Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm 3.5-5.6G ED-IF VR Review

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September 6, 2009

The Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm 3.5-5.6G ED VR is a high-power 5.8x zoom DX-Nikkor lens with SWM and VR function. Two important things here, first is the SWM or Silent Wave Motor, meaning this lens auto focus system will work with all Nikon Dslr's. The VR or Vibration Reduction allows the photographer to take hand held pictures in far less light then with a lens without it. Nikon's VR system minimizes image blur caused by camera shake, and offers the equivalent of shooting at a shutter speed three stops faster. In other words hand held shooting is possible in lower light then without it.
This lens is packed with Nikon technology and features: ED, SIC, ASP, IF D, G, SWM, VR and DX

Specifications

Positives

• Performance. Outperforms is price with ease.
• Sharp, damn nice sharpness for a lens in this price range.
• Contrast, even wide open contrast is very nice.
• Price, very nice price for a lens with VR ED SWM.
• IR performance.

Drawbacks

• Plastic mount, apart from that the build quality is really good.
• Distortions at 18mm, can be tricky if you shoot architecture, for other types of shooting you will most likely not see it in the pictures.
• CA, this is especially visible when you film with the D90.

Verdict

Definitely worth the money, the Nikon 18-105 gives you a ton of bang for your $. It's nice to see that you can get a great performing lens for less then $310 USD. The downside to the lens is the plastic mount, which in itself is not a problem. I really doubt that a metal lens mount cost more then a few $, so I don't really see the point in the plastic mount. The other thing worth to mention is that the corners at 18mm and aperture f/3.5 is a bit soft, and there is a bit of vignetting, it will not bother you on portraits to put it that way. Stop the lens down to f/5.6 and you have great performance throughout the zoom range. The lens also has tendencies to show a bit of CA, something that really isn't too much to worry about with cameras like the D90, D300 or if you use Capture NX2 software. While shooting with the D90 the CA issue was more or less nonexistent, it did show up when I used the video mode on the D90 though. All in all this lens is a solid performer, and is definitely a worthy upgrade for most of the kit lenses that has been sold earlier by Nikon. The sweet spot of the lens is from f/5.6 to f/11.

Features
Performance
IR Performance
Build
Value

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Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm 3.5-5.6G ED-IF VR Price from: $309.95 USD

Alternatives

Nikon Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Price From: $139.95 USD

Nikon Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX Price From: $399.95 USD

Nikon AF Zoom Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D ED-IF Price From: $569.95USD

Nikon Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR II. Price From: $719.95

*Prices and rebates are subject to change. Listed price is from March 6, 2010

Sample Pictures

Images have been imported to photoshop CS4 through Capture NX 2 thus leaving the original image settings as shot, I. E white balance, sharpening, etc .etc. Full resolution sample images are in RGB color mode. Check out my copyright page for information about usage of these images.