Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens

The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens is a versatile and compact option for DX-format Nikon DSLR users. It's designed primarily for beginners and enthusiasts looking for an affordable all-purpose lens with image stabilization (VR) and decent optical performance. In terms of build quality, the lens feels lightweight yet sturdy with a plastic construction typical of kit lenses. The zoom ring is smooth, though not exceptionally precise, and the autofocus is reasonably quick and quiet due to the Silent Wave Motor (SWM). Optically, the lens performs adequately for its price range. At 18mm, it provides a wide enough angle for landscapes and group shots, while at 55mm, it reaches into the short telephoto range, suitable for portraits and details. The f/3.5-5.6 aperture range limits low-light performance and depth of field control compared to more expensive lenses, but the VR (Vibration Reduction) system helps compensate for camera shake, especially useful in dimmer conditions. Image quality is generally good for everyday use and social media sharing. While sharpness is decent across the frame when stopped down, there is noticeable softness at wider apertures and towards the edges. Chromatic aberration and distortion are present but manageable with post-processing. Overall, the Nikon 18-55mm VR lens is a solid entry-level option that delivers what it promises: versatility, image stabilization, and acceptable image quality at an affordable price. It's ideal for beginners or those on a budget who want a reliable lens for everyday photography without breaking the bank.

I really wished I had not been tempted by the 18-200mm VR Nikon lens before eventually settling on this.....I had the 18-200mm for a week before returning it as I was so disappointed with the image quality and sharpness (maybe a had a bad copy) I then tried the Tamron 18-270, slow slow slow focus, and aperture, so not a great success either, eventually sold it on Ebay. So having been burned by trying to get a lens for everything, I finally decided on a 3 lens solution, This Nikon 16-85 plus a Nikon 70-300mm VR, plus for really low light or portrait situations a Nikon 50mm 1.4 prime. So enough about those other lenses what about this. I have to say I am thrilled with the image quality, pictures are sharp, full of punch and contrast, and the extra couple of mm at the wide end is really handy. (If you are using anything wider than 16mm in my opinion it starts to look freaky anyway). The lens is a really handy compact size, but very solid feeling and nicely built. This lens pretty much stays on the camera 90% of the time as its all you really need. Admittedly sometimes you wish for a bit of extra reach without having to swap, but I have to keep reminding myself that, yes you can get more reach with a superzoom but the pictures are not going to be very sharp. The autofocus is adequate but not super speedy, so you have to leave the camera on continual focus if trying to capture running children etc, once focused on the moving target it will track it quite well so you get the majority of pictures sharp. By the way the 70-300 is also a brilliant lens. So don't be suckered by a superzoom, this is as zoomy as you should really get without too many compromises,

Rubbish…

Its seldom that you buy a product that turns out to be significantly better than expected. In designing a highly flexible zoom lens, (11-1), the compromise between flexibility and image quality must be of prime concern. However Nikon apear to have done this VERY WELL and I am getting crisp and contrasty results over the entire range of focal length and a good selection of apertures. The advantages of this product are, essentially, a single lens, that can be left on the camera, which can handle a very wide range of situations. The lens performance together with VRII vibration reduction certainly seems to have done the trick. Whilst lacking in sophisticated bokeh for 'classy' portraits, where I will continue to prefer my 105mm F2 D lens, I intend to use this lens on a regular basis. The good price/ performance ratio, relatively light weight and small size are in its favour and I am likely to use higher ISO settings in low light conditions because of the higher f numbers. The cost, size and weight of the Nikon f2.8 zoom offerings are not such an attractive option except for the keenest professionals!! Highly recommended!

Bought this lens as a walkabout lens for travel. I already own the excellent 18-55mm Nikon VR lens but wanted that bit extra. I must say I was quite taken by this lens. The focussing is pretty darn quick and the VR does a brilliant job. The lens although F5.6 at 105mm is sharp and again with the VR it works in dim light. In poor light the old prime lenses come out to play 35mm F1.8, 50mm F1.8 and 85mm F1.8 but as a walkabout lens I love it. Paired with my D7000 its perfect for that weekend City break. The lens currently at under £200 is pretty good value and yes there are wider range focal length zooms but twinned with the Nikon 55-200mm VR both lenses are handy to carry. The filter size 67mm and internal focus means the barrel doesn't rotate which is great for polarizer filters. Would recommend this lens. It's great for portraits too. I must again stress well done Nikon for adding everything in the box. The hood comes with the lens. Canon seriously just put it in the box. My L series lenses have the hood in the box. It's not difficult to put the lens hood in the box. Nikon have no difficulty!

