{"id":675,"date":"2014-01-10T12:39:10","date_gmt":"2014-01-10T18:09:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pixelarge.com\/?p=675"},"modified":"2020-05-14T13:43:54","modified_gmt":"2020-05-14T08:13:54","slug":"nikkor-nikon-18-55mm-f3-5-5-6g-ed-ii-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pixelarge.com\/nikkor-nikon-18-55mm-f3-5-5-6g-ed-ii-review\/","title":{"rendered":"NIKKOR Nikon 18-55mm f\/3.5-5.6G ED II Lens – Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prologue<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Specifications<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Performance<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Recommendation<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Ratings<\/a><\/h2>\n

\"Nikon-18-55mm-f3.5-5.6G-ED-II-lens-main\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

<\/h2>\n

Price-<\/h2>\n

About $149<\/strong><\/p>\n

Buy New :\u00a0<\/strong>Amazon<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0, <\/strong>Adorama ,<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Adorama(Grey Market)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Buy Used :\u00a0<\/strong>Amazon<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0, <\/strong>Amazon(Refurbished)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

These are the links from affiliate partners & e-marketers I trust –\u00a0Amazon<\/a>\u00a0,\u00a0Flipkart<\/a>\u00a0(India)\u00a0and\u00a0Adorama<\/a>. I have\u00a0carefully handpicked them after extensive research\u00a0to get you the best possible deal\u00a0<\/strong>(lowest price and shipping). Using these links will save you a lot of hassle in search of a reliable source and price comparisons.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Prologue<\/h2>\n

Nikon 18-55mm f\/3.5-5.6G ED II<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0was the cheapest sharp zoom lens on the Nikon platter of lenses prior to introduction of the VR version. The world swore by its sharp performance for its meager price<\/strong>. Since now we have a more technologically advanced lens in the form of the 18-55mm VR<\/a> , there will be many who would be raising doubts about the utility of this version. To them, let\u2019s keep in mind- photography gear is more about the optics and less about the ease of use for the technology involved.<\/p>\n

Nikon 18-55mm f\/3.5-5.6G ED II\u00a0standard kit lens<\/strong> has good lens optics and composition which enables clear and crisp pictures. Nikon has equipped it with their ED glass and Aspherical lens element<\/strong> design which they use for their more expensive lenses. This has resulted in this lens being pretty sharp for an entry-level lens.<\/p>\n

I used to take this lens for a ride along during dusty afternoons for casual shooting. Even after heavy use this lens did not show any noticeable dust accumulation.<\/p>\n

I find this one even\u00a0sharper than the newer and expensive VR version<\/a><\/strong>. It looks like Nikon has added one feature and removed another. So there is VR (Vibration Reduction) for image stabilization in the new 18-55 mm VR kit lens<\/a>\u00a0 but it is less sharp than this ED glass variant.<\/p>\n

<\/a>


<\/p>\n

Specifications-<\/h2>\n

Focal length<\/h3>\n

It is a\u00a0DX format lens<\/strong>\u00a0(cropped sensor) with focal length of 18 to 55 mm<\/strong> which gives an angle of view equivalent to that of what a 28-85 mm gives on a 35 mm film camera or FX (full frame sensor) camera.<\/p>\n

\"Nikon<\/a><\/p>\n

Aperture<\/h3>\n

The\u00a0widest open aperture<\/strong>\u00a0you can have on Nikon 18-55mm f\/3.5-5.6 VR\u00a0is\u00a0from f\/3.5 to f\/5.6<\/strong>\u00a0and it can get to a\u00a0minimum aperture to f\/22 to f\/36.<\/strong>\u00a0This much room in exposure is appreciated for the price.<\/p>\n

Diaphragm<\/h3>\n

There are\u00a0seven rounded diaphragm blades.<\/b>\u00a0These did manage to isolate the subject from background at the maximum aperture setting but the\u00a0bokeh (background blur) is not silky.<\/b>\u00a0But then, it is not a lens for this purpose. The\u00a050 mm f\/1.8 G prime<\/b><\/a>\u00a0gives an exceptional bokeh for a great price.<\/b><\/p>\n

You will get\u00a014-point soft sun stars<\/b>, which is remarkable for a lens like this.<\/p>\n

\"Nikon<\/a><\/p>\n

Barrel and rings<\/h3>\n

Nikon 18-55mm f\/3.5-5.6G ED II\u00a0G is a\u00a0light weight kit lens<\/b>\u00a0so I did expect an\u00a0all plastic construction of barrel<\/b>\u00a0but it is plastic right up to the mount. But the barrel feels solid in hand.<\/p>\n

The zoom ring is wide with\u00a0ribbed rubber texture<\/b>. It gives a nice comfortable zooming experience<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Nikon<\/a><\/p>\n

Nikon is offering black and silver\u00a0colors\u00a0for the barrel<\/strong>. The\u00a0focus ring is the problem area<\/b>. It is virtually nonexistent with its tiny presence in the front.<\/p>\n

