Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor Lens Reviews

• Buy the f/2.8 lenses

  
  By A1SHHQSPOWR00F on 2007-10-01
  If you looking for something relatively inexpensive and fun to carry around, this is the lens for you. Quality is good in good light, most of the time, and can be exceptional sometimes. The plasticy feel doesn't bother me because I avoid carrying around a hunk of metal.
  
  The VR works like a charm in good light.
  
  However, I've noticed softness (at all apertures) often enough where I would not use this lens for any professional work. For example, the Nikkor 180 f/2.8 blows this lens away in quality of manufacture and resulting photos.
  
  I've also noticed softness and noise in almost all of my night photos using this lens, even with a very heavy tripod and no wind.
  
  The focusing system on the lens also is slow as molasses. I tried to capture the Blue Angels flying low over the homes in my neighborhood (an awesome annual occurence), and each shot was blown as the lens hunted for focus. Plenty of good light for high shutter speeds (midday, 1/2500s at f/4), but by the time the lens was focused, the subject had moved so far the photo was blown.
  
  If you want to have fun and need a good lens, buy this one. If you are a professional or OBAM (obessessed amateur), save for the higher quality lenses because you'll be disappointed.
  
  I wish more people would objectively weigh the positives and the negatives in their reviews so that those considering buying this lens can make an informed decision. While this is a very good lens on a tight budget, this is not a great lens directly compared against other similar (and more expensive) lenses.
  
  

• Incredible Bargain - Sharp Lens with VR for $250!

  
  By A3JU1ZJSYHQASU on 2007-04-13
  This lens is sharp even at wide apertures, the VR (image stabilization) works great, autofocus speed is more than acceptable, and it it is very light and compact. The fact that it costs $250 and has effective VR is pretty amazing - no other company offers a lens with this feature for anywhere near this price.
  
  As for image quality, search the various internet photo sites, such as dpreview and nikonians for sample photos taken with this lens by real users. The results are impressive! My copy produces similar results. The previous reviewer must have a bad sample.
  
  Of course, the lens is slow (like almost all consumer zoom lenses), in that its widest aperture is smaller than a professional zoom or prime lens, so it's not a good choice for action photography in lower light conditions (like indoor sports without flash or outside sports at dusk). But a fast telephoto zoom will cost at least three times as much and weigh a ton.
  I give the lens 5 stars based on a combination of image quality, value, and compactness/lightness.
  
  

• Excellent Bargain VR Lens!

  
  By AYKP5VPU0VX4R on 2007-04-13
  I've read both good and bad about this lens. But I wanted the features such as VR and decided to go ahead and get it. It arrived yesterday and I am very happy to tell you that its well worth the price and more. Its sharp from edge to edge and fast to focus. I have two other VR lenses, both I'm extremely happy with and this one falls in with them. I'm using this lens on a D80 and I've tried it several different conditions including overcast sky, moderate sunlight and indoor lighting and its given excellent results every time.
  
  

• Better than I thought.

  
  By A2V99RXY8L0HL7 on 2007-08-07
  My Nikon ownership goes back over 30 years to the days when cameras were made of metal and carrying one with a few lenses tested your stamina.
  
  Times sure have changed. There's hardly a metal camera to be found and you can carry a bag full of equipment in one hand. The Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor is the latest lightweight from this heavyweight of the camera industry.
  
  Plastic construction right down to its lens mount. This thing looks and feels like the label should say Fisher Price and not Nikon. However, looks can be deceiving as I soon found out.
  
  My only reason for buying this lens was that I needed to fill a void in my kit until I saved up enough for a 70-200mm f2.8. I had no intention of keeping the 55-200 VR once the 70-200 arrived.
  
  After shooting with the 55-200 for a few months I've come to appreciate what it can do. It's limited to use in good light as even VR can't change the laws of physics. In this case, it's not even the current VR-II but the original VR that Nikon developed a few years ago.
  
  With sufficient light and good technique, the 55-200 is capable of very good performance. No, it's not as sharp and contrasty as the 70-200. It's also not going to survive the bad weather or a few solid knocks that professional use would expose it to.
  
  Where the 55-200 excels is in its portability and above average performance. For travel or just walking around, it would be hard to beat this lens if it's used within its limits. I use mine on a D80 and have no problem getting excellent 13x19" prints.
  
