Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM Aspherical
Navigation
- In short
- History
- Differences from the previous version
- Main Specifications
- Assembly
- Focusing
- Full Frame Opportunities
- Image quality
- Sample Photos
- My personal experience with the lens
- All DX Series Lenses for Nikon Cropped SLR Cameras
- Results
- User Comments
- Add your review or question on the lens
In this review, the Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM Aspherical lens I will call in abbreviation Nikon 18-55GII.
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM Aspherical
In short
Nikon 18-55GII is a universal standard lens that was considered relevant from 2006 to 2016. Such a lens is also called 'kit' (from the English 'kit' - a set), that is, one that comes with some kind of camera. Nikon 18-55GII was first seen with a camera Nikon D40.
Nikon 18-55GII is light, compact, convenient, with good image quality for its class, but the kit lens is a very controversial and controversial thing.
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM Aspherical
History
A line of standard (i.e. 'whale') class 18-55 / 3.5-5.6 lenses for cameras Nikon DX:
- Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Nikkor SWM Aspherical - first version. It was produced from 2005 to 2006. It exists in two colors - black and gray / silver. Announced with the camera Nikon D50.
- Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED AF-S DX Nikkor SWM Aspherical - second version. It was produced from 2006 to 2007. There are no serious differences from the first version, the lenses use the same optical circuit. It exists in two colors - black and gray / silver. Announced with the camera Nikon D40.
- Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor SWM Aspherical - third version. It was produced from 2007 to the present day. Has a built-in image stabilizer (Nikon VR, Vibration Reduction). Unlike the first two, it does not have 'ED'-elements in its optical scheme. Announced with the camera Nikon D60.
- Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII VR II AF-S DX Nikkor - the fourth version. It has been produced since 2013. Unlike the third version, it has a new optical circuit and can be folded compactly for transportation. Updated stabilization system. For the first time he could be seen with a camera Nikon D3300.
- Nikon DX AF-P Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G - fifth version. Available since January 2016. It has a new optical circuit and a new stepper focus motor. Went on sale with the camera Nikon D3400.
- Nikon DX VR AF-P Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G - the sixth version. The same as the fifth version, but with a built-in image stabilizer. It was presented simultaneously with the fifth version. Went on sale with the camera Nikon D3400.
- Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50 1: 3.5-6.3 VR - seventh version, for mirrorless cameras such as Nikon z50... Available from Fall 2019. New optical design, foldable body, reduced aperture and built-in image stabilization.
Sigma at one time produced an interesting alternative to similar whale lenses in the face of a faster Sigma Zoom 18-50mm 1: 2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM.
Unlike the previous version
Key differences from the previous model Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Nikkor SWM Aspherical:
- the previous version has been released since April 2005, and the new one since November 2006
- reduced weight by 5 grams
- the body design has changed, first of all the lenses are distinguished by a silver ring near the front lens
- rubber insert for zoom ring has become narrower
- perhaps there are internal differences in the structure of mechanical parts.
In general terms, the new and old versions are not much different from each other, and the official MTF charts do coincide.
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM Aspherical
Main technical characteristics of Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM Aspherical:
| Review Instance Name | Gold letters: Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED
In white letters: Nikon SWM ED Aspherical ∞-0.28m / 0.92ft ø52 MADE IN THAILAND + serial number Near the front lens: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR ED18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII |
| Basic properties |
|
| Front Filter Diameter | 52 mm, plastic thread for filters |
| Focal length | 18-55 mm EGF for Nikon DX cameras is 27-82.5 mm |
| Zoom ratio | 3.06 X (it’s customary to talk just about 3x zoom) |
| Designed by | for digital SLR cameras Nikon DX |
| Number of aperture blades | 7 rounded petals |
| Tags | focal lengths for 18, 24, 35, 45 and 55 mm, bayonet mount mark |
| Diaphragm | 18 mm from F / 3.5 to F / 22. 55 mm from F / 5.6 to F / 38. The lens is deprived of the aperture control ring, control is via the camera menu (G - lens type) |
| MDF | 0.28 m, maximum magnification ratio for macro photography is 1: 3.2 |
| The weight | 205 g |
| Optical design | 7 elements in 5 groups. The optical system includes 1 aspherical element (in the optical scheme the aspherical element is shown in blue) and 1 ED glass element (shown in yellow in the diagram). Hybrid asferica - glass base with layered plastic.
