18-200 VR Lens Creep - PhotoCamel

ItalianBostonian · 06-22-2008

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 · 06-22-2008

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 · 06-22-2008

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 · 06-23-2008

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 · 06-23-2008

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 · 06-23-2008

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 · 06-23-2008

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 · 06-24-2008

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 · 06-24-2008

Quote:

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 · 06-24-2008

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 · 06-24-2008

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 · 06-25-2008

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 · 06-25-2008

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 · 06-25-2008

Quote:

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

Home

Jeff Perry · 06-25-2008

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. · 06-26-2008

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 · 06-27-2008

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.

Quote:

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 · 06-27-2008

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

Quote:

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

badpickev · 06-27-2008

i use super glue

MrB · 06-30-2008

Mine creeps, but not througout the range. With the camera on its back, it was stable from 200 mm down to 50. At 50, it crept down to 35.

06-22-2008	#1
ItalianBostonian Alpaca Posts: 48 CamelKarma: 19 Gallery \| Blog	18-200 VR Lens Creep 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? __________________ Members don't see ads in threads. Register your free account today and become a member on PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photo Forum, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more.

06-22-2008	#2
Nikon Man Alpaca Location: Deltona Florida Posts: 42 CamelKarma: 25 Gallery \| Blog	Re: 18-200 VR Lens Creep 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.

06-22-2008	#3
Jeff Perry Llama Location: SW Florida Posts: 543 CamelKarma: 286 Gallery \| Blog	Re: 18-200 VR Lens Creep 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

06-23-2008	#4
gpf Guanaco Location: Hessen Posts: 382 CamelKarma: 141 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: 18-200 VR Lens Creep 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.

06-23-2008	#5
gaopa2 PhotoCamel Supporter Photocamel Master Location: Hartwell, GA, USA Posts: 7,803 CamelKarma: 43580 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: 18-200 VR Lens Creep 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.

06-23-2008	#6
Nikonfreak F1 Camel Location: South Florida Posts: 3,213 CamelKarma: 1181 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Re: 18-200 VR Lens Creep 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
	__________________ I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of 'taking care' of them. - Thomas Jefferson

06-23-2008	#7
Jeff Perry Llama Location: SW Florida Posts: 543 CamelKarma: 286 Gallery \| Blog	Re: 18-200 VR Lens Creep 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

06-24-2008	#8
PaulT Vicuna Location: Essex, UK Posts: 107 CamelKarma: 131 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: 18-200 VR Lens Creep 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
	__________________ Paul Turner, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, UK. www.pwtphoto.com Last edited by PaulT; 06-24-2008 at 03:23 PM.. Reason: rethink

06-24-2008	#10
dsp Vicuna Location: Massachusetts Posts: 187 CamelKarma: 196 Editing OK?: No Gallery \| Blog	Re: 18-200 VR Lens Creep 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.
	__________________ -Dave

06-24-2008	#11
YoungOne Alpaca Posts: 12 CamelKarma: 27 Gallery \| Blog	Re: 18-200 VR Lens Creep 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.
YoungOne Alpaca Posts: 12 CamelKarma: 27 Gallery \| Blog