  As an added bonus, it works very well with the Nikon CL3T closeup lens and does double duty as a macro zoom. Again, it's not a substitute for a real macro zoom like the Nikon 70-180, but it's not intended to be.
  
  Given my original opinion of this lens, I have to admit that I've gotten much more than my money's worth out of it. Instead of selling it, I'm going to keep it and use it when my 70-200 is just to big and heavy to carry around.
  
  If you're on a budget or just want a nice, lightweight lens in this range, take a look at the Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR. Like me, you may be very much surprised at what it can do.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• the VR works perfectly

  
  By ACTU6UR17GZ46 on 2007-06-20
  I was at first disappointed in my new Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G DX VR lens. Then I found the VR on/off switch on the side. Since then I have been pleased with the lens' VR capability (what I bought it for).
  
  My previous digital camera was a Canon PowerShot S1 IS. Without being aware of it, I became used to that little camera's image stabilization. I casually took handheld shots that came out tack sharp. I didn't realize how dependent I was on the image stabilization until a few months ago when I got my Nikon D80. I love the camera but was driven to using a tripod for most of my shots. I was taking close-up photos for publication and had to have perfect sharpness. And, I have two kittens; kittens beg impromptu, handheld shots. I was excited when I found this lens because of the low cost.
  
  You really can take photographs three stops slower than is possible without a VR lens. That means more depth of field for close-up shots (used with a filter-like close-up lens). I'm taking my first manual mode outdoor photos so the extra speed range helps me out of tight spots.
  
  The rest of the lens (construction, zoom range, weight) are just fine. One unexpected advantage is the lens' 52mm filter size. Most of my lens accessories (close up lens set, teleconverter, extension tube set) are 52mm.
  
  
  
• VR really works and the price can't be beat.
  By A1KHP9AACCQFQE on 2007-06-07
  I had the 55-200mm non VR version for about 5 months, sold it to essentally recover my cost, and bought the VR version as a replacement. The non VR version was very compact and light, and produced excellent photos, but the slightly larger VR version is so much more usable I don't miss the other lens at all. The VR works as advertised and allows me to take pictures at 3 times or more lower shutter speeds than the non VR version. While I would love the 18-200mm VR for the convenience, I will never be able to justify the $750 price, so my 18-55mm kit lens and this lens will likely cover my needs as long as I own my camera. I also seriously considered the 70-300mm VR, but couldn't accept twice the price for only 50% more reach. And at twice the length of the 55-200mm non VR version, it would be too awkward for me to carry around. I am very satisfied with this 55-200mm VR lens and if you are considering it, please give it a try. You will not be dissapointed.
  
  
• Light weight lens ideal for traveling
  By A2LSWW3T52TPSN on 2007-05-15
  This is a light weight lens, ideal for traveling.
  
  This lens is quite sharp from 55mm to 105mm wide open. From 135mm to 200mm, you may need to step down or do some post-processing to sharpen the image a little. VR works as advertised. You general gain about 3 stops. For instance, you should be able to get reasonably sharp images at 1/15 sec at 55mm, and 1/30 sec at 200mm.
  
  Vignetting (darker corners) is not noticable from 55mm to 105mm. Vignetting is very pronounced wide open from 135mm to 200mm. Again, stepping down one stop relieves the problem.
  
  If you are looking for optical excellent telephoto zoom, you may want to consider 70-300mm VR. If you need a lens you can take with you without breaking your shoulder, this lens is a good choice.
  
  
• Good performance... But question yourself first.
  By A2RA2AKAVJQDNV on 2008-07-23
  I bought this lens to complement the kit lens (18-55mm) that came with my Nikon D40. After about a month of using this lens, my fondness for it has depleted... let me explain:
  
  The performance of this lens is quite surprising for its low cost. It's relatively sharp, and the colors are quite good. Obviously (since this is a cheap lens) the body of this lens is not rugged and up to pro standards, but average amateur photographers will probably not be disappointed by it. It is sturdier than the 18-55mm kit lens, but not A LOT sturdier. The bokeh (out-of-focus area rendering) that this lens produces is well controlled. It's un-distracting and smooth, but not "stunning."
  
  At this point, you're probably thinking to yourself that this seems like a great lens for the price. It is... However, after only about a month of use, I have returned this lens, and bought the 70-200mm VR f/2.8 Nikkor. Why? Because I realized quite quickly that this lens (the 55-200mm VR) does not allow me to get many of the shots that I desire. The biggest issue with this lens is that the focus is very slow, and it tends to hunt a lot (meaning that it doesn't always get the focus on the first try). The other issue that *I HAVE* with this lens is its aperture. With a maximum aperture of f/5.6 at 200mm, it is quite difficult to get good shots on cloudy days, or indoors. This is the reason for the title of this review ("question yourself first").
  
