I've spent countless hours going over various reviews, tuturials, informational conferences on KZreads and NONE OF THEM possess the verbal talents and product knowledge of Gordan Laing. The man is truly a diamond amongst pretenders.

Hi everyone - just a quick note to let you know this lens works fine on the Nikon D40 and D40x bodies - and for our full review, click on the link to the right of the video window!

Thanks! Don't forget to check out my full reviews at cameralabs . com!

See for yourself on the results pages of my review at cameralabs . com...

This guy makes me feel at ease with his descriptions. Subscribed!

Thanks, you're very welcome! These videos are just half of my reviews though, so please check out the rest at my site cameralabs . com for the full set of results - and of course my latest reviews!

You're welcome! Don't forget if you want to support me and help me write more reviews, please shop through the stores at cameralabs . com!

Yes it does - we have a list of reputable suppliers with the latest prices on our review at cameralabs . com - there's a link next to the video.

I can't say, sorry! But you'll see all my latest reviews at cameralabs . com - there isn't always a video to go with them.

I always mention them in the full reviews which go with the videos at cameralabs . com! Click the links to the right of the video windows to see... But yep, I'll try to include them in future videos too...

Thankyou very much! You're very welcome! PS - be sure to visit my site cameralabs . com to see all of my latest reviews!

These reviews are ALWAYS so helpful.

We'll be doing our review of the 7-300mm in the near future, but you can see some results for it against the 55-200mm in the 55-200mm review at cameralabs . com...

i like the practical information you give and i can tell it is based on your own experience compared to so many other videos just showing off or spewing out garbage. I just randomly came across this video seeing which lenses to get, and just wanted to say thanks for the video, keep up the work

Thanks so much for this video. I have been searching the internet for about an hour and you just answered all of my questions. I have the Nikon d3100 with a 18-55mm lens. The only thing I don't like about it is that it doesn't zoom very far, and I photograph sports and animals and things such as that. The 55-200mm lens seems to zoom pretty well, so I am considering purchasing it. Thank you so much again, you are wonderful!

I just love this guy. His reviews are not about the product only, but also a little lesson about photography and how you should choose and use your product.

Wish everyone could explain as you do. Thank you. Great video.

Damn Gordon, your video reviews are great, so is your blog. If I want to know something about a specific lens or body, your site is always my first shot. Keep up the great work

Great review! I just ordered one earlier this afternoon and watching this review confirmed my choice!

Hi, you can find current prices of this lens by going to the full review at the Cameralabs website.

I'd certainly like to do some flashgun reviews in the future... In the meantime, there's several Nikon Speedlight owners on the Cameralabs forums if you have any Qs...

I just bought this last night! Thanks for comments and advises!

easily one of the best people to watch for any reviews i have watched loadds of your videos on camera labs and dslr tips. watchng your videos helped me decide on the camera to buy and now on a new lens. so thank you for your videos

The way you explain things is awesome. Thanks for the help.

i really enjoy your videos, they are specific, fast, well done and to the point ! thanks

that was actually an informative review! thank you

Excellent review. Thanks for your work.

I really love your reviews....

Yes it will because it is an AF-S model. See the full review at the Cameralabs site for all the details...

Awesome video this was the only video that showed how much it would zoom in. Thanks

Awesome video. You definitely sold me on getting one to compliment my 18-55mm!

I recently purchased a Nikon D3000 and this lens is next on my list, Brilliant videos.Subscribed

hi Gordon, you really helped me so much... I'll check your site for comparison.. you just earned a subscriber

I bought the 400D on Saturday :) Your reviews helped me choose :) Could you do a review on filters?

Thanks for sharing! Considering buying this lens.

Really insightful review! Thanks! :)

great review...i've been learning about dsrl's and trying to get a good one for my budget and would like good zoom ability.

It depends how far away the people will be and how many are in the spot. The 18-55mm will be fine for group shots and basic portraits, but the 55-200mm will be better for individual portraits or shots from a distance. Feel free to discuss this further on the cameralabs forums...

Hi Kasumi02, the VR lets you handhold at shutter speeds about 3 stops slower than normal. So if the slowest you can handhold at 55mm is, say 1/60, then the VR would let you do it at 1/8. Although bear in mind any subjects in motion will be blurred... so it really does help a lot, but it's not like using a tripod.

Excellent description!

Good idea... in the meantime, we do have portrait shots with this lens in our full review at cameralabs . com...

