Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Nikon 55-200mm AF-S DX VR

With a price tag of only 12,000 pesos, the Nikon 55-200mm AF-S DX VR is the cheapest telephoto lens to feature VR (Vibration Reduction). When I first heard of this lens, I thought cheap and cheap quality of course, but when I got to try it out for myself, I must say that it was a pretty impressive lens. AF is pretty fast and accurate, faster than the Nikon 18-55mm AFS DX. Image quality is very good but not great. The VR also does a good job at allowing for handheld shots at 200mm with 1/15, great for static objects but not good for moving subjects. VR is good but the lens is slow in itself at f/5.6 at the longest setting, but thats what you get for the price tag. So overall, it is a lens that is well worth its pricetag, in fact IMO it is priced very cheap for what you get, but then again it is a DX lens. Its a lens that's great for outdoors work, maybe for hiking, birding, travel and such, but just about average indoors, unless you have a dedicated speedlite, it is not at all recommended for indoor use.