Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

by Nikon

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.4 x 2.9 x 2.9 inches ; 13.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000HJPK0Y
• Item model number: B000HJPK0Y
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 28, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The versatile, affordable Nikon 18-135mm f3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens is engineered for use exclusively with Nikon's DX format digital SLR cameras. It has a broad focal length range (providing picture angle performance approximating a 28-200mm lens on a 35mm film SLR camera) that is suitable for a wide variety of shooting situations, ranging from wide-angle landscapes to portraits, recreational sports, action and close-ups. This new lens offers a selection of Nikon's highly regarded technologies such as compact Silent Wave motor (AF-S) for super fast and quiet autofocus operation, Extra-Low Dispersion glass (ED) for minimized chromatic aberrations, and Internal Focusing (IF) for convenient and balanced handling.

Features:

• Versatile, High-power 7.5x Zoom-Nikkor lens (approximates the picture angle performance of a 28-200mm lens on 35mm SLR).
• A Nikon Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass element delivers superior optical performance. ED glass minimizes chromatic aberrations, contributing to superb contrast and resolution performance.
• Internal Focus (IF) provides fast and quiet auto focusing without changing the length of the lens, retaining subject-working distance through the focus range.
• Focus as close as 1.47 feet throughout entire zoom range.
• Non-Rotating front element provides for convenient use of circular polarizing filters and the Nikon Wireless Close-Up Speedlight System.
• A compact Silent Wave Motor (SWM) enables fast and quiet autofocusing, along with quick switching between autofocus and manual operation (M/A and M).
• A seven-blade rounded diaphragm opening, out-of-focus elements appear more natural.
• 67mm filter attachment size.

Product Description

The versatile, affordable Nikon 18-135mm f3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens is engineered for use exclusively with Nikon's DX format digital SLR cameras. It has a broad focal length range (providing picture angle performance approximating a 28-200mm lens on a 35mm film SLR camera) that is suitable for a wide variety of shooting situations, ranging from wide-angle landscapes to portraits, recreational sports, action and close-ups. This new lens offers a selection of Nikon's highly regarded technologies such as compact Silent Wave motor (AF-S) for super fast and quiet autofocus operation, Extra-Low Dispersion glass (ED) for minimized chromatic aberrations, and Internal Focusing (IF) for convenient and balanced handling.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid value and nothing to scoff at, July 2, 2007

By 

Shane O. Laake "camera nerd" (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

Wide open this lens has some noticeable flaws, but if you force it to using a more closed aperture (say F8), many of those become less apparent. Even if you're forced to shoot wide open or you don't know better, you can correct the aberrations and vignetting in software.

While some prefer the slightly better build of the 18-70mm, I'd take the extra 65mm (close to 100mm on the DSLRs that use these lenses) any day over a distance scale and a metal lens mount. For crying out loud it's an autofocus walk around lens, so distance scales are relics for few people to use and the mount is a moot point, since it will stay on 99% of the time. As for focus speed, it's great. There are faster focusing lenses, but not with a comparable zoom range for the price. Nikon is not a charity, they design sophisticated lenses, build them to high tolerances, and sell them to a loyal following at a fair price. Yes a $1000 lens will be better than a $330 one, and yes a $2500 lens collection will do better than a $330 lens. I should hope so!

Enough of the weaknesses, which plenty of other folks will write about, it is a very good lens. 135mm is about as long of a lens that I would want without VR stabilization, but it works well when there is ample light. Since it's only intended for DSLRs, bumping the ISO is always an option to assure shake free shutter speeds.

Why isn't this a 5* review, well, I can honestly tell you that there are many people with defective lenses in need of repair/replacement. I believe those issues have been fixed, but it's not a good circumstance. I recommend that you be sure to buy a genuine US copy with a full warranty--don't fall for any extended warranty though, as it's got a generous 5 years from Nikon. Being to 'po boy I am, I opted for one of those refurbished ones, hoping it was a unit that was returned by someone expecting a perfect lens at a bargain price, and a double check by Nikon assured that it is and likely will always be fully functional. No regrets thus far.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Proof: you can't please all the people all the time., December 19, 2007

By 

Cristoph (Sierra Nevada, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

Quit your beefin'...this is a fine lens!
I use this lens exclusively and just cannot understand the naysayers to its quality, speed and pincushion problems.
Wierd that I have one of the few good ones?
It balances and handles great on my DSLR and takes sharp, richly colored, pics day in and day out.
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that there is some 'purple fringing' at full tele. Not major but enough to ding a star.
This lens is a great value. For those who did get a bummer lens, it may worth another try or have it fixed.
I owned the reknowned Nikon 18-200 VR for a week and frankly found it heavy, clunky and the quality was no better. I returned it and kept this one.
OK, my two cents. I LIKE this lens a lot.

63 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not excellent, May 24, 2007

By 

Zergling For Hire (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I'm a hobbiest/enthusiast not a professional, yet I've taken the time to learn terms like vignette, bokeh and about pincushion/barrel lens effect. The 18-135mm DX Nikkor lens suffers from all of them. If you're not a perfectionist or professional, then you will certainly not be disappointed by this utilitarian starter lens. If you expect to take your photography to "the next level" then this lens will quickly become a paperweight not worthy of space in your camera bag. ---

First, I've noticed vignetting (i.e., a slight darkening of the corners) at "extreme zoom" (135mm zoom). It's most noticible on skylines and photos of airborne objects. ---

Second, I've noticed slight pincushioning (the inverse of a fish-eye lens, everything is pulled towards the center of the photo, destroying square lines) at almost all zoom settings. ---

Third, the Bokeh (blur) is bad bokeh. Typically, photographers consider good bokeh to be that which is brightest in the center and gradually fades towards the edges until it merges with the blurred background. The 18-135mm lens suffers from bad bokeh, which is the blur highlight is on the edge of the blur. While this might be what you want for some artistic reason, it makes small light sources that blur in your background really stand out and detract from professional grade photographs. ---

Lastly, if you do any night shots, macro/close-up work or want to do any extended shutter photography, you will find that the lack of image stabilization (or vibration reduction as Nikon calls it) will drive you to purchase another lens quickly... unless you can work with tripod for all of your shots. ---

However, I've not suffered from any of the auto-focus issues that other customers have (although it doesn't focus well in darkness, this is not the lens's fault and there are solutions outside of the lens to solve this problem), nor have I had any defects in my lens. The photos are sharp (other than the above problems), but I have not had a chance to test (nor will I intentionally experiment with) durability. I've taken my 18-135mm on several "vacation" style outings and snapped well over 1000 shots in the first 3 weeks I owned my D80 w/ 18-135mm Nikkor Zoom lens. --- Already I'm upgrading to the 18-200mm Nikkor Zoom lens with VR. --- I wish I had not purchased this lens as part of my kit, but it has been good to me.

In summary, the 18-135mm Nikkor zoom-lens is an excellent beginner lens, but if you are a perfectionist (or professional) you would be better served to avoid purchasing the 18-135mm as part of your starter kit.