Nikkor Lens AFS DX 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

Product Information

By "sharp shots" I mean perfect tripod-equivalent sharpness when viewed at 100%, as shot on a D300 by me.

Some photographers complain about that, but I am fine with one additional move (it takes about 2 seconds) as long as the lens offers solid optical performance. a b "Step Up to D-SLR Photography with the New Nikon D3300 and Capture Brilliant Images with Ease" (Press release). A true 'carry-anywhere' lens, the body weighs just 195 g, so you'll barely notice you're carrying it. Aspherical lenses minimize coma and other types of lens aberrations, even when used at the widest aperture.I repeat here what I wrote in the AF-P 10-20mm wide-angle review: even though one should praise Nikon for designing a faster and quieter focusing lens, I realized that, combined with the missing on-the-lens switch, I experienced some frustrating moments. However, it is not nearly as sharp wide open at 50mm (neither in the center, nor in the corners) as the other competitors, so stepping down at least to f/4 might be needed for optimal quality. It is an all-plastic lens featuring the newest stepping motor, which focuses faster and quieter than the traditional silent wave motor used on most standard Nikon lenses. The distortion goes away with Distortion Correction ON, and even wide-open the 18-55mm is ultrasharp. If you're in a silent environment and hold your ear to the lens, you will hear a slight hum as it focuses.

While the first iterations of the lens (produced from 2005 until 2014) were known for average to poor quality, the newer AF-S VR II generation released in 2014 gained a much better reputation due to solid optical performance in a lightweight body with efficient optical stabilization. Of course the glass is glass and the electronic contacts are metal, but otherwise it's a plastic lens. Image quality is pretty good too; results are sharp in the centre even wide open, and improve further on stopping down to F8, with the corners not far behind. At 35mm it's just a little softer in the corners, but with no lateral color it's sharp enough for anything. We took to the streets for some portraits and shot a few macro photos for this first installment in our sample gallery.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.