What's wrong with the 18-200VR?

[LDB415]

I started with the Sigma 18-200 OS based on price. The build quality was mediocre. It had a significant tight spot in the zoom in the 70-80mm area. It was like there was a speed bump in the zoom ring. It also would zoom out or in depending on whether you held it pointing up or down. The one benefit of that was that when it was pointed up or down the speed bump was less noticeable. I took it back to the store and swapped for the 18-200 VR. It doesn't creep and it has no speed bumps.

In answer to the original question, there's one thing wrong with the 18-200 VR. Nobody gives them away as gifts. :biggrin:

 

[eparr]

I love my 18-200mm VR! It is a great all around lens. It's not pro level but still produces some very nice shots.

 

[Driver]

I love my 18-200mm VR! It is a great all around lens. It's not pro level but still produces some very nice shots.

Have you used it with the TC14E?

 

[MParker]

I guess I don't own a "travel" lens or "travel kit". Lenses in the 5X to 10X+ zoom range are full of compromises and they scare me away. The 18-200VR is no exception but it does seem to get better reviews than most, even if they are mixed. Still, if I were going to travel, and the purpose of the travel was, at least in part, to take pictures, I'd want nothing but my best glass. If that means I have to tolerate the size and weight of the lens(es) I love then so be it. YMMV.

 

[The Ben]

The problem with this lens is that its almost $800 brand new and it has the same apertures as most kit lenses. VR aside, I'd pay that much for a lens with constant 2.8 through out the zoom.

Plus, its not a 'snobby' enough lens for that price.

 

[andrzejmakal]

I'd pay that much for a lens with constant 2.8 through out the zoom.

So, go on, pay for it (but for what???)
Regards

 

[RayLarson]

This lens cannot be used with a teleconverter

 

[The Ben]

So, go on, pay for it (but for what???)
Regards

I did. And for that much money, you can buy two brand new 18-135 kit lenses and have enough for a 50 1.8 and nice dinner for your wife/gf to butter them up for a nice portrait shoot.

But then again, that's my opinion and its your money. I chose to spend mine on a good lens with decent zoom that has versatility in low lights.

 

[Medic1210]

I did. And for that much money, you can buy two brand new 18-135 kit lenses and have enough for a 50 1.8 and nice dinner for your wife/gf to butter them up for a nice portrait shoot.

But then again, that's my opinion and its your money. I chose to spend mine on a good lens with decent zoom that has versatility in low lights.

Which 2.8 zoom did you buy for that price?

 

[weiran]

It's problem is that the optically superior 18-55VR, 55-200VR can be bought for less money, and probably with enough change to get a 50 f/1.8 too if you need low light.

 

[Pa]

Which 2.8 zoom did you buy for that price?

...inquiring minds want to know...

It's problem is that the optically superior 18-55VR, 55-200VR can be bought for less money, and probably with enough change to get a 50 f/1.8 too if you need low light.

But then you've gotta change lenses every time you need to cross the 55mm threshold. And the 18-55 I have (not VR) has plastic lens mount.

Different strokes for different folks as they say.

 

[The Ben]

Which 2.8 zoom did you buy for that price?

I just recently bought a 28-70 2.8 used for $950. I bought it to replace my Sigma 24-70 2.8 whick I bought for $430. I also had a 18-200 Sigma OS HSM which I bought for $500.

If you use it all the time and you like it, it might be worth the value to you. To me, I couldn't justify the price. Also, if the brand isn't that important, both Sigma and Tamron offer great constant 2.8 lenses at a lower price to satisfy many needs.

 

[Medic1210]

It's problem is that the optically superior 18-55VR, 55-200VR can be bought for less money, and probably with enough change to get a 50 f/1.8 too if you need low light.

But it's benefit compared to that combo is, it's one lens, so you don't miss a shot because you've got the wrong lens mounted. What one has to decide if that benefit outweighs the minor problems you get with this lens. For me, this has been a great lens. Is it the quality of my 70-200/2.8 VR, or my 85/1.4, or my 17-55/2.8? Absolutely not, but that quality comes at a price. Those 3 lenses are incredibly heavy and bulky compared to the 18-200, and not even close in convenience. I've got a 16x20 portrait of my daughter hung on the wall in my living room that was taken with the 18-200 lens, and I would challenge anybody here to show me where it could be noticeably improved with one of the other lenses. Would I have used one of my "pro" lenses to shoot this image if I had them at the time? Of course. Do I think the difference would have been huge? Nope. Here's a web sized version of that portrait followed by a 100% unsharpened crop. Don't judge it based on the lighting. I was really just playing around with the CLS feature of the D80 and SB-600 off camera without any diffusers or modifiers, so the lighting isn't perfect. Anyway, I think this makes a decent case for the lens in question.

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And the 100% unsharpened crop.

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[Dave]

I like the 18-200...the VR works great. These were taken friday...hand held.

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[The Ben]

I like the 18-200...the VR works great. These were taken friday...hand held.

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if those were on a tripod, I'd think there was something wrong. :wink:

 

[eparr]

Have you used it with the TC14E?

Never used it with the TC-14E. I don't think it even works with a TC?

 

[eparr]

The problem with this lens is that its almost $800 brand new and it has the same apertures as most kit lenses. VR aside, I'd pay that much for a lens with constant 2.8 through out the zoom.

Plus, its not a 'snobby' enough lens for that price.

I paid $649 for mine Brand New. I use others for specific tasks but the 18-200mm vr is what stays on my camera for a very nice walking around lens.

In the end, different strokes for different folks applies:smile:

 

[Gary Mayo]

Heck, everyone is being so nice, I'll bite :biggrin:.

Off the topic, but you hit the nail on the head in that line of yours.

99.999% of the people and moderators here are real gems and that is why the success of this board should be a model for all other camera boards!!!

 

[The Ben]

I paid $649 for mine Brand New. I use others for specific tasks but the 18-200mm vr is what stays on my camera for a very nice walking around lens.

In the end, different strokes for different folks applies:smile:

very true.

at the end, (as I mentioned before) its my opinion and your money

 

[Joe Marques]

Jim,

It's a good lens. You've used it where it's very effective, stopped down and good light. I tried one and didn't like it. Not sharp enough wide open for the $. Couldn't stand the zoom creep. Not particularly fast focusing. So for static shots @ f11 it's a fabulous lens. For action shots wide open? I'm not sure it's up for the task. It does make a nice walk around lens.