JWJs

As he always does, Dave has given you very good information and advice above. I'll add that I do have the 18-200mm lens as a walking around/travel lens for my a6000; I recognize the compromises, but when I am traveling, particularly with my spouse, changing lenses is often not the best option. The 18-200 has worked well for me for the purpose for which I bought it. (I have the 16-50mm kit lens as well, and often just keep that on the camera. I certainly would not want the 18-200 to be my only lens for the a6000.)

 

Here are a couple of images that I shot with the 18-200 during a trip to Paris last fall:

 

 

(detall of the Chagall ceiling in the Paris Opera House, 68mm)

 

 

 

(Place des Vosges, 92mm)

Thanks for the info and pictures. Sure helps to make decisions. :)

The LE version is an ok lens for a all-in-one option. The original SEL18200 was a bit sharper, though slightly larger and heavier. I never really looked at all-in-ones as an option since a lot of my photography is travel and family events where the 16-50 (remarkably good if you know it's limits) kit lens fit my needs best. I also usually carry a second body with the 55-210 (another winner withing it's limits) attached when a longer reach may be needed, so the long end of the 18-200 was covered as well. Both of the kit lenses are optically better than the 18-200 but the trade-off in image quality for convenience is a personal choice.

 

I recently picked up the 18-105 f/4 G lens a a sharper option for travel and while it certainly is better than the 16-50 optically, it is rather large (about the same as the 18-200). I got used to the size and was very pleased with the results but lugging the larger lens isn't for everyone. I did keep the 16-50 since it is an excellent jacket pocket option on the A6000 and will continue to be the choice for business travel.

 

If the reason you haven't used the camera in a year is the bulk of the 18-200, I would suggest picking up a 16-50 for your travel needs.

 

Here is a link to our late 2014 trip on the Allure. The 16-50 was used for the majority of the shots.

 

http://galleries.pptphoto.com/allure

 

Dave

Thank you. I am major considering purchasing the 16-50. Just a few days until we leave for our cruise so I need to get the purchase done. I also need to purchase filters. Thanks again. I appreciate the information.

What's your opinion of the E 18-200 lens--(SEL 18200LE)? Purchased for a cruise and still in the box. This is the only one I have for my 6000. I have had this camera for a year now and have not used it. Need to know best lenses for the cruise. Thank you.

Thanks for the info. We will be doing some laundry while on the Pacific Princess in just a few short weeks. Someday soon we will be "elite" and have to say we will be very happy when that day arrives. :)

What a fab review. Love your writing style and your family interactions.

It would be so nice to have a means to post some "thumbs up" for each one of your reports. AND...love the pictures you post...excellent photography!

We are looking forward to sailing on this ship in a few short weeks. I was getting seriously worried about the size of the ship and some other things but some of the Cruise Critic community calmed me down.

Thanks to all who have responded. I am feeling much better now! :)

We have a cruise booked on the Pacific Princess departing Port Everglades on 4/25. This is the last cruise before dry dock and it appears there are a ton of staterooms that have not been booked...around 100 as far as I can determine.

The cruise is 17 nights, Port Everglades to San Pedro.

Would you book this cruise? My concerns are: 1) It is a small ship. 2) If it's not full, will it be s boring cruise? 3) Will part of the service crew be on vacation? 4) Will activities be limited?

Thanks for responding. :)

Does either the Freedom or Triumph have ball room dancing? Are there any classes or instruction?

Great review and pictures. Thanks.

Your review is VERY nice. Your pictures are wonderful.

What camera did you use? If you posted this info previously....I'm sorry I didn't catch it.

It has been awhile since we have taken a cruise...your review with wonderful pics was just what I needed to jump start my thinking to seriously book one, or two or three.

Thanks for your wonderful review, photos and videos! Totally awesome! :) The Coral is our favorite ship.

Sapphire Princess Hawaii Cruise ` February 2013

Sapphire Princess ~ Maui

Well, lo and behold I saw the purse I purchased a few days ago for $128, reduced to half price. So with the exchange and repurchase and my 10% Elite discount, I just saved $57.60. I think I’ll treat him to dinner tonight. :D

Good eye Pia! That's the way to save some $$$. :)

I've sure enjoyed your Coral Panama Canal live reports. As always, many thanks! :)

Hi Pia. Thanks for posting live from the Coral! Looking forward to reading more posts as you sail along.

Congratulations on your upgrade from Obstructed View Guarantee all the way to a Mini! Awesome! We got a nice upgrade on our recent Sapphire cruise...from Obstructed View Guarantee to a Balcony. Sure made us happy as I know you and Mike are about your upgrade.

We only brought on two bottles of wine on our Sapphire cruise out of San Pedro. Good for you bringing on a case with no problem!!!! Should always be that way for sure!

Best regards.

JJ

U.S.S Bowfin ~ Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

This was a copy & paste test from Shutterfly. Still trying to find a replacement for Webshots! :)

Thank you! :)

 

My camera is the Nikon 1 J1. My father's camera is the Canon EOS Rebel. And then my sister's camera (which hasn't appeared yet and won't until we get to port) is the Nikon AW100. If you're curious about which camera was used for a particular photo or even the settings used to take them, if you click on the filename link, Flickr will tell you what camera and the exact shutter speed, aperature, etc. for each photo. It's pretty !

 

Thanks for the camera and Flickr info! Especially cool is the Flickr info! I need a new website for my pictures....was using Webshots which changed to Smile. Don't care for Smile at all...Flickr may be it for me. Thanks again. :) And...I continue to enjoy your photo/review. Love your style!

Your review is great and your pictures are awesome! What camera are you using?

We did not notice excessive vibration when we had E736 for our Coral Panama Canal cruise.

It was a wonderful cabin. :):):) Would not hesitate to book E736 on the Coral again. The Coral Princess is our favorite ship.

Thanks for ALL of the pics and review! Very, very nice. :) Sometimes when we are in between cruises....we just need to see ship pictures...especially Sapphire ship pictures. Love that ship. Thanks again.

Thanks Sue for all of the fabulous pictures and comments! You just can't beat looking through all of your posts/pictures (more than a couple of times) when you are "hungry" for a cruise like I am right now!

BTW...your photography is wonderful. Great shots! Still love the one with the "little fish" hanging out with you the "bestest" :) and I loved all of your beach and ship pics!

The camera you used was a Canon? And which lens or lenses?

Thanks Sue for all of the reports and pictures! Loved the one of your little fish friend. Hope he found lots of other people friends to hang out with.:)

Thanks so much for your pictures and review!