18-200 VR Lens Creep

[ItalianBostonian]

I have this lens and it has a lot of creep. When the camera is pointed down the lens creeps down, when the camera is pointed to the sky the lens creeps back to the camera. If I send this lens in will Nikon do anything about it?

[Nikon Man]

While I don't own one of those lens, I have read for a long time and on every Nikon web site that, that is normal for that lens.
And that's that!
I have seen pictures of people resorting to using a rubber band to keep the lens from creeping.

[Jeff Perry]

This is one of the only problems that I have encountered with the lens, and it is just the way it is designed. The smooth creeping is not really the problem, the real issue is a lack of a zoom lock. Adjusting the "friction" so it won't creep would make it less smooth to operate, but Nikon could easily have included a zoom-lock switch to lock the zoom mechanism at 18mm when being carried. I have a tendency to hold on to the lens (zoomed back to 18mm) while walking to keep the camera from bouncing against my body, so it is not always an issue for me.

Otherwise, it is a very nice lens, is on one of my bodies all the time, and is so versatile that it always goes with me regardless of what other lens I may plan on shooting with. Like American Express says, "Never leave home without it!".

Jeff

[gpf]

Creep? More like gallop!

There's a real danger of tripping over the lens when carrying the camera slung over a shoulder. These days I usually carry my D80 in my hand by the lens to stop this problem. I've also become adept at using one finger as a zoom brake when shooting at anything other than horizontal. It's a real P-I-T-A.

[gaopa2]

I have a new 18-200 VR that I got a couple of weeks ago with a D300 kit.... it does not have zoom creep. I had read about the creep, but decided to try one anyway. I am very pleased so far as this lens will be my general travel lens. Likely it will not see much use otherwise.

[Nikonfreak]

If it didn't creep, we'd probably be talking about how stiff the zoom ring is.

I've used my neighbor's and it creeps. It's really not that bad. The Tamron 28-75 has the same issue and so did the Sigma 50-500 that I had at one time..(and you could trip over that lens) LOL. It's a small price to pay for the convenience of the 18-200 zoom. It's not all THAT bad.

Julio

[Jeff Perry]

gaopa2 If your new lens is of recent vintage, and doesn't begin to creep after a few outings, then perhaps Nikon has done something to dampen the zoom movement. It would be interesting to compare it to someone else's, if you have a photographer friend that has one, and see if the "freedom of movement" is relatively the same for both lenses. I know mine and my girlfriend's (purchased about 8-months apart) both have creep.

Jeff

[PaulT]

Mine creeps and has done so from day one. Almost everything else is good. Just don't shoot seascapes at 18mm unless you actually enjoy straightening horizons in Photoshop

[00silvergt]

Originally Posted by Nikonfreak

It's a small price to pay for the convenience of the 18-200 zoom. It's not all THAT bad.

Julio

I understand this is OT, I apologize, and I understand that I'm in the Nikon forum, but do you guys/gals think of the 18-200 OS Sigma?

[dsp]

I don't have this lens, but I've seen it mentioned somewhere that a 2 3/16 inch O-ring will solve the problem. Should cost less than a dollar so it can't hurt to try it. I've also heard of people putting tape on the smaller barrel, but I don't think I'd do that, I'd worry about the adhesive getting everywhere on hot days.

[YoungOne]

I've had this lens for a few months now - handles fine. No creep (in front of the camera anyways).
The zoom may be a bit stiff, but still comfortable. Maybe I just lucked out.

[Gary Mayo]

It is a great lens, but mine does creep. It would have come in first in all three races of the tripple crown. lol

The 70-300mm VR does not creep.

[gaopa2]

Jeff, I don't have any fellow Nikonians in the area, but will next month when in Amherst for the New England Photo Club annual conference. I will check there and see.

While the 18-200 is not up to the high image quality level of my 17-55/2.8 or the 70-200/2.8 VR, it does a fine job as my airplane travel lens... small and light with a wide focal length range. I am going to enjoy the lens. Cheers, Bill P.

[Nikonfreak]

Originally Posted by gaopa2

Jeff, I don't have any fellow Nikonians in the area, but will next month when in Amherst for the New England Photo Club annual conference. I will check there and see.

While the 18-200 is not up to the high image quality level of my 17-55/2.8 or the 70-200/2.8 VR, it does a fine job as my airplane travel lens... small and light with a wide focal length range. I am going to enjoy the lens. Cheers, Bill P.

I had the 70-300 in hand today at a store. I really thought about picking one up. I really debated on it for travel / vacation... The store clerk wouldn't go below $550 so I passed, knowing that I could get it from B&H for $479 if I really wanted it.

Julio

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[Jeff Perry]

Gary, I noticed you included a sigma 1.4 TC in your posting pic of the two lenses. Do you use that TC on the 18-200 (and the 70-300) and does it have any hope of retaining autofocus functionality without hunting profusely? I assume it still retains VR capabilities.

Jeff

[Al D.]

A simple solution to the creeping is to put a wide rubber band around the barrel . Yeah, I know it looks cheap but it works. If you want to do it with a little class, get a silicone rubber wristband. You can get them in all colors, but with a black one, you don't even notice that it is there. You can also get them personalized. I got my from Wrist Bands With A Message.

Al

[Gary Mayo]

This pic was from a question I posed at Nikon Cafe. I had asked if anyone was using a teleconverter on any of these two lenses. I learned in their answers it is not a good idea and will not even fit on the 18-200mm VR. Several people said they had tried it on the 70-300mm VR but the image quality was not that good.

In my eyes, the clearances are too close to use the teleconverter on the 70-300mm VR. I would not try it as it is very close.

Originally Posted by Jeff Perry

Gary, I noticed you included a sigma 1.4 TC in your posting pic of the two lenses. Do you use that TC on the 18-200 (and the 70-300) and does it have any hope of retaining autofocus functionality without hunting profusely? I assume it still retains VR capabilities.

Jeff

[Gary Mayo]

I tried it, but it did not help on my copy.

Originally Posted by Al D.

A simple solution to the creeping is to put a wide rubber band around the barrel . Yeah, I know it looks cheap but it works. If you want to do it with a little class, get a silicone rubber wristband. You can get them in all colors, but with a black one, you don't even notice that it is there. You can also get them personalized. I got my from Wrist Bands With A Message.

Al