind isn't blowing, or your subject isn't moving, or the water isn't flowing, or the duck isn't swimming......

I also expected more from the 200mm. I moved up from an Olympus 750 with a 10X optical zoom, and the two are almost identical in their telephoto capabilities. I haven't done the math, but if the comparison is valid, 200mm (with the 1.5 factor) is going to be about 10X magnification).

All in All, I'm very happy with the lens. It is a GREAT learning, and a workhorse lens for me. It forces me to pay attention to technique, but at the same time gives me effortless access to the entire 18mm-200mm World without the hassle of switching lenses. (How many other lenses offer that range?)
At twilight, or indoors, I switch to a prime.


I love fantasizing about the 70-200 F2.8 VR, but I don't feel a lot of pressure to buy one immediately. Maybe sometime in the future my skills will improve to a point where "double the price and 3X the weight" will make that much difference, but for the near future, I still have plenty of learning room on the 18-200 to keep me busy.

:hi:






Handheld @ 200mm