Opinions wanted on 2 lenses

Has anyone used either the Nikon 18-200 VR or the Sigma 80-400 VR?

From what I've read, the Nikon 18-200 VR has very nice optics but typical consumer lens build quality (crappy). I've read very little about the Sigma, but from looking at the specs it seems to be much higher quality than the corresponding Nikon lens.

Any opinions/user reports would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Bill

Not used these two lenses, but as a notorious review-reader, some comments... the 18-200 VR has awful barrel distortion at the wide end (I think it set a new record on photozone.de), which might be problematic (you shoot a lot of wide-angle land- and seascapes, right?).

Why would you think the Sigma 80-400 OS is of higher quality than the 80-400 VR Nikkor? I think resolution-wise it's not as good at the long end, and photozone.de report some funny behaviour when OS is engaged.

Hope you'll get some info from people with hands-on experience.

Basil

Thanks Basil. I have no specific knowledge that the Sigma is of higher quality than the Nikon, but have heard many complaints about the build quality of the Nikon 80-400. Just comparing images and specs it appeared the Sigma might be built better. No idea at all if the optics are better.

I was told that the Nikon 80-400 had a slow autofocus, and that was one reason why the photographer chose not to buy it.

The next lens I'll buy will probably be the Sigma. (Not anytime soon) Seems like decent quality for the price.

I've the Nikon 80-400 VR. Bought it about a year ago. I don't find the autofocus that slow, though under some conditions it does seem to do a bit of searching. I've used it in conditions from -45C to +35C and it has always performed. With VR on I have shot handheld at 1\40 with the results good enough to bring up to 13x19, the largest I can print.

I'm quite happy with the lens.

Dave

I have had the Nikon 18-200 VR for about 6 months, used with the D200. As a travel walk-around lens it does an excellent job. No problems with autofocus, VR works well. I find the results very close to the DX 18-70mm, in that range, maybe a little less sharp. I have uploaded an image "Inside a tulip" with the lens at full zoom. Build quality is similar to the 18-70mm too.

Thanks all for your comments - just a couple of lenses I was thinking about. The "idea" of the 18-200 is quite attractive since it would eliminate changing lens so often in the very windy, salty environment I live in. Hoping to eliminate some dust bunnies, as well as eliminate one lens out of the camera bag. I probably don't shoot enough long stuff to justify the 80-400, but I keep trying to convince myself that I might if I bought it.