FOUND: Nikon 18-200 or Bust!

RayLarsonRayLarson Registered Users Posts: 199 Major grins
edited May 11, 2007 in Nikon Land
I am one of those poor souls on the waiting list at Ritz Camera for a Nikon 18-200. It will be a month and a half this weekend. Got a chance to work with one for a few hours and let me tell you, once you get your hands on one you have to have it. I bid on a few on EBay but most went out of sight. I don't mind paying a little over MSRP so if you have one let me know but other than that I will be patient becuase it is worth the wait.

I am wondering if anyone has received their order from Ritz recently and how long was the wait? :dunno
Ray Larson
Nikon D80, D300, D700 all gripped, Nikkor 50 f1.8 Nikkor 18-200 VR Nikkor 70-200 VR f2.8 Nikkor 28-300 VR, Sigma 50-150 f2.8 Sigma 80-400 OS Sigma 150-500 OS Nikon SB600

Comments

  • gpphotosgpphotos Registered Users Posts: 266 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2007
    just drop the extra cash and get the 70-200 f2.8 VR....i wouldn't trade mine for anything!

    some recent shots: http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=56924
  • TomaSTomaS Registered Users Posts: 314 Major grins
    edited March 22, 2007
    While the 70-200 f2.8 is no doubt a great lens, it is not as versitile as the 18-200 IMHO. That wide range makes it a great 'walk-around' lens.

    Hang in there with Ritz. I got my 18-200 from them just a few weeks after I ordered. That was 5 months ago, so not sure what the current supply is like.
    gpphotos wrote:
    just drop the extra cash and get the 70-200 f2.8 VR....i wouldn't trade mine for anything!

    some recent shots: http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=56924
    Tomas
    TomsProPhoto
  • RayLarsonRayLarson Registered Users Posts: 199 Major grins
    edited March 22, 2007
    Hi Tom,

    I agree. The 70-200 2.8 is a great lens but for a walk around lens the 18-200 is perfect for me. I wish it were faster but you can't have everthing. I am trying to be patient and looking at the prices on ebay makes it easier. Talk about "feeding frenzy". I am sure Ritz will be filling my order before summer and right now I have a 18-55 and a 55-200 (which I will be selling) so I am covered.

    TomaS wrote:
    While the 70-200 f2.8 is no doubt a great lens, it is not as versitile as the 18-200 IMHO. That wide range makes it a great 'walk-around' lens.

    Hang in there with Ritz. I got my 18-200 from them just a few weeks after I ordered. That was 5 months ago, so not sure what the current supply is like.
    Ray Larson
    Nikon D80, D300, D700 all gripped, Nikkor 50 f1.8 Nikkor 18-200 VR Nikkor 70-200 VR f2.8 Nikkor 28-300 VR, Sigma 50-150 f2.8 Sigma 80-400 OS Sigma 150-500 OS Nikon SB600
  • davidzvidavidzvi Registered Users Posts: 29 Big grins
    edited March 23, 2007
    RayLarson wrote:
    Hi Tom,

    I agree. The 70-200 2.8 is a great lens but for a walk around lens the 18-200 is perfect for me. I wish it were faster but you can't have everthing. I am trying to be patient and looking at the prices on ebay makes it easier. Talk about "feeding frenzy". I am sure Ritz will be filling my order before summer and right now I have a 18-55 and a 55-200 (which I will be selling) so I am covered.

    Are you a member of the Nikon Cafe? there is one for sale right now for 745 plus shipping/paypal. If not would you like me to put you in contact with the seller?
    David Zvi
    http://www.blueberryphoto.com/
  • DesmondDesmond Registered Users Posts: 187 Major grins
    edited March 24, 2007
    http://www.aucklandcamera.com/product.php?id=13406

    I don't know how this looks in $US but these lenses are sitting on the shelves here in New Zealand ....
    Nikon D80 , D50 , SB600 , SB800 , Nikon 18-200VR , Tamron 28-75 di 2.8 , Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6 , Nikon 50mm 1.8 . Tamron 17-50 f2.8 , Nikon 70-200 VR f2.8 .
  • RayLarsonRayLarson Registered Users Posts: 199 Major grins
    edited March 25, 2007
    davidzvi wrote:
    Are you a member of the Nikon Cafe? there is one for sale right now for 745 plus shipping/paypal. If not would you like me to put you in contact with the seller?

    Yes, have the seller contact me asap.

    Thanks
    Ray Larson
    Nikon D80, D300, D700 all gripped, Nikkor 50 f1.8 Nikkor 18-200 VR Nikkor 70-200 VR f2.8 Nikkor 28-300 VR, Sigma 50-150 f2.8 Sigma 80-400 OS Sigma 150-500 OS Nikon SB600
  • mugsiemugsie Registered Users Posts: 1 Beginner grinner
    edited March 27, 2007
    Did you find your lens? I will have one in a day or two if you are interested. Email me if so.
  • RayLarsonRayLarson Registered Users Posts: 199 Major grins
    edited March 28, 2007
    mugsie wrote:
    Did you find your lens? I will have one in a day or two if you are interested. Email me if so.

