Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor
Nikon 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G vr AF-S DX Nikkor is the third version whale lens from Nikon introduced in the fall of 2007. The lens was introduced with the camera. Nikon D60 and feels good on any Nikon DX series camera.
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.
Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor
Main technical specifications of Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor SWM Aspherical:
| Review Instance Name | Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor SWM Aspherical |
| 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 cameras Nikon DX |
| Number of aperture blades | 7 rounded petals |
| Tags | focal lengths for 18, 24, 35, 45, and 55 mm; bayonet mount tag and lens hood mounts. |
| Diaphragm |
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 | 265 g |
| Optical design | 11 elements in 8 groups. The optical system includes 1 aspherical element (in the optical scheme, the aspherical element is shown in blue). Hybrid asferica - glass base with layered plastic.
The image of the circuit is clickable. |
| Lens hood | Nikon HB-45, bayonet type (not supplied, and must be purchased separately) |
| Manufacturer country | MADE IN THAILAND |
| Instructions | View–> |
| Period | From November 2007 to the present day (at least until the fall of 2016), subsequently replaced / supplemented by a lens Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII VR II AF-S DX Nikkor. |
| Price | View -> |
The previous two lens versions have 1 Nikon ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and 1 aspherical element, and Nikon 18-55mm version 1: 3.5-5.6G vr It has only one aspherical element and does not have ED glasses. The optical schemes of all three lenses can be viewed here.
But unlike versions ED и ED II, Nikon 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G vr It has an image stabilizer that allows you to deal with blurry pictures when shooting with your hands. It is stated that the stabilization system can compensate up to 3 steps by shutter speed, that is, VR will allow you to shoot with shutter speed 8 times longer than required in the absence of a stabilization system. In fact, the stabilizer works a little more modestly than stated. Gimbal operation on Nikon 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6G VR may jerk a little in the optical viewfinder - this is normal.
Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor
Focal length from 18 to 55 mm very handy when used on Nikon DX cameras. This range allows you to get photos with a wide angle of view at 18mm. The zoom on the lens is quite modest, only 3x. because of crop factor EGF lens will be 27-82.5mm.
Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR uses filters with a diameter of 52 mm, for a start I recommend to get protective filter.
Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR body is made of plastic, even the mount is plastic. The lens itself is made in Thailand. The Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR may include a plastic hood HB-45.
Nikon 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6G VR lens has mediocre aperture, at 18 mm you can open the maximum aperture up to F / 3.5, and at 55 mm only up to F / 5,6. You can close the aperture up to F / 22 at 18 mm and up to F / 36 at 55 mm. The image stabilizer comes to the aid of a small aperture. But the diaphragm of the lens has 7 rounded petals that allow you to get even circles in the blur zone, you can even squeeze some bokeh by 55 mm.
Focusing
Nikon 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6G focuses quietly thanks to 'SWM'-motor (Silent Wbird Motor - quiet wave / ultrasonic motor) and refers to the lens'AF S'type (with built-in motor focusing), and therefore it will automatically focus on any Nikon digital SLR camera.
The lens will automatically focus on all Nikon DSLR cameraseven on amateur series models Nikon DXthat do not have a built-in focus motor: D40, D40x, D60, D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D3500, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600as well as mirrorless cameras Nikon Z with adapter FTZ / FTZ II.
Auto Focus Speed - average. Focusing speed is enough for comfortable work in most photo tasks. The speed of the lens is similar to other similar lenses from Nikon. While creating a review on cameras Nikon D90, D200, D40x, D700 the lens focuses tenaciously and does not release objects from the field of sharpness. Focusing strength is significantly reduced in low light.
During focusing, the trunk of the lens spins and drives forward. The focus ring is uncomfortable, very narrow. When changing the focal length, the front lens does not rotate.
The minimum focusing distance is only 28 cm, while you can shoot Macro with 1: 3.2 magnificationThat is a very good indicator. Nikon 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6G does not have a window with a distance scale, depth of field scale and other useful marks.
In manual focus mode, the ring rotates approximately 45 degrees, when it reaches the extreme positions it abuts.
On the lens housing you can find focus switch 'A - M'... In the 'A' position, autofocus works, and in the M position, manual focus. There is no continuous manual focus control. During autofocus, the rotating focus ring must not be touched.
Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor
Sample Photos
Examples of photographs were shared by the reader of Radozhiva. All photos - on-camera JPEG without processing from the camera Nikon D40x.
Jpeg source photos download from this link (156 photos, 700 MB).
Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor
Examples on the FX camera
All photos in the gallery below are shot on Nikon D700 in FX and DX modes, this is indicated in the imprinted data. Photos without processing, only reduced the size to 3 megapixels. This time I got bored of writing a review about a whale lens and tried to squeeze the most out of it on a full-frame camera. As it turned out, starting from 24 mm focal length the lens is quite suitable for use on a full frame, the vignette can be corrected on a computer, and at 55 mm vignetting is almost imperceptible.
Image quality
Oddly enough, the lens is sharp enough in the center of the frame at any focal length. At the edges and corners of the image, sharpness drops significantly. The lens holds back light well, has good contrast and good color rendition. It suffers slightly from chromatic aberration and distortion at 18 mm. Chromatic aberrations are most noticeable at the corners and edges of the image. The distortion is pretty small for a lens of this class. Overall image quality is acceptable.
Black angles when using Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor on a full-frame camera
Personal experience
I love the simple and lightweight Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G AF-S VR DX Nikkor and the like. They allow you to get excellent images in wide-angle range on Nikon crop cameras.
As a wide-angle, nothing is cheaper and better than the Nikon 18-55mm VR. Of course, the lens does not have super aperture, but it is not always needed and not always important. I had a similar lens for a long time Nikon 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6GII ED AF-S DX Zoom-NikkorI constantly took hiking, you quickly get used to the low zoom ratio.
Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor
You can see the prices for the lens in popular stores. at this link.
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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 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor
Results
Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor SWM Aspherical is a balanced kit lens with stabilizer. Whale lenses have a bad reputation that doesn't always match the truth. I recommend Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR as the first budget lens for Nikon DX cameras.
- low cost in the secondary market
- convenient set of focal lengths
- compact sizes
- bayonet type hood
- optical design uses an aspherical 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)
- built-in image stabilizer
- 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)
- 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)
- the optical circuit is devoid of one low dispersion element, which was the previous version Nikon 18-55GII
- lens weight increased by 60 grams compared to the previous version Nikon 18-55GII
- 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
Arkady, advise whether it is worth replacing 18-55 with 20, or 24, or 28 mm as a universal lens. Think about it since fixes are better?
Fixes are better, but not universal.
Vasily, you'd better buy one of the listed lenses in addition to 18-55 lenses - you will have one travel zoom, and the other for your soul. I do not recommend replacing it, because even the most beautiful fix will severely limit you in the choice of subjects.
Thanks for the tips.
Good afternoon!
I bought 5100 with a Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor SWM Aspherical kit. Honestly a little disappointed, too many soapy shots are obtained here before that I had a 40ka with Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED. She arranged in the prince but was already outdated and the lens broke, I had to sell it.
Because denekh not really does it make sense to change to 18-55 with ED element? I read ... like the old 18-55 were better
Sewed on soap.
I decided to see what happens if I screw it onto the D610 and shoot with it at night, hand-held - of all my lenses, it is the only one with VR.
The result was unexpected. I think you can safely take it with the D610 for all sorts of walks.
30mm, 1 / 4s, f / 4.5, + 3.0EV
Not bad! I am impressed. It is a pity there is no site of his own, he would have posted time-lapses from 18-55. Gorgeous out.
A little in the wrong review, but the essence of one 18-55 will still fight. I have a version with a button, its feature is the ability to use a polarizer. And now in the desert with a polar.
good polar.
Yes, the polar is good. Whose is it? I bought Rokinon for myself, so I can’t take pictures with him at all, everything is soaping beyond recognition.
It’s even a shame to say that the Chinese shnyaga for 3 cents Green.L is written on it that way.
Here is a peasant writes about him http://volkov.me/blog/933
For me, this whale is generally almost the main one, in terms of quality and speed. And for product photography I use ... .. 50mm 1.4D and can't find a replacement for it)
Please tell me how to focus on this lens to infinity?
Focus autofocus on some sort of distant point, and then turn off autofocus while maintaining focus. Just by hand, as a rule, you miss.
Hello. Tell me, whose whale is better for the quality of the image Nikon or Kenon?
about the same
here on the site I saw many times that Nikon is noticeably better. I have a canon 18-55 2nd version. so-so. need a lot of sun and cover the diaphragm. do not shoot at the long end.
For those who choose the VR or EDII version - compare the pictures. I myself regret that at one time I overpaid 1 thousand rubles and took the version with a stub. The EDII version was on hand with a sticky focus (it was not reflected in the photo), otherwise I would have changed :)
https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/buiankin/album/482744/view/1237404
photo showed up in Capture NX-2
good afternoon
please tell me if the lens is suitable for a device with a D70 motor?
