Lens review

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

11. Summary

Pros:

• very good or excellent resolution in the frame centre,
• good image resolution at the frame edge on stopping down by one stop,
• chromatic aberration well controlled,
• low astigmatism,
• low weight and compact dimensions,
• silent and accurate autofocus,
• present stabilization efficient on 2-3 EV,
• affordable price.

Cons:

• weak image quality at the frame edge when wide open,
• significant vignetting at extreme ends of the focal range,
• significant geometric deformations at 18 mm,
• visible coma,
• a lot of plastic elements including the mount and the shoddy manual focus ring,
• slow autofocus.

You don’t need great deductive skills to find that Nikon offered us a really well-made lens. The new stabilized “kit” is really an interesting device you can get good quality shots with. It did have some faults and minor slip-ups but it is rather unavoidable in this price segment. Every amateur photographer who buys this lens in the set with a reflex camera won’t be forced to look for another one too soon because this device will allow him/her to get satisfying effects.

Sample shots:

Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 55 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/160 sec., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.6 MB	Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 55 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/160 sec., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.0 MB	Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 35 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/160 sec., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.3 MB
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 45 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/250 sec., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.6 MB	Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 55 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/250 sec., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.5 MB	Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 55 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/125 sec., ISO 250 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.1 MB
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 35 mm, f/5.0, exp. 1/125 sec., ISO 320 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 5.1 MB	Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 55 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/320 sec., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 5.3 MB	Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 55 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/200 sec., ISO 125 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.2 MB
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 18 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/250 sec., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.3 MB	Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 24 mm, f/5.0, exp. 1/640 sec., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.5 MB	Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 35 mm, f/5.0, exp. 1/640 sec., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 6.8 MB
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 24 mm, f/6.3, exp. 1/320 sec., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.2 MB	Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 55 mm, f/9.0, exp. 1/160 sec., ISO 200 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.7 MB	Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 18 mm, f/3.5, exp. 1/1600 sec., ISO 200 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 7.0 MB