Hello, longtime AW lurker needs advise.

I just upgraded from the D200 to the D300 and in the process ended up selling my all-in-one travel lens, so I need a new one.

Wondering if any of you have first hand experience with these lenses, seeing that both are f3.5, have VR and even sell at similar prices. Is the image quality of the 16-85 that much better to offset the advantage of the higher range of the 18-200?

Thanks!

but, I prefer the much higher image quality over the longer zoom range. Thus, I have 3 lenses to cover 10mm to 200mm.. =)

18-70 is very very sharp, especially for a zoom. Reminds me of the old Nikkor "E" series lenses, it's supposed to be decent, but exceeds expectations by a wide margin. Very little distortion as well. Downsides, no VR, limited zoom range.

18-200 is a great all around lens and the VR helps make up for the slow aperture. Awesome travel lens. Downsides, lens creep (unless you return the lens all the way to 18mm, it will gradually zoom out to 200mm on it's own when the camera is on your shoulder. you will find yourself knocking it into things as you move about) Noticable pincushin and barrel distortion, even in the 18-70mm range.

Sorry, can't comment on the 16-85.

Bottom line. If you need to go to 200mm, then the 18-200 is your lens. If 70 is enough, I would opt for the 18-70 unless the 16-85 turns out to be just as good.

Robert

I had it, sold it and then bought another to replace it. Very sharp, excellent carry lens, somewhat slow, and no VR work against it.

I don't own the 18-200 VR but I have shot with it...meh, I've never even been tempted....if you have to have the super zoom, then I guess, but it isn't the best solution. I use the 24-120VR as my primary carry lens. I scored a super sharp copy, it's slightly smaller than the 18-200VR so carrying is easy. No barrel creep. VR is a bonus.

No experience with the 16-85...odd FL. Not sure how I would make use of the 85.. but I guess it's a stretch on the 18-70. 2mm on wide end is significant..the extra 15 on the long end? not sure.

Ended up ordering the 16-85. Not many reviews are out yet as it is pretty new, but the ones I found were quite positive.