Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR [Vibration Reduction] Nikkor Zoom Lens

by Nikon

• 55-200mm zoon Nikkor lens with f/4-5.6 maximum aperture for Nikon digital SLR cameras
• 2 extra-low-dispersion (ED) glass elements for minimized chromatic aberration and superior optics
• Super-integrated coating minimizes ghosting and flare for more vivid images in dim lighting
• Silent Wave Motor produces quick and quiet high-speed autofocusing; weighs 9 ounces
• Measures 2.7 inches in diameter and 3.1 inches long; 5-year warranty

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3 x 2 x 2 inches ; 8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000O161X0
• Item model number: 2166
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (573 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #9 in Camera & Photo > Lenses > Camera Lenses
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

This versatile and compact 3.6x Zoom-NIKKOR lens brings the action to the photographer. Ideal for portraiture, family, sports, nature and wildlife.

AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED Lens Highlights:

• An ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element minimizes chromatic aberration, contributing to superior optical performance
• Focus mode switch enables quick switching between A (Autofocus) and M (Manual Focus)
• 7-blade rounded diaphragm provides more natural out-of-focus highlights

• Vibration Reduction, engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens, enables handheld shooting at up to 3 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper still images and video capture
• New compact rod-type Silent Wave Motor (SW) enables ultra-high speed auto focusing with exceptional accuracy and super-quiet operation
• The lens is constructed with 15 elements in 11 groups

Product Description

Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR [Vibration Reduction] Zoom Nikkor Lens.What’s in the box: Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED Lens, 52mm Snap-On Lens Cap, LF-1 Rear Lens Cap for F Mount Lenses, HB-37 Lens Hood, CL-0918 Soft Lens Case and 5-Year Warranty (1-Year International + 4-Year USA Extension).

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

425 of 432 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Bargain - Sharp Lens with VR for $250! April 13, 2007

By Henry

This lens is sharp even at wide apertures, the VR (image stabilization) works great, autofocus speed is more than acceptable, and it it is very light and compact. The fact that it costs $250 and has effective VR is pretty amazing - no other company offers a lens with this feature for anywhere near this price.

As for image quality, search the various internet photo sites, such as dpreview and nikonians for sample photos taken with this lens by real users. The results are impressive! My copy produces similar results. The previous reviewer must have a bad sample.

Of course, the lens is slow (like almost all consumer zoom lenses), in that its widest aperture is smaller than a professional zoom or prime lens, so it's not a good choice for action photography in lower light conditions (like indoor sports without flash or outside sports at dusk). But a fast telephoto zoom will cost at least three times as much and weigh a ton.
I give the lens 5 stars based on a combination of image quality, value, and compactness/lightness.

324 of 333 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than I thought. August 7, 2007

By Ricardo

My Nikon ownership goes back over 30 years to the days when cameras were made of metal and carrying one with a few lenses tested your stamina.

Times sure have changed. There's hardly a metal camera to be found and you can carry a bag full of equipment in one hand. The Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor is the latest lightweight from this heavyweight of the camera industry.

Plastic construction right down to its lens mount. This thing looks and feels like the label should say Fisher Price and not Nikon. However, looks can be deceiving as I soon found out.

My only reason for buying this lens was that I needed to fill a void in my kit until I saved up enough for a 70-200mm f2.8. I had no intention of keeping the 55-200 VR once the 70-200 arrived.

After shooting with the 55-200 for a few months I've come to appreciate what it can do. It's limited to use in good light as even VR can't change the laws of physics. In this case, it's not even the current VR-II but the original VR that Nikon developed a few years ago.

With sufficient light and good technique, the 55-200 is capable of very good performance. No, it's not as sharp and contrasty as the 70-200. It's also not going to survive the bad weather or a few solid knocks that professional use would expose it to.

Where the 55-200 excels is in its portability and above average performance. For travel or just walking around, it would be hard to beat this lens if it's used within its limits. I use mine on a D80 and have no problem getting excellent 13x19" prints.

As an added bonus, it works very well with the Nikon CL3T closeup lens and does double duty as a macro zoom. Again, it's not a substitute for a real macro zoom like the Nikon 70-180, but it's not intended to be.

Given my original opinion of this lens, I have to admit that I've gotten much more than my money's worth out of it. Instead of selling it, I'm going to keep it and use it when my 70-200 is just to big and heavy to carry around.

If you're on a budget or just want a nice, lightweight lens in this range, take a look at the Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR. Like me, you may be very much surprised at what it can do.

254 of 260 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars VR really works and the price can't be beat. June 7, 2007

By K. Plourde

I had the 55-200mm non VR version for about 5 months, sold it to essentally recover my cost, and bought the VR version as a replacement. The non VR version was very compact and light, and produced excellent photos, but the slightly larger VR version is so much more usable I don't miss the other lens at all. The VR works as advertised and allows me to take pictures at 3 times or more lower shutter speeds than the non VR version. While I would love the 18-200mm VR for the convenience, I will never be able to justify the $750 price, so my 18-55mm kit lens and this lens will likely cover my needs as long as I own my camera. I also seriously considered the 70-300mm VR, but couldn't accept twice the price for only 50% more reach. And at twice the length of the 55-200mm non VR version, it would be too awkward for me to carry around. I am very satisfied with this 55-200mm VR lens and if you are considering it, please give it a try. You will not be dissapointed.