Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED
Was just looking at this new Nikon lens. I wonder if it will be available in Germany before Christmas. Nikon is always a little slow with publishing new products. The price will be another mystery, i guess around 700 eur. The specifications are very impressive. This will make many newcomers buy a Nikon D50 with this 18–200 lens instead of a Canon 350D with their scrappy kit lens.I found some MTF Charts.
MTF Charts: left 18mm and right 200mm
Yes, there are recent alternatives. Tamron and Sigma have some 18–200 lens. From the pictures I’ve seen so far i think the Tamron is far better than Sigma. Here is a link to some babelfish translated comparison between Tamron 18–200 vs. Sigma 18–125 vs. Sigma 18–200 (The ?????? is probably the Tamron).
- Focal length: 18-200mm (equivalent to a 27-300mm lens in 35mm format)
- Maximum aperture: f/3.5-5.6
- Minimum aperture: f/22-36
- Lens construction: 16 elements in 12 groups (two ED glass elements, three aspherical lens elements)
- Picture angle: 76° – 8°
- Minimum focus range: 0.5m (1.6 ft.)
- Attachment size: 72mm
- Dimensions (approx.): 77 x 96.5mm (3.0 x 3.8 in.)
- Weight (approx.): 560g (19.8 oz.)
- Included accessories: 72mm Snap-on front lens cap (LC-72), Rear lens cap (LF-1), Bayonet hood (HB-35), Soft lens pouch (CL-1018)
- Optional accessories: 72mm screw-in filters
Update:
Some people complained about the light fall off. Samples . And here is some link with smaller samples taken with this lens, apart from all the green sky that the D70 gives with its bad AutoWhiteBalance the pictures look quite good, bokeh is quite smooth on tele end. An other link with snapshots taken with Nikon 18–200.
And here is some thread with links comparing the Nikon 18–200 with 5 other lens ( Sigma 12-24, Tamron 28-75, Sigma 30, Nikon 60 (Micro), Nikon 80-200 (2 ring)).