How do I age a Nikon Lens?

[cherokee1111]

I'm looking to get the Nikkor 18-200 second hand (as its expensive new) but it came out Nov 2005 so its 5 years old now but there is a newer and better reviewed version out which is sharper, but how do I tell how old or which version? (sorry if this is obvious to Nikon users but I was Canon until I switched)

 

[andya700]

This is a list of serial numbers, with lens technical details, together with year of manufacture. I suppose that you could do searches on individual lenses based on this information.

http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html#135

Andy

 

[Joe T]

There's two versions of the 18-200. The newer one has "II" in the description.

 

[cherokee1111]

ahhh thanks Andy and Joe- live and learn each day in this tog m'larky

 

[SimonBalaam]

I also believe that the newer version has a gold VR logo instead of a red one

 

[Ozei]

I also believe that the newer version has a gold VR logo instead of a red one

It does - here they are together: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18-200mm-ii.htm. The other obvious difference is the older version has a wider/deeper zoom ring.

 

[SimonBalaam]

So do people agree apart from the Zoom Lock and minor cosmetic differences the lenses are identical?

 

[neilos100]

http://www.europe-nikon.com/en_GB/p...200mm-f-3-5-5-6g-if-ed-af-s-vr-dx-zoom-nikkor

http://www.europe-nikon.com/en_GB/p...m/af-s-dx-nikkor-18-200mm-f-3-5-5-6-g-ed-vr-ⅱ

Here are the specs as per Nikon UK

 

[neilos100]

....

 

[Ozei]

So do people agree apart from the Zoom Lock and minor cosmetic differences the lenses are identical?

The VRII is said to be slightly sharper than the VRI. http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1281/cat/13