18 55mm nikon lens the working professional.

18 55mm nikon lens the working professional.

Does not have that red stripe. Sad to say, some will never buy this sharp, handy little lens because in is not an "L" and/or doesn't cost.

Yes, it does look a little "plastic," probably doesn't have the build quality for heavy, everyday use by a real working pro,

and does not look massive mounted on your camera body,

like a "fast" pro lens that's squeezing out that last F stop.

But IMO, it looks very similar to Nikon's newer lenses, so there is no scarlet letter immediately identifying you as "cheap." In other words, "Get over it."

So, why did Nikon Lense produce such a good lens at such a bargain price?

I'd say that it's because Nikon announced their intention to do the same a little while ago.

Also, Digital SLR Lens old non 18 55mm nikon lens had the rep of being something of a dog. Finally, several competing cameras now have IS built into the body.

Nikon lense had to respond with a sharp lens that they could put on the Digital SLR Camera.

In terms of sales, the low end of the Digital SLR Lens market is both hot and very competitive. We're the beneficiaries.

How to fix Nikon lens

How to fix Nikon lens

Low Chroma I read a test that found higher than normal amounts of CA in this 18 55mm nikon lens at some apertures, but I don't see it. My standard test is to shoot bare tree limbs on bright sunny days & look for purple fringing, especially at the edges.

I'm not seeing anywhere near the level of fringing shown in some of their test shots.If anything, I'd call it "low" I read elsewhere that one of Nikon lens goals in adding the aspherical element to this lens was to reduce CA, so I'm thinking maybe the lens tested in photozon.de was just a bad apple.
Image Shake control works. I can't attest to how often it provides a full 4 stops worth of shake reduction, but I can see a very clear result when using it.

Fast accurate focusing. One of the reasons I purchased this lens was because I was dissatisfied with the performance of my (more expensive) Sigma 17-35 EX (the newer model), which while sharp, is just too slow and inaccurate a focuser for close work in action sports. The new Nikon lens solved that problem.
Compact, light weight & unobtrusive. Not much bigger than a normal lens.

Barrel Distortion at 18 55mm nikon lens While not exsessive for an inexpensive lens, this is one area where you will see benefit from spending hundreds of dollars for a much more expensive Nikon lens or buying a fixed focal length lens. In most real world situations, it wasn't all that noticeable.

I could usually correct for it in Photo shop, but this is not a lens for critical architectural work etc. I have taken hundreds of photos with this lens and barrel distortion has only called attention to itself a few times. I suspect this is one price paid for the very compact design.

Not very fast. Another area where an "L" has an edge. At F3.5 28mm equivalent and F5.6 85mm this lens is relatively slow compared to a pro lens. This effects stopping the action in low light. OH, you will have to spend hundreds more to get a usable top speed of F 2.8 and that is only one stop faster at 28mm equiv. I think both this 18 55mm nikon lens sharpness and the IS system mitigate this.

It took me a while to learn that I could shoot wide open at all focal lengths without having the outer third of the image turn to mush.That's pretty amazing for a zoom at this price. You don't have a stop or two you almost never use because it is too soft. And the IS system works well in low light, though that doesn't figure in in stopping the action.

The high quality Nikon lens of the independent labels.

The high quality Nikon lens of the independent labels.

Asked if the price is very different or another advantage is that the same amount they can buy Japanese models. Top featured much new but European models of car buying can be compact or city car only medium quality lens.

From the original camp this 18 55mm nikon lens is suitable for those with budget and just learning photography. Independent Lens is suitable camps Because of the quality available and cheap. But the point is marginalized Materials in production. Struggle could ensue professionals have not fully field.

The longevity may be shorter and some when the camera lens and then put some systems cannot functions full functionality. Then decide if the lens of independent labels Mr. D2H suggests trying to put the camera itself to see and use all active functions Limited or no. Some of the vendors cannot know all the dealers because they do not Show all data.

Okay, we see the market the Independent Lens. The brands are very popular and people use it is another mark of 2-3 with the brand Nikon, Sigma, Tamron and Tokina but initially I recommend of each brand, right now write together. The brands that play almost every camera is a household name and brand this goal made in the use of camera brands.

Nerveless key is that both Canon Nikon Olympus brand has two different outlets. But price is not far. Start the Sigma before I wrote this sales mark is the relatively cool color or color called Contra Inc. In the language of photography If the brand nikon to soften the color. Natural Party Materials for the manufacture of the Sigma better than the marks are the digital slr lens to select multiple. Adapting to the user are many grades, and also to select in other early primary billion Six main.

The brands has been very popular For amateur photography For the practice before a professional Nikon lens future.

Nikon D60 10.2MP Digital SLR with 18-55mm Nikon Zoom Lens.

