Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED VR IF SWM has a very long name, so for the sake of simplicity I will refer to it as 'Nikon 55-200 VR'. This is an inexpensive telephoto zoom lens for Nikon DX cameras... Nikon 55-200 VR has a built-in focus motor and is therefore suitable for all Nikon cameras... At one time, it became a replacement for an older version - Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor ED 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G SWM, which did not have an image stabilizer, and in 2015 it was itself replaced with an updated model - Nikon DX AF-S NIKKOR 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6GII ED VR II, which has a lens parking mechanism.
In total, there are three such lenses:
- Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED SWM, was produced from April 2005 to 2007.
- Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED VR IF SWM, from this review, was released from March 2007 to 2015.
- Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6GII ED VR IIAvailable since January 2015.
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED VR IF SWM Lens Overview
The focal length of the lens is 55-200 mm, which will allow using it for a large number of photo tasks. For example, with this lens you can shoot not very shy animals, sports, various events. It is no secret that a telephoto lens, in general, is suitable for shooting portraits, since it has a small distortion, does not distort the geometry, respectively, the faces are not distorted in the pictures, while a large focal length helps to achieve a small depth of field. True, the Nikon 55-200 VR still has a small level of distortion, but on the other hand, 200 mm focal length can be easily blur the background, which is sometimes very important for portraiture.
Rear view of the Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED VR IF SWM lens
Main technical characteristics of Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED VR IF SWM:
| Review Instance Name | Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED VR IF SWM 1760879 |
| Basic properties |
|
| Front Filter Diameter | 52 mm, plastic thread for filters |
| Focal length | 55-200 mm EGF for Nikon DX cameras is 82.5-300 mm |
| Zoom ratio | 3.64 X (usually rounded to 4) |
| Designed by | for digital cameras Nikon DX |
| Number of aperture blades | 7 rounded petals |
| Tags | focal lengths for 55, 70, 85, 105, 135, 200 mm, bayonet mount mark and hood mounts |
| Diaphragm | 55 mm from F / 4 to F / 22. 200 mm from F / 5.6 to F / 32. The lens is deprived of the aperture control ring, control is via the camera menu (G - lens type) |
| MDF (Minimum Focus Distance) | 1.1 m over the entire range of focal lengths, maximum magnification ratio 1: 4.3 |
| Stabilizer features | 3 stops by CIPA standards (for 200 mm focal length). The stabilizer monitors the movement of the camera while shooting panoramas. |
| The weight | 335 g |
| Optical design | 15 elements in 11 groups, including 1 low dispersion element (shown in yellow on the optical diagram). The presence of such elements is indicated on the body by the abbreviation 'ED'.
Image of optical circuit clickable |
| Lens hood | Nikon HB-37, bayonet type, plastic |
| Transportation | With a soft cover CL-0815 |
| Manufacturer country | China (PRC), inscription on the lens: “MADE IN CHINA” |
| Period | From March 2007 to the present. In January 2015 was supplemented / replaced by a version Nikon DX AF-S NIKKOR 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6GII ED VR II |
| Instructions | View–> |
| 3D view | View–> |
| Current prices in modern online stores |
Nikon 55-200 VR belongs to the lenses of the most low price range, because you should not expect stunning results from him. The lens is designed for use by amateurs, for the pros there are much better lenses. Depending on the set focal length, the lens has a maximum aperture from F / 4 @ 55 mm and F / 5.6 @ 200 mm, and the minimum value can be set to F / 22 and F / 32, respectively.
Lens designations Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED VR IF SWM
The advantages of the lens and their impact on shooting and photo quality:
- Nikon 55-200 VR weighs only 335 grams. On younger cameras (used on Nikon D3000, Nikon D40As well as Nikon D90) It provides a normal weight distribution and holding the camera in your hands is quite simple and convenient. The lens does not pull the camera down.
- Zoom is 3.6 x, which is a normal indicator for such optics. The larger the zoom, the more complex the optical design and the more difficult it is to get good image quality. Also, keep in mind that the viewing angle of 55 to 200 mm on DX cameras is equivalent to the viewing angle of the lens 82.5-300 mm for full-frame cameras. More details in the section on crop factor. I used several Nikon 55-200 VR lenses and did not observe spontaneous focal length changes on them under my own weight (the trunk itself did not protrude).
- Built-in ultrasonic focusing motor SWM (Silent Wave Motor) - allows you to focus on all Nikon digital SLR cameras. This factor is important to owners of non-powered cameras by type Nikon D5200, Nikon D3200 etc. since they can easily use this lens on their cameras.
