Sharpest Nikon tele-zoom under $1,000
I know it’s a big call but I mean it. This lens must’ve made third party lens makers weep when it was introduced three years ago at about $250. Yes, it’s that good. It won the TIPA 2007 Award for best entry level lens, it was American Photo Editors Choice 2007 and Best Buy, Ken Rockwell put it on his list of Nikon's dream team lenses, and photoreview.com gave it an editor's choice distinction.
'You can pay more,' KR says, 'but all you're getting will be tougher build quality, more weight, the need for bigger filters, instant manual-focus override, and lose the ability to zoom as short as 55mm.' For once, I agree with Ken.
The Basics
The Nikon DX AF-S Zoom Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED VR (to use it’s full name for easier identification) was introduced with twin D40/ D40x kits early in 2007. There was an previous version without VR, so be careful when you buy one second-hand. The current new price is down to about $200 in the USA and $175 in Hong Kong. At the original list price, it was a bargain; at the current price, it's a steal.
Lens elements 15 in 11 groups, 1 x ED glass element
diaphragm blades 7
Zoom range 55-200mm – 80 – 300 equivalent in 35mm film terms
Minimum focal lenths 4-5.6
Angle of View (DX) 8-28 degrees
Autofocus built-in AF-S SWM
Minimum Focus Distance 1.1m
VR Yes
Filter size 52mm
Dimensions 100 x 74mm
Weight 335g
Price (street) about $200 in the USA, 175 in Hong Kong
Construction
Nikon actually improved the build quality compared with the earlier model. A major difference is the use of a single inner lens tube. The ‘G’ in the name means it has no dedicated aperture ring, and the IF stands for Internal Focusing which means the lens barrel doesn’t stretch or rotate during focusing (makes working with filters easier).
Photo courtesy of http://www.photozone.de/
The build quality of this lens is better than its plastic looks and modest weight suggest. Reviewers always grumble about the plastic lens mounts of Nikon’s kit lenses but the material Nikon uses is more than up to the job – my lens shows no signs of wear despite heavy use over 30 months, and is still as tight as it was. The wide rubberized zoom ring is still smooth but not loose in operation and there’s no lens creep.
Handling
The lens isn’t big, and it isn’t heavy. That means it easily slips into a small camera bag or bum bag or pouch or even your girlfriend’s handbag in a pinch. It’s an ideal travel or hiking lens, which means there’s a good chance you’ll have a tele-zoom with you when you need it.
This lens balances well on the smaller Nikon bodies from the D40 to D90. Two switches on the barrel let you choose AF and VR or not. Vibration reduction on this lens is not VRII (red letters mean I, gold letters II) but it works well enough. This is not a great lens for manual focus work since the focus ring covers too big a range in a short turn. In AF mode, there are no complaints.
Performance
The zoom ring is weighted just right, and the autofocus motor is fast and sure in all but the worst light. It’s fast enough for shooting kids, pets and sports in action in bright to modest light (with help from the VR). The f/4-5.6 limitation is common for zoom lenses even up at the next level. In fact, Nikon’s 70-300 starts at f/4.5. To get down to f/2.8, you’re generally looking at close to $1,000 and the kind of heft that makes hiring a Sherpa a desirable proposition.
An unexpected bonus is that this lens will also do duty for portraits or shots of flowers and small things - the bokeh is pretty creamy even at f/5.6. So we can add versatility to this lens’s credentials.
Could you ask for a better bokeh?
Image Quality
Some reviewers complain about fringing and softness in the extreme corners of the frame, especially at longer focal lengths. If you look long enough and hard enough at the edges of the images at 100%, I’m sure you’ll find some imperfections. In real terms, there’s little evidence of distortion at either end or the middle of the zoom range, or of vignetting or chromatic aberration. This is one of the sharpest lenses I’ve ever used, and its overall image quality is better than it has any right to be – have a look at the image samples below.
Real World
A $200 tele-zoom that’s this sharp and colour-faithful is a bargain. VR and SWM AF-S make it the lens bargain of the decade – Nikon even throws in (or used to) a leather lens pouch. A sure sign that this is another one of Nikon’s great mistakes is the fact that it outperforms its replacement, the new 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G on every score except maximum zoom.
I’m not kidding – the newer lens is not an internal focus design, and the AF motor is much slower. Even though it’s heavier, the build quality is no better. The new 55-300 VR isn’t as sharp as the old 55-200 either - check my test of the 55-300 a bit further down. The 55-300 is a different kind of Nikon mistake: a real step backwards. Clearly Nikon looked at the competition and said: we can charge more ($350 – 400) and offer less, and get away with it. Here's what the old lens offers for half the price
I like the way the chick looks at its mother, thinking: she wants me to eat junk food already? Apart from being razor-sharp, this lens can freeze action as well.
Reviews
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/55-200mm-vr.htm
http://www.bythom.com/55200lens.htm
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Nikkor_DX_55-200mm_VR/verdict.shtml
Sample Images
Fast and furious action
shag on a rock and sea spray
The lens can freeze action in miniature, and check that creamy bokeh.
The old man and the sea
I just knew you were hanging out for another wedding shot. Looks like she’s got him in a headlock – no wonder he’s ready to sign his life away.
Kim
Kim Thanks for this article and these nice pictures! This lens is tuly a bargain! For DX users buy one before it is to late! Nikon made more than once a new more expensive and less performing lens before.
Posted by: Michael de Gunst | 02/09/2011 at 09:18 AM
glad you agree, Michael.
Posted by: Kim Brebach | 02/09/2011 at 09:34 AM