Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have the original 18-55mm AF-S DX which came with my D40 kit and love it - it weighs nothing, performs brilliantly, and focuses so close that I can use it as a macro if I want. I decided to get this since I do quite a bit of indoor photography without flash, and wanted some extra stability in low-light, longer-shutter speed situations from the Vibration Reduction which I have on my 18-200mm VR but don't use on my D40 (I use that on my D300, and it almost never comes off). It's performed brilliantly under such circumstances; I can get sharp shots at 1/20, 1/10 and even 1/8 if I'm really stable at the time of the shot - something I couldn't reliably get from the non-VR version. It also helps in the long end (55mm) in uneven light and other times when the VR becomes necessary. In terms of sharpness, light falloff, distortion, and all the other metrics, this lens is as good as, or slightly better, than the original non-VR version. It is also a bit heavier and seems a bit more solid in construction, with a tighter zoom ring and differently-sculpted manual focus ring (with more recessed plastic indentations compared with the original model). I think the addition of VR makes it the perfect lens for the D40, D40x or newly-introduced D60, since its performance is so much better in all metrics and tests (particularly distortion and sharpness) than some of its would-be step-up replacements (i.e. the 18-135, the 24-120, etc.)

If you generally do lots of flash or outdoor photography, and don't tend to experience slower shutter speeds due to lighting issues, or take most of your shots at the wider end of the scale (i.e. 18-25mm) this lens is probably an upgrade that you can either do with or without. In the end the investment is quite small for those few times that VR might save the shot, so I would get one. Granted, VR at this level (i.e not 200 or 300mm) is less about hand shake in daylight, but more about low lighting conditions and longer shutter speeds. As for some reviewer's comments on the default lens speed, etc. - this is a $200 prosumer lens, not a $1,500 17-55mm pro wide-zoom with f/2.8 costing 8 times what this lens costs; for the money, you can't get anything better for a Nikon with this kind of performance.

Additional notes: There is some clunking sound from the VR occasionally when focusing, and there is no hood or lens pouch included, but that's less of an issue if, as most people do, you have a camera or lens bag, and as for the hood, I've never used one and never had a problem; if there's sunglare, I can cup my hand around the lens (since it's so light) and have no issues. I think some people use lens hoods to somehow show off that they're "photographers" or "hobbyist-pros" rather than for the reduction of flare and glare when outside in bright sunlight (sometimes direct, etc.) or under sharp lighting. Honestly, I've seen guys taking indoor shots of artwork exhibits under soft lighting with the hood on.

I own both the VR and non-VR versions of this lens and use them on a Nikon D40. I have found no issues or instances where the non-VR outperforms the VR. I get all the picture quality I expect and love to use this lens for outdoor landscape shots as well as indoor shots. I fully recommend this lens, and highly recommend purchasing a polarizing filter to use with it for outdoor shooting. The VR is very useful when shooting indoors as it allows me to take crisp, clear pictures down to 1/20 sec shutter speeds while shooting hand-held.

This is a great lens, and a good upgrade over the older 18-55mm ii with NO VR. The image stabilization really helps you here, i used to get blurry pictures in the evenings and dark environments. This one solves those problems. There is one fundamental problem with this lens. It lacks ED and that means severe lens flare and ghosting. Only way to solve this is to avoid taking pics in the direction of the sun or bright lights. A lens hood may also help. However during night times you may not be able to do anything about street lights as you are probably taking a direct photo of them. For that The 55-200mm VR does have two sets of ED which dramatically reduces flare and ghosting making it probably the best telephoto lens for Nikon. Couple this with the 55-200mm VR and 90% of your photography needs are covered. If you really care about lens flare then you should probably stick with the NON-VR 18-55mm as it is a better lens during day time with ED. Stock NON-VR 18-55mm is proven to be also sharper. Your choice but overall its a fantastic lens. I have this with the 55-200mm VR and i probably wont ever need another lens.

I bought this to replace my standard Nikon 18-55mm "non-VR" and will never look back. Getting great pictures is already challenging enough without trying to hold the camera like a statue. If you often enjoy shooting without lugging a tripod all the time or constantly firing your flash, this lens makes a huge difference in your photos.

It is a shame when you get a fantastic capture and your subject lacks that "tack sharp" appearance. After shooting with the non-VR version of this lens, I was often disappointed with available-light shots on some impromptu photos. You know how it goes - "grab the camera quick before you miss out on that (insert subject here)!" Perhaps you make it in time and shoot several frames, but "whoops!" - In all the excitement you didn't get one shot that makes the grade in sharpness. This is where the VR feature on this relatively excellent lens is a LIFE SAVER!

In final, I will say that the build quality feels noticeably better than the non-VR 18-55mm Nikkor. The zoom ring has noticeably smoother movement. The image quality is easily just as good if not better - very sharp. Just like the non-VR version, the lens mount is plastic, however for such a lightweight lens at this price, this is no deal breaker to me. For under $200, you get performance and image quality that equates with competing lenses twice the price.