06-25-2008	#12
Gary Mayo Llama Location: ProDSLR Posts: 673 CamelKarma: 796 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: 18-200 VR Lens Creep 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.
	__________________ Gary - Advice For Want-To-Be Models ~ Let Your Friends Collect Body Art Some Of My Equipment: Nikon D3. ~ Nikon D300 w/ MB-D10 w/ENEL-4A's ~ Nikon D200 w/WT-3A ~ Kodak Pro SLRn ~ Fujifilm S5 Pro/MB-D200 ~ 10.5mm f/2.8 G IF ED DX ~ 24mm f/2.8 AFD ~ 28mm f/2.8 AFD ~ 28mm f/2.8 AFD ~ 28mm f/2.8 AFD NIB ~ 35mm f/2.0 AFD ~ 50mm f/1.2 IF ~ 50mm f/1.4 AFD ~ 50mm f/1.4 A ~ 55mm f/1.2 IF ~ 60mm f/2.8 AFD Micro ~ 85mm f/1.4 AFD ~ 135mm f/2 AF DC ~ 300mm f/2.8 ED IF ~ 500mm f/4 P ED IF ~ 18-200mm VR f/3.5-5.6 ED-IF AF-S DX ~ 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF ~ 35-70mm f/2.8 AF-D ~ 70-200mm VR f/2.8 G ED IF AF-S ~ 70-300mm VR f/4.5-5.6 G ED IF AF-S ~ 80-400mm VR f/4.5-5.6D ED AF ~ TC-14b 1.4 ~ TC-17EII 1.7 ~ TC-200 2.0 ~ TC-301 2.0 ~ Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG AF ~ Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 APO EX DG AF ~ Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 APO EX AF ~ Sigma APO EX DG 1.4 ~ Sigma APO EX DG 2.0 ~ Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 "DG" AF 3x Teleconverter ~ Kenko Macro Extension Tube Set ~ Kenko 180 degree true fish eye ~ Sigma 28-70 f/1.28-4 D ~ Sigma 70-300 f/1.4-5.6 D DG Macro ~ Vivitar 500mm f/8 Mirror lens ~ 8 Nikon SB-800's ~ Savage Soft Box w/24, 24 watt bulbs, full spectrum fluorescent (equal to 280 - 100 watt light bulbs.) ~ Savage Soft box w/6, 24 watt bulbs, full spectrum fluorescent (equal to 70 - 100 watts light bulbs.) ~ Sony 60 LED Ring Light ~ Minolta Light Meter IIIF ~Manfrotto 3258 Heavy Duty 8' Tripod. ~ Wimberley Gimbal Head Version II ~ (2) Manfrotto 3251 Tripods ~ 3 Manfrotto 133DDB Horizontal Arms ~ Manfrotto Studio Dolly 3156 ~ Manfrotto Tripod 755B/0110 ~ Manfrotto Self Standing Monopod 682B ~ Manfrotto Monopod 479B/LC15 ~ Manfrotto 322RC2 Head 2 Quick Releases ~ (2) Manfrotto 3265 Heads ~Samson Rolling Double Head Camera Stand 7301 ~Canon iPF8000 44'' x 59' ~ Epson r1800 13'' x 19'' ~ Several Brother & HP office printers ~ Olevia 542i 42'' wide screen, 1360 x 768, 1080i resolution, 178-degree viewing angle, 1600:1 DCR ~ 4 22" flat screens ~ ACDSee 10 ~ Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended ~ Adobe Lightroom 1.3 ~ Canon Digital Photo Print Pro ~ Canon Poster Artist 7 ~ Compupic Pro 6.3 ~ Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 ~ Micrographfx Picture Publisher 10 ~ Microsoft Digital Image Pro 10 ~ Microsoft Expression Web ~ Microsoft Front Page 2003 ~ Microsoft Publisher 2003 ~ MGI PhotoSuite 4 ~ Nikon Capture NX ~ PhotoImpact Pro ~ Photo Explorer ~ Qimage ~ The Print Shop 23 Easier To Read Gear List

06-25-2008	#13
gaopa2 PhotoCamel Supporter Photocamel Master Location: Hartwell, GA, USA Posts: 7,803 CamelKarma: 43580 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: 18-200 VR Lens Creep 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.

06-25-2008	#15
Jeff Perry Llama Location: SW Florida Posts: 543 CamelKarma: 286 Gallery \| Blog	Re: 18-200 VR Lens Creep 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

06-26-2008	#16
Al D. Alpaca Location: FL USA Posts: 34 CamelKarma: 163 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Re: 18-200 VR Lens Creep 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

06-27-2008	#19
badpickev F1 Camel Location: Jax FL Posts: 3,688 CamelKarma: 1228 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: 18-200 VR Lens Creep i use super glue
	__________________ Fuji S2/S3/S5 Pro Kenko MC7 2X, Pro 300 Nkkor 50 1.8 70-300VR Phoenix 100, 650-1300& Sima 100mm F2 SF Sigma 12-24, 18-50 HSM, 18-125, 50-500, 70-300, 120-300, 1.4X 2x Tamron 28-75

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06-30-2008	#20
MrB F1 Camel Location: California Posts: 2,669 CamelKarma: 1947 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: 18-200 VR Lens Creep Mine creeps, but not througout the range. With the camera on its back, it was stable from 200 mm down to 50. At 50, it crept down to 35. __________________ Members don't see ads in threads. Register your free account today and become a member on PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photo Forum, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more.
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