If i used the built-in flash, will the flash cast a shadow on my Nikon 18-200mm lens? - 1

I'm planning on buying a Nikon VR 18-200mm lens. I'm just wondering if I use my built-in flash, will it cash a shadow on the lens once I take the picture? Or is the lens short enough?

Depends on how close your subject is and how far out the lens is zoomed. I have the same lens on a modified Nikon D-200, a Fuji S-5, and the lens is in MY way maybe 1% (or less) of the time when using the built in flash. By close I mean 2 ft or so. Sometimes I may see a half dome shadow on the bottom of the image (floor, desk, etc) but even this is hardly 5% of the time.
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Normally no, you will not get a shadow of the lens when using the flash.

Shorter than around 24mm you will be able to see a shadow on the ground below the camera, but it would be very unlikely to actually have a shadow on your subject unless it was very close.

If you want to avoid the shadow on the ground, just turn the camera upside down.