As in all things in life, "You get want you pay for." But this lens is just a good deal. More than I expected for sub $200 and pleasant surprise. If you shoot in "demanding situations" spend the thousand bucks and enjoy, but if you want to take pictures of the kids in the front yard, this lens is sharp, has great VR (that no shaky thing), and again, is cheap.

I agree with other posters that this lens is an upgrade over the non-VR version. It is quite sharp, and the VR is effective, especially at the longer focal lengths. However, I tend to take pictures in very demanding eenvironments with low light and very high contrast, for example, night scenes with street lights as this is one of my typical shooting environments. I noticed something in the shots made with this lens that I never noticed in the kit lens. Ghosting and flare. If it is present in the non-VR version, it is not present in an objectionable amount. People may argue that I expect too much from such a low budget lens, but the non-VR lens doesn't exhibit this. I noticed in the product description that there are no ED elements in this lens compared to the non-VR version. This may partially explain this. I returned the lens and now await the new 16-85mm VRII lens that was just announced as I see the value of VR in this range for the type of shooting that I do. However, if you don't shoot in the above mentioned environment, you will have no issues with this lens and will do fine with it as it is priced quite well. For me, the ghosting and flare was a deal breaker and I don't feel like spending time in Photoshop to fix it.

I bought this 18-55 mm VR lens as a backup lens when my Nikon 18-200 VR mm lens was in the shop being repaired under warentee after about 14 month use. I have not been disappointed with this lens and from what I can tell it's pretty equivalent to the much more expensive Nikon 18-200 mm VR lens over the 18-55 mm range. There are times I'll take this lens rather than the 18-200 mm lens because it's much lighter and more compact, while producing the same sharp and colorful images. I know that having VR on a 55 mm lens is less useful than having it on the 18-200 mm lens but there are still times that it will allow me to take photos at 55 mm that I might otherwise not be able to --- and the cost increase really isn't all that great.

This lens is a nice lens to have when one wants to travel light with Nikon DSLR gear.

I love this glass as much as I love my 50mm f/1.8, and that is saying a lot. This one, however, is more versatile because of its zoom and is the best walk around lens for the D80. The VR is useful in low light, it is a nice option to have and the price is right.

I'm not going to bash this lens simply because of its construction materials or cheap feel. Before I purchased the lens I knew that the majority of the metal in the construction are the screws holding it together but none-the-less I couldn't pass on the value. I purchased a Nikon refurbished copy of this lens primarily for the warranty and I have not had to call it in yet.

This lens is a diamond in the rough because of its relatively superb optical quality in addition to VR. No other Nikon lens has the value of this lens since it can be had used for just over $100 and that is a steal.

Why it doesn't cost more, the cons:
1) Construction materials are plastic
2) Blatant distortion at 18mm and 55mm wide open
3) Slower f-stops (F3.5 @ 18mm and F5.6 @ 55mm)
4) DX design means not fully compatible with Full Frame (D)SLRs

Why is this such lens such a value, the pros:
1) VR ... VR ... VR
2) Super lightweight and when paired with a plastic bodied Nikon is a superb travel companion
3) 11 elements in 8 groups, including one hybrid aspherical element.
4) Produced as kit lens, means used market has saturated

My pros list is short but to expand on the hybrid aspherical element as to what it does it substantially compensates for distortion aberrations at wide angles and effectively eliminates comatic flare.

Its a challenge to compare the Nikon 17-55mm to the 18-55vr since they are built for two different reasons but at a technical level they share a common (albeit different) special lens element technology. The 17-55 utilizes ground aspherical lenses and the 18-55vr utilizes a single hybrid aspherical lens. The result is that the 18-55vr optical quality (albeit on paper) has comparable optical quality to the 17-55 at a FRACTION of the cost.

I agree my review has continued too long but perhaps I'm passionate about this lens because people complain about the plasticity of it. Read up on the lens because every single person who reviews it mentions that its plastic. There are CONS to an all plastic construction ... duh. Anyway, rants aside, this lens is the best Nikon lens value you can find because of its price and optical quality. I believe the second best is the Nikon DX 35mm F1.8 prime. If you are a shooter that likes to kneel and be close to the subject there is no better optics/price value Nikon lens that is comparable.

Lastly, buy a good multi-coated filter for this lens and you will have a protected low-light solution that costs less than $150. I recommended the HOYA HMC UV(0)/UV(C) and can be had used for around $15 on amazon.com. The Tiffen is tempting because of the price, hey I bought one, but you will be as disappointed as I was in the quality of your low-light photography.

I got this for my birthday at the end of May.
I liked the 18-55mm non-VR that I use on my D40, and the pictures taken with this lens look just as great.
What I like:
The actual lens itself looks better than the non-VR version. It's hard to explain, but the texture of the casing is better.
VR works great, I've taken many pictures at 1/4 of a second handheld that turn out crystal clear. Just for S&Gs, I turned VR off and tried the same shots and they were blurry. So it works!

What I don't like:
Seems noisier than the non-VR version. It's a squeaky noise that I can hear when the lens hunts for focus.
Also, it seems to hunt for focus more than my older lens did.

All in all, I recommend it. I only have three lenses now, and this one stays on almost all the time.