Thinking of a new lense.

[Old Crank]

I have an older Nikon 5200 DX. Current lense is an 18-105 3.5-5.6 zoom.
Thinking this might get me better distance without losing any speed and teh used cost isn't too much. There aren't many options for faster glass for the DX cameras. Not sure I can justify a new body and lense to go full sized.

Any one with experience with this lense? It will be a bit larger and heavier than the old lense.

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR II

[usonian]

1. I used a Coolpix P510 for some 10 years or more, and it still works great. 24-1000mm equivalent.

So, my strategy with the mirrorless, since I skipped the entire DSLR generation, was to assign the "over 200mm (FX)" duties to a Coolpix.

Now, my mirrorless "straddle" is to use 14-30mm (wow) and 24-200mm "kit" lens with great resolution, and a Coolpix for anything longer.

An entire Coolpix costs way less than a long lens for DSLR or Mirrorless camera. You are just stuck with the 16 megapixel tiny sensor, but since you can zoom so much, an image appears full-frame with no need to crop from a larger sensor.

I splurged for the extreme wide angle and use it constantly. In FX terms, 20 mm. is a world of difference in composing shots than the customary 24 mm, and 14 mm. is a universe of difference from 20 mm.

Keeping this brief. "If I had more time, I'd have written less" (Mark Twain)

One resource that is helpful is Ken Rockwell's site
https://www.kenrockwell.com/index.htm

Yes, Ken makes a living with referral links, so it seems that nothing gets really awful reviews, and he loves intensely saturated colors, but his reviews are thorough.

[Old Crank]

2. I read his article about the lens

He likes it as a good value. I can get one used for about $300ish. He also suggested going for the 18-300 3.5 to 6.3. 27-450mm FX equivalence. I can get one in Germany for about $400.

Similar size and weight.

I like carrying only 1 camera since I also have a phone that does reasonably well.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

3. Sigma & Tamron has some good options.

18-300mm & 18-400mm that are priced competitively.