Nikon Telephoto Zoom Lens Advice Reqd

[DPB1]

I have just purchased a second hand D200 together with 18-70mm DX lens. I am now considering buying a zoom lens but need advice on which to go for.

I have seen the 55-200 VR and 70-300 VR lens but at the moment I am limited by budget. As most of the photography would hopefully be hand-held I would prefer a lens with VR or Optical Stabilizing.

I have seen cheaper lenses without VR but wondered what camera shake would be like without Tripod/Monopod etc.

Advice Required please.

Thanks

PS - Cracking camera the D200

[Yandros]

There's not much in it optically between the 55-200VR and 70-300VR I gather. The 70-300VR has the slight edge though. In terms of the utility of VR, it's priceless . Remember the rule of thumb is that the shutter speed you need to counteract shake is 1/(effective focal length), which at 300mm will be 1/450th second. With VR on you'll get away with about 1/125 for sure and 1/60th with a bit more hit and miss sharpness.

Personally I'd suggest saving for a 70-300VR.

[dazza74]

Might help a little bit to show the benefits of VR, these were all taken at F8 1/160s with the 70-300mm VR, all handheld :

100mm No VR :

100mm VR :

200mm No VR :

200mm VR :

300mm No VR :

300mm VR :

[Yandros]

Nice one Dazza.

Here's a 100% crop from a shot of the back of the Capture NX box (about 3" wide frame). The 18-200VR is about as effective as the 105VR. ie VERY

[dazza74]

Nicely done "Yandros", not bad the VR is it