Expecting Too Much from 18-200vr?

Gdad · Mar 2, 2007

Took this shot last night at my daughters dance practice using my new 18-200vr. This was the best of probably 60 shots and I think it looks soft. Several of the others looked very soft. Am I expecting too much out of this lens I've been reading about forever?

Full Size - http://scl.smugmug.com/gallery/1663395#133028208-O-LB

1/60th Sec at f5.6 ISO 800 EV+0.7 135mm - Slight Crop, Levels Adj. & USM.

--
Thanks!
Jeff

http://SCL.smugmug.com/

edwardneal · Mar 2, 2007

I have no experience with the 18-200 VR, But I do know that 1/60th is very borderline for freezing subject movement. So I would ask you was your daughter moving when you took this shot? If she was I would suggest bumping your shutter speed up to 1/125th or more.
--
Edward

Lenses listed in profile

Lou Tent · Mar 2, 2007

Hi Jeff,

I don't think that the shot is that bad, but I also
don't think that this is the best application of the
18-200 which really needs good light or flash to
shine. I noticed that you have the 50 & 105 with
faster glass. I would try one of them next time. Shooting
at 5.6 indoors with available light is tough - the 50/1.8
would get you 3 stops more light.

--
Lou

http://loutent.smugmug.com/

Sagittarius · Mar 2, 2007

I have 18-200 and yes, it produses soft images. I usually apply USM of 50/4/5 in NX and it helps. How much USM have you applied. BTW yesterday I've read an interesting post about Sharpness/Contrast in this forum which helps to understand some issues.
--
Best regards

Gdad · Mar 2, 2007

She was not moving here- but yes you are right. I could not take anything where she was with that lens.

edwardneal said:
I have no experience with the 18-200 VR, But I do know that 1/60th
is very borderline for freezing subject movement. So I would ask
you was your daughter moving when you took this shot? If she was I
would suggest bumping your shutter speed up to 1/125th or more.
--
Edward

--
Thanks!
Jeff

http://SCL.smugmug.com/

Gdad · Mar 2, 2007

Yes I agree- but I just got the 18-200 and was dying to try it out on SOMETHING. Thanks.

Lou Tent said:
Hi Jeff,

I don't think that the shot is that bad, but I also
don't think that this is the best application of the
18-200 which really needs good light or flash to
shine. I noticed that you have the 50 & 105 with
faster glass. I would try one of them next time. Shooting
at 5.6 indoors with available light is tough - the 50/1.8
would get you 3 stops more light.

--
Lou

http://loutent.smugmug.com/

--
Thanks!
Jeff

http://SCL.smugmug.com/

Gdad · Mar 2, 2007

I think I used USM around 120 maybe? Cant remember exactly as I did it last night at home. I will look for the post you mentioned- Thanks.

Sagittarius said:
I have 18-200 and yes, it produses soft images. I usually apply USM
of 50/4/5 in NX and it helps. How much USM have you applied. BTW
yesterday I've read an interesting post about Sharpness/Contrast in
this forum which helps to understand some issues.
--
Best regards

--
Thanks!
Jeff

http://SCL.smugmug.com/

flying monkey · Mar 2, 2007

I think that is a pretty good shot.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/policecameramonkey/

George Lechter · Mar 2, 2007

If you insist in using the 18-200 for that then crank up the ISO to 1600 or 3200. Then your 1/60 can go to 1/120 or 1/180 and you will freeze action better. You will get some noise but sharper features.

Hemidart · Mar 2, 2007

I think the 18-200 VR is great for outdoor daytime shots, stopped down a bit.

Personally I feel it is way way over priced. It should fall around $500 US.
--
http://dwinnert.zenfolio.com
D200, F4s, Ricoh GR, Canon A620
Nikon 70-300VR, Sigma 18-50/2.8, Nikon 50/1.8 and 35/2.0

burnymeister · Mar 2, 2007

Yes you were! ;-)

IMHO I think that lenses like the 50 f/1.4 or the 85 f/1.4 were made for indoor dance studio pictures while lenses like the 18-200 VR were made for trips to the zoo and hiking.

--
Vern Dewit
Calgary, Alberta Canada
http://www.fresh-oxygen.com or
http://www.pbase.com/vdewit

msc1 · Mar 2, 2007

Jeff:

Gdad said:
Took this shot last night at my daughters dance practice using my
new 18-200vr. This was the best of probably 60 shots and I think
it looks soft. Several of the others looked very soft. Am I
expecting too much out of this lens I've been reading about forever?

Gdad said:
Full Size - http://scl.smugmug.com/gallery/1663395#133028208-O-LB

1/60th Sec at f5.6 ISO 800 EV+0.7 135mm - Slight Crop, Levels Adj.
& USM.

So, the question is whether you were expecting too much from one of the most hyped lenses on this forum (and that's saying a lot)?

I'm surprised that you say that you could capture low light motion with it given all the posts extolling the value of VR for action shots.

If you are worried about the lens, it might help to do a few tests with a tripod in moderately good light, perhaps comparing to to one of your other lenses (I've forgotten what lenses you have I can't see them from here). To be fair, handheld tests ought to be done in decent light -- I'm sure that your daughter wouldn't mind doing a couple of shots "in the driveway".

Frankly, I don't think that the shot is that bad given the likely circumstances.
msc

Mark53 · Mar 2, 2007

no text

Mark Burnham · Mar 2, 2007

Based on this kind of test results, I would not expect very much. Like most consumer lenses the results are pretty good when you stay in the mid-zone, e.g. lots of light, stopped down, middle of zone range, small prints. But things fall apart when you hit the limits; wide open, low light, big prints, etc.

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/nikkor_18200_3556vr/index.htm

--
-Mark

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Expecting Too Much from 18-200vr?

Gdad

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edwardneal

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Lou Tent

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Sagittarius

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Gdad

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Gdad

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Gdad

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flying monkey

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George Lechter

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Hemidart

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burnymeister

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msc1

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Mark53

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Mark Burnham

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