Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens

by Nikon

• 18-55mm lens with f/3.5-5.6 maximum aperture for Nikon DX-format SLR cameras
• Silent Wave Motor (SWM) provides accurate, quiet high-speed autofocusing
• ED glass element minimizes chromatic aberration for superior optical performance
• 7-blade rounded diaphragm produces natural out-of-focus highlights
• Measures 2.7 inches in diameter and 2.9 inches long; weighs 7.2 ounces

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3 x 1.8 x 1.8 inches ; 9.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000LWJ1ES
• Item model number: 2170
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #61 in Camera & Photo > Lenses > Camera Lenses
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com

Designed exclusively for Nikon DX-format SLR cameras, this 18-55mm lens approximates the picture angle performance of a 27-82.5mm lens in the 35mm format, ensuring superb versatility in a wide variety of shooting situations. The lens offers such features as a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) with a compact rod-type design that provides fast, ultra-quiet autofocusing; an ED glass element that minimizes chromatic aberration and produces a superior optical performance; a hybrid aspherical element that delivers high resolution and contrast; and a seven-blade rounded diaphragm that produces more natural out-of-focus highlights. The focus mode switch, meanwhile, makes it a breeze to switch quickly between autofocus (A) and manual (M) focus. Finally, the lens's Super Integrated Coating minimizes ghosting and flare to provide an even higher contrast and more vivid images, even in challenging light conditions. All Nikon lenses carry a five-year warranty.

• Focal length: 18-55mm
• Maximum aperture: f/3.5-5.6
• Minimum aperture: f/22-38
• Lens construction: 7 elements in 5 groups, with one ED glass element
• Picture angle: 76 to 28 degrees (at 50 feet)
• Minimum focus: 0.9 feet throughout entire zoom range
• Filter attachment size: 52mm
• Included accessories: LC-52 snap-on front and rear lens cap
• Dimensions: 2.7 inches in diameter and 2.9 inches long
• Weight: 7.2 ounces

Product Description

Designed exclusively for Nikon DX format SLRs, this lens approximates the picture angle performance of a 27-82.5mm lens on the 35mm format.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 61 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Enough to wet your appetite, but leave you wanting January 2, 2008

By Mikel N. Daniel

We have here the Nikon 18-55mm kit lens that is seemingly designed to do one thing: make you want more. I received mine as part of my kit package with my Nikon D40. It is a decent lens that cuts corners all over to keep price down, and doesn't really do anything great. However, for those first starting out, it's light as a feather, simple to use, and at least for the initial month or so, all you need to get out and start capturing memories.

As expected for the price, it is of relatively low-grade plastic construction, to include the mount (the part at the rear that connects to the camera), however the optics are uncharacteristically sharp. While it is an AF-S lens (focusing element in the lens and not the camera), it doesn't benefit from full-time manual override found on other AF-S lenses (that is, you're able to make manual adjustments after the lens has focused). I'm sure that Nikon did this as a cost-cutting measure. For users of this lens, this shouldn't be an issue as you can always switch over to manual focus anyway via a switch on the lens or camera (save the D40/X which doesn't have an internal focus motor and as such no switch on the camera). However, more experienced users will find the manual focus ring quite distasteful. Also, since the front element rotates, use with a polarizer will be annoying.

With a variable aperture of 3.5-5.6 you can easily get available-light shots for outdoor daylight photos, and well-lit indoor photos without jacking up the iso too high at the wide end, but near the long end, you're going to need to use a flash unless you use a relatively slow shutter speed or high iso setting. You're going to get some vignetting (darkening of the corners) on the wide end, as with any wide-angle lens, but this can be corrected with most post-processing software, like Photoshop. Also, there will be CAs or purple fringing with high contrast images.

The range is quite short, though not as bad as say the 17-35 or the 35-70 (which outclass this lens in every way, shape and form), and will definitely have you wanting for just a little more reach at the long end. The Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ($199.95 Amazon) is an excellent compliment to this lens, or if you can afford it, the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G AF-S VR ($473.32 Amazon). The difference between 55 and 70 is fairly small and won't be missed (but the difference in price will hurt a little more). 18mm will most likely be plenty wide allowing you take large group, landscape shots, and even some fun distorted portrait shots due to the barrel roll at the wide end.

All in all, this is a lens to get you started, but leaving you wanting for more. More range, faster light gathering, better construction, etc. Its cheap construction is enough to keep price down, but won't take very much abuse. Also, being a kit lens, you'll be hard pressed to sell it unless packaged with the camera if you ever upgrade lenses in the future. It is what it is, with the only alternative at this price being the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D ($109 Amazon) aka, the nifty fifty.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars worked great--until it broke September 7, 2009

By angieshep

We purchased the D40 kit just over a year ago. I have been thrilled with the camera and lenses it came with. Until--I was shooting pictures of the kids and the lens locked up for no apparent reason. Turns out the lens is pretty much shot (we think the motor in the lens went bad) so we have no choice but to buy a new one. The Nikor lenses come with a five year guarantee, IF YOU RETURN THE CARD WITHIN 10 DAYS OF PURCHASE. Unfortunately we just realized this so no luck with the warranty. I recommend everyone returning the lens warranty card in case this happens to you. Other than that this has been a great camera.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Nikon 18-55 dSLR Lens September 13, 2007

By Nelson Lathrop

Amazon Verified Purchase

It feels cheap compared to my older SLR Nikon lenses, but DOES work great. It is a sharp lens, reasonably fast and with minimal distortion. It zooms easily while focusing silently (unlike my older lenses). It's light weight (Good), but the bayonet mount is plastic (Bad) - probably OK if you don't change lenses often.