Nikon DX 18-200mm VR II

Nikkor DX 18-200mm VR II lens review

The Nikkor DX 18-200mm VR II is an 11.1x super-zoom lens designed for Nikon's range of DX format DSLRs. Announced in July 2009, it's the update to one of the most popular lenses for the Nikon system, now equipping it with better protection against zoom creep, where the lens barrel can inadvertently extend or retract under its own weight. Mounted on a DX-format body, the DX 18-200mm VR II delivers the same 27-300mm equivalent range as its predecessor which takes you in a moment from wide-angle coverage to respectable telephoto. This allows you to shoot an expansive landscape, before quickly zooming-in to grab a photo of, say, an unusual bird perched on a branch. It's this degree of flexibility which has resulted in many Nikon owners using it as their exclusive lens, especially when travelling. Like its predecessor, it's perfectly usable at longer focal lengths or in low light thanks to Vibration Reduction (VR) facilities which, according to Nikon, provide up to four stops of compensation. Unlike its rival from Canon, it also includes quick and quiet focusing, a rubber sealing on the lens mount, and comes supplied with a lens hood and pouch. As an AF-S model, it'll also autofocus on all Nikon DSLRs, including the entry-level models which don't feature built-in motors.