  Who are you as a photographer? Can you afford to take your time with 99% of your shots? Is most your photography of still life? Do you just want a lens that gives you more range, and don't care about the other details? If you answered yes to any of those questions, this lens might be the one for you. As I stated earlier, the performance is quite good for the price, and I personally have no major concerns with the optical quality.
  
  If you answered "no" to the above questions, I advise you to reconsider your options before purchasing this lens. Do you need fast shutter speeds, fast focus, and the best of the best build quality for your photography? Then you may want to look into the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens instead.
  
  Unfortunately, I didn't ask myself those questions before I made my purchase, and I was stuck with a lens that didn't satisfy the job. I missed too many shots due to slow focusing and slow shutter speeds, and that's why I bought the 70-200.
  
  Now, the f/5.6 (versus f/2.8) aperture of this lens is a known limitation, so that is NOT why I gave it 4 stars out of 5. I gave it 4 stars because of the slow focusing, and usefulness (or lack thereof) of the VR (vibration reduction) system. So how about a direct comparison of this lens vs. the 70-200mm? Sure!
  
  55-200mm f/4-5.6 VR AF-S Nikkor:
  - Good optics. Good colors. Fair bokeh.
  - Maximum f/5.6 aperture at 200mm (slow shutter speeds in poor light)
  - Slow, slow, slow focus.. You'd expect better from an AF-S lens
  - Not very useful VR system (it does sort-of work, and you will see it working, but it's not revolutionary)
  - Average build quality. Roughly equivalent to the 18-55mm kit lens.
  - Minimum Focus Distance: 3.6 ft. (1.1m).
  - Price: approximately $200
  
  70-200mm f/2.8 VR AF-S Nikkor:
  - Extremely good optics. Beautiful colors. Beautiful bokeh.
  - Maximum constant f/2.8 aperture through the zoom range (relatively usable shutter speeds in poor light)
  - Insanely fast focus
  - Excellent VR system. This lens is much, much heavier than the 55-200mm lens, yet I see LESS camera shake when using this one, because the VR system is much better.
  - Amazing build quality. Solid as a rock, and heavy as a brick! (or maybe a few bricks...)
  - Minimum Focus Distance: 5 ft. (1.5m). This is the only thing that I dislike about this lens.... I can't get as close to my subject as I can with the 55-200mm lens.
  - Price: approximately $1650 (from a reputable dealer like B&H)
  
  Concluding thoughts: Obviously, you get much greater quality, for a much higher price. Analyze yourself and decide if the extra quality is worth the high price for your photography. If you shoot action, or you just shoot everything (like me) the 70-200mm lens might be worth it (for me, it is). If you don't need lightning fast performance for your photography, then the 55-200mm lens should have sufficient quality to meet the majority of your needs.
  
  I hope that this review has aided you in making a purchasing decision. If I was a foolish reviewer, I would have given this lens a rating of 1 out of 5 stars, because it's virtually useless to me now. However, I gave it a rating of 4 stars because that is what I feel it's worth in terms of the price to performance ratio (for an average shooter).
  
  Good luck with your photography!
  
  
• The obvious next step for Nikon D40x owners...
  By A3TSPLFYU2UMW0 on 2007-09-24
  If you own a Nikon D40x with its stock autofocus zoom lens rated at 18-55 mm new digital style and equivalent to 26-83 mm old style, this is the obvious next step purchase. Rated at 55-200 mm new style and equivalent to 83-300 mm old style it's small, light and really does cut out camera shake to allow genuine "point & shoot" at its higher focal lengths, giving you a "tripod-less", perfectly matched combination of two autofocus Nikkor lenses covering a full 18-200 mm new style (26-300 mm old style). Just perfect... and, for the price, stunningly good value.
  
