I hear many good things about 18-200mm VR but I guess we have to see the forum after this week. My order is already in and I'm just can't wait. But what can I say. :(
I have to be in line and waiting my turn like everybody.

It's officially released and shipped to local stores and all stores are shipping out to pre-ordered customers at this moments. (Some may have in stock with high price but I will just wait for mine that I purchased at $669 from Adorama. It's crazy people are charging from $745-$800 for this item.)

I'm not rush since I have 2 lenses for this Christmas. (50mm f/1.8 and 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 IF-ED)

So I'm just counting numbers and waiting for now. :D

I hear many good things about 18-200mm VR but I guess we have to see the forum after this week. My order is already in and I'm just can't wait. But what can I say. :(
I have to be in line and waiting my turn like everybody.

It's officially released and shipped to local stores and all stores are shipping out to pre-ordered customers at this moments. (Some may have in stock with high price but I will just wait for mine that I purchased at $669 from Adorama. It's crazy people are charging from $745-$800 for this item.)

I'm not rush since I have 2 lenses for this Christmas. (50mm f/1.8 and 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 IF-ED)

So I'm just counting numbers and waiting for now. :D

I already have a full range of Nikon f2.8 constant zoom lenses. Normally this is what I would put on the D200 when I eventually go out and buy it. You really need to be difficult with this camera. Already I'm having a hard time making my Velvia 100F slides look better than what I get off my D70. The D200 needs the best possible optics.

On paper the 18-200 looks risky. The equivalent of a 27-300mm with the added complication of vibration reduction? Will the resolution be up to the equivalent of my 3 pro lenses? What about distortion and light fall-off? (OK maybe this can be resolved in software).

I'm still waiting. Plus anyway the D200+18-200 kit has not yet arrived in the stores.

Charles

Check out this site for sample pictures.
http://www.digitalreview.ca/cams/Nikkor_18200VR.shtml

Also, there are many sample pictures on Japanese user sites as well.

I hear many good things about 18-200mm VR but I guess we have to see the forum after this week. My order is already in and I'm just can't wait. But what can I say. :(
I have to be in line and waiting my turn like everybody.

It's officially released and shipped to local stores and all stores are shipping out to pre-ordered customers at this moments. (Some may have in stock with high price but I will just wait for mine that I purchased at $669 from Adorama. It's crazy people are charging from $745-$800 for this item.)

I'm not rush since I have 2 lenses for this Christmas. (50mm f/1.8 and 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 IF-ED)

So I'm just counting numbers and waiting for now. :D

Chasseurs d'Images came out this morning with a full DxO test of the 18-200. Many readers of this forum won't have access to this (French) magazine, so I'll summarise:

Vignetting (light fall-off at corners) is very low at all focal lengths (maximum 0.5 stops at 18mm). Chromatic aberration is low (not more than 0.22). Distortion is high at 18mm (1.20 barrel) but it quickly turns into moderate pincushion at longer focal lengths. Definition is always very good in the center at all focal lengths and apertures but in the corners it drops off at the widest apertures at about 30mm and again at 200mm.

The 18-70mm by comparison has more vignetting, less chromatic aberration, a little bit less distortion (but still a lot). The center definition is about the same but the edge definition is better, staying close to the center definition at all focal lengths and apertures.

Conclusion: these results are better than I was expecting and I shall definitely de getting one.

Charles

Thanks Charles for this info! I'll get one myself!