Got the 18-200vr a little while ago. No shots with it yet, but I did take it out and fondle it a bit. I'm suprised at how heavy and stout it feels. It is definately smaller than the 17-55, and weighs about 4 ounces less, but it is a very substantial hunk of glass for sure and isn't light like a tamron 28-200 that I've owned in teh past.
While it supposedly has plastic in it, it feels well built to me. The zoom action works smoothly and I had no lens creep even with shaking the lens lightly to try to get the lens to extend.
The barrel gets very long when extended, but not too bad I guess.
I'm intrigued to see how this will work out. If I can replace a piece of glass than I'm happy. It will be nice to have a lens that I can just leave on the camera and actually carry it around more often.
Will report back with photo's later today or tonight.
Will try to do comparisons one day with 18-200vr, 17-55dx and 70-200vr.
I'm as curious to know as everyone else...... since I'm thinking of replacing lenses with this do all wonder if it holds it's own.
I'll take time this weekend to do shots and will get back to you with some posts. I haven't received my camera bracket yet from RRS, so I'm not sure if I have a way to mount the camera for the 18-200 and 17-55, but I think I might be able to rig something using a spare wimberly p-20 lens plate if I have to.
Also, I'll post some non-comparative shots once I get to try it out after work today.
I'm not talking about a full-blown comparison (although one would be nice) as the 17-55 and 70-200 are in a whole 'nuther league.
I am, however, curious as to why some people are not getting the full 200mm reach out of the 18-200. When they post samples, the 18-200 shows a much wider FOV than other 200's.
I was just playign around with some friends lenses and comparing the 18-200 and the 70-200.
The thing just keeps on zooming!!! The VR seems to work quite nicely. It was on sombody else's body so unfortunately I don't have anything on my cf card to peep at.
One thing I noticed is that when compared to the 70-200 - the 18-200 seemed to either focus more slowly or hunt more than the 70-200.
The focus on the 70-200 just seemed to "snap" into focus where the 18-200 took longer.
However, I've been contemplating swapping the 18-200vr into the place of my 17-55dx, so I'll be giving it a good once over. I need the one lens solution for lots of reasons, but family and travel and being light and ready to go are some of them. If it performs 90% of the 17-55dx duties, then I'll probably be able to make the switch. Paired with fast primes, I think it will perform an even higher percentage of the 17-55 duties.
Just out of curiosity, has anyone compared the 18-200 to the 18-70 DX just within that range? I'm a bit curious if there is any noticeable difference in sharpness or any more CA in the 200.
I don't buy new lenses very often, because I'm pretty happy with my coverage already (except for 500-600mm at f4 ) but I want to see how this one pans out.
I'm thinking that it would make a really handy backup combo sitting on a D70. I'd love to see some 100% crops as you get comfortable it. (hint, hint )
) but I want to see how this one pans out. 
)