  
• Great lens, great price, make sure you get the VR model
  By A3E3Q0BF658T6D on 2007-08-18
  My camera came with a 17-55mm kit lens and I was salivating over the idea of saving up and getting the 17-200mm lens. The quality of the kit lens itself became apparent when I took identical pictures with different lenses and the kit was clearly better. But that elusive 17-200mm- it cost 750 bucks (at least) IF you could find it in stock, and reports were that the quality was uneven- some individual lenses worked better than others. I don't have the option of trying out several lenses- I have to order online and get what I get. So when THIS baby came out, I tried it and loved it. Yes, you have to lug an extra lens around and swap it out, and if that's an issue for you then take your chances with the more expensive one. But for a fraction of the cost I expanded the range of my camera. Usually I'm in a situation where I'll probablly only need one or the other- the kit lens for indoors or parties, the telephoto for going to the zoo or camping or whatnot. My only warning: Earlier models of this typoe of lens don't have the vibration reduction. You might find the same focal range in a Nikor lens for less money, but it probably won't have "VR" attached to the name. This is a cery handy feature when shooting at the far end of the zoom scale without a tripod. I highly recommend making sure you get a lense with this feature. (Note: I'm not an expert, just a hobbyist who shoots a lot of pictures.)
  
  
• Either a defective lens or mediocre performance
  By A19Z8CGT273QHO on 2007-04-10
  I just received, and used this lens at a wedding last weekend. I was not thrilled with the results. I expected sharp, snappy contrasty images but they weren't - just okay.
  
  I then mounted the camera with this lens on a tripod, switched off the VR and autofocus and took a series of left, right and center pictures at different f stops of a distant sign with lots of lettering. I was even more disappointed as the left edge was blurry, and the images got better tto the right of the frame and not the center as expected. I hope that this is a sign of a defect, and not sloppy manufacturing.
  
  This lens is bargained priced, with the VR feature which seems to work, but at least in my instance the image quality is poor. When, and if I can get a replacement lens I'll update this message after taking the same test shots.
  
  
• A Fine Portrait and Travel Lens
  By A2MCZOZ2X2ZQYK on 2007-05-09
  If you needed VR-capable Nikkor for your D40/D40x but would rather not buy the more expensive 18-200mm VR or 70-300mm VR, then this 55-200mm VR is a fine complement to your kit lens (18-55mm.) For my non-commercial purpose, this lens excels!
  
  Pros:
  
  1. Versatile portrait lens! I received my fair share of compliments for very pleasing portraits I made of folks with this lens.
  2. Its range of focal length makes it ideal for travel and nature photography, too.
  3. It makes photos with very nice colors on the camera's default setting.
  4. Gives a very clean, crisp and sharp image with nice bokeh.
  5. Matrix metering results has always been to my liking with this lense attached. Tweaking the normal exposure has not been needed.
  6. Well built, despite the plastic housing and mounting.
  7. Zoom ring has just the right resistance to avoid lens creep.
  8. Compact and lightweight.
  
  Cons:
  
  1. Be careful waving it around as you might accidentally mis-align the plastic mounting if you happen to knock it on something hard. Then again, plastic housing made it within reach of a lot of happy shooters, like me!
  2. Not very fast maximum apertures. Yet I get pleasing bokeh on my portraits, as though I was using prime portrait lenses!
  3. Works fine on the D40's center focus bracket shooting indoors in a fairly lit room. But the lens hunts when using the weaker side focus brackets in that condition. Just use the D40's center focus bracket indoors and save your lense from unnecessary trouble.
  
  In their books, John Shaw and Scott Kelby mentioned using an 80-200mm lens for travel and nature photography. This 55-200mm VR Nikkor covers that focal length well and then some. In 35mm terms you get 82.5-300mm (owing to 1.5X FOV) and benefit from VR technology too. This standard to telephoto lens is an ideal partner for your kit lens which covers the moderate wide-angle to standard focal length.
  
  I am glad Nikon made this lens and made it affordable. Highly recommended!
  
  
• I am hoping that I just got a defective one.
  By A7JVZFSXVY9RL on 2007-05-28
  I can't say that I am all that impressed with the VR function. Using it on my D80 and their is very little difference between VR and non-VR photos inside on a bright day. I hate using a flash and hoped that this lens would help me capture photos in lower light without the flash. I was dead wrong. In my living room on a very sunny day setting the shutter on 1/25, I still got a huge amount of blur. I have not been able to get any of my photos to look any better with the VR on vs. the VR off. and I have tried everything. I spent an hour on the phone with the Nikon rep who couldn't figure out what was going on.
  
  For the most part, this has turned out to be the exact same lens as my 18-135mm kit lens with a small weight difference.
  
