Nikon AFS 18 - 200 F3.5 5.6 DX VR

Ive been offered a couple of interesting photo ops poss leading to making a bit of money out my hobby, so looking to invest in a new lens to poss replace the 18 - 55 VR lens which came with my D60, dont want to be carring loads of lenses so thinking of getting hold of the above lens, anyone have one /use one ? are they any good ?
Thanks
Stew

Stanokella has one They are pretty good from what I've seen of them - although haven't used one myself. I'd say if you like the quality of the 18-55 it will be similar. Although for about £140 you could get the 55-200vr to use with the 18-55 and you've basically got the same range but in 2 lens. Is having one lens worth the extra?

Another one to consider is:

Nikon AF-S 16-85mm f3.5-5.6G ED DX VR

Which is meant to be very good too.

What kind of shots will you want it for?

Personally I would want to put that money towards more performance lens, as opposed to convenience ones - but its your dosh!

Don't have one. Ken Rockwell raves about them - but you have to take what he says with a pinch of salt sometimes. I think they are good bang for buck and a very capable lens, ideal for walkaround or travelling lightweight. It's not a professional lens and won't be as good as a prime, some other zooms e.g. 18-70 Such a lwide range of zoom will require compromise, more flare, won't be as well corrected, f5.6 is slow. Probably comparable to that 18-55 in quality. If I were you I'd consider a 55-200 VR to compliment what you already have which is considered to be a very capable performer and at a reasonable price although has risen recently.

Thanks guys, basically Ive been offered to shoot the 29th international vintage motorcycle show in Stafford in april, hasnt been confirmed yet tbh, but Ive also just found out a friend of mine has ,or will be shortly, starting his own helicopter lease/hire firm offering everything from air taxi, s to pleasure flights plus weddings and he has asked me shoot some stuff for his brochure and also poss some arial stuff as well, we,ve been down this path before in all honesty, but this time its seems a bit further down the line than before , I just wanted a lens to cover a decent focal range which I could extend later with a tele converter.

I have one and am very pleased with it. it's on my camera 90% of the time. the only down side i have found is the lens creep if shooting straight up or down. It only happens when not fully extended or retracted.

That lens creep is apparently a known issue with them, reportedly meant to get a little worse as it gets older and loosens up. Have read about it before.

Stewie, inside at a motorbike show wouldn't you be better off with a decent flash/reflector/diffuser or faster lenses?

Yep I have one

Very good for a consumer lens, a little slow but a belter if the light is with you. Plenty sharp enough, I've printed 18x12 off it no probs.

Lens creep is an issue, but other than that a very capable walk around lens, good enough for most uses esp in good light.

Tbh, I probably would I think, in fact all this has happened and caught me on the hop, Im terrified I make a complete balls up of it if the truth be known, Im sure it,ll be ok one way or another.