which lens

[Jackie]

I have a Nikon D80 with the 18-135 lens. I am wondering if purchasing the 18-200 VR lens would be much of an improvement over the 18-135. I hope I'm asking this question in the right place, if not I apologize.
Thanks you,
Jackie

[ljameso1]

Usually any type of image stabilization will allow you to hand hold at 2 stops less shutter speed than the regular lens. If that's important to you, than would be good choice.

[TonyW]

I guess the question is what is it that you want to improve that your current lens won't do. There are so many lens choices and it comes down to what you can't do with your current lens that you need a new lens to do. Closer close-ups, longer distance shots, wider angle shots, lower light shots? One lens won't do it all so you need to decide what it is you want to do that your current lens won't let you do.

Tony

[Not4wood]

I have the 18-135 D80 Kit Lens as well. I do like it, shots are sharp but maybe I think or expected them to be a little bit sharper. I am looking around for the 300mm fast Zoom so I could start to do Bird/Wildlife shots.

Nothing wrong with this lens from my point of view. May I ask you, what your disappointed with?

Granted at the wider side its only f:/4 and the tele area drops down to f:/5.6 and the Zoom only goes into the mid Portrait area to 135mm but the lens does cover a good amount of detail and I could actually work a Wedding with this lens, so I am not complaining. I would appreciate it if this lens was a lot faster but it was a good price for my package so I can't complain.

[Jackie]

I think the 18-135 is a good general lens, but I was wondering if there is anyone out there that has had both lenses and if they had noticed a difference in sharpness and quicker focusing with the 18-200.
Jackie

[Edmund]

Jackie, When I bought my Nikon D-80 with the kit lense 18-135mm I just loved that lense. It was very sharp and a good always on lense. When the 28-200 VR came out, for my needs, I wanted the extra reach and especially the VR capabilities. So I sold my 18-135 on the Nikonians site for a very fair price and purchased the 18-200 VR. I am very happy with this lense. I find that some times depending on variables as f-stop and focal length this lense is not tack sharp. So now I generally shoot in aperature priority mode and keep my focal length away from the extremes ie 18mm or 200mm and try to keep my f stop in the mid range ie f8or f11. Then every thing being equal it will be tack sharp. What I am describing is inherently found in all zooms not just the 18-200. Basically all zooms are not at their best at their extremes focal lengths or low f stops. That said TonyW hit the nail on the head. What will you do with your new lens that you cannot currently do with what you have. I know that when I hit the NY State lotto I will get some wide angles which I miss very much since using the Nikon DX format and some long tele's... all f2.8's. My next purchase will be either the 12-24mm f/4 or the 17-55mm f/2.8 for wide angle work and for tele photo I probably will get the 70 -300 VR. Look at Lexcell's equipment list here:http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34575
You can see which lenses are the best in quality for each specific job ie wide angle to extreme tele. Hope this helped you out. PS. 18-200 is very fast focus but so was the 18-135.
Eddie:)

[Jackie]

Eddie -
Thanks for the response - it was helpful to hear from someone that has had experience with both lenses.
Jackie

[lexcell]

Jackie,
Everyone has provided some excellent food for thought about upgrading your existing lens to the 18-200mm. My two cents worth...
As Tony asks, what is it about your existing lens that makes you want to upgrade?
I think when used properly both lenses will give you a good image. The 18-200mm has the added advantage of VR allowing you to hand hold at slower shutter speeds. It also has a greater range. If that's what you are looking for, then it is a good upgrade for you.
If it is the greater range you are looking for and you don't mind carrying two lenses, you might want to consider keeping your 18-135mm and adding the Nikon 70-300mm VR lens. You will get the VR feature and an even greater reach.
Either the 18-200mm and the 70-300mm lenses will give you very nice images.