Nikkor 18-55 variations

[stevesayskanpai]

Hi there,

I am amazed that there is no answer to this on the whole of the internet (it seems), but I am looking for a comparison of three variations of the Nikkor 18-55 lens for still photography.

I own the 18-55 AF-S VR with my D5100, and am considering whether to get the D5500 with no lens, the 18-55 AF-S VR II (retractable) or the new 18-55 AF-P VR (retractable).

Even DxOMark hasn't reviewed these lenses yet, is there ANY information about their comparative quality/performance available? Thanks so much for any help you can provide!

 

[Paul P K]

The 1st version

http://www.bythom.com/1855lens.htm

The 2nd (VRII) version

Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II DX AF-S Nikkor - Imaging Resource

The Nikon 18-55mm Æ’/3.5-5.6G VR II AF-S DX, as the “II” moniker in the model name indicates, is the updated “Mark II” version of Nikon’s compact wide-to-short tele DX-format kit lens. Introduced alongside the diminutive Nikon D3300, the new 18-55mm II lens is the first retractable DSLR lens...

www.imaging-resource.com

The 3rd (P) version

I have the 1st version which I use/have used (although not much in earnest for several years since I upgraded to FX in 2008) on my DX bodies D1H, D70S and D2X.

Maybe not a 'stellar' lens (as could be expected considering the price, got my 2nd hand copy for around $70) but does the job very decently.

Used it extensively as wide angle zoom for things like PJ, events and weddings etc shoots like e.g. http://www.pbase.com/paul_k/slutwalk_amsterdam_201106004 or http://www.pbase.com/paul_k/image/127034956

Gives a decently sharp picture, no too much excessive opticl distortion at the widest setting, and acceptably little chromatic abberation (but I'm not much of a pixel peeper)

AF has reportedly vastly improved on the P version (personally didn't find it anything to complain about to begin with), as well as the optical quality thanks to the addition of two ED lens elements

--

all in a day's work

Galleries by Paul K

www.pbase.com

 

[GlennW]

I have given up waiting for anybody to review the 2014 18-55 VR2 kit lens.

Depends on your budget. Yes, you get it for $100 over body only price on D5300, D5500. For $300 another choice is the 18-140 VR. Very often the 18-55 VR2 is bundled with the 55-200 VR2 or the 55-300 VR.

For the $100 I find the 18-55 VR2 to be a nice small & compact lens. Still uses the same 52mm for filters. Main difference is as you AF the front element does not rotate so you can use filters. Uses a different hood, may not be supplied in the kit. When you mount it, don't forget to turn it from the "lock" position.

For about $100 more, the 55-200 VR2 shares most of the same character in locking the lens to store it. use 52mm filters. Makes the 2 lens kit veryt easy to carry to a zoo or any place casual. Best use is in good bright daylight.

You may prefer something with more range, 18-140, 16-85, 16-80 2.8-4, or something faster Sigme 17-50 2.8, Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.

 

[chrisD46]

Hello ,

The 18-55 AF-S VR II (retractable) is the newest and the best optically of all 18-55mm versions . The VRII also is better in function and will give you 4 stops improvement versus the 3 stops improment of the VRI version . Given the choice - the 18-55mm VRII is the only one to consider buying and if it comes on a 24Mp sensor DSLR body all the better because it will hold up to the greater resolution of the 24Mp sensor where as the 18-55mm VRI is stretched to it's limit with the 16Mp sensors . 18-55mm VRII : Sharper lens better image stabilization out to 4 stops . I hope this helps ...

 

[earthbound_ca]

The VR II version is 3rd from newest and tests very well. See www.slrgear.com's review at http://www.imaging-resource.com/lenses/nikon/18-55mm-f3.5-5.6g-vr-ii-af-s-dx-nikkor/review/. Many more like it can be found on the web and they are generally very positive. The VR II is fully compatible with, AFAIK, all Nikon DSLRs. It's smaller, lighter and sharper vs its predecessors -- incl the OP's VR1 -- but only the newer Nikon DSLRs will nag the user to unlock the zoom before use. When the zoom is locked, one of my older Nikon DSLRs only reports the aperture as f/0... which is sufficient IMO to remind the user to unlock the zoom!

Regarding the two newer AF-P versions, one with VR and one without, while they may test well, unless their enhancements are needed for shooting video, a strong case can be made for the VR II because the AF-P versions have very limited compatibility: Some settings for the AF-P's require in-camera menu options (presently available in the D3300, D5300 + D5500) vs lens body switches. See the note at: http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/zoom/normalzoom/af-p_dx_18-55mmf_35-56g_vr/index.htm

Google finds some quantitative testing: I have listed two below but, yes, direct comparisons are hard to find right now probably because the lenses still aren't widely available worldwide:

Review Nikon AF-P 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6G DX

Never before in a review of a lens with a high price-to-quality ratio have we made the recommendation to buy a different lens. There has to be a first

www.camerastuffreview.com

http://zoom.nl/artikel/reviews/23878-review-nikon-af-p-dx-nikkor-18-55mm-f3-5-5-6g-vr.html (google translation: https://translate.google.ca/transla...-nikkor-18-55mm-f3-5-5-6g-vr.html&prev=search)

For the OP who has the VR1 version, if upgrading with a kit purchase, I would strongly consider adding a VR II if shooting mostly stills (cheap upgrade: small, excellent & light vs VR1); if using it heavily for video and not concerned about backward compatibility, the AF-P VR makes sense.

 

[M Morgan]

I've owned every version of the 18-55 and my opinion is that the AF-P version has the overall best sharpness and image quality of the bunch. I'm using mine exclusively with the D5500 and thus no compatibility issues. I haven't done any scientific testing so it's just my general impression. I took some photos with the AF-S version on Easter Sunday of dinner being prepared by a friend in our kitchen and then took some kitchen shots a month or so later using the AF-P and the edges were noticeably sharper. You do have to turn VR off in the cameras menu but I rarely use this setup on a tripod. There is ZERO noise while shooting video when zooming. But I rarely do video. At the price point it's a no brainier.