Nikon D60 10.2MP Digital SLR with 18-55mm Nikon Zoom Lens.

Nikon digital SLR Imaging of the system, including the world famous light quality Nikon lens. Continued research and development objective.

Nikon up providing the Nikon digital SLR photographers with more options and greater efficiency of light.

Nikon is pleased to add new sign-AF-S DX 18-55mm, an 18 55mm Nikon lens built-in Silent Wave Motor and Vibration Reduction (VR). AF-S DX-NIKKOR 18 55mm f3.5-5.6G VR price is low and compact 3x zoom lens with amazing versatility.

This new Nikon lens offers greater flexibility to the new Nikon DX-NIKKOR lens lineup. I have the same 18 55mm Nikon lens AF-S DX that comes with the D60 and my love for her - but not the weight and focus on what works well. I have about a macro if you want. I decided it was no less of indoor photography without flash and to increase stability in a low speed of light. Location blinds to reduce vibration of the 18 I have in my VR 200 mm, but not in my D40 (I use it on my D300 and barely comes close).

It works well if the image can be sharp, 1 / 20, 1 / 10 to 1 / 8 if it really stable, while his brother - cannot trust what I receive from the non-VR version. It also helps in the long (55 mm), raw light and other times when the need for Nikon DX-NIKKOR lens. in terms of resolution, distortion of light fall and all other indicators, this lens is good or slightly better than not. Model Nikon DX-NIKKOR lens is a bit heavy and looks a bit more solid in construction with the highest concentration ring and zoom ring differently-sculpted Guide (at the recessed plastic notches compared to the original version). I think the addition of a VR lens allows the D40, D40x or D60, which introduced new more efficient in measuring and testing. (In particular the distortion and violence) that some of the steps is to change.

Additional Notes: There are some clunking sound from the VR for some time and have focused in any area or in the bag and the lens, but less of a problem if. Like most people have a camera or lens bag and the bell, I've never used one and never had a problem if sunglasses cup my hand around the lens.

18 55mm nikon lens

18 55mm nikon lens Product Description

Ideal as a normal lens designed exclusively for Nikon DX format SLRs, this ultra-compact 18 55mm nikon lens 3X zoom provides superb versatility in a wide variety of shooting situations.PRODUCT FEATURES:New compact rod-type Silent Wave Motor (SWM) enables ultra-high speed autofocusing with exceptional accuracy and super-quiet operation;ED glass element achieves minimized chromatic aberration and superior optical performance;Hybrid aspherical element ensures high resolution and contrast;Focus Mode switch enables quick-switching between A (Autofocus) and M (Manual Focus);7-blade rounded diaphragm for more natural out-of-focus highlights;Nikon Super Integrated Coating minimizes ghosting and flare to provide even higher contrast and more vivid images, even in challenging light conditions.

18 55mm nikon lens PERFORMANCE

General

It's cheap and works great. It's sharp, doesn't have much distortion, zooms easily to any exact setting focuses silently, closely and reasonably fast. Nikon never ceases to amaze me with cheaper and cheaper lenses made with more and more plastic that outperform older designs that look tougher and cost more. Nikon's been making Nikkor lenses since 1932 so they know a trick or two.

It's half the weight of the 18 - 70 mm kitted with the D70, about the same size and half the price. Nikon consistently offers better and better optics at lower and lower prices.

The bayonet mount is plastic. This is OK since people change lenses on digital cameras as little as possible to keep out dirt. Complain if you want, just remember that the USA version is covered under a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty. Mercedes and BMW only offer a 4 year warranty which has a mileage limit. If you wear out the 18 55mm nikon lens after 5 years you can just throw it away (or dump it on eBay), buy another and you've still only paid as much as you would have for the 18 - 70. I'm picky on my $1,500 lenses and quite happy with this on a $150 lens.

Focus

It focuses reasonably fast and silently. I haven't compared it directly to the other 18-70 and 17-55 lenses but it seems about as fast.

It's only half an AF-S lens. Real $1,000 AF-S lenses like the 17 - 55 AF-S have big AF-S motors wrapped around the optics and drive the focus directly. Real AF-S lenses allow instant manual focus override. This cheepie has a dinky motor driving the lens through a shaft and gears exactly as if Nikon just used the AF motor already built into the camera. It would be a better lens if Nikon skipped the AF-S motor and used those costs better elsewhere. About the only thing AF-S does is let Nikon pimp the lens with gold "AF-S" letters so camera stores can try to pitch it as a "pro" feature against the similar Canon, Sigma or Quantaray lenses. On this 18 - 55 all AF-S means is that it focuses very quietly.

It has no A/M position; only a fixed A or a fixed M and the focus ring is just a thin band at the very front of the lens not seemingly intended for manual use.

Leave your camera set to AF and select manual focusing on the lens if you need MF.