- Internal focus - when focusing, only the internal parts of the lens move, which means that the front lens and its frame do not move. This will allow you to use different filters without problems. I recommend immediately get protective filter, a filter diameter of 52 mm, filters of this diameter are considered the most common and easiest to find.
- The Nikon HB-37 lens hood comes with a lens. It is very pleasant that Nikon has not been stingy of additional accessories such as blends or caps for its lenses recently. The hood is quite large and with it the lens looks very solid. You can also wind the hood in the opposite direction and always carry it with you. With this installation method, the lens hood does not take up extra space, always on the lens. But if the hood is wound in the opposite direction, then it covers the focus ring and you cannot use the lens in manual focus mode until you remove the hood.
- VR ('Vibration Reduce') is Nikon's term for Image Stabilizer. it the most important aspect in this lens. The stabilization system will allow you to shoot without grease from your hands at slower shutter speeds. The instructions say that you can reduce the shutter speed by 3 steps, which is 2 ^ 3 = 8 times, that is, if you shot with shutter speedequal to 1/160 s, then now the same can be repeated with shutter speed 1/20 s without loss of sharpness (for stationary objects). This is an indispensable feature in the dark. For a telephoto camera, image stabilization is a very useful feature. Of course, the instructions are a bit exaggerated and in reality it will be possible to shoot at shutter speeds no longer than 1/60 s at a 200 mm focal length. There is a button on the lens to control the operation of the 'VR ON / OFF' stabilizer.
- The image quality is acceptable, it is useless to hope for something super-good, for it alone says its price.
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED VR IF SWM with hood installed
What did not like:
- The lens is almost all made of plastic. The bayonet mount (attachment point) is also plastic. The lens itself is made in China :(.
- Auto focus speed is average. It's funny, but the Nikon 55-200 VR focuses faster than the more advanced model - Nikon DX AF-S NIKKOR 55-300mm 1: 4.5-5.6G ED VR SWM HRI. The focus ring, unlike the zoom ring, is not rubberized and rotates only 60 degrees.
- The lens does not have any additional marks on its body.
- During focal length changes (zooming), the rear lens moves, creating a “vacuum cleaner effect,” which can quickly contaminate the interior of the camera.
- The lens shows good sharpness at f / 7.1 apertures
- Nikon 55-200 VR has a weak macro, with a maximum magnification of 1: 4.3.
- The lens does not have a permanent manual focus control mode 'M / AM'. Attention: To focus manually, be sure to move the lens to the 'M' position. During autofocus, the focus ring rotates and cannot be touched. Alas, focusing is not the quietest.
Here link to the archive with the originals - 294 MB, 37 photos in .NEF format (RAW) from the camera Nikon D80.
From personal experience using:
The built-in image stabilizer can sometimes buzz and jerk the image in the viewfinder - this is due to the fact that the stabilizer still works for some time after pressing the shutter button and when you move the camera, the stabilizer holds the picture, and then it turns off and the picture “twitches” due to moving the camera. This is absolutely normal. To check the stabilizer, you need to turn off autofocus, turn on the stabilizer and press the shutter button halfway at this time, the noise from the operation of the hybrid gyroscopic drive should be heard.
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED VR IF SWM with hood installed in transport mode
If shooting at long focal lengths, it is advisable to use excerpts no longer than 1/300 - 1/200 s (if you shoot without the stabilizer turned on) and always remember that the stabilizer only helps to reduce the level of vibrations, but does not completely remove them - therefore sometimes you have to use a tripod. I highly recommend reading the article as take offto prevent blurry pictures.
View of the Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED VR IF SWM lens on the camera
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View of the Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED VR IF SWM lens on the camera. The special enlightenment of the lenses is clearly visible.
All original Nikon DX telephoto lenses
- Nikon DX AF S Nikkor 55-200mm 1:4-5.6G ED SWMarel 2005
- Nikon DX AF S Nikkor 55-200mm 1:4-5.6G ED VR IF SWMMarch 2007
- Nikon DX AF S Nikkor 55-200mm 1:4-5.6GII ED VRIIJanuary 2015
- Nikon DX AF S Nikkor 55-300mm 1:4.5-5.6G ED VR SWM HRIAugust 2010
- Nikon DX AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4.5-6.3G EDAugust 2016
- Nikon DX AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4.5-6.3G ED VRAugust 2016
A list of absolutely all lenses of the Nikon DX series, as well as a lot of useful information on lenses and cameras Nikon will find here.
