Szadzik
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2009
- Posts
- 2,271
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- 36
Quote:
Reading your post the lens that jumped to mind was the nikon 18-200mm VR. I'm surprised you didn't mention this as one you were considering.
It is not the last word in optical clarity, and at the wide end it has a little spherical distortion, but these are pretty minor things all considered. Color distortion is quite minimal, and the VR is nice. It also does pretty ok closeup photography at the 200mm end (but again, not the last word on macro photographs). Flare control is good.
When I go on vacation, and I only want to bring one lens, it is the 18-200VR and a polarizer. It has enough range that I can get all sorts of images. From wide angle views to telephoto closeups.
Being stuck at 70mm would be way too limiting for the vacation photos I do (though you may be different).
I'm not sure if you have already ruled it out, but I would recommend considering it. It is also easily within your budget.
I have to agree that 18-200 sounds very interesting and I have given this lens a lot of thought, but still cannot believe it is the best choice.
It's relatively light, has nice zoom range and ok optics with great VR system. Looking at its price however - I can get the forementioned Tamron 70-200 F2.8 that is a class better in every single aspect acording to dslrgear:
Nikkor 18-200
Tamron 70-200
The Nikon seems to be a great holiday lens, but is a big compromise in optics and still leaves me with no real tele-photo lens.
Since I do most of my photography while on holiday if I buy the Nikkor I will have to use it all the time and compromise image quality all the time. and I would have to sell my 17-50 too a it would be pointless to keep both. lenses covering the same range. I do not want to do that, even if it means I will have to lug 1.5kg of lenses around - 17-50 and 70-200.
I am still undecided, but I think I do not want the 18-200 for it means too many compromises
EDIT: I know I am going crazy, but I also noticed the Nikkor 70-200 F2.8 that seems to be a great performer and even though its price is at least 2x the price of Tamron I am tempted to buy it.