Nikon 55-200mm VR: 1st Impressions

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)

 

LOL

 

wow nice $250 lens.

 

Here's another sample.

 

The barrel does extend, but it feels solid enough (at least for the build quality). The lens is Internal Focusing, and the front does not rotate during focusing.