An accurate list of all Nikon DX Nikkor lenses
- 10.5 mm/ 2.8G AF Fisheye [gold ring]
- 35 mm/1.8G AF-S
- 40 mm/2.8G AF-S Microphone
- 85 mm/3.5G AF-S VR Microphone
- 10-20 mm/4.5-5.6G AF-P VR
- 10-24 mm/3.5-4.5G AF-S
- 12-24 mm/4G AF-S [gold ring]
- 16-80 mm/ 2.8-4IN AF S VR [gold ring]
- 16-85 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR
- 17-55 mm/2.8G AF-S [gold ring]
- 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S [black / silver]
- 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6GII AF-S [black / silver]
- 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR
- 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6GII AF-S VR
- 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-P
- 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-P VR
- 18-70 mm/3.5-4.5G AF-S
- 18-105 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR [Thailand / China]
- 18-135 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S
- 18-140 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR [Thailand / China]
- 18-200 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR [Japan / China]
- 18-200 mm/3.5-5.6GII AF-S VR
- 18-300 mm/3.5-5.6G VR
- 18-300 mm/3.5-6.3G VR
- 55-200 mm/4-5.6G AF-S [black / silver, Japan / China]
- 55-200 mm/4-5.6G AF-S VR
- 55-200 mm/4-5.6GII ED VR
- 55-300 mm/4.5-5.6G AF-S VR
- 70-300 mm/4.5-6.3G AF-P
- 70-300 mm/4.5-6.3G AF-P VR
Conclusion:
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED VR IF SWM is one of the most affordable telephoto lenses for Nikon DX cameras. The lens produces image quality comparable to its cost. Me aboutI liked very much its lightness and the presence of a stabilizer. Due to its low cost, I recommend it as a good addition to a standard class lens 18-55 / 3.5-5.6.
In 2015, this lens was replaced with an updated model - Nikon DX AF-S NIKKOR 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6GII ED VR II.
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
Buying a miserable one. Having bought it thoughtlessly. I need a book about, an asset for a portrait and a street photography, but a penny ... and even 200mm. Vreshti, brown kit 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX and AF-S 35mm f / 1.8G DX. And 55-200 f / 4-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR lie in a box. The axis is so.
why in the box?
review if possible on Nikon 55-200mm f / 4-5.6G AF-S VR II DX
That’s why the picture of me doesn’t fit. Blіda, i vіn, єtuvannya stronger. Bring to RAV Converter bring to mind. And now an hour, nerves. The image stabilizer is a cinnamon duuuuuuyu udko. The battery is heavily hanging. Іnodі zabuvaєsh yogo vіdlyuchiti, і vin knocking about, обktivі. Then let me know the camera and the camera stabilizer. Tse dratuє. Kortsche, there’s pure sub, тивktiv, it’s not like changing my stub to, єktivі. Such a thing about, Active without a stab at Nikon and Tamron is half the cheapest!
I think it will be interesting to know such a very objective opinion from the pros http://www.youtube.com/user/Lilkiwiguy87#p/search/0/a-Bd0Q8l7pI although I liked the lens.
So, I know about tsey nikonhelp.) Smell estimate tsey ob'єktiv even lower, and to write scho they took up looking around only from passing coristuvachіv, as well as bi nikoli, more such frenzy ob'ktiv. Vlasne, I am sorry for having paid for those who do not repent. Tobto a stabilizer. There is also one lack of finesse, the A / M changeover is back to VR on / off, and the focus is on the dot, and in the M mode, the focus is even coarser, the tube does not go smoothly but with ripples.
say something about * active short-circuit kit 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Chi AF-S 35mm f / 1.8G DX. A 55-200 f / 4-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR
Having looked at the photographs, and having thought too much, having said too much, having said that I should lie in my box. The signs of the whole lithium I have zrobivy cim ob'єktivom.)) Spring is overshadowed by 1,8 35mm, autumn - on whale.
I did not find a review of Nikoor 18-200 BP2 on your site. I would like to ask your opinion, which is better in terms of quality - one 18-200 or a pair of 18-55 and 55-200?
The pair will be better. The 18-200 is pretty heavy to wear all the time.
weight does not matter. I am interested in the quality of the glass itself. Those. Is 18-200 better, or is its price solely the result of versatility?
