Nikon 18 55 vr review

Nikon 18 55 vr review
Nikon d7000 18 55 Vr f5.6 18mm

Nikon 18 55mm vr lens review

Official name

AF-S Nikkor DX 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 G VR SWM

Introduction

The 18-55mm vr lens is a kit lens for Dx format cameras, like the Nikon d5100,d5200,d7000,d7100, etc. The kit lenses are ususally has cheap build quality, but sometimes surprisingly good optical quality. This focal range is usually need for every photographer.

Handling, build quality

The Nikon 15 55mm vr kit lens feels small, and light in the hand compare to the f2.8 bright alternatives, or even compared to the 16 85mm lens. The lens has a cheap build quality, but seems usable. A tipical kit lens.

AF speed and accuracy

The autofocus is silent but not overly fast, seem no problem with Af accuracy.

Stabilizer

A stabilizer is a very nice feature in night, winter, or indoors. The stabilizer rated for 3 stops gain.

Specifications

Filter size:52 mm (rotating)

Close focus distance:0.28m

Brightness:f/3.5-5.6

Aperture blades: 7

Weight:265g (9.35 ounces)

Dimensions:73×79.5 mm

Made in Thailand

Standard accessories

Lens hood – HB-45 (optional)

Nikon Lens cap

Booklet

Focal range:

18-55mm is the most often used focal length for Dx cameras.

Optical quality

The lens makes sharp images at both end. At the long end the quality little worse, than the wide end, but still very good. Seems Chromatic aberration and Light falloff are vell controlled. The chromatic aberration corrects the camera automatically if we make jpgs.

The below two pictures has been made with the 18 55 vr and the 17 55 f2.8 lens, both at f5.6 aperture. Can you decide which picture were made with which lens ? Click on each picture to see in 1500 pix size. See the answer at the bottom of the page.

Sweet spot:

Sweet spot is usually the sharpest aperture that a lens has. The Nikkor 18-55mm Vr has a sweet spot of f8 at both ends.

Alternatives

Nikon 18-105mm, Nikon 18-200mm, Nikon 18-300mm, Tamron 18-200, Tamron 18-250, Tamron 18-270, Nikon 18-55mm
According to me the Nikon 18-200mm is way overpriced compare to what it is. The Nikon 18-105mm can be a good although alternative with lower budget. The Nikon 18-105mm is not a bad lens, surprisingly sharp at 105mm even at f5.6. At wide angle although is not so good according to my opinion. That lens also a little bigger in size. The 16-85mm is a very good lens, the big difference is the long end of the lens, although a little bit wider as well.

Compare to

18-105mm: the 18-105mm lens is more versatile, but seems the wide end is better on the 18-55.
16-85mm vr lens: Is a more expensive lens, with little more range. The 16-85m has better stabilizer, and build quality. Optically the difference is not big in the sharpest apertures.
17-55 f2.8 At comparable apertures the difference is not very noticable see the pictures above, but the 17 55 has f2.8 aperture, which is a difference especially in the long end f2.8 vs f5.6. The 17 55 lot more heavy, better build.

Conclusion

For the price this lens cannot be beat. Despite the low price this lens is a very good quality. The silent drive and stabilizer is an added bonus.

First pic 18 55, second 17 55.