Nikon 18-200mm AF VR all-in-one lens

[mark000]

The Nikon 18-200mm AF VR all-in-one lens got a rave review from Thom Hogan,
who seems to know his stuff.
http://www.bythom.com/18200lens.htm

(AF is autofocus, VR is Vibration Reduction aka image stabilization)

He loves almost everything about the lens, except

The big issue is that at 200mm this is an f/5.6 lens, which means that autofocus in low light can be compromised slightly.

Does anyone know whether this would this be a problem at BB stage shows?

Ken Rockwell's review
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18200/18200-focus.htm
doesn't even mention this issue.

[fivegrand]

At most shows with that lens, you'll need to be within flash range and/or have your ISO jacked.

It's NOT a low-light lens.

[mark000]

The issue is whether the autofocus would work fast enough, not exposure.

The lens is f/5.6 in tele position.

I had excellent results for many years shooting shows with a 300mm f/4 at 1/250 sec with ISO 800 film. That is only one stop faster, but the VR image stabilization is supposedly good for up to 4 stops of shutter speed. Of course for sports photography, subject movement as well as camera movement is an issue. Anyway, an equivalent exposure would be f/5.6, 1/125 sec, ISO 800, or somewhat faster, depending on how much exposure latitude I was getting from my Fuji 800 film. But with a CCD, as with the fine grain Fuji film, I doubt that ISO would be the limiting factor.

Besides, BBs on stage are well lit, stage light is much brighter than normal indoor light, so I don't consider it a true low light situation.

Slow autofocus, on the other hand is potentially serious, which is why I asked about it.

[fivegrand]

Well then go for it if you think it will serve you well.