The image of the circuit is clickable. The same optical scheme used by the lens of the previous generation Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Nikkor SWM Aspherical |
| Lens hood | Nikon HB-33, bayonet type (not supplied, and must be purchased separately) |
| Manufacturer country | MADE IN THAILAND (Made in Thailand) |
| Period | From November 2006 to 2016 (according to the official website), subsequently replaced / supplemented by a lens Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor SWM Aspherical. |
| Price |
The Nikon 18-55GII is the latest in a series of 18-55 class lenses to incorporate a low-dispersion element, which is referred to in its name as 'ED'.
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM Aspherical
Assembly
Nikon 18-55GII was made only in Thailand.
The retractable frame of the body ('trunk') consists of 1 section, which is strong enough, without any backlash.
The entire lens housing is made of plastic, including plastic reinforcement bayonet. The zoom ring is rubberized, but the focus ring is not. The change in focal length is smooth. The plastic made the lens light enough.
The Nikon 18-55GII itself is small, with a standard filter diameter of 52 mm. All Nikon 18-55 whale lenses use 52 mm standard diameter filters and are very similar in appearance.
There is a bayonet mount mark on the case. The lens uses a plastic hood, which is fixed in special grooves located near the front lens of the lens. When you change the focal length, the lens hood moves with the front of the lens.
When changing the focal length, the rear lens moves in the middle of the lens body like a pump - it draws in and pushes out air. This behavior of the rear lens is called 'vacuum cleaner effect', which can increase the amount of dust that accumulates in the camera.
The number of aperture blades is 7 pieces. Moreover, they are well rounded enough.
There are no special complaints about the assembly.
Important: this lens was also supplied in a silver case, which combined well with the silver camera options Nikon D40.
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM Aspherical
Focusing
Ultrasonic focus motor integrated in the lens SWM (Silent Wave Motor) lets you focus on All Nikon Digital SLR Cameras, even on the simplest.
Nikon 18-55GII has a focus switch 'AM', to perform manual focusing, be sure to set it to the' M 'position, otherwise the focusing motor may be damaged. Unfortunately, the lens does not have a constant manual focus control mode - Nikon M / A.
When used on a camera Nikon D90 with unpretentious Multi-CAM 1000 focusing system the lens behaves well. With precision and clinging focus, I had no particular problems. The lens clings well to captured subjects, rarely re-focusing. The number of focus misses is minimal.
Auto focus speed average, comfortable for the vast majority of photo tasks. Focus speed is significantly lower than professional Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 17-55mm 1: 2.8G ED IF SWM.
During focusing, the front lens rotates together with the filter and travels forward, which is the most inconvenient solution when using special filters.
During auto focus focus ring rotates and cannot be touched.
In manual focus mode, the focus ring rotates 60 degrees. Manual focus is inconvenient. When extreme positions are reached, the focus ring abuts and cannot be rotated further.
The minimum focusing distance is only 28 cm (the distance from the camera’s matrix to the subject). With such an MDF, the maximum magnification ratio is 1: 3.2. it good indicator for a similar lens. Thus, the lens allows you to shoot a good amateur 'close'.
When shooting at a maximum magnification of 1: 3.2, the distance from the subject to the front lens of the lens is about 15 cm.
Focus Features:
- There is little noise from autofocus.
- There is a small effect of 'Focus Breathing' (changing the viewing angle during focusing). During focusing towards MDF, the viewing angle increases.
- When changing the focal length, focusing is a bit confused.
- Nikon 18-55GII Macro does not have hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop) which allows you to accurately and quickly focus the lens at infinity under any external conditions.
- Focus shift (shift-focus) was not noticed.
- Nikon 18-55GII has no focus problems in Live View (tested on Nikon D90 ), but it focuses slowly (the problem of the Live View mode on many Nikon cameras is more of a problem).
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM Aspherical
Image quality
Nikon 18-55GII uses exactly the same optical design as its predecessor Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Nikkor SWM Aspherical. Optically, the Nikon 18-55GII is a pretty tolerable lens.