  
• Not Reliable
  By AUB7SOU28K3SG on 2007-12-01
  I purchased this lens from Amazon in October, 2007. It seems to be defective. When using the zoom at 200mm, the autofocus constantly clicks (like it's hunting for proper focus), and the pictures all come out blurred - more like double vision - in bright light. The VR didn't help at all.
  
  The problem is not present when using the lens at 55mm. Go figure.
  
  Sending it back to Nikon for repair or replacement - Amazon was no help. I'm a huge Amazon user, but in this instance I probably should have purchased locally so I could just walk it back to the store in the event of a problem.
  
  I'll update this review with how Nikon ends up resolving the problem.
  
  
  
  
• Second lens review
  By A31OI8BK5RWUM2 on 2007-04-26
  As I said in an earlier review I returned my first 55-200 VR lens as defective and received another. It works a lot better. The first one only produced sharp results on the right edge of the frame. The replacement zooms more smoothly, and has typical better center than edge sharpness especially at 200mm. The 55-100mm sharpness is very, very good and although the 200mm is a little soft wide open, it gets much better a stop or two down.
  
  Recommended... if you get a correctly assembled lens. Well worth the money.
  
  
• Sharp, small, light and CHEAP
  By A1RINHJR6BJAXY on 2007-05-16
  Remember when the non-VR version of this lens was over $270? For $235, I got this beauty from Amazon just before my daughter's college graduation. From across the football stadium where the ceremony was held, I got exceptionally sharp images, so clear and free of distortion that I can crop up to 75% without losing detail. I also have a Nikkor 28-200mm zoom and the 55-200 puts it to shame at long focal lengths, with VR engaged. Prior to the graduation, I tried some indoor shots of her department awards. These turned out OK, but would have been better had I relied more on the VR and a slower shutter speed. My only real caveat is the plastic construction will not hold up to abuse, so take care to protect the lens mount and front filter threads. This is not a professional lens, but is a low-cost solid performer for serious hobbyists and beginners alike. A must-have addition to your kit lens and much sharper than the 70-300G. I was waiting for the 18-200 VR to become both more available and less expensive, but do you really need the VR at short focal lengths anyway? Save $500-600 and get this one!
  
  
• Nikon 55-200mm AFS VR DX and on and on with abbreviations
  By A1CJTAJTSS5CB1 on 2007-09-13
  I bought this lens from Amazon through Cameta Camera. Purchase was flawless and shipping fast. The lens was bought even though I own a 2 ring model of the 80-200mm 2.8 and the VR version of the 70-200mm 2.8. I travel a lot and wanted a good walk around lens to fill out the long range when I use the 18-70. It is sharp, light weight and gets frequent use. I like it for travel overseas since it is easy to pack. For best images, I take the 70-200 VR but the images are close from this inexpensive lens.
  
  
  
  
• Slow Shutter speed = great pictures
  By AZMLBH0O669O5 on 2007-09-24
  I have had this new VR 55-200 lens for over two weeks and love it. This lens definitely captures pictures in lower light without the blur of a non VR lens. Last week I was up in the mountains above Park City Utah when a Bull Moose came walking by me. It was about 6:00PM so the light was pretty low. I shot the moose with my Nikon D80 at 200MM at a F 5.6, ISO 200 at 1/40th of a second. The picture is amazingly clear. If this was my other non VR zoom Nikon lens, the picture would have been a total loss.
  
  
• What they say
  By A3MMJEMXBJOJ8H on 2007-11-28
  Overwhelming positive responses for a reason. The VR is almost magic in that you can take sharp photos in dim light. It only cost me $203, doesn't weigh much and seems to be as sharp as a small format photo can be.
  
  It makes a good portrait lens. I was chasing kids around the yard trying to get good shots with good backrounds and all that. The length of the lens allowed me to back off and not have to jamb a short lens into their little faces. I got good exposures, depth of field (entire faces in focus) and actually got a number keeper photos out of it.
  
  Do I wish this was a wider lens for lower light? Not yet, it seems fine for almost anything I would shoot. A pro shooting in caves for National Geographic would want something wider. I don't go into caves ever, never. There have been some negative comments on the ability to focus on fast-moving things like aircraft. I have no experience there. Aren't they at the infinity level anyway? Wouldn't you want a longer lens anyway?
  
