Nikon VR vs non-VR lenses.

[DISNEYmooner2008]

I am about to make my first D-SLR purchase (a Nikon D40). I was wondering if it was worth it to spend extra on the VR lenses instead of the regular lenses. I will be purchasing the body, and these two lenses if it makes any difference:


Nikon 18mm - 55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX
Nikon 55mm - 200mm f/4-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX


It will be about an extra $150 to get VR lenses instead of basic lenses.


Also, I'm purchasing from Adorama - is it safe to purchase refurbished items??? The camera body and lens?? They have some great deals on refurbished parts.

TIA!

 

[ssanders79]

I went for the 55-200 VR and I am glad I did. I am not very good at keeping perfectly still which is especially important to do when shooting at 200.

 

[tjl1388]

The 18-200VR is on my camera 95% of the time the camera is in my hand....that should answer your question. Some of the best lenses out there.

 

[ssanders79]

The 18-200VR is on my camera 95% of the time the camera is in my hand....that should answer your question. Some of the best lenses out there.

If I had the cash I would get the 18-200 VR for my walk around lens.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

Adorama has the lenses for:


Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR – 130
Nikon AF-S 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6G IF-ED DX VR – 185



So I think I'll go ahead and get the VR version of both - extra $100 well spent it seems. They are "refurbished" as well as the body I'm looking at - is that alright? They say manufacturer refurbished by Nikon.


Also looking at buying the body refurnished from ebay for $280 - but I'm wary... I'm just not sure.

 

[Gdad]

Buying refurbished from a legitimate Nikon seller is no problem. I bought a refurbished D50 once and you could not tell it from new except there was a sticker on the box that said so and it had a 90 Day factory warranty instead of a full year. And it was a lot less expensive of course.

As for Ebay- who knows. I have bought new and used camera stuff there and luckily never had an issue.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

I'm ordering refurbished lenses from adorama - 2 VR lenses for $310, and I'm currently bidding on a D40 body from a reputable seller on both ebay and amazon - cameta camera. It's actually not a refurb, it's a US factory demo in mint condition with a 1yr warranty. Currently the bid is $202 and has 14 hours left. Hopefully I win the auction because I'm having trouble finding just the D40 body from a reputable seller for the price I'm wanting to pay.

 

[annnewjerz]

I'm ordering refurbished lenses from adorama - 2 VR lenses for $310, and I'm currently bidding on a D40 body from a reputable seller on both ebay and amazon - cameta camera. It's actually not a refurb, it's a US factory demo in mint condition with a 1yr warranty. Currently the bid is $202 and has 14 hours left. Hopefully I win the auction because I'm having trouble finding just the D40 body from a reputable seller for the price I'm wanting to pay.

If you are only looking to spend in the $500-$600 range for the camera and the two lenses, you may want to look at B&H.com right now. They have the D40, the 18-55 non-VR lens, as well as the 55-200 VR for $550 shipped. It's the best deal I have found so far when looking around for someone here at work.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

If you are only looking to spend in the $500-$600 range for the camera and the two lenses, you may want to look at B&H.com right now. They have the D40, the 18-55 non-VR lens, as well as the 55-200 VR for $550 shipped. It's the best deal I have found so far when looking around for someone here at work.

Well, I had really considered that deal, but the 18-55 isn't a VR lens. And from what I'm told and hear that VR is definitely worth it. So that's why I wanted to purchase the body separately and then both VR lenses.

 

[annnewjerz]

Well, I had really considered that deal, but the 18-55 isn't a VR lens. And from what I'm told and hear that VR is definitely worth it. So that's why I wanted to purchase the body separately and then both VR lenses.

I don't know if I would worry about it on the 18-55. When you use it on the 55-200 the VR is definitely worth the extra money because of the longer reach, but as far as the kit lens...I don't think I would spend more money to get VR, but that's just me. I had the D60 with the 18-55VR lens and also took some shots with a co-worker's D40 with the 18-55 nonVR lens and didn't notice much difference. It isn't until the longer focal lengths that it reeeeeally helps out.

