G
Gr8Tr1x
Guest
I picked up a copy of Nikons latest consumer level, redundant lens yesterday. I was initially nonplussed as to Nikons announcement of this lens a few months ago. It wasn't so much Nikons unveiling of this lens...just that this was the only lens we got at PMA in March. December heralded in a newer 18-55mm DX kit lens...and now they updated the 55-200mm consumer model with VR. Well..I had seriously hoped form some updated fast primes. I guess I'll be waiting a while for those....anyway....
I enjoy using mid-range telezooms. I just prefer them. I really liked my 70-210mm Nikkor on my film camera years ago...it was a great range. However, on digital I felt the wide end was too cramped. 50mm on the wide end would be perfect. Sigma released a 50-150mm 2.8 last year that I thought would be my savior. No luck...returned two copies...what to do? Hmmmmm.....
I had good luck recently with the purchase of my 70-300mm VR. A very sharp and fast focusing sub $500 wonder. Perhaps..if I'm lucky, the 55-200mm VR would be better than its predecessor.
I like that the 55-200mm VR focuses at just over 3 feet. Its also wide enough at the wide end for me. It does feel cheesy, and its doesnt feel well made...but for $249, its a steal.
I did some portraits with Ashley last night, and many folks were guessing 70-200mm 2.8 VR or the 105mm VR 2.8. Its not that sharp...but its pretty good. Color and contrast arent things I consider that much...I can fix that (this lens isnt designed for film anyway). focus is slowish, and there is no full time manual focus overide. I shot some trees against an overcast sky and found little CA wide open. Its light, small and I think I found a new around the house snapshooter.
Enjoy the few samples.
Camera NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D200
Exposure Time 0.0125s (1/80)
Aperture f/6.3
ISO 320
Focal Length 66mm (99mm 35mm)
Exposure Time 0.0166s (1/60)
Aperture f/5.0
ISO 100
Focal Length 55mm (82mm 35mm)
Camera NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D200
Exposure Time 0.0166s (1/60)
Aperture f/6.3
ISO 100
Focal Length 66mm (99mm 35mm)
Camera NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D200
Exposure Time 0.0166s (1/60)
Aperture f/5.0
ISO 100
Focal Length 55mm (82mm 35mm)
I enjoy using mid-range telezooms. I just prefer them. I really liked my 70-210mm Nikkor on my film camera years ago...it was a great range. However, on digital I felt the wide end was too cramped. 50mm on the wide end would be perfect. Sigma released a 50-150mm 2.8 last year that I thought would be my savior. No luck...returned two copies...what to do? Hmmmmm.....
I had good luck recently with the purchase of my 70-300mm VR. A very sharp and fast focusing sub $500 wonder. Perhaps..if I'm lucky, the 55-200mm VR would be better than its predecessor.
I like that the 55-200mm VR focuses at just over 3 feet. Its also wide enough at the wide end for me. It does feel cheesy, and its doesnt feel well made...but for $249, its a steal.
I did some portraits with Ashley last night, and many folks were guessing 70-200mm 2.8 VR or the 105mm VR 2.8. Its not that sharp...but its pretty good. Color and contrast arent things I consider that much...I can fix that (this lens isnt designed for film anyway). focus is slowish, and there is no full time manual focus overide. I shot some trees against an overcast sky and found little CA wide open. Its light, small and I think I found a new around the house snapshooter.
Enjoy the few samples.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Camera NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D200
Exposure Time 0.0125s (1/80)
Aperture f/6.3
ISO 320
Focal Length 66mm (99mm 35mm)

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Exposure Time 0.0166s (1/60)
Aperture f/5.0
ISO 100
Focal Length 55mm (82mm 35mm)

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Camera NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D200
Exposure Time 0.0166s (1/60)
Aperture f/6.3
ISO 100
Focal Length 66mm (99mm 35mm)

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Camera NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D200
Exposure Time 0.0166s (1/60)
Aperture f/5.0
ISO 100
Focal Length 55mm (82mm 35mm)