Sharpness
- confident sharpness at open apertures in the center of the frame over the entire range of focal lengths
- low sharpness at the edges of the frame and open apertures
- at the edges of the frame, sharpness becomes acceptable after f / 8
- good / excellent resolution in the center of the frame on covered apertures (in the F / 5.6-F / 10 region) over the entire range of focal lengths
- the overall level of distortion is at a level typical for such lenses
- pretty strong distortion only visible at 18 mm
- distortion practically absent and imperceptible in the range of 24-55 mm
- in the wide-angle range, the nature of the distortion barrel-shaped
- the nature of distortion is unified, easily corrected in the editor
- general level vignetting is at the level typical for such lenses
- the strongest vignetting appears at 18mm & f / 3.5
- vignetting decreases with focus towards MDF
- vignetting almost completely disappears at F / 8
- vignetting easily fixable in the editor
Aberration
- the strongest chromatic aberration visible at 18mm & f / 3.5 at the edges and corners of the image
- general level HA is at the level typical for such lenses
Rest
- color rendering neutral
- pronounced effect of a 14-ray star on strongly covered diaphragms
- a small amount of glare in the backlight, a slight drop in contrast in the side light. Immunity is at a good level.
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM Aspherical
Full Frame Opportunities
Nikon 18-55GII in the range of focal lengths of 24-55 mm easily covers a full-frame sensor without perceptible vignetting. The reserve for frame coverage is simply huge. On the Nikon D700 this lens in the center of the frame is very sharp.
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM Aspherical
Sample Photos
Camera shots Nikon D90. On-camera JPEG from one of the readers of Radozhiva.
Jpeg source photos download from this link (77 photos, 230 MB).
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM Aspherical
My experience
Underestimated lens. Good for its time. FROM Nikon D40 in 2006 it was just a chic whale kit, which for a modest amount of money allowed to make a lot of good shots. It is very difficult to overestimate the convenience of such a lens.
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An accurate list of all Nikon DX Nikkor lenses
- 10.5 mm/ 2.8G AF Fisheye [gold ring]
- 35 mm/1.8G AF-S
- 40 mm/2.8G AF-S Microphone
- 85 mm/3.5G AF-S VR Microphone
- 10-20 mm/4.5-5.6G AF-P VR
- 10-24 mm/3.5-4.5G AF-S
- 12-24 mm/4G AF-S [gold ring]
- 16-80 mm/ 2.8-4IN AF S VR [gold ring]
- 16-85 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR
- 17-55 mm/2.8G AF-S [gold ring]
- 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S [black / silver]
- 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6GII AF-S [black / silver]
- 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR
- 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6GII AF-S VR
- 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-P
- 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-P VR
- 18-70 mm/3.5-4.5G AF-S
- 18-105 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR [Thailand / China]
- 18-135 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S
- 18-140 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR [Thailand / China]
- 18-200 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR [Japan / China]
- 18-200 mm/3.5-5.6GII AF-S VR
- 18-300 mm/3.5-5.6G VR
- 18-300 mm/3.5-6.3G VR
- 55-200 mm/4-5.6G AF-S [black / silver, Japan / China]
- 55-200 mm/4-5.6G AF-S VR
- 55-200 mm/4-5.6GII ED VR
- 55-300 mm/4.5-5.6G AF-S VR
- 70-300 mm/4.5-6.3G AF-P
- 70-300 mm/4.5-6.3G AF-P VR
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM Aspherical
Results
Nikon 18-55GII is a simple full-time lens included with some cameras. The model is outdated, but still is a good budget solution for simple amateur photo tasks.
- low cost in the secondary market
- convenient set of focal lengths
- light weight and compact size
- bayonet type hood
- special optical elements in the optical scheme (1 aspherics and 1 low dispersion element)
- good maximum magnification ratio for macro shooting, which is 1: 3.2
- ultrasonic built-in focus motor
- the presence of a lens profile in most popular RAW converters (certainly there is in ACR, Lightroom)
- fairly flat aperture at hidden values
- good optical performance (good sharpness on covered apertures in the center of the frame, normal sharpness on open apertures in the center of the frame, other parameters are within the normal range for this kind of lens)
10 main disadvantages
- small stroke of the focus ring, insufficiently convenient manual focus
- low focusing speed (at the same time convenient enough for a large number of amateur photo tasks)
- no image stabilizer (appeared in Nikon AF-S 18-55 / 3.5-5.6G VR)
- plastic mount
- no hood included
- rotation of the focus ring during auto focus and as a result there is no constant manual focus mode M / A or A / M or the like (appeared in Nikon AF-P 18-55 / 3.5-5.6G VR)
- lack of dust and moisture protection (for example, such SMC Pentax-DA 1: 3.5-5.6 18-55mm AL WR)
- optical design is not updated and is used from the lens Nikon AF-S 18-55 / 3.5-5.6G ED
- rear lens movement while changing focal length
- palpable barrel-shaped distortion 18 mm focal length, tangible vignetting 18 mm focal length, poor resolution at 18 mm in the corners of the frame on open apertures. Other optical flaws inherent in similar lenses
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
Which lens is better? 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor or Sigma Nikon AF 18-50 mm F / 2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM ??