I have the 50mm f/1.8 and the 60mm f/2.8 and even when I use it stopped down to f/8, I don't notice much in the way of visible softness due to camera vibration. I also have the 18-200 and have taken shots with and without the VR on, and can tell you that at 200mm, it does make quite a difference!

Used lenses are definitely a good thing to buy if you can find them through a reputable seller and they can save you money, but there's nothing wrong with new either!

 

[wenrob]

If 500-600 is your price range and then you include shipping on each of these as well as insurance for the ebay item you may as well buy new. The way you're doing it, you're saving what $100? Less then that after shipping etc. I have nothing against refurbs but if you can get everything brand new with full warranty for close to the same price why wouldn't you? The VR is more important on the 50-200 and yeah, it's nice to have it on both lenses but not necessary. Just my 2 cents.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

I don't know if I would worry about it on the 18-55. When you use it on the 55-200 the VR is definitely worth the extra money because of the longer reach, but as far as the kit lens...I don't think I would spend more money to get VR, but that's just me. I had the D60 with the 18-55VR lens and also took some shots with a co-worker's D40 with the 18-55 nonVR lens and didn't notice much difference. It isn't until the longer focal lengths that it reeeeeally helps out.

I have the 50mm f/1.8 and the 60mm f/2.8 and even when I use it stopped down to f/8, I don't notice much in the way of visible softness due to camera vibration. I also have the 18-200 and have taken shots with and without the VR on, and can tell you that at 200mm, it does make quite a difference!

Used lenses are definitely a good thing to buy if you can find them through a reputable seller and they can save you money, but there's nothing wrong with new either!

Thank you, that helped out alot!! I think I'll go ahead and do the deal mentioned above for $550 shipped with the new body and new lenses since the VR doesn't make a ton of difference with the 18-55mm. Thank you for your help!!

If 500-600 is your price range and then you include shipping on each of these as well as insurance for the ebay item you may as well buy new. The way you're doing it, you're saving what $100? Less then that after shipping etc. I have nothing against refurbs but if you can get everything brand new with full warranty for close to the same price why wouldn't you? The VR is more important on the 50-200 and yeah, it's nice to have it on both lenses but not necessary. Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for your input!!!!

 

[annnewjerz]

I have nothing against refurbs but if you can get everything brand new with full warranty for close to the same price why wouldn't you?

I agree completely. I have and would buy used again, but I think that it's nice (especially when you're just starting out) to have the comfort of the warranty straight from Nikon. If you do buy new, make sure to send the registration cards for each of your items in within 10 days of receiving them---you'll get the extra 3 or 4 years (can't remember which) of the extended warranty added on if you do.

 

[Gdad]

Adorama has the lenses for:


Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR – 130
Nikon AF-S 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6G IF-ED DX VR – 185



So I think I'll go ahead and get the VR version of both - extra $100 well spent it seems. They are "refurbished" as well as the body I'm looking at - is that alright? They say manufacturer refurbished by Nikon.


Also looking at buying the body refurnished from ebay for $280 - but I'm wary... I'm just not sure.

130+185+100+280= $695

B&H has a D60 kit with both these VR Lenses for the same price brand new and free shipping - $699.95

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/543638-REG/Nikon_9609_D60_SLR_Digital_Camera.html

 

[staceyatdisney]

My experience with Nikon VR glass is that it will buy you around 3-4 stops of shutter speed vs non VR. With perfect technique maybe 5 stops. Considering the fact that you will be shooting at the relatively high aperture of f5.6 on the long end of these lens, the extra stops will be very helpful and well worth the extra $.

 

[donaldduck1967]

Don't know how good a deal the 55-200vr is @ $185 when you can get it brand new for $200

http://www.cameta.com/index.cfm/fa:...6G-ED-DX-VR-Zoom-Nikkor-Lens/productid:24875/