There is no focus distance scale, and therefore no IR scale or depth of field scale either. The manual focus is via a skimpy plastic ring.

The front rotates with focus, making things a bit of a pain with grad ND and polarizing filters.

Distortion (at infinity)

The distortion is pretty good! it has some barrel distortion at 18 55mm nikon lens which goes away at 55mm. If you have PhotoShop CS2 it's trivial to correct completely.

It has less barrel distortion than the 18 - 70 mm lens at the 18 55mm nikon lens setting. Even the $1,500 17 - 55 mm lens has almost the same distortion at 17mm. At 55 mm this cheap 18 - 55 has no distortion while the ten-times as expensive 17 - 55 has visible pincushion distortion!

18 mm: Barrel. CS2's lens distortion correction fixes it perfectly at a setting of +4.50. If you don't have PhotoShop CS2 and look for distortion you will see it at 18 mm. For about the price of CS2 you can get the 12 - 24 mm which has no distortion at 18 mm.

24 mm: very little barrel. CS2's lens distortion correction fixes it perfectly at a setting of +1.50.

35 mm: Negligible barrel. CS2's lens distortion correction fixes it at a setting of +1.00. This is the same distortion as the Zeiss ZF 50mm f/1.4.

45 mm: none. Maybe set CS2's lens distortion correction to 0.1, except that that tool can't be set that close to zero.

55 mm: none. Zero.

At 50mm this cheap 18 55mm nikon lens zoom has no distortion, compared to the Zeiss ZF 50mm f/1.4 which has at least ten times as much barrel distortion at 50mm.

Sharpness

I'm impressed: it's sharp at all apertures and focal lengths all over the frame. I can't find any real fault with this lens. Of course at small apertures you'll get diffraction which is a matter of the laws of physics. Sharpest apertures, presuming you have enough depth-of-field, are around f/5.6 - f/8.

It's as sharp as any other lens I have on a 6MP camera. It also is quite free from lateral chromatic aberration, called "purple fringing" by amateurs. Points of light or b/w lines at the corners stay crisp. If you have a really bright light to the sides there is a tiny bit of magenta spill, but less than my other lenses.

Camera magazines love to rain on the parades of cheap lenses that work great by pointing out that the cheap construction may not hold up over time. This could lead to looseness in the zoom assembly which might degrade sharpness. So what? Even if it does it's cheap enough to throw away after Nikon USA's 5 year warranty runs out. Guess what? I also used a $1,500 pro zoom once that also was worn out. I'd have no concerns owning this lens.

Zooming

It's zoom ring is nice and linear with no bunching up at either end. This is a huge improvement over the 18 - 70 mm and 24 - 85 lenses which bunch together the wide settings making it hard to adjust precisely among the wide settings, and making you have to move the zoom ring a lot for even small changed at the tele end. The zooming on this 18 - 55 by comparison is perfect: each movement of the zoom ring gives about the same percentage change of focal length. This alone would make me prefer it to the more expensive 18 - 70 for general use.

Maximum Aperture

18 mm: f/3.5

24 mm: f/4.0

28 mm: f/4.2

35 mm: f/4.8

45 mm: f/5.3

55 mm: f/5.6

RECOMMENDATIONS back to top

This lens is no longer in production. Get today's 18-55mm II if you're buying new. Today's 18-55mm II appears to be the same lens with different cosmetics. The rest of this was written several years ago for this original, discontinued lens.

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This is the first lens I'd get if I wanted a mid length zoom for under $700. I prefer it to the more expensive 18 - 70 AFS. For $700 I got the $700 18 - 200 instead, which adds more zoom range and VR but has more distortion.

This 18 55mm nikon lens is an excellent compact lens for any Nikon digital SLR. It's a far more handy focal length range than any film-era zoom starting at 24mm. This 18 - 55 mm offers the equivalent of a perfect 28 - 85 mm range and closer focusing without having to resort to the cumbersome macro ranges of film-era zooms.

I rarely use a midrange lens anyway. I only use it for parties and social functions where I want one lens for both group and head shots.

For my landscapes and art I prefer ultrawide, so 99% of the time I use my $1,000 12 - 24 mm, and the other 1% I use my 80 - 400 VR supertele. I rarely use a midrange zoom.

I prefer the pair of this 18 55mm nikon lens and 55 - 200 zooms to a huge range zoom like the Tamron 18 - 200 mm. The pair sells for the same price as that one Tamron, and gives much better performance at least in terms of distortion than the do-it-all lens.

If you have $700 then get the 18 - 200 mm VR instead. If not, get this 18 55mm nikon lens and the $150 70 - 300G. You'll save half and never miss the 55 - 70 segment.

I already own the $1,000 - plus 17 - 35 mm AF-S and I'd stil