My 1st Glass Purchase =D

[r3g]

So ever since i got my camera there is one lens Ive been hearing about on every forum/camera site Im on. That lens is the 55-200mm VR. So i did some reading and found that the 55-200 is a must have lens for D40 owners and the VR version is even better. So i think to myself i gotta have this lens, I look and see Ritz Camera has it at a good price so before i order i look to see where the closest one to me is. To my surprise there has been one on my local mall all this time and i never saw it. So i go in the minute they open and ask for to. Sadly they didnt have any of the VR in stock but they did have the none VR. I asked the guy what the return policy is and he said 30 days so i think what the hell ill get the non VR and return it when they get the VR back in stock. Im happy with the over all image quality and it doesnt feel cheap BUT once you get into the telephoto end i find myself withing i had that VR badly. Also the AF is pretty slow compared to the kitlens. So thats my story, Im going to hold on to this one until they get the VR in stock then im going to switch them. Cheers on my 1st glass purchase! ^_-

[jcon]

So you're pretty sure they will get the VR in stock in the next 30 days? Good luck!

[r3g]

So you're pretty sure they will get the VR in stock in the next 30 days? Good luck!


well i actually went ahead and ordered it from the website a few minutes ago instead because its cheaper (free shipping no tax). so when i get it sometime next week ill return the none vr.

[XaiLo]

Congrats ReG_00, I hope you enjoy your new lens, happy shooting dude. :D

[chromance]

lets see some sampe pics reg.

[fionndruinne]

That is a nice lens; I tried it out on a D40 at Ritz. It's nearly as compact as the kit 18-55mm, and is quite clear. But VR is quite important, you're right. Now is this the new DX 55-200mmVR or the older, more expensive one? I'll be interested to get opinions on how it performs, whichever model.

[r3g]

That is a nice lens; I tried it out on a D40 at Ritz. It's nearly as compact as the kit 18-55mm, and is quite clear. But VR is quite important, you're right. Now is this the new DX 55-200mmVR or the older, more expensive one? I'll be interested to get opinions on how it performs, whichever model.

The lens i purchased & took sample pics with is the Nikon 55-200mm F/4-5.6G ED

The VR i ordered is the Nikon 55-200 mm F/4 5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR seen here:
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/541531257.htm?bct=t13024003%3Bcidigitalslr%3Bcilen ses-for-digital-cameras%3Bcislr-lens%3Bcilenses-for-nikon



The non VR model is an excellent lens hand down especially because its only $217.99USD OTD retail, not sure how much it goes for online but i hear about $150USD. And to my surprise its almost just as small as the kitlens O_O . The only 2 flaws i see in it are 1) its very shacky at the once you get close to 200mm (as any zoom lens is i imagine). a tripod or monopod would fix that easily. but more importantly 2) the AF is quite slow 80% of the time. I found myself switching to MF (yes i use that sometimes) because if you have a halfway decent eye and your subject isnt moving the majority of the time you can reach proper focus well before the AF would.

Supposedly the VR model fixed the focus problem and made the IQ a bit better so thats another reason to spend the extra money on it. So much for spending $1000+ for a good lens. Sample pics below.. try to guess which ones i used MF on (i wana see how good i did with it)


http://www.flickr.com/photos/reg_00/sets/72157600062117321/

[r3g]

Its here.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/regp/DSC_1204.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/regp/DSC_1210.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/regp/DSC_1223.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/regp/DSC_1216.jpg




Im not going to take sample pictures but i am going to say this. AF is WAY faster, its a very very small bit slower then the kitlens but it focuses fast enough to catch moving subjects no problem. Ive never used a lens with anti shake technology and I must say VR is a bit creepy at first. Its kind of like an invisible hand keeping the lens steady. With VR on you can hear a faint hissing like sound coming from the lens but its not enough for someone standing next to you to hear and its not very annoying at all. Its about 1.5x heavier then the non-VR and is longer and wider at both ends of the zoom.



VR Off
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/regp/DSC_1230.jpg


VR On
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/regp/DSC_1231.jpg



Now to go after that Sigma 30mm :P

[XaiLo]

:cool: VR there is a difference. ;) happy shooting. :cool:

[rawpaw18]

1/6" shutter speed @200mm and you need vr?:D
Enjoy the lens, I was suprised to see
how much bigger around the vr version
is by comparison.

[r3g]

1/6" shutter speed @200mm and you need vr?


well i dont have the most steady hand..

[Classic96]

I couldn't be happier with my 55-200 ED VR so far. Solid construction, extremely quiet and smooth autofocus and sharp images. It's a huge upgrade over my old Nikkor 70-300 non VR lens. I'll miss the reach of the 300 but the quality was never there. You made a great lens choice!