  Is it as nice as those old metal lenses? No, I love that super-precision feel that a great metal lens provides. I have mounted my old 55mm micro-nikkor on my D40 and it is indeed nice, but damn heavy, not VR and not automatic. I'll never get rid of it. The precision of this plastic lens isn't bad and it is small, light and affordable
  
  Now I am a VR freak and would only buy a super wide angle without that feature.
  
  I recommend the 55-200 VR (careful- there is a non-VR version).
  
  
• Great buy for the budget conscious.
  By A303YO1B5DKTHT on 2007-04-30
  I consider myself a step above a beginner in photography and wanted an ideal zoom lens to complement the decent but limiting 18-55mm that came with my recently purchased Nikon D40x. Wow! I am impressed with the quality of the 55-200 AF-S VR. I've posted some pictures here that can certainly attest to its quality - the VR certainly works. Beats having to carry a tripod around. You can use the same 52mm sized filters for both the 18-55 and 55-200. Pictures and colors come out sharp. You can master this lens rather quickly. There is some noise in the AF motor but that's negligible. For the price, you can't go wrong. It sells out fast so I wouldn't hesitate in submitting an advanced order. Those that require more zooming power, the 70-300mm VR is a fine addition but its more than 2x the price. But in all honesty, the 55-200mm VR is more than sufficient.
  
  Good luck.
  
  
• Lots of bang for your buck. Truly worth it
  By A2NOIWPJDD7WIQ on 2007-05-01
  I was juggling between the 70-300mm VR and the 55-200mm VR and noticed that the 55-200mm was practically half the price of the 70-300mm! The VR works like a charm on the 55-200mm. I have used this lens in conjunction with my D80 and the results I've gotten using this lens are satisfying and sharp. I would not let the price fool you. You get a lot for the money you are paying for. I was surprised that Nikon would release a VR lens at this price. I'm assuming that this is an entry level telephoto zoom to give consumers a taste of VR without having to shell out almost $500 or more. Of course the VR is not a cure all or complete solution to eliminating a tripod, but it sure helps ensure sharp results. Definitely a keeper in conjunction with my 18-70mm lens. I am completely satisfied with the money I paid for this lens.
  
  
• Excellent value for money
  By A1EOLRV216BXJ9 on 2007-06-24
  
  I bought this lens with the Nikon D80 body. The main attraction is the VR (Vibration reduction), followed by the price (under 250 USD) and the lightness (as if it weighs nothing compared witht the old AF lenses.)
  
  The photo quality is excellent (at least by my standards) and at 200mm (equivalent to 300mm in film camera), flowers, birds, landscape are all at a close distance. Taking the lens out for a long trip is no burden at all. The VR function allows me to take snapshots at 1/30 s in dimlight. Moreover, by increasing the ISO film speed, this guarantees good quality and sharp photos in most situations.
  
  The minuses include changing lens (I get the very affordable 18-55 to couple with this 55-200 VR) which may include dust to the sensors. For now, I change the lenses very conveniently and the dust problem has not bothered me yet. Besides, the great 18-200mm Nikkor lens is nearly 2.5 - 3 times the cost of these 2 lenses combined. Another minus is some people prefer the 18-70mm and 70-300mm combination. This all depends on whether you need such a long telephoto.
  
  For now, I am very satisfied with the VR 55-200mm and I have not found myself in a situation where I wish I had a longer telephoto. Working with a light lens ( a new experience to me) is a big bonus already.
  
  
• Eagles and Air Shows
  By A1OWROB7ZLPIYQ on 2007-09-29
  Decent lens, 52 mm filter size, lacks a stainless steal lens mount and does not have a manual override (A/M) in the lenses auto focus ( A ). The Vibration Reduction ( VR ) is the best in the industry. Good value for $$$. Small size. I recommend this lens to all my students.
  
  
  
• Best Lightweight Budget Telephoto
  By A1GJC2IMFMQM1M on 2007-08-14
  Biggest asset is its incredibly light weight. My f/1.4 50mm prime is heavier than this, and although that is partly a matter of plastic vs metal construction, having a lens that equals 300mm on digital barely weigh anything at all is great. Speaking of plastic, the construction is durable, even in the steamy rains of a Costa Rican jungle. The VR does wonders in cutting down on grain and noise, and in daylight and cloudy conditions, the image quality is amazing. However, these things increase when the sun goes down, and then you are almost required to use flash (which I try to avoid.) In addition, this is not a fast lens by any means. Shooting futbol/soccer games are a joke with f/5.6 (although I tried this indoors...) but capturing things such as birds in flight, etc. with good light easily done. All in all, a wonderfully light and sturdy lens for most telephoto situations, but look for faster glass when shooting faster subjects or in low-light.
  
