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(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> I just read reviews on the Nikkor 18-200mm VR lens at DPreview and at
> Cameralabs...
>
> One said the Nikkor was crap, don't buy it, and the other said it out did the
> Sigma and Tamron competitors, and is worth the price...
>
> Any ideas or opinions on good review sites?
>
> Thanks!
>
I never had much success at believing anything someone using the same
gear as I do said that is different to my findings. Particularly when
they use it differently and for different scenes as I do.

I use 2 of these lenses for wedding photography. One on a D90 and one on
a s5 Fuji pro. Like all consumer grade lenses they have their fair share
of barrel distortion and chromatic aberrations but produce nice, sharp
images with excellent colour saturation.

I don't have an issue with the few image flaws they produce. They are
correctable with speciality software that when added to the cost of the
lens, is still cheaper than buying a top of the range Nikon lens.

Tamron lenses (in my opinion) are plastic wonders that neither focus
fast nor last very long.

Sigma lenses are (supposedly) better quality than Tamron but having once
been a retailer of Sigma lenses I am a little hesitant to recommend
them, having witnessed both the best and worst from the brand. When they
are good, they are very good but get a lemon (as many do) and the worst
is exceptionally bad. The warranty service is not up to scratch either.