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

Long story short, the first copy of this lens that I purchased was a real stinker (e.g., really BAD, at least by my standards). I returned it, believing that all the positive reviews I'd read might have been relative to offerings in this lens class from Canon, Pentax, Sony, etc.

Fast forward 2 years, I'm looking for a compact tele zoom lens for family vacations. Noticed that a reputable NYC retailer (starts with the letter "A") is selling Nikon factory refurbished copies of the lens for <$150. "What the heck", I said to myself, "that's a decent price for a vacation tele zoom". I received the lens today and took nearly a hundred test shots with my Nikon D5000.

The VERDICT: My refurbished copy of the 55-200 VR lens is tack sharp throughout the focal range (55-200mm), from wide open apertures to at least f/11, by which point the effects of lens diffraction will start to kick in with the 12 MP sensor of the D5000. There's a bit of a drop-off in sharpness at the borders at 55mm but not so from 100-200mm, at least at f/8.

The bottom line is that if you buy this lens and find that it produces anything less than excellent image quality (e.g., as in results reported here: [...]), RETURN IT and request another copy. Alternatively, if my experience is representative of the typical quality of Nikon refurbished lenses, I'd STRONGLY recommend that you consider saving $60-80 and buy one of these. You'll give up the 5-year Nikon extended warranty but can get a transferable 2-year warranty from SquareTrade for around $20.

Work as describe. Work on D40. Obviously not a prime lens. But, IMO, every photographer use Photoshop or similar.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2JFNE40VPHVTQ Review of the nikon AF-S nikkor 55-200mm 1:4-5.6G ED

WHY DOES NIKON THE BRAND I HAVE BOUGHT FOR OVER FOURTY-FIVE YEARS,
THE MANUFACTURER THAT TOOK SUCH PRIDE IN THERE JAPANESE WORKMENSHIP,
FEEL IT's OK TO MANUFACTURE THEIR PRODUCT IN CHINA WHERE ALL THE CHEAP
STUFF COMES FROM? ---DISAPOINTED

Este objetivo es nítido incluso con aberturas grandes, el VR (estabilizador de imagen) funciona muy bien, la velocidad del autofoco es más que aceptable (muy rápido), y es muy ligero y compacto. El hecho de que cueste menos de 225 dólares y ademas posea un VR eficaz es bastante sorprendente, ninguna otra compañía ofrece un lente con esta función a este precio.

En cuanto a la calidad de imagen, busque en los sitios de fotos blogs distintos de Internet, como dpreview y Nikonians y las fotos de muestra tomadas con este objetivo por los usuarios del lente y los resultados son impresionantes!

Le doy al lente 5 estrellas basándome en una combinación de calidad de la imagen, el valor, y lo portable de este objetivo.