[Kevo]

What's the cheapest/best (in terms of service, delivery etc) place I can get the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED DX VR Lens from?

The cheapest I have seen it is at £458 (inc VAT) from PurelyGadgets (who I have never dealt with before).

http://www.purelygadgets.co.uk/showp...FQ0eEgoddkfJOw

Is £460 the current going price on-line?

[andyandy]

Looks like that is one of the best prices.

If you go here: http://camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod146.html, there is a discount code for that company to get the lens for £453.95

[Monkey1803]

Youve done well there, i cant find it cheaper

[Kevo]

Thanks for the replies

I've been off the 'Nikon DSLR acessory scene' for a while and shamefully only discovered this lens a couple of weeks ago whilst on the balconly of St Mark's Basillica overlooking St Mark's square in Venice of all places!
(it's more like 'Nikon city' in Venice...D80s and 200s everywhere!)
An Irish tourist had one and showed me his and after having a little play with his big lens (ooh er ) I wanted one to replace my 18-70mm and 70-300mm Nikkor lenses.

[PaulBoy]

Kevo - I could understand why you would be wowed by the 18-200mmVR and consider it a no brainer to replace your 18-70 & 70-300 lenses - I also agree that as a "one lens" solution it is as good as I've seen (Nikon wise) but if you look at the reviews you will see that it is not without its flaws - this one from photozone is typical

Regarding some glowing reviews available on the web the expectation were rather high. Unfortunately the (tested sample of the) Nikkor AF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G IF-ED VR II DX wasn't able to convince completely. Weak points are rather hefty distortions and high vignetting (@ f/3.5) at 18mm. Apart from a few weak spots the resolution figures are quite good though and it is possible to get very decent images from this lens under field conditions. The VR can surely help to save the day in situations where similar zooms must fail utterly The build quality is a little soso for a lens in this price class and probably the biggest disappointment. All in all the Nikkor is a highly interesting lens but not without flaws (hardly surprising for a 11x zoom)

- also remember you will only have a zoom to 200mm & afaik you can't stick a t/c on it - I missed the 200-300mm too much when I tried this lens & now have a 70-300mmVR (which can be had for around £300) but each person should choose what is right for him/her - in an ideal world I'd own an 18-200VR for when I want to carry just one lens but for me I can't justify the expense & will continue with 3x lenses until my lottery numbers come up!
Paul

[olisun]

http://www.martinscamerashop.co.uk/i...T&productid=55

[Monkhouse]

I got mine a couple of weeks back from eBay for £411 from a UK seller.

Yes, I know it's a grey import and yes, I know eBay is a risk, but then lets face it, with 'customer care' these days, I figured it was no more a risk than buying it from anywhere else (particularly the internet).

The lens is awesome. At this price, there's nothing better for what it offers - by any manufacturer, I think. I'm not into particularly long rang photography, so for me this can pretty much stay glued to my D40x all the time. It's everything I'll ever need.

Ken Rockwell's a big fan, too - check out
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18200.htm


Buy one as soon as you can - really, you won't regret it

[Pirate!!]

Ahoy!

£449.99. Oh, and a whole bunch of us forum members use these guys and can highly recommend them.

On Amazon.com it's $757.98 (roughly £382.82). Who do you know that's going to the USA that can pick one up for you?

[Yandros]

Originally Posted by Monkhouse

I got mine a couple of weeks back from eBay for £411 from a UK seller.

Yes, I know it's a grey import and yes, I know eBay is a risk, but then lets face it, with 'customer care' these days, I figured it was no more a risk than buying it from anywhere else (particularly the internet).

The lens is awesome. At this price, there's nothing better for what it offers - by any manufacturer, I think. I'm not into particularly long rang photography, so for me this can pretty much stay glued to my D40x all the time. It's everything I'll ever need.

Ken Rockwell's a big fan, too - check out
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18200.htm


Buy one as soon as you can - really, you won't regret it

I have to admit to cringing every time someone quotes the 'colourful' Mr Rockwell. 50% of his comments are good, 50% is garbage. For the initiated he's often very misleading.

The 18-200VR is extremely good, though a bit soft at the long end. It can't compete with fast lenses when shooting moving subjects, and the bokeh isn't that pretty, but that's about it in terms of downsides (oh and the cost ).

As a luxury replacement for the 18-70, or as a one lens solution for D40 owners in place of the 18-55 / 55-200 it's a no-brainer. It is indeed the best quality VR superzoom you can buy from any manufacturer.

[Monkhouse]

Originally Posted by Yandros

I have to admit to cringing every time someone quotes the 'colourful' Mr Rockwell. 50% of his comments are good, 50% is garbage. For the initiated he's often very misleading.

The 18-200VR is extremely good, though a bit soft at the long end. It can't compete with fast lenses when shooting moving subjects, and the bokeh isn't that pretty, but that's about it in terms of downsides (oh and the cost ).

As a luxury replacement for the 18-70, or as a one lens solution for D40 owners in place of the 18-55 / 55-200 it's a no-brainer. It is indeed the best quality VR superzoom you can buy from any manufacturer.

Oh for sure, Mr Rockwell is a bit of a character and does get a little over excited sometimes, and yes, really ought to get out a bit more. And of course, it's only one persons opinion.

Can't slate his enthusiasm, though - and he does take some great photos! (in my opinion, of course )

[Kevo]

Originally Posted by Pirate!!

Ahoy!

£449.99. Oh, and a whole bunch of us forum members use these guys and can highly recommend them.

Thanks, but it's £449 excl VAT

[PaulBoy]

Originally Posted by Kevo

Thanks, but it's £449 excl VAT

Well as you are importing from HK the price you quote is all you will pay - Indeed OneStop guarantee if you get charged for duty/vat they will reimburse you & having had one such charge (out of about ten purchases) the guarantee is genuine ... Paul

[Pirate!!]

Originally Posted by Kevo

Thanks, but it's £449 excl VAT

VAT etc is inclusive in the price as well as delivery. That's the total price.

[Kevo]

OK, i've ordered it from Onestop (along with a Hoya 72mm UV filter).

Incidentally, the price has now gone down by £10 to £439.99 (inc delivery) since the previous post

I guess my umming and arghing has saved ne a tenner!

Thanks again

[Kevo]

It arrived today (Friday), very quick delivery.
Didn't receive the filter as that I thik is oming from somewhere else.

The lens looks the part, haven't had chance to try it out yet (here's hoping for some decent weather this weekend to try it out).

My camera even still fits into my Nikon soft case (just!).

Only concern is that I didn't receive any paper invoice with the camera, but what I did receive was an invoice for 20 euros for a 'repaired lens', which bothers me. No idea what they mean by this, hope it's not a 'recon'. I'll email OneStop to find out.

Thanks all for the advice and am now £440 lighter

[philaitman]

Originally Posted by Kevo

Only concern is that I didn't receive any paper invoice with the camera, but what I did receive was an invoice for 20 euros for a 'repaired lens', which bothers me. No idea what they mean by this, hope it's not a 'recon'. I'll email OneStop to find out.

It's brand new the fib on the invoice/customs slip is how you don't pay duty or vat

[Kevo]

Originally Posted by philaitman

It's brand new the fib on the invoice/customs slip is how you don't pay duty or vat

Aha, that makes sense

Thanks