  
• Get closer without moving
  By A2UD5JS3S3XISG on 2007-09-02
  If your digital Nikon came also with a 18-70mm lens then this 55-200mm zoom lens is a must. Since I got it, is has not been off the body! The automatic focusing is dead-on and I use the anti vibration setting as well. Pictures are just fantastic. The "reach" is just right, without getting into someones space you can frame the exact amount of view you want, effortless. With my separate mounted flash inside pictures are much better lighted without that typical "right at you" circle of brightness.
  I find peoples faces more natural when taken from a longer distance for what ever technical reason.
  This lens will be used a lot and gives photography a big boost.
  
  
• Nikon 55-200mm Lens
  By A23393CN7ZAOOV on 2007-11-19
  I really like the Nikon 55-200mm lens. It is a nice low cost option to be able to zoom in a little closer. However, I find I have to switch between the 18-55mm and the 55mm-200mm a lot. I would have rather saved the money and used it towards the purchase of a 18mm-200mm or 70mm - 300mm.
  
  
• wow
  By A1GQ5TLFIB2BAJ on 2007-08-19
  This lens has wowed me,such a fantastic lens with excellent clarity. The bokeh you can achieve is just spectacular. The VR function has helped me wonderfully, having a disability and only able to use one arm effectively, camera shake is a non issue with hand held shots. I have used the Sony H5, it has Image stabilization, but now I entered a new world that allows me to make hand held shots I could never achieve before. I have posted two images above that I hope you look at. They are both hand held.Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor Lens I personally love this lens.
  
  
• Great balance of price, weight, ease of use -- not quite fast enough for sports
  By A3OAVRTJ7UDRCP on 2008-02-17
  It was between this and the faster 55-300 for about twice the price. I'm glad I picked this lens. It's smaller, lighter, and does what I need it to do, which is to chase two small children around and capture their play anywhere we go. The autofocus is not quite fast enough to grab every shot I want when I'm in tight and they're moving quickly, but believe it or not the manual focus option allows me to capture most shots anyway in that situation, it just takes a little practice. If you need to shoot fast moving sports in low light situations or you really need to reach out into the distance to catch a small bird, and you're very dedicated to your equipment, this might not be the lens for you. But for most uses, it's a perfect balance between price, weight, size, and speed.
  
  
• CHEAP AND GOOD
  By A35SQKG09EQYCZ on 2007-04-26
  Photography has been a hobby of mine for over forty years. During this time I have owned countless Nikon, Canon cameras and lens. My next to latest camera is a 8700 Nikon. I just upgraded to a D40x. I purchased this lens for said camera. WOW! What a nice lens. Features of thousand dollar lens? No. But, has the features and quality of a lens costing much more than it's price. The anti-shake feature is great. Get this lens. You will not be sorry.
  
  
• Nikon 55-200 VR: Nice lens; Excellent value for money ...
  By A2I5W8TG8PK846 on 2007-05-10
  Just received it, so I have a very preliminary view based on about 60 shots at speeds ranging from 1/30 to 1/4, zoom at 55mm and 200mm and at f/5.6. I like the lens. With my D50, the pictures have very good sharpness and contrast ... The VR really works and I was able to get usable pictures at 1/4 hand held. Focusing speed is good, although not lightning fast. The close focus distance was 3-4 feet ... which is high. But overall, you will not be disappointed as long as you keep in mind the fact that this is a $235 lens and not a $600 lens.
  
  I think of myself as an advanced amateur on a tight budget, and had considered spending $850 on the 18-200VR. Then this lens came along - with VR - and I thought, let me spend the $235 and can get the 18-200 in 2 years when it is selling for $600.
  
  

• 3-Year Extended Service Plan - Covers Electronic Items $201-$500 - Repair
• Tiffen 52mm 25 Filter (Red)
• Tiffen 52mm 11 Filter (Green)
• Tiffen 52mm 47 Filter (Blue)
• Tiffen 52mm 58 Filter (Green)

• Tiffen 52mm UV Protection Filter
• Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
• Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for Nikon D40, D40x, D60 & D80 Digital SLR Cameras
• Nikon EN-EL9 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery for Nikon D40 and D40x Digital SLR Cameras
• Nikon 7072 Lens Pen Cleaning System