Cost due to versatility. Personally, my opinion is that 18-55 and 55-200 on covered diaphragms will give the best picture quality. 18-200 loses as a little. If you really are interested in quality, then I would take 18-55 + 70-300, 70-300 is much better.
what about 55-300? I do not plan to switch to FF. I read that the quality of pictures 55-300 and 70-300 are the same on cropped cameras. They write that autofocus is 55-300 slower, but nowhere did I find a mention of what is meant by this "slower". How realistic is the difference in speed? Or is it actually the difference in fractions of a second? In general, I can't decide what to take, despite the fact that I don't want to overpay :)
for crop 55-300 is the best option, 70-300 VR is good at full frame. Every fraction of a second plays a role, the 70-300 is excellent in focusing speed.
yes, and by the way, 18-200 somehow disappointed me :) I sold it and bought 17-55. Here, I am delighted with it :) Now it remains to convince myself that I’ll buy 55-300 or 70-300, since I’m 80-200, which I like the most, and especially 70-200 until I pull it)))
17-55 which is 2.8? I would advise, if you already take it, then 80-200 2.8, I regret that I still run from 70-300.
yeah, the one that is 2,8. Great lens. 80-200 2,8 really want, but there is no free $ 950 on it :)
Threat. I want a double ring, not a trombone
Arkady please advise what to choose for d90. Nikon 55-200 or Sigma 50-200? If you can deploy ...
By design, I tend to Sigma ...
I would take my own, then it will be easier to sell.
Thank you Arkady! Thanks for answering! I always read your articles with interest! I considered these lenses as a pair to the d90, which I bought a Sigma 17-50 2.8. One of these days I should receive ...
I’m not a professional and I’m not going to earn money by photography, but I’m learning to photograph for a hobby. Which one would you advise me to take a lens in a pair, maybe not even from this pair? I'm not going to change crop to full frame. I do not plan to resell the lenses either. I shoot mostly portraits and reports, landscapes.
Sigma 17-50 + Nikon 70-300 VR, Tamron 70-300 VC. Tamron, by the way, is not very expensive.
That is, 70-300 is preferable to 50-200, 55-200?
Hello Arkady! Thank you for your advice and your time! I received a Sigma 17-50 today, very satisfied. The quality of the images is much better than the whale 18-105! Can you recommend a filter for it? To both protect and improve the quality of the photo ...
Thanks in advance!
By the way, I decided on Sigma 17-50 after reading your review of this lens. Thank you again
Definitely better than 70-300 compared to 55-200 (300). If there is a financial opportunity, then better take Nikon. At one time, I also had an idea to save, but after holding in the hands of the store Tamron and Nikon, the desire to save automatically disappeared.
I use this lens quite recently, in total with the Nikon D5100 camera it gives a good picture! I use mainly as a portrait or for sports photography.
In the absence of a lot of money, a good lens. The stabilizer is constantly on, and I can’t say that it drains the battery very much!
I had the opportunity to use this lens in a set with the D5100. I have a staff of 18-105, I didn't notice much difference in the quality of the pictures (despite the fact that the 55-200 is noticeably cheaper). The zoom ring rotates less smoothly (you need to make a little more effort) - but this is a matter of habit.
In general, as an inexpensive option, I would recommend it, especially to those with 18-55.
Personally, I want a second lens Nikon or Tamron 70-300 (determined).
I use such a lens for a portrait, it gives a good result.
Well, pofotat birds is also good)
Well, I do not know. Well, all right, praise it like that ... Zhakhlivu picture yes ob'єktiv! I have had it for a long time. So from. I know it’s a close-up portrait of a 200 mm lens, but at the same focus you can change the background to the same size, the picture is so hot that hair in the tiniest detail will be transformed into the same dance. Give to the tsiy more strongly darkening wine, and sound the portraits of the high technical quality, and you don’t reject none. Infected, with the current admission, without buying a bi-tsey object.
Reread it carefully - I'm not praising, but just wrote a review about him.
I remember that the girls of our group have replaced the photographer with the release of the album. The stench vibrated, vibrated і professional and obviously not expensive. Tse bulo lito 2007'go. Win priyshov, and the display is not mirror-like, with an electronic view, an unprecedented zoom-lens, an Olimpus at 3,2MP, with a new call to sleep. I send us a photo. At that hour, I did not have a digital camera, I knew Zenit-3m from Helios 44, and I did not put my sleeps right in my forehead, and that was just a trivial divorce for pennies. And for the girls, yam abi yaskravo. І all їkhnya uvaga bully on that yak poses a stench. Shorter. It was so rosy that if the Cherga went down to me, I was in front of me, and declaring that I would not take a photograph would deprive me of one sign and would deprive me of my profile. The photographer didn’t check if he failed. The girls started reperuvating them. Seryozha would like to give us a release album. I said ni. For in a profile, for me in the album, I will not be. The photographer started to get very flat to take pictures of the zone. It happened. The girls have cut skin on the album and on the decal of the great mercy and yaskravikh vicoli oko portraits. Anyone who hasn't gotten the teeth stuck in well. They inserted me into the album, delivered by the same photoshop with a special sign. Vreshti must be satisfied. If I go against such a move to portrait photography, to that and to the opposite object, the picture is just a mile, and especially 200 mm
Okay, okay, I read my own article - nowhere do I praise it, it is honestly written about the vignette and the adequacy of the low price for such quality. What exactly did you want from a dark zoom and even a DX camera for a ridiculous price?