It works ok, has an issue with disconnecting from the camera and not working constantly

I've had a Nikon Nikkor AF 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D ED (DX) kit lens for years now, and I've had a great number of lovely pictures captured using it. It's got a number of down sides for me though, so I've been looking around for a, not too expensive, alternative to replace it. My ideal would be the professional Nikkor AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-EDI, but finally settled on the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens. It's certainly not as fast as the 17-35, but at half the price it's a great compromise. Allowing for the crop factor, the 16-85mm focal length used on a DX camera gives effective angles of view of around 24 - 125mm. This overcomes one of the minor issues I had with the 18-35mm: It's a good wide angle lens, but I was forever having to swap to my 24-80mm zoom to get the longer view. This lens covers that ground nicely. It's no replacement for my 28-80 f2.8 Tokina, but it's good to have the overlap. The biggest problem I wished to overcome was that while the images from my older 18-35mm where pretty sharp, the barrel distortion at the 18mm end of the zoom was ridiculous. I can correct the bulging in Photoshop if I was careful to make sure that the plane of the camera in front of the photographic subject was well placed, but that's not always possible. The end result is that it can be very painful trying to straighten out wonky lines. There is still a little barrel distortion at the 16mm end of the 16-85mm lens, but even with the extra 2mm focal length gain, the distortion is very mild. If you're not photographing straight lines (alas, architecture is one of my favourite subjects) then you'll probably not even notice it. Being restricted to smaller apertures is not great in poor light, and my old lens gave me problems in that department. I also like shooting graffiti, which is often seen in low light conditions. The 16-85mm isn't any faster then my old lens, but with the amazing VR mechanism built in I can hand hold in poorly lit places with long shutter speeds which would have me ramping up the ISO with the old lens. The end result is that this lens is quite an upgrade. It's wider and longer at the same time, it's no faster then my old lens, but with VR it overcomes some of the issues associated with low-light shooting. It covers the ground that I needed two lenses to cover previously and it's all but removed the barrel distortion problems I've had in the past. Shooting with the new lens is a real joy. The lens feels solid and robust, with a good heft to it. The zoom action feels smooth, and can be taken from the 16mm to 85mm extremes with one twist. The focus with the Sonic Wave motor is reasonably quick, and as yet I've not noticed any problems trying to auto-focus in low light, where other lenses I have had will tend to 'hunt' before eventually locking up under similar conditions. I've only shot a few dozen images through the lens to date, but those have come back sharp, with great contrast and little by way of colour aberrations even under close scrutiny. In summery then, I think for a compromise lens (the 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S NIKKOR would be great but at around £1000... ouch!) this offers phenomenal value for money at this price. It will undoubtedly become the lens most attached to my camera going forward.

This camera lens does exactly what it says on the tin. I've been using an 18 - 105mm Nikor lens with my D90 DSLR camera but I've been a little dissatisfied with the quality of the focus when the images are viewed on my PC monitor. Some time ago I purchased a 70 - 300mm telephoto lens for the same camera and took numerous shots at the Aviation Viewing Park at Manchester Airport and I was astonished at the clarity of the images I was getting. Unfortunately, a telephoto lens can't be used with any degree of success for everyday photography so I new I had to get myself a replacement lens for the 18 - 105mm. I reviewed some of the images that accompanied this item when browsing on Amazon and I was impressed with what I saw and the focal parameters would complement the telephoto lens. Boy, am I glad I made this choice. Perfect shots every time, clarity like you wouldn't believe. Even hand-held shots with the VR enabled are excellent, which is particularly beneficial when taking family shots during an informal gathering, like bbq's and the like. All in all, no regrets.