Of course. It will focus through its motor, like all motor AF-Ss.
Suitable for
... I was about to turn it over for scrap. But I caught myself in time. For beginners like me, this is the best result.
… More photos from him.
I have two sets - D300s + 18 * 200 and D80 + 18 * 55
Compared to the first set, the second one seems to be a soap box in size and weight :) But it’s very convenient and quite watchable pictures are obtained.
I shoot my corporate parties and NG with the second set; certainly not the height of perfection, but for this kind of photos - a very decent set.
18-55 will still fight!)))
and further)
I have a D3100 camera with a Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR kit (made in Thailand) and an additional Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED SWM (made in China, which was bought and fastened to a maximum 3-4 times, 30-50 photos each time), basically I shoot on a whale 18-55, because I take off only 2-3 times a year on vacation but on the seas or on trips. It’s even ceased to carry with me 55-200, now the idea was born to exchange my both for 1 more universal, 18-105, 18-135, 18-140 ... can anyone have an interest in the exchange? Interested in Moscow and the Moscow region.
write suggestions here or on mail ovroman2@mail.ru
Special thanks to Arkady for creating such a powerful site, not just a whole community, with a huge amount of important and very interesting information ...
if of course there is any sense at all in this or just sell 55-200 and use only the whale? I honestly have sand on the beach for my photos, I think it’s quite enough for me on a motorcycle or a photo of a caught carp, it’s just a shame that this 55-200 is idle, but you can probably please someone who is engaged in more advanced photography, even at the initial level
Hello!
Tell me, please, what could be the problem: on this lens, the minimum aperture is 3,5 by 18 mm, but in reality I have a minimum aperture of 18 for 3,8 mm. It is not possible to set 3,5 to 18 mm.
thanks for the review. detailed, understandable, and accessible for a beginner
this will be my first DSLR, moreover
Tell me, is running at 5000 really critical?
5000 is almost new.
thank you
Hello! Broke the 18-55mm lens, Nikon D3200. He suited me, took pictures for myself - family, rest. Now I can't find the same in stores. Tell me which analogue price / quality can be selected.
Search hand-held on Avito and similar sites. 18-105 quality is not worse and the TV range is added, but - more expensive, bigger and heavier. If you want lighter and more colorful - sigma 17-50 os.
The proposed above 18-105 is about the same quality, but much more convenient. Convenient focusing ring, front lens does not rotate, which allows you to use polarizing filters, convenient hood, slightly lighter than 18-55 ...
Thank you, Valery A. and Vitaly N. Confuses in 18-105 that there is no protection against dust / moisture. But she also kept an eye on him) the more you read, the more you don’t understand.
and he takes up more space in the bag
And MDF more. But it’s more universal. And portrait photos can be taken from a normal distance, even the background can be blurred.
And at the expense of space - I also thought so, until I attached the battery pack. The problem of space faded into the background, giving way to the convenience of grip and carry.
Was it at 18-55? And the camera does not have it either. 18-55, 18-105, 18-140, 55-200 - lenses of the same level. It makes no sense to take a protected lens if the camera can die from one drop. Although my D3200 withstood a light drizzle :)
See used options - lenses are usually sold as unnecessary, not because of wear and tear. Lenses without scratches, no dust behind the lenses and no signs of tampering (these have an intact paper ring around the front lens). A long service life of 18-105 will be given by the swollen rubber of the zoom ring and a slight rotation of it.
Just don't take 18-135 and 18-70 - they do not have a stabilizer, which sometimes helps a lot.
And what happened to your 18-55? By chance, the trunk did not begin to hang out and stopped focusing?
Thanks again everyone! Indeed, then you should not worry about dust. And the lens fell from a height (somehow it happened. And so, I was very happy, worked well for amateur photography.
Yes, 18-105 formally does not have dust-moisture protection, but I took pictures with him without any problems at the festival of colors "Holi" and in the rain and snow, if carefully and without fanaticism, then everything should be in order, the body keeps within reasonable limits)
Here is an example of the entire lens in the snow, on the D90 it’s generally a snowdrift))) https://photos.app.goo.gl/tfuqeUuQM7UYkXg13
Thanks for the information!
... as a start for a beginner photographer - the very THAT!
Thank you
Thank you so much for the great work.
thanks for the clarifications :)