In the general case, Sigma.
Hello Arkady! I have a choice. Nikon D 5100 with Kit 18-55VR or 18-105VR, the price of the first 21450 rubles, the second 27000. Does it make sense to overpay? which lens is more reliable and stable in operation. For me, sharpness and aperture are more important than zoom? Poo thank you for the explanation!
Both lenses have problems with sharpness on open. Better yet 18-105
Hello Arkady!
I ask for advice, I used 18-55 with the D90, but I had to deal with it, I am looking for a replacement, my finances are limited, so the choice fell on the NIKKOR AF-S 18-70
F / 3.5-4.5G ED IF SWM
aspherikal or take the same 18-55, but with a stub.
Help advice, the difference in money is twice as justified?
Better 18-70 - it's pretty good, although a little old.
Thanks for the quick response!
Thank you so much for your blog !!!
Arkady, hello
I bought the D5100 with Nikon 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6G DX with autofocus.
Everything is good - the new one, the autofocus works quietly, but the mobility of the focus ring got excited - not that it will fall off right now, but there are small backlashes (when you shake it up and down and when rotating in manual focus mode). There was nothing to compare with. Please tell me how, from experience, is this permissible?
Sincerely.
Slight play is normal, don't worry.
Thank you very much!
Andrei, please tell me if Tamron AF5100-18mm F / 250-3.5 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro is suitable for Nikon on Nikon6.3, the price is tempting and how does it differ from Nikon 18-200mm f / 3.5-5.6G DX AF-S Nikkor IF-ED VR
Hello, you talked about Nikon 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor, and I have 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor, are they very different or would it be better with VR, or else photos do not impress me?
The quality of photos from all three lenses is very similar.
Will there be a difference in picture quality (sharpness) when comparing Nikon 18-105mm f / 3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX Nikkor and 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor at the same focal lengths :?
Yes it will. Especially on different apertures.
Have yak bіk rіznitsya? Will you be an ankle?
Dyakuyu for a wonderful look at photo equipment !!!
Hello, Arkady. Have you ever had to deal with a Sigma AF 18-50mm f / 2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Nikon lens? It costs approx. 1800 UAH., Relatively not expensive, I think he can take it to replace the whale, it is better in aperture ratio; or is it better to take the Nikon 35 f / 1.8G AF-S DX Nikkor in addition to the whale for the same money?
Any zoom will not give such sharpness as Nikon 35 f / 1.8G AF-S DX Nikkor, therefore, I recommend the second option, in addition to the whale, take a fix.
Thank you for such a prompt reply! Also inclined to the second option. Good luck, thanks for the reviews!
Good afternoon!
I want my husband to give Nikon D3100 for the New Year. Tell me, please, which lens is better to take 18-55 or 18-105. Is there a big difference in them?
Thank you!
18-105 zoom in approximately two times stronger, that is, the zoom is twice as large. I advise you 18-105.
Tell me please. How to take very clear pictures with Nikon 5100. What settings do you need to do? Where possible, where to set up?
1. Set the VI mode in the image management menu, if possible, adjust the sharpness to +9
2. shoot with flash and aperture from F / 8 to F / 11
3. Maximize ISO
Hello Arkady! Tell me, please, which camera to choose, preferably by Nikon, the purpose is mainly for shooting photos and videos of a small but very mobile child))) I shot it with an ordinary soap box, but my nerves can’t stand it, I miss a lot of good points (((
Here's an example of which of these was advised:
1) Nikon D5100 Kit 18-55 VR 20250 XNUMX rub.
2) Nikon D5100 Kit 18-55 II 18950 XNUMX rub.
