Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G

Summary

The 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S Zoom-Nikkor lens is a midrange zoom lens manufactured by Nikon for use on Nikon DX format digital SLR cameras. Often included as a kit lens on entry-level DSLRs, it also can be purchased separately from the camera body. Nikon first introduced the lens in 2005 and has provided three subsequent updates. Following are the four variants as of 2014:

Nikkor 18-55 f/3.5-5.6G ED II
Nikkor 18-55 f/3.5-5.6G VR
Nikkor 18-55 f/3.5-5.6G VR, back view
Uncropped or Unedited image from Nikon D5100 using an AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens for reference. Taken with maximum aperture at day time without flash. Details: F-stop: F/3.5 (Max aperture), Exposure time: 1/50 sec, ISO speed: 200, Focal Length: 18 mm, Flash fired: No, White Balance: Auto, Shot at day or night: Day time
Vignetting results when this lens is used on a 35mm film camera, or on a full-frame/FX-sized digital camera.
Uncropped or Unedited image from Nikon D5100 using an AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens for reference. Taken with minimum aperture at night time with flash. Details: F-stop: F/5.6 (Min aperture), Exposure time: 1/60 sec, ISO speed: 3200, Focal Length: 55 mm, Flash fired: Yes, White Balance: Auto, Shot at day or night: Night time
Uncropped and Edited image of a British Roasted Pork Dish. Image Size: L (6016 x 4000), Date Shot: 8/4/2015 18:29:54.40, Time Zone and Date: UTC+5:30, Device: Nikon D3200, Lens: Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, Focal Length: 36mm, Focus Mode: AF-A, AF-Area Mode: Auto, VR: ON, Aperture: f/5, Shutter Speed: 1/60s, Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority, Exposure Comp.: 0EV, ISO Sensitivity: ISO 400, Flash Device: Built-in Flash, Flash Sync Mode: Front Curtain, Color Space: sRGB, High ISO NR: ON (Normal), Picture Control: [SD] STANDARD, Base: [SD] STANDARD, Edited Using: Nikon ViewNX 2, Photographer and Editor: Viraj Brian Wijesuriya.
  • AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED, released in 2005[1]
  • AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II, released in 2006.[2]
  • AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, released in 2007.[3]
  • AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II, released in 2014.[4][5]

Note: VR means Vibration Reduction as used in Nikon Lenses. IS means Image Stabilization as used in Canon Lenses. VR (Nikon) and IS (Canon) are both the same thing, but each maker uses their own acronyms.[6]

Like all lenses in the DX format, the 18-55mm casts a smaller image circle than lenses for full-frame 35mm cameras and is therefore only compatible with cameras having APS-C-sized sensors (or vignetting will happen). However, from 24mm onward until 55mm, the image circle will cover the full 35mm frame, and is usable on film.

Features edit

  • Silent wave motor (AF-S)
  • Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass element, to reduce chromatic aberration (not available on either VR version)
  • Easy variant of Vibration Reduction (most recent versions only), to make lens cheaper there is no "Active" and "Normal" VR options switch here

Construction edit

  • Plastic body and mount
  • 52mm filter thread for widely used 52mm filters
  • No protector from dust and moisture near mount
  • Rotating front lens while focusing (not in VR II version)
  • VR II version has a collapsible lens barrel, a design first used with certain lenses for Nikon's 1 mount for mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras[4]

(Lens construction details vary between models; see table below for specifications).

Performance edit

Thom Hogan praised its value and optical performance, but criticized its handling, noting a diminutive focus ring that rotates during focusing, with no manual override.[7]

Specifications edit

Attribute 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II
Autofocus   Yes
Vibration Reduction
(Image Stabilization in Canon)
  No   Yes
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.6
Minimum aperture f/22-32 f/22-36
Weight 210 g 205 g 265 g 195 g
Maximum diameter 69 mm 70.5 mm 73 mm 59.5 mm
Length 75 mm 74 mm 79 mm 66 mm
Filter diameter 52 mm
Picture angle 76° - 28°50'
Groups/elements 5/7 8/11
# of diaphragm blades 7
Closest focusing distance 0.28 m
Release date 2005 2006 2007 2014
MSRP $ $200 $250

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/4-5.6G ED" (PDF). Nikon Corporation. 2005. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  2. ^ "AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED (3.6x)". Nikon Corporation. 2007. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  3. ^ "AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR". Nikon Corporation. 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  4. ^ a b "Step Up to D-SLR Photography with the New Nikon D3300 and Capture Brilliant Images with Ease" (Press release). Nikon Inc. 2014-01-06. Retrieved 2014-02-27.
  5. ^ "AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II Tech Specs". Nikon Inc. Retrieved 2014-02-27.
  6. ^ Ken (2010). "Vibration Reduction, VR (Nikon) and Image Stabilization, IS (Canon)". kenrockwell.com. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  7. ^ Hogan, Thom. "18-55mm AF-S DX Lens Review". Retrieved 2009-11-17.