No plans right now, but we have lots of Sony owners on the cameralabs forum if you'd like to ask them.

great reviewww loved it

Good question! I don't have the lens here anymore, so can't say for sure, but I suspect it would cast a shadow with the internal flash. There's several owners on the Cameralabs forums though if you'd like to ask there...

Good question - depends if you want or need the 10mpixels of the D60 more than the 2 lenses of the D40 - feel free to discuss this further on the cameralabs forums...

Thanks thinking of upgrading lenses will check out the full review to get all the details. Mason

Yes it does. It works with ANY DX format Nikon body.

MANY THANKS FOR THIS INFORMATIVE VIDEO! I found this used lens in a pawn shop for $75 and it is a perfect companion to my 18-55 mm DX kit lens for my Nikon D3400...between the two lenses, I have a full range of wide angle to telephoto images and I haven't spent a lot of money! Thanks again...

very informative review! thanks a lot! :)

This really explained a lot! Thank you so much! 5/5.

Hi, there's several discussions on filters on the Cameralabs . com forum... hope you enjoy using your 400D!

great review gordon..i love it and it helps a lot but i have one question regarding this lens.. do 55-200mm vr have a same problem like 18-200mm vr like falls down with its own weight?

@cameralabs In that case, what would be a good substitute for the 18-55mm lens in terms of upgrading from the entry-level kit and still taking regular close-ups? Thanks for the wonderful videos!

You're welcome! If you've not yet bought it, also compare with the newer 55-300mm.

just used this lens with a d60 got some amazing football shots!

I was using a D80 for all the test shots shown here - so it was not full frame. As a DX lens, the 55-200mm shown here is also not designed for full-frame use.

@rayray5340 The DX 18-55mm VR is a perfect match for your telephoto lens.

It's confusing, but when they say maximum aperture, they mean the smallest f-number available at that focal length. So to go to f8, just put your camera into Aperture Priority and choose whatever f number you like! But it won't get smaller than the maximum for that focal length.

@ohheyitsbea yes it will autofocus and work on the D3100. it is good for portraits, as said in the video, and i think it's a good outdoor lens too if you don't want to/can't get near your subject.

It's a great option, but do also consider the 70-300mm VR - we have reviews of both...

i am thinking of buying this for my D3000 and i have a question. do you think it would be a good lens for taking pictures of aircraft from about halfway across the airport or flying over head about 1,500ft? i am going plane spotting soon and i only have the standard 18-55mm lens which would make the planes seem too small (i would want a picture of the plane covering most of the frame) thanks for any help

Yes it will work on the D3200 but also consider the newer 55-300mm.

I'm torn between the Sigma and Tamron 70-300mm lenses and this one. However i might well go for this one given it's a Nikkor, but then i'd have to sacrifice the extra 100 mm and the macro mode on the Tamron lens. Any advice would be appreciated.

This is great review. The only improvement that I would suggest would be to demonstrate zoom ranges with a person as a subject to get a greater idea about the magnification capacity.

Nope, it's so light there's no problem with creep! See our full review at the Cameralabs site for more details - and there's also several owners of this lens on the Cameralabs forum if you have any other Qs!

It's only corrected for the smaller DX format. You can mount it on an FX body, but you'd be recommended to only use it in the DX crop image mode. Also, it's a budget zoom lens, so not ideal for an FX body even in crop mode.

Very well done video. On the cameralab site the full analysts is fantastically complete with full of tsp on that 55-200mm lens. Worth a look. But this actual video should be, now in 2012, seen in 1080p to more appreciate the quality of the pictures made from that lens.

gordon could you make a review on the 55-300 dx vr lens??? is it true that it focuses slowly and has difficulty in doing so??? would be a great review to post there might be quite a lot of people undecided on wheter to buy it or not because they are like me on a budget thxx ;)

@cameralabs what lens do you recommend for the d5000 that aren't telephoto, but also isn't the 18-55mm?

@cameralabs i have a d7000 w 18-105 lens and iam planing on getting a new lens 35mm or a tele, but is the 55-200 unecessary if i got a 18-105? or should i go with the 35mm and save up for a x-300?

Hey Gordon, I was wondering whether it would be a better decision to buy a Nikon D40 with a two lens kit that has the 18-55mm stock lens and the 55-200mm lens, rather than buy a D60 even thought the D60 has better Mp resolution. The D40 kit costs less too

I have the D60 and both lenses. I prefer the telelens because the pictures you take are much sharper. And fully zoomed out it makes very sharp pictures. even moving aircrafts.