    I have sent you several private e-mails. Waiting to hear from you.
    Ray Larson
    Nikon D80, D300, D700 all gripped, Nikkor 50 f1.8 Nikkor 18-200 VR Nikkor 70-200 VR f2.8 Nikkor 28-300 VR, Sigma 50-150 f2.8 Sigma 80-400 OS Sigma 150-500 OS Nikon SB600
  • RayLarsonRayLarson Registered Users Posts: 199 Major grins
    edited April 3, 2007
    Received my 18-200 today. Worth every penny. wings.gif
    Ray Larson
    Nikon D80, D300, D700 all gripped, Nikkor 50 f1.8 Nikkor 18-200 VR Nikkor 70-200 VR f2.8 Nikkor 28-300 VR, Sigma 50-150 f2.8 Sigma 80-400 OS Sigma 150-500 OS Nikon SB600
  • GroovyGeekGroovyGeek Registered Users Posts: 82 Big grins
    edited April 17, 2007
    Desmond wrote:
    http://www.aucklandcamera.com/product.php?id=13406

    I don't know how this looks in $US but these lenses are sitting on the shelves here in New Zealand ....
    Ouch, this is around 1050 USD, no wonder they are sitting on shelves. Makes eBay prices look tame in comparison. Anybody willing to pay that much can have mine for a mere $1000, shipped and paypal-ed anywhere in the world :-)
    My display of mediocrity
  • TxKnTxKn Registered Users Posts: 4 Beginner grinner
    edited April 22, 2007
    Nikon 18-200 Lense
    I just placed an order with Ritz Camera for the Nikon 18-200 Lense, Anyone want to Speculate on when I might Receive it. Or is it available from other Sources for about the same price.ne_nau.gif
  • RayLarsonRayLarson Registered Users Posts: 199 Major grins
    edited April 23, 2007
    TxKn wrote:
    I just placed an order with Ritz Camera for the Nikon 18-200 Lense, Anyone want to Speculate on when I might Receive it. Or is it available from other Sources for about the same price.ne_nau.gif

    Don't hold your breath...I was on the list for 3 months and never got one. Luckily found one at a decent price on Ebay. After having mine for a month or so I can recommend if you have an 18-55 or 18-70 or 18-135 kit lens you look seriously at the 70-300vr. Less money and as good a lens. Best of all it's in stock:ivar
    Ray Larson
    Nikon D80, D300, D700 all gripped, Nikkor 50 f1.8 Nikkor 18-200 VR Nikkor 70-200 VR f2.8 Nikkor 28-300 VR, Sigma 50-150 f2.8 Sigma 80-400 OS Sigma 150-500 OS Nikon SB600
  • TxKnTxKn Registered Users Posts: 4 Beginner grinner
    edited April 23, 2007
    RayLarson wrote:
    Don't hold your breath...I was on the list for 3 months and never got one. Luckily found one at a decent price on Ebay. After having mine for a month or so I can recommend if you have an 18-55 or 18-70 or 18-135 kit lens you look seriously at the 70-300vr. Less money and as good a lens. Best of all it's in stock:ivar

    I have the Nikon D70s with the 18-70 Lens maybe I will take A look at the 70-300ne_nau.gif
  • McTavishMcTavish Registered Users Posts: 2 Beginner grinner
    edited April 24, 2007
    TxKn wrote:
    I just placed an order with Ritz Camera for the Nikon 18-200 Lense, Anyone want to Speculate on when I might Receive it. Or is it available from other Sources for about the same price.ne_nau.gif
    I ordered mine almost exactly two months ago, and Ritz Camera emailed me a couple of days ago to say it will be here on Thursday.
  • kariekarie Registered Users Posts: 28 Big grins
    edited April 24, 2007
    17-200 vs 18-200?
    TomaS wrote:
    While the 70-200 f2.8 is no doubt a great lens, it is not as versitile as the 18-200 IMHO. That wide range makes it a great 'walk-around' lens.

    Hang in there with Ritz. I got my 18-200 from them just a few weeks after I ordered. That was 5 months ago, so not sure what the current supply is like.

    Which is better...the 17-200 or the 18-200? why do you like one better than the other?
    www.kariemitchell.com
  • RayLarsonRayLarson Registered Users Posts: 199 Major grins
    edited April 24, 2007
    karie wrote:
    Which is better...the 17-200 or the 18-200? why do you like one better than the other?

    It is a matter of personal taste. Yes, the 18-200vr is a great walkaround lens while the 70-300vr gives you extra reach. The 70-300vr is $200 less so It depends on what you want to spend, what application you want the lens for. Economically speaking, if you have a kit lens that covers up to 55 or more the 70-300vr makes more sense but if you have a body that needs a lens or you want the convenience of an all around lens the 18-200vr is the ticket
    Ray Larson
    Nikon D80, D300, D700 all gripped, Nikkor 50 f1.8 Nikkor 18-200 VR Nikkor 70-200 VR f2.8 Nikkor 28-300 VR, Sigma 50-150 f2.8 Sigma 80-400 OS Sigma 150-500 OS Nikon SB600
  • TxKnTxKn Registered Users Posts: 4 Beginner grinner
    edited April 26, 2007
    Nikon 18-200 Lense
    I found the Nikon 18-200 Lense at Wholesale Camera and Placed Order Yesterday and it was Shipped Today.
    Price $799.00 Plus 22.00 for Shipping.wings.gif
  • TxKnTxKn Registered Users Posts: 4 Beginner grinner
    edited May 4, 2007
    Nikon 18-200 Lense
    Received my 18-200 Yesterday from Wholesale Camera Looks and Works Great. With 18-200 Lense on My Nikon D70s, Camera and Lense
    weighs 2lbs 14oz. :ivar
  • jonh68jonh68 Registered Users Posts: 2,711 Major grins
    edited May 11, 2007
    I bought mine at Best Buy online for $900. Last I checked, they were in stock. It replaced my 18-55, 70-300 and I am glad to not have to change out lenses.clap.gif :ivar
    www.jonimages.com
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