AF-S DX NIKKOR
18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
This 5.8x zoom, designed exclusively for use with Nikon’s DX-format, features Nikon’s VR image stabilization and is perfect for portraits and action.
$379.95*MSRPMSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.
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Supplied Accessories
- LC-67 67mm snap-on front lens cap
- LF-1 rear lens cap
- HB-32 Bayonet lens hood
- CL-1018 Flexible lens pouch
*Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area.
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
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148
Great all around lens
Ease of use: it is well balanced on a D5100 - it is far from that front heavy feeling that deteriorates mirrorless APS-C cameras. I love the focus ring... but it could be a bit more wide. It weighs just as much, that it is comfortable for a walk. Zoom rings and tubes are OK, no creeping, and turning smoothly. Plastic bayonet?? I can't state anything about it, because I use it since less than two weeks. I have read many users stating it is strong enough, but I will handle with care.
Sharpness: excellent at the center, and no dramatic drop towards the edges. Great color rendering.
Distortion: really exists, and somewhat pronounced. Sometimes ADC is a Must.
Vignetting: pronounced with max. aperture at the wide and long end - stopping down by 2/3-1 stop helps much. But in some situations you have to live with it.
Macro: it is not really intended for macro, but makes nice pictures of flowers.
Out of focus blur: I love it at 105mm - but obviously, there are far more powerful bokeh-makers.
VR: helps much. At wide end, even 1/2.5s handheld is possible with appropriate shooting technique.
Focus speed: not a speed demon, but fast enough in most of the situations.
Zoom reach: usually you won't need more at the tele end, but if you shoot wildlife (butterflies, birds, mammals etc.), a 70-300 VR tele will improve the situation much. Wide is nice, but nothing more than standard.
Final words: bearable compromises, great performance for price.
April 4, 2012
5 Stars based on class of lens
I originally got this lens with my D90 when it was first introduced 3 years ago, when I was new to Digital SLR after decades shooting film with Canon equipment. The 18-105 is the most versatile lens in my kit now in that it handles a wide range of shooting styles from landscapes, travel, portraiture, and almost macro close up very well but excels in none of them. Over the last several years I have gotten some of the best lenses Nikon makes, which are stellar for their specialty but none, are more versatile regardless of price. I recommend this lens for beginners who are not sure of their special interests yet and probably will not know until after taking thousands of photos. This lens allows someone to explore such a wide variety of shooting subjects that it is almost an essential lens for newcomers.
I also recommend this lens to travelers and casual shooters because it is light weight and quite capable of producing images that anyone regardless of experience, would be proud of.
What is its strengths: Light weight, wide range of zoom, very close minimum focusing distance(almost macro), nice flare resistance, good contrast, excellent Vibration Reduction(VR), smooth manual focusing, good sharpness at widest apertures and excellent sharpness stopped down to, say f/8, good out of focus rendering at longer focal lengths which is really effective at 90mm or so for portraits that blur the background pleasantly to isolate the very sharply focused subject, and bargain price.
What are the weaknesses? It is not as good for ambient light indoor photography because its maximum aperture not optimized for it....use a flash when the light is dim, moderately slow automatic focusing in low light, geometric distortion at the widest focal lengths, a little pincushion distortion at 105 mm focal length, Software correctable CA at wide apertures. These all sound bad but they impact every lens to varying degrees and compared to other lenses in its class and price range, these are better specs than others.
Note that this lens has a plastic lens mount which I've heard is criticized for potential weakness but my experience is that after 80,000 shots on two different Nikon cameras(D90 and D7000) in rough conditions of event and back country shooting it seems rugged and I would have no qualms about taking it anywhere.
So, with $10,000 in great, heavy lenses in my bag, the 18-105 is still shot frequently, particularly for walks and travel, or anywhere when using the great SB900 flash with it.
April 1, 2012
Awesome Lens
Awesome lens, works perfect for every occasion, great lens for a great price
March 21, 2012
It is what it is...
Understand that many of these reviews lack objectiveness - it's mostly peoples' opinions and if we stand back and look at the "big picture", we'll come up with a more balanced perspective. One thing to keep in mind is that this is a sub $400 lens - period. If you want to subject your body and lens to chasing antelope across the desert, don't include this lens. If you want zero distortion throughout the zoom range, forget it. This is certainly the area whereby if you want more, you have to pay more. Also, taking great photographs isn't always technical - it's artistic. Some great photographers take better photos with their phone-cam than others do with a $5000 DSLR kit.
Having said that, this lens performs very well for where Nikon has it priced. When you add this lens to today's entry level DSLRs - 3100 through 7000, you have a package that people could only dream about having just 5 years ago at a price that nearly everyone can afford.
The lens performs well under most conditions. If you find yourself in low light, mid zoom and you can't use the flash, then crank up the camera's ISO. I've used this lens on my low end 3100 with the ISO at 1600 and was mildly impressed with what I got. Outdoors with lots of light is a no-brainer. Wide angle shots are reasonable for the amateur who wants an inexpensive starter kit without dragging around multiple cameras or lenses and/or shelling out multiple thousands of $$$.
If you want a good performing, all-in-one lens that will give you just a bit more reach than the 18-55, this one works very well for the PRICE. If you want a better lens, be prepared to pay for it.
February 20, 2012
My Most used lens
I have a 18-200 lens, I use this lens most of the time. I always seem to go back to this lens.
November 23, 2011
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