Nikon 55-200mm and Nikon 55-300mm lenses, prices are comparable so which one you suggest to go for.

man im really torn as to which lens to get, would it be overkill to get the 18-55 (comes with the D5000 which im getting) and to buy this and say a 28mm "dedicated" wide angle lense? or would even the 18-200mm tamron lense be good? so many lenses to choose from....

Hey Gordon one question regarding about this lens. If i use this lens with the vr on. is it really effective like if it was on a tripod, since i love taking pictures at night without flash i was wondering if using this lens would help alot. i usually take pictures without flash alot though.

Hi guys, I'm planning on buying a D90 soon, and wish to have a good all purpose wide angle and/or zoom lens combination. Seeing this review, and reading many others as well, I am thinking of purchasing both the 18-55mm and this 55-200mm lens. Is it a feasible replacement for the kit lens if I buy only the D90 body?

Will this lens auto focus on a Nikon D3000 ? also, i have the 18-55mm lens should i go with this one or the tamron 70-300mm ?

Hi Gordon, i have a question. Im looking to get a new or new lenses for my Nikon D80. In terms of quality of the build and the pictures they take, should i go for the more expensive 18-200mm vr or instead get both the 18-55mm and 55-200mm vr? Im looking into changing my current 18-135mm with a vr model

Thanks! Have you checked out the Cameralabs forum? There's some good info there too...

Hi, sorry for my English. I saw this video before , and 2 days ago I just got my first NikonD3200 and is got this one. I got a few problems but, I hope I will get them sorted out. Thanks for your videos

would you recommend the nikkor 55-300 ? i have a d90 with 18-105 . does it have good quality ? thanks

hey Gordon, first of all thank u for your suggestions .....i own a Nikon D5100 with the kit lens i.e. 18-55mm ....i now want to buy one more telephoto zoom...could u please suggest me a good telephoto zoom lens which is compatible with my DSLR also please tell me which one would be better for a beginner a 55-300 or a 55-200 ? thank u

Is the 55-200mm compatible with the latest Nikon DSLR models? I have a Nikon D3000 and I just wanted to know if it can be fitted with this lens. Thanks.

Have you or anyone reading had a chance to compair this to the 55-300mm VR lense? Any info on lower lighting situations?

Hi there. I bought same lens for my d3200, second hand on ebay. Its working perfect (i think) but there is one thing. When I shake it a little bit to the left - right I can hear and feel some loose "part" inside. Sometimes when lens fitted picture flicks 4-5 times with no reason (just b4 focus) I just wonder if there is something wrong with it or this is the way how suppose to be... cheap lens with VR. Many thanks.

What camera are you using? I primarily use the 55-200mm VR lens on a D80 and I never have a problem using the flash. In fact, I have to be able to use the flash in order to take advantage of the wireless commander.

The model I tested came with a lens hood and pouch...

I have a quick question, i have the Nikon d5100 firstly will it fit and also is it reasonable for video, I know it probably isn't built for that but how would it perform for video. I'm not expecting amazing results.

does the lens come with the hb-34 petal lens hood?

yes it does.

does this lens fit on the d60? and wheres a good place to buy it ?

Quick question There's an offer on the Nikon D3200 with a 15-55mm and another lens 55-200mm I'm a beginner should I buy it?

Will this work with the D3200 ? Or is there anything like this lens that's updated?

did you end up getting it? I've just gotten the D3200 with the 15-55mm kit lens and was looking for the same, a bit more zoom for some more detailed shots.

@sidwilson180 I would not recommend that. the 55-200mm is a telephoto zoom, so unless you ONLY wnat to take photos of things reasonably far away, it won't suffice as your single lens - it's designed to complement the 18-55mm. I'd get both. Please also consider shopping through the partner stores page at cameralabs . com, as that's the only way I get paid! And feel free to ask any Qs on our forum...

thanks Gordon.. now the 70-300 vr is next :]

Great video, thank you!!

The newer 55-300mm DX compare to the 55-200mm is there any improvements, in general..? Which one would you prefer better?

Hmmm, good question! You obviously don't want to rush the process and risk damaging anything, but you should comfortably be able to change lenses in less than 5 seconds with practice...

Yes it does.,