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01/22/2008 08:43:44 PM · #1 |
Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
I don't really have a good understanding of the speed thing. What I care about is the speed of the autofocus. I have read about 1000 reviews of this lens, and half say it is fast and the other half say not. But I'm not sure they are all talking about the speed of the autofocus.
I will be using this to get pictures of 4 toddlers in everyday life. These kids have two speeds, running and sleeping. They aren't really old enough to comprend "stop and smile for the camera".
I think I will be getting a D40 to go with this lens. I am not knowledgeable enough about settings and aperatures and all that (and with all these kids, I don't have time to become knowledgeable), so I will be using just the "Auto" setting on the camera. Is this lens/camera combo going to work with kids who are in constant motion?
Off to investigate flashes now...
I can't tell you how much I appreciate the advice you all have given me so far! |
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01/22/2008 08:50:17 PM · #2 |
Autofocus is very fast. However, the lens is considered "slow" because of the appeture.
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01/22/2008 09:24:01 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Nikolai1024:
Autofocus is very fast. However, the lens is considered "slow" because of the appeture. |
So does that "slow" aperature affect how quickly the camera takes pictures, and how quickly you can push the button down and get a bunch of pictures in a row? Or is this just a totally different use of the words "slow"?
Here's one review from Amazon that is worrying me:
Obviously, the photos are amazing quality, but I cannot stand the lag time in between pictures! Even with the VR switched off, the sensor must be so fussy--I can't take the pictures when I need or want to. That can be a big problem. There is minor distortion at 18mm, but there is that with any wide angle lens, so I am not sure if that is even an issue. There is a tightness throughout the zoom and then suddenly a looseness at 200mm. All in all the only good telephoto/wide angle lens you can find for this money.
Is there another lens out there that the lag time in between pictures would be less?
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01/22/2008 09:33:14 PM · #4 |
I have this lens and LOVE it. I have not experienced any problems with delays between taking pictures due to this lens. In certain circumstances the autofocus will not lock due to the way you have it set, subject, lighting, etc. But then you just switch to manual focus for that shot.
Perhaps if you were trying to take rapid fire action shots there might be an issue, I suppose, but I have not experienced anything but great performance from the lens. And the VR capability is very good. Full zoom at Mt Rainier in strong winds, handheld, and my glacier shot still came out.
I use it on a D80, so cannot speak to use on a D40, though I don't see offhand any reason it would be a problem. If the autofocus algorithm in the D40 is not quite as strong as the D80 (which I think uses the AF method from the D200), your mileage may vary from mine.
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01/22/2008 09:36:32 PM · #5 |
I only used one for a weekend and my impressions were as follows:
Image quality was reasonable for an all purpose lens with this zoom range. Not critically sharp but OK. Good walk around street lens.
Build quality - underwhelming. There was inconsistent drag while zooming in and out. There was play in the barrel. The lens creeps if you point the camera up or down.
The lens is somewhat slow (meaning in low light you would have to use a slower shutter speed) and hunted for focus in low light (maybe that was what the reviewer was talking about when she said there was lag time). In good light, the focus was quick.
The VR worked well.
Personally, I have no desire for one. Having said that, I used to own a 24-120mm Nikkor and I would take the 18-200 over that any day. |
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01/22/2008 09:48:38 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by MeganW:
I will be using this to get pictures of 4 toddlers in everyday life. These kids have two speeds, running and sleeping. |
If you plan on primarily shooting outside during the day then you will be fine.
But if you plan on using this primarily indoors with available light then you will be disappointed.
I have this lens and while I love it for a walkaround/travel lens, I rarely use it indoors unless I'm using my external flash.
I have a 2 1/2 yr old and a 6 month old.
With the 18-200 I find I need to jack the ISO all the way to a noisy 1600 to come close the the shutter speed I need.
The VR works great, but for stationary subjects.
VR allows slower shutter speeds without camera shake but turning on VR doesn't turn on toddler slo-mo.
I find I really need the speed of my 30 1.4 and 50 1.8 to get lower ISO/fast shutter speed shots.
By "speed" I mean their ability to gather more light and allow higher shutter speeds.
I'd definately get the 50mm 1.8 for only about $120.
It's one of the sharpest Nikon lenses and has nice out of focus blur (bokeh).
But, AF won't work on the D40 as this lens doesn't have a built-in motor.
The lens that stays on my camera about 75% of the time while snapping indoor spur of the moment shots is my Sigma 30 1.4.
AF works with the D40 and 30mm is a less retrictive focal length for indoor distances.
Also, 30mm at 1.4 allows a little more depth of field forgiveness when focusing than the 50 at 1.8 (or 1.4 if you had that one).
ryan
Message edited by author 2008-01-22 21:50:24. |
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01/22/2008 10:14:20 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by rswank:
But if you plan on using this primarily indoors with available light then you will be disappointed.
I have this lens and while I love it for a walkaround/travel lens, I rarely use it indoors unless I'm using my external flash.
I have a 2 1/2 yr old and a 6 month old. |
Hmm. This is so hard. We take a ton of indoor pictures. I would be so mad if I spent $1000+ and still got less-than-wonderful pics! |
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01/22/2008 10:33:16 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by MeganW:
[
Hmm. This is so hard. We take a ton of indoor pictures. I would be so mad if I spent $1000+ and still got less-than-wonderful pics! |
You will get many less-than-wonderful pics. An unfortunate fact of photographic life. You make the image, not the lens. That being said, if you plan to take many images of children inside with available lighting you're setting yourself up for failure. VR only compensates for camera shake, not toddler shake!!!!! A fast lens for your purpose would be a 50mm F 1.2 ,F 1.4 or F 1.8. (The 1.8 is usually around 100 bux US. You won't find more bang for the buck!) This would allow you to raise shutter speed to help freeze toddler shake. If you want to get by with your kit lens, say a 18-55 F 3.5-4.5 or something like that, you should explore the world of "off camera" flash photography. One remote controlled flash in a room, perhaps bounced of a wall or ceiling, could make all the difference in the world. If you want to learn about this type of photography Strobist blog is a great place. Good luck, and remember to post your results here! |
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01/22/2008 10:36:44 PM · #9 |
| This is not a lens for indoor pics of moving toddlers. If that is your aim, you would do best to get a smaller zoom with a larger aperture to allow for the low light in which you will be shooting. It is great for outdoors, not in. I have a Sigma version of this....you're starting at f/ 3.5 but you are f/ 4 or above with any zoom at all. I use a Sigma 28-70MM F2.8 for indoor and also the Nikon 50MM f/1.8. |
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01/22/2008 10:49:34 PM · #10 |
| I agree, this is not an indoor available light lens--but if you get a nikon flash, you are covered indoors, too. Bulks up your 'rig' a bit, though. |
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01/22/2008 10:49:51 PM · #11 |
the Tokina 28/80 f2;8 is a great lens
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