3) Nikon D3200 Kit 18-55 VR 19800 XNUMX rub.
4) Nikon D3200 Kit 18-105 VR 24150 XNUMX rub.
5) Nikon D90 Kit AF-S DX 18-55mm II 22990 XNUMX rub.
We could not take into account the fact that it was important that this was a great camera, but also high-quality video so that you could shoot, because No, unfortunately camcorders.
I recommend Nikon D3200 Kit 18-105 VR, it has a very high-quality photo and video, and most importantly, a lens with a larger zoom than others.
Please tell me Arkady, the difference between Kit 18-105 and Kit 18-55 is only in the zoom? Is the image quality the same?
Thanks a lot for your answer!
Happy New Year! I wish you all the best! Special thanks a lot for your blog!
I bought a lens before my first trip to Venice - the first ever autofocus zoom to D50. Of course, I was tempted by the price. After reviewing the results at home, he gasped: the sharpness is amazing! Out of inexperience, I dragged a whole case of optics, shot with autofocus fixes 17, 28, 50 and the famous Nikkor 4 \ 80-200 manual zoom. The best shots were taken by the 18-55 DX GII! On the second trip I took “Sigmu 18-250”Together with the D5100 as the first camera (the welfare of the workers is growing!), But not very satisfied: 18-55 was clearly not enough. I am seriously thinking about Nikkor 18-300. By the way, I am extremely pleased with the D50 camera, only “D-lighting” would be useful!
Hello, tell me which camera is better: Nikon D3200 Kit 18-55 Vr or Nikon D5100 18-55 Vr? It is necessary that the pictures were good, both portrait and nature.
Both cameras are good, thoughts on choosing a camera can be found here - https://radojuva.com.ua/2013/01/what-camera-nikon-shoud-i-buy/
Hello! There is a choice to buy Nikon D3100 18-55 VR or the same, but the kit also has 55-200 VR. What to choose for a beginner? Is 55-200 VR really necessary? Please advise.
You can do without 55-200.
Hello.
please tell me, will this lens be a good replacement for 18-55 VR or can you find even better for the money for NIKON D3100 (300)?
TAMRON AF 18-200mm XR Di II Lens for Nikon DSLR
and how to understand what happens at KROP 1,5?
Yes, it will be a better replacement. It’s very simple to understand, you need to multiply 18-200 by 1.5
I forgot to introduce myself yesterday :-)
Thank you very much, but still chose Sigma 18-200 F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM, I hope it will become an even better replacement for the staff!
Arkady, thanks!
Tell me, I put this lens on my film KIEV_19. I shot a dozen frames. Measured by TTL with a completely closed aperture. Should I expect the same pictures that I saw on the vizier?
Please advise, I have a D3100. What are the best filters for my lenses?
Kit 18-55
35mm f / 1.8
For starters, protective, under 52mm.
And the polarization filters or gradient filters.
Arkady, but I recently bought a D3000 with a lens exactly all the letters as you wrote, but at the end - 1: 3,5-5,6G
you didn’t write about J
Wrote - https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/12/nikon-18-55-3-5-5-6-g-af-s-vr/
Thank you!
Good day.
Arkady - I have a question for you. My first SLR camera was a nikon D3100 with a standard 18-55 mm lens. It is not very suitable for reportage photography indoors and outdoors. Recommend a carcass and lens (not very expensive) that are suitable for shooting at various events. (nicon d3100 I no longer have so that in any case I will have to take a new camera)
You can look at a bunch of D7000 \ D5100 + Tamron 17-50 2.8
Hello Arkady. I have a question for you. Is it possible to use 18-55 with extension rings for macro? And what will come of it. Will KENKO fit?
Hello Arkady. Tell me too please. I am a beginner, I want to buy my first DSLR. The choice fell on the Nikon D5100, and the more I read about lenses, the more I get confused - 18-55 VR or 18-105VR, or would you recommend something else? (more for family photos).
Thank you in advance.
18-105 enough with the head :)
Good day Arkady. We used a soap dish Olympus SP -600 UZ.
We buy a new model for a family and robots we make photos of goods in the premises for sales in the online store.
Dwell on the models in priority:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5KEE-K G Vario 14-42mm Kit
Nikon D3100 18-55VR Kit
Samsung NX1000 20-50mm II Kit
Please help with a choice?