New Nikkor 18-55VR kit lens

[Rooz]

interesting, obvously to keep up with canon's new kit lens with IS. hopefully this signals nikons intentions to make the f2.8 a VR equipped lens aswell.

http://nikonimaging.com/global/news/2007/1120_01.htm

[K1W1]

interesting, obvously to keep up with canon's new kit lens with IS. hopefully this signals nikons intentions to make the f2.8 a VR equipped lens aswell.

http://nikonimaging.com/global/news/2007/1120_01.htm

But is it a kit lens?
I suspect not. Kit lenses are usually introduced at the same time as a body.

[Rooz]

good point. i just assumed it would be. if its just an 18-55 lens with VR then really...would many people be looking at this as a lens upgrade over their existing lens ?

[K1W1]

All sorts of people want all sorts of lenses. If it offered a real improvement in focussing speed and a noticeable improvement in image quality over my "Mark 1" 18-55 and it was the same sort of bargain price as the 55-200VR I might be tempted. There is nothing really wrong with the image quality of my lens (apart from me) but the focussing and the SWM motor (particularly if it is a real one not like the 55-200VR) would make me consider it.
It looks like it focuses to about 10" over the entire range also which I'm sure my lens won't do.

Edit: It also has a lens hood available unlike my lens. On a day like today or yesterday that would have been real handy.

[rawpaw18]

hopefully this signals nikons intentions to make the f2.8 a VR equipped lens aswell.

http://nikonimaging.com/global/news/2007/1120_01.htm

MY thought and hopes exactly, that is why I do not have a mid range 2.8 yet, very dissapointed when the 24-70 f/2.8 came out without it.

[Aldor88]

Meh I want a 18-135VR:(. Will be interesting to see some tests once the lens comes out. I wonder how much it will cost and if it will be a kit lens as well.

I don't really see the need for VR at 55mm.

EDIT: just found this on the dpreview site.
Despite the extra features the lens is set to hit the shelves for around US $199 (£179.99 / €270.00) and will eventually filter down to be bundled with DSLRs
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0711/07112001nikkor1855.asp

[mugsisme]

What am I? A magnet to make Nikon come out with new lenses??? As soon as I bought the 18-200, they came out with the 55-200 VR. (I would have bought that instead of the other lens and saved a bunch of money.) So now I get the Sigma 18-50, and Nikon comes out with the similar lens!!! OK, mine is f/2.8, but how much longer until Nikon comes out with that one?

Hey Nikon! I want to buy a Sigma 50-150! Maybe you want to make some fast glass for our camera that is affordable????

JJ. I hope you all enjoy it! VR is great, especially since that is one thing I have a hard time with, camera shake.

Just wanted to add one more thought -- This will make the camera more appealing to newbies! Think of what the D40 with a VR lens would offer someone who has never even held a camera in their hands.

[Ray Schnoor]

So now I get the Sigma 18-50, and Nikon comes out with the similar lens!!! OK, mine is f/2.8, but how much longer until Nikon comes out with that one?
Nikon has had a similar lens for quite some time. It is a lot more expensive than the Sigma offering at more than twice the price.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/300490-USA/Nikon_2147_17_55mm_f_2_8G_ED_IF_AF_S.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/518483-REG/Sigma_582_306_18_50mm_f_2_8_EX_DC.html

Ray.

[aparmley]

I just read this over at dpreview.com and I think I may sell my 18-135 and make it out even more or less by pickin up this new kit lens 18-55 VR + 55-200 VR . . . that'll make me use the 55-200 more often. All I want from Nikon now is for them to make a 28 1.8 AF-S around $400.00 or a 30 1.4 AF-S at around $600.00. I need a wider fast prime. The 28 f2.8 doesn't attract me and the 35 f/2.0 is just a little too close to my 50 and not quite as fast as I'd like it to be.

[aparmley]

I don't really see the need for VR at 55mm.


MMMMM - draggin the shutter. Really, the only useful part of having VR on this lens is that it A. helps the new comers make sharper images in lower light and B. helps those more advanced become more creative by allowing them to drag the shutter and still get sharp results.

[e_dawg]

I didn't think VR was that useful under 55 mm either, but after a few trips to the museum and a few outings to dark restaurants / lounges / clubs where you need a short focal length and slow shutter speeds to take pics without flash in dark rooms, it becomes apparent how useful VR would be in those situations.

Sometimes you want lots of DOF too, so using an 18-50 @ f/2.8 or a 30/1.4 is not always the solution.

One of the reasons I bought an Olympus E-510 was in-body IS. It's about time Nikon expanded their VR selection to include something under 55 mm.

[VTEC_EATER]

You know, a part of me wants to say Don was right all along. Image Stabilization is something people want. And manufacturers like Sony, Pentax, and Olympus have a real advantage in that department due to their in-body Image Stabilization systems.

Canon must have seen it effecting their sales, and their draw on the new SLR user by not having Image Stabilization in their DSLR packages. Nikon is now trying to keep up with the field as well, and I can only assume they will be making this new VR lens the standard kit lens in their intro DSLR packages.

It may raise the package prices slightly, but if it will help bring more people to the Nikon camp, then thats good for Nikon.

Personally, I would rather have better high ISO performance than VR, but VR is really cool for Panning and action shots. I guess with this new lens, the new comers will have the best of both worlds.

[e_dawg]

Who's Don? I'm sure that as more people start buying dSLRs, they will start to look for features like IS and VR. Every other manufacturer had IS either in a kit lens or in-body. With Nikon, you'd have to spend at least $200 extra to get a 55-200/VR that wouldn't give you IS for anything below 55 mm, or $700 extra to get the 18-200/VR (or $500 to get the Sigma 18-200/OS or possibly a 18-50/2.8).

If Nikon had the 18-55/VR when I bought my D40, I don't think I would have gotten the 18-200/VR. I think I would have gone with the 18-55/VR + 55-200/VR combo instead.

[K1W1]

MMMMM - draggin the shutter. Really, the only useful part of having VR on this lens is that it A. helps the new comers make sharper images in lower light and B. helps those more advanced become more creative by allowing them to drag the shutter and still get sharp results.

What it actually does is assist Nikons marketing campaign. Nikon have decided not to go with in body VR so they MUST have a complete selection of VR lens in all focal lengths to counter the arguments from the in body VR manufacturers.
The actual cost of in lens VR has now dropped to consumer levels so I personally believe that all future new Nikkors will have VR and SWM except maybe for some very specialist lenses.

[Rooz]

i agree with that. i don;t think anyone argued with Don about the relevance or the necessity of VR/ IS. i think people were simply saying that canon/ nikon would never go to in-body IS as don had hoped cos they have the technology invested in lens VR as opposed to in body.

[aparmley]

What it actually does is assist Nikons marketing campaign. Nikon have decided not to go with in body VR so they MUST have a complete selection of VR lens in all focal lengths to counter the arguments from the in body VR manufacturers.
The actual cost of in lens VR has now dropped to consumer levels so I personally believe that all future new Nikkors will have VR and SWM except maybe for some very specialist lenses.

I was just speaking to how its useful to the photographer. . . I'm glad you handled the business model side of the table because I'm pretty sure thats what aldor88 was asking about, that 55mm comment through me off gaurd and got me thinking "photography" damnit I fall for that everytime :rolleyes: mwahahaha - thats just the mood I'm in today Kiwi - no offense meant. :D

[Aldor88]

I guess the VR will help when photographing in low light like museums etc, i didnt think of that.

I want a 18-135VR, now! Anyone think their gonna make one? They already have the 18-200 so I doubt it.