Mav on uvazі not you, Arkady, but ynshikh! I want sobi teleob'activ, for portrait photography. UAH 1600 is not a dime in our land.
Money may not be funny in Ukraine as a whole, but you won’t buy a good modern zoom lens for that kind of money.
Good day usim!
so pidkazhit still stand buy tsey lens (55-200) Chi є like an alternative?
For what tasks? There are alternatives: 55-300, 18-200, 70-300, etc.
I had 5100 from 18-55 I wanted to buy 55-300 but they convinced me that 55-200 are those millimeters that I can really use. I want to supplement 18-200 then buy that aperture, but that's another question.
And the alternative can be something aperture in such millimeters and on normal money?
If you take 18-200 in the future, then now it makes no sense to look for a telephoto. For small money 55-200 is a very good option, only old motorless telephones are cheaper.
Arkady, and what can you recommend the old non-motorized telephoto in these focal ranges?
well, if I take 55-200 and in the future 50mm with 1,8 force, well, there is already a whale in the default, will such a collection be enough for the first time and in general for 5100?
Yes, it will be enough.
Thanks for the tips)
Good afternoon!
I re-read everything, reviewed it on the Internet. I ordered 3000-55 for my Nikon D200 with a whale lens. Do you think that fairly frequent lens changes will not lead to loosening or backlash of the 55-200 itself? In principle, I saw the photos, they are pretty decent. One thing worries about how long it will last. I myself, in my 42 years, until 2006, photographed “Zenit-ET” with Helios 44. Plows to this day. I never thought that he would serve since 1983 ... And I wanted the new one to work. But there is no way to buy an expensive lens. Advise on how to protect the 55-200 from premature wear.
Do not worry about play. Of course, 55-200 is not Soviet glass and iron, therefore, it just does not need to be heavily loaded.
Good afternoon!
Thanks for the answer, I will hope that it will work (I should arrive on Monday).
Good afternoon!
Received a long-awaited lens. The pictures are not bad. Only now I think it really was impossible to make the bayonet out of metal. Would cost a little more. Even if you buy a separate "carcass" for him (it looks funny, you shoot and you are afraid), but the lenses are good at its price.
This is a budget class lens, you should not demand more from it.
Does he really have a plastic mount? OH GOD!!! Savings on matches. Whatever it was, but 20-30 grams of metal threw the price at times will not rise. I looked closely at this lens, but now I will look for something else. Arkady, what do you advise: I really want 70-300VR, but the toad is strangling, and I begin to glance at 55-300VR. Your opinion?
PS Nikon D5100, I don't plan to switch to full frame, but the quality of the pictures is higher than the price (but not to offer 70-200, 80-200 - for me this is too much)
70-300 is very fast, if there is no money for it, then the choice is not great - 55-300 or 55-200
Good afternoon!
As I wrote to you before, I have a Nikon D3000 with a KIT 18-55 VR lens. Acquired 55-200 VR. You know that both lenses have a plastic mount. We want to go to the sea with a child. Naturally, 18-55 cannot be removed at close range. Have to go into the water. According to your extensive experience in shooting, how many times a day it will be possible to change lenses (neatly) without harm to their attachment to the mount. Thanks in advance.
If you are careful, then you can change it 100 times a day.
Good afternoon!
Thanks a lot for your answer. You are encouraged, which is important in this life.
Hello! Thanks again for the reviews! The question arose: Arkady, from the height of testing and using lenses of different periods and systems, what do you recommend using on Nikone? What is better than Soviet or native lenses? for example, on F = 200-300mm and on other focal lenses (landscape, portrait, macro, tele). Thanks.
I am of the opinion that the native Nikon optics (especially lenses marked with Nikkor) are often better than their Soviet counterparts, and you need to bother with adapters less.
Thank you, we will search :)
Good afternoon!
Please tell me if there are any special lubricants (externally similar to solid oil) for the lens mount (in the new state there was lubricant on the surface). Now, after already replacing the lenses repeatedly, the surface of the lens mount is dry. Thanks in advance.
Does not exist. Reason: mount grease is not required.