Mediocre Nikon 18-135 kit lens?

[Blob]

Jeff, I'm on a pre-order list at Adorama.com for the 18-135 Nikon lens. Is it really a dog or were you using a little literary license? From what I've read previously, zooms today often equal primes in image quality. I hope Nikon would not tarnish their image with bad lenses, (pun intended).
Regards,

Bob

[Jeff Keller]

Jeff, I'm on a pre-order list at Adorama.com for the 18-135 Nikon lens. Is it really a dog or were you using a little literary license? From what I've read previously, zooms today often equal primes in image quality. I hope Nikon would not tarnish their image with bad lenses, (pun intended).
Regards,

Bob

I think the sample photos speak for themselves. Not terribly sharp, especially in the corners... vignetting... and more CA than I'd like.

[Rex914]

Jeff, I'm on a pre-order list at Adorama.com for the 18-135 Nikon lens. Is it really a dog or were you using a little literary license? From what I've read previously, zooms today often equal primes in image quality. I hope Nikon would not tarnish their image with bad lenses, (pun intended).
Regards,

Bob

Not all zooms are created equal. While this arguably works for a nice $1000 70-200/2.8 lens, it would be silly to assume that a cheap, ultra convenient kit zoom could equal a prime.

[Blob]

To me $400 is not cheap. For instance, my Nikon 24-85mm 3.5-4.5 has produced striking results, often times comparable to my Nikon 105mm 2.8.

"Kit" lenses do not have to equal "cheap". There are certainly exceptional prime lenses and zooms lenses at many different price points. I'm a little disappointed if the 18-135 fails to perform, especially with competition building in the dSLR market.

[Chip00]

Thanks Jeff for the D80 review and lens and camera tests.

I noted on the test photos the "two buck Chuck" wine and Dewars.
My kind of tastes...and the hot sauce. Fine whiskey and cheap Cab.

Anyway the review did influence my buying decision.

Thanks again.

[kevikens]

I am very disappointed with the 18-135 lens that I bought with my new D80 (actually I am not all that thrilled with the D80, either. The viewfinder info is not bright enough). I've taken the two out for some shooting along with my D70s and my usual lens, the 35-70 2.8D. The difference is very noticeable and I kept switching lenses and bodies to confirm the differences. The 18-135 was clealy a notch or two below the 35-70 in resolution. Strangely the 18-135 also seemed to focus slower than the 35-70. I'll have to look more into that aspect of the lens. Is it worth the extra $300 ? I think not. Perhaps one of the pre digital Nikkor AF lenses might be the way to go.