WTB: Nikon 18-200mm VR DX (2159) Lens

kres

Specificlly [SIZE=-1]the 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX (Nikon part 2159) This is also a Kit-Lens option for the D200.

Backordered everywhere, and extremely popular, I'm not holding my breath but I figured I'd post to see if someone can help a brother out.
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ShepsMom

kres wrote:

Specificlly [SIZE=-1]the 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX (Nikon part 2159) This is also a Kit-Lens option for the D200.

Backordered everywhere, and extremely popular, I'm not holding my breath but I figured I'd post to see if someone can help a brother out.
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I bought my D80 with this lens on www.bestpricecameras.com back in december. This site also has it http://www.century21electronics.com

Try them.

kres

ShepsMom wrote:

I bought my D80 with this lens on www.bestpricecameras.com back in december. This site also has it http://www.century21electronics.com

Try them.

Thanks for the reply SM - problem is that at both places they have marked a $750 lens up to $950. I can respect supply & demand pricing, but $200 is too much of a Retail mark-up for my sensibilites. Once I hit the $1K mark then I'll start looking at a gold band lens.

System

B&H has it back ordered but price is $750

ShepsMom

kres wrote:

Thanks for the reply SM - problem is that at both places they have marked a $750 lens up to $950. I can respect supply & demand pricing, but $200 is too much of a Retail mark-up for my sensibilites. Once I hit the $1K mark then I'll start looking at a gold band lens.

Ritz camera has it for 749.00 doesnt say anything about back order? Hmmm, try that?

kres

Yah... B&H is upfront with you and says "BACKORDERED - We can not know when this will come in."

Ritz says: "Ships when received from manufacturer - Order Now!" - which equals Backordered. I've had some very frustrating Ritz backorder experiences. :cry

kres

In case someone is thinking about selling this lens, I would give $800-$850 for a used lens in good condition. Essentially, that's $50-$100 (dependent on condition/shipping of course) over the MRSP, for a used lens. Nuttn' like gettin' more then you paid!

gpphotos

keep an eye out for a while, i see them posted occasionally (VERY occasionally, but there's hope!)

Phyxius

Yeah, I talked to Ritz about this lens and they (and Ken Rockwell) say it's back ordered about 2 months.

RandySmugMug

kres wrote:

Thanks for the reply SM - problem is that at both places they have marked a $750 lens up to $950. I can respect supply & demand pricing, but $200 is too much of a Retail mark-up for my sensibilites. Once I hit the $1K mark then I'll start looking at a gold band lens.

it's actually 699 list
i just got one from hunts for 799, free ship but it took 6 months in the que

luckyrwe

Hmmm I know a guy who wants two D200 cameras, maybe he can get the kkts and sell the lenses.

MicahG

kres wrote:

Specificlly [SIZE=-1]the 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX (Nikon part 2159) This is also a Kit-Lens option for the D200.

Backordered everywhere, and extremely popular, I'm not holding my breath but I figured I'd post to see if someone can help a brother out.
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Hey kres,

I actually have this lens and am selling it. I'm holding it right now for a guy locally to come check it out. If it doesn't work out, I'll let you know.

davidfisher

I got lucky
I happened to get lucky. Really lucky. I knew I wanted the lens, but finding it was problematic. I ended up calling up my local camera store (High Point Photo), just to ask if they knew when any MIGHT be coming in.

They happened to have gotten in THREE of them, after around 6-8 months of getting none of them in. They had gotten them in unexpectedly, and had already sold two of them. I told them to TRY to hold it for me, and I got in my car (credit card in hand) and drove over.

When I got there, the guys said, "Oh someone already called about that lens, sorry."

I was lucky however, and the owner walked out and pointed to me, and said, "Dude that was him that called".

I got a D200, the 18-200 lens, a SB-600 and a few other things that day. Overall a very good day.

What's even better is that they didn't rip me a new one for the lens. I think I got it for 699!

I figured if i didn't like the lens, it would be easy to find a buyer.

I got a 50mm 1.8 recently, and I will say that while 1.8 is nice, you can tell a massive quality difference. My father shot a musical that I was in recently, and switched from the 50 to the 18-200 between the acts. The photos from the second act just look better. I'm not experienced enough to say "how" they look better, they just do. Maybe sharper (lower aperture of course on the 18-200), and just more even.