. . . allowing me to push things even further to the limit.

Whether it has been with film cameras and processing - or with digital cameras and processing - - - I always enjoy pushing my tools and skills to the limits and beyond. Many times that includes handholding my cameras at rediculously slow shutter speeds and using the extremes of ISO speed settings to capture what is available in front of me.

My new acquisition is a Nikkor 18 to 200mm all in one zoom that fits perfectly in to my style of shooting without changing lenses (I know, I'm a year late getting it). I was actually quite surprised at how heavy it is. Nothing at all like the Sigma 17-70, 18-50 2.8 and 18-125 lenses I have been using in this range. What totally surprised me was how quiet this thing is and how quickly it focuses. Far nicer than either of my 85mm 1.8 or 50 1.4. A little strange is the way the zoom ring which is the most used of the 2 rings (focus and zoom) is so far to the front and so for me, a little awkward to reach - although I will get used to it. What I surprised myself at using with the extremely low light shots I took tonight (and a nice feature with the big viewing screen of the D200) was the ability to quickly trim the focus manually while holding the shutter down lightly - if need be. Quite expensive ($900 CDN) compared to other lenses in this range - but the above features will compensate for that I think.

These shots represent quick snaps taken while walking and quickly composed to see how slow shutter speeds would hold up. I can see from the results that I will be having some fun at my weddings this year and will be shooting a whole new genre of images with these new capabilities.

All were shot in Program mode at either 400 or 1600 ISO while handheld. ALL ARE FULL FRAME WITH NO CROPPING

1/20th second - f4.5 - 48.0mm (35mm equivalent: 72.0mm) - 400ISO



1/15th second - f5 - 82.0mm (35mm equivalent: 123.0mm) - 400ISO



1/8th second - f5.6 - 200.0mm (35mm equivalent: 300.0mm) - 400ISO



0.3" second - f4 - 31.0mm (35mm equivalent: 46.0mm) - 400ISO - a quick grab shot out the window as I was driving in - a little bit of horizontal movement but not blur



1/5th second - f5.6 - 200.0mm (35mm equivalent: 300.0mm) - 1600ISO - shooting across living room with lens fully extended and one ceiling light



1/8th second - f5.6 - 200.0mm (35mm equivalent: 300.0mm) - 1600ISO - about 2 to 3 feet from the subject - very nice close up abilities will come in handy for me shooting weddings




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I have only had it a few hours but am very impressed with the quality of images it makes and the VR which will work perfectly for any static images I shoot - although I'm sure I will play with panning moving subjects with VR and see what happens and maybe try street scenes that I've done before with the camera on a tripod and the subject moving across the street giving them motion.

I can see it eliminating any need for a tripod that I have had in extreme lighting situations - - - like maybe even a natural light shot from the back of the church during still parts of the ceremony with it set to the 200mm setting. I love being able to have one camera and one lens when I am shooting which also elimates dust on sensors from changing lenses constantly. I had ordered one late last spring but after waiting several months and realizing it may not be in to make good use of it with my 2006 weddings, I cancelled and decided to wait until my 2007 season starts to get one. I ordered it a couple of months ago and it just came in today - which surprised me as I figured they would be more readily available after a year and a half from when it was announced.