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Lens review

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED

6 July 2009
Arkadiusz Olech

11. Summary

Pros:
  • simply sensational frame center picture quality,
  • very good frame edge picture quality,
  • coma under a sensible control,
  • very low astigmatism,
  • autofocus accurate, silent and quite efficient,
  • effective picture stabilization,
  • taking into account the price, generous selection of accessories,
  • fabulous quality/price ratio.

Cons:

  • a lot of plastic in the barrel and bayonet,
  • significant distortion,
  • visible vignetting at all focal lengths,
  • changeable work against the bright light.

If only Nikon decided to place this lens in a solid body, even raising the price twice, I would recommend it to all amateur photographers, who want to buy a universal lens for their Nikon D80/D90 or D40/D40x/D60 cameras without any reservations. What can be done, though? We got a less solid construction but at a very affordable price. Perhaps we shouldn’t carp about it too much because the lens’s fabulous performance places it among one of the best kit lenses I’ve ever tested. I think that everybody, who plans to make a purchase of a Nikon D90, should seriously consider buying it together with the Nikkor 18-105 VR.


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Sample shots

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 18 mm, f/8.8, exp. 1/160 sec., ISO 200
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 6.9 MB
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 18 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/250 sec., ISO 200
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.9 MB
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 38 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/250 sec., ISO 200
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 5.2 MB
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 26 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/180 sec., ISO 200
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 5.9 MB
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 35 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/180 sec., ISO 200
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.5 MB
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 22 mm, f/4.5, exp. 1/400 sec., ISO 200
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.6 MB
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 18 mm, f/3.5, exp. 1/3200 sec., ISO 200
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.8 MB
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 18 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/350 sec., ISO 100
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.7 MB
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 35 mm, f/4.5, exp. 1/750 sec., ISO 100
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.2 MB
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 50 mm, f/5.0, exp. 1/640 sec., ISO 100
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.1 MB
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 105 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/1000 sec., ISO 100
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.9 MB
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 50 mm, f/5.0, exp. 1/100 sec., ISO 200
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.7 MB
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 18 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/90 sec., ISO 200
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.8 MB
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 35 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/50 sec., ISO 200
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.7 MB
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 24 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/125 sec., ISO 200
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.9 MB
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ED - Summary
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 105 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/250 sec., ISO 100
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.8 MB
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 70 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/250 sec., ISO 100
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.7 MB
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 50 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/250 sec., ISO 100
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.9 MB



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