There is no focus distance scale<\/strong>( so there is no depth of fields scale or infrared focus index either<\/strong>). There are markings for 18,24, 35, 45 and 55 mm though.<\/p>\n

Since it is G lens it comes\u00a0without any aperture ring<\/b>,\u00a0obviously.<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Nikon<\/a><\/p>\n

Mount<\/h3>\n

The\u00a0mount is made up of plastic<\/strong>. I would say it is durable in normal use; mine lasted quiet a few years. If you take care of it while mounting and un-mounting like I do, yours will also remain trouble free for long. Even if you break it, there is a\u00a0cheap replacement mount for $10.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Nikon<\/a><\/p>\n

Filter thread<\/h3>\n

The filter thread is 52mm<\/strong> and \u00a0made up of plastic. It\u00a0<\/b>rotates while focusing so, use of polarizing and graduated ND filters is cumbersome<\/strong>\u00a0as they need to be readjusted every time which is not a pleasing experience.<\/p>\n

Hood<\/h3>\n

Nikon HB-45 lens hood<\/strong>, which is not supplied with the package.<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

\"Nikon<\/a><\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

#Courtesy Nikon<\/em><\/p>\n

Lens construction<\/h3>\n

Nikon 18-55mm f\/3.5-5.6G ED II\u00a0has 7 elements in 5\u00a0 groups design<\/strong>, with a Aspherical lens element and a ED (Extra low Dispersion)glass element<\/strong>. According to Nikon ED glass reduces chromatic aberration<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Size and weight<\/h3>\n

This lens weighs 205 grams<\/strong>. This is remarkably light weight.<\/p>\n

It is measured 73 mm in diameter and 80 mm in length.<\/p>\n

<\/a>


<\/p>\n

Performance-<\/h2>\n

Focus<\/h3>\n

The close focus<\/strong> for this lens is 0.28 m (0.9 feet)<\/strong> throughout the entire focal range. This is better than the more expensive zooms<\/strong> like the 18-200 mm\u2018s 1.6 feet.\u00a0 It is not a macro lens<\/strong>( they are way more expensive) but this is decent enough for a novice and others alike.<\/p>\n

The Auto Focus is moderately fast<\/strong> for general requirements of shooting pets and kids. It is accurate for sure. It is not as silent as i would want it to be , but it’s not a nuisance either.<\/p>\n

About manual focus on this lens, one wonders how to use manual focus without feeling frustrated<\/strong>. For a person with moderate tolerance for things, this takes a toll. First, you have to move the switch from A to M every time you want to manual focus as there is no manual override<\/strong> and it would damage the motor if the switch is not correct as per the Nikon\u2019s instructions; secondly, the focus ring is so small that adjusting focus with it is a very tricky business<\/strong> especially due to its location in the front, one has to be careful so as to not accidentally touch the glass. Thirdly, the focus ring travels very little so it\u2019s difficult to achieve precise focus<\/strong>. Hence, it is not a very \u00a0manual focus friendly lens.<\/p>\n

I leave it on auto, since I use it for general snapshots, it works for me.<\/p>\n

Sharpness<\/h3>\n

Sharpness is decent<\/strong> through the lens for practical purposes. Especially around f\/8\u00a0 there is an impressive array of results at 35 mm. I find this lens sharp throughout in general.<\/p>\n

\"Nikon<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

#Courtesy Nikon<\/em><\/p>\n

It is a very sharp lens for the price. On few occasions it works even \u00a0sharper than the new VR version.<\/a><\/p>\n

Distortion<\/h3>\n

Distortion is visibly there at wide angle setting of 18 mm<\/strong>. Since I involve myself in post production activity, this simple barrel distortion is\u00a0easily corrected<\/strong>. From around 35 mm to 55 mm there is no visible distortion pattern. Though there is some\u00a0pincushion distortion at long end<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Nikon<\/p>\n

#Straight grid as seen by camera<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Chromatic aberration<\/h3>\n

Chromatic aberration is present at wide angle settings of 18 mm<\/strong>\u00a0but goes away as we move towards the long end. There is a good control shown by the lens for chromatic aberration at other settings, what more to expect from an inexpensive kit lens.<\/p>\n

Flares and ghosting<\/h3>\n

Flaring is generally not observed when the light source is in frame but for out of frame light sources ghosting becomes peculiar. There the regular hood is not of much help. This flaring in backlit situations\u00a0can be controlled with the use of a multi angle screw-in hood.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/a>
\"Nikon<\/a><\/p>\n

Pixelarge Recommendation-<\/h2>\n

Just like every other lens, Nikon 18-55mm f\/3.5-5.6G ED II\u00a0also comes with certain limitations<\/strong>. Overcoming the limitations is easy oncce you acknowledge them. Finally, good equipment will not ensure good photographs; they come from your own vision of things. So I don\u2019t want you to obsess much about the gear<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The lens has\u00a0some limitations or negative aspects like- <\/b><\/p>\n