Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR reviews?

[WestCoast]

Does anybody know if any reputable sites have reviewed this lens yet? I realize that it's only been out for about a month, but I was surprised to not find one on slrgear.com and even a quick Google search yielded nothing.

[K1W1]

I don't think that it's the sort of lens that reviewers are going to jump on quickly. It's really only a glorified kit lens and as such will probably manily get mentions in passing when a body is reviewed.
You are probably better to look for user reviews on Nikonians or even in the Nikkor group on Flickr
Try this (http://www.flickr.com/groups/nikkor/discuss/72157603463521000/) to start. It's interesting to note that as of this moment there are no actual images from this lens posted on Flickr. Does that mean that the lens is not actually in the hands of users yet?

[WestCoast]

Yeah, I realize that it's not something that the pro crowd is going to care much about. I just like to read a few informed opinions before I make a purchase.

I forgot to check Nikonians. Thanks.

[fionndruinne]

I'd think Nikon would get this one out there and advertised since it is a competitor to Canon's new IS-equipped kit lens.

[K1W1]

I'd think Nikon would get this one out there and advertised since it is a competitor to Canon's new IS-equipped kit lens.

I doubt it.
In the overall scheme of things how many people are going to rush out and buy this lens to add to their collection?
This lens will be sold on web sites and from newspaper ads as a package with a body to new users;

* Latest Nikon Dxx body
* xx MP
includes
* 18-55 lens
* Vibration reduction built in!
etc

and how many of those buyers are going to look for in depth lens performance reviews before they buy? Most are simply going to compare the number of mega pixels with the Canon or Pentax or Sony model they are comparing with, look to see which package does or does not have VR or the equivalent because their "friend" the ex "Pro" photographer who once sold one photo told them it's required then they will see what is the best deal they can get and buy.
Reviews of this lens will filter out but I wouldn't be holding my breath for an avalanche.

[e_dawg]

This lens is not yet available and won't be for some time. Canon announced their 18-55/IS a long time ago (summer time) and only had it available in the stores starting Decemeber. Nikon announced their 18-55/VR only in December, and based on Nikon's availability track record, I wouldn't expect them to be readily available until some time in the spring.

[WestCoast]

This lens is not yet available and won't be for some time. Canon announced their 18-55/IS a long time ago (summer time) and only had it available in the stores starting Decemeber. Nikon announced their 18-55/VR only in December, and based on Nikon's availability track record, I wouldn't expect them to be readily available until some time in the spring.

B&H is already selling it.

[e_dawg]

Well how about that? Nikon launches a new lens, said it would be available in December, and they're in stock as promised... I'm impressed ;)

[tfa8rva]

How necessary is VR on an 18-55 lens?

[ssil2000]

How necessary is VR on an 18-55 lens?

same as 55-200 i guess... handheld is handheld, yes 200mm may benefit a bit more but a 1/40 or so you will still blur the image handheld, at least i do sometimes! :)

Sergio

[K1W1]

This thread got me thinking (dangerous) so I looked at one of the local camera stores web site. Sure enough they are showing the 18-55VR as in stock at Aus$299.00 (US$263.00). Just for comparison the same store has the 55-200VR at Aus$329.00 (US$289.00).
Miracles will never cease. What happened to the days when we got Nikon products 6 months after everybody else?

BTW: In Australia the advertised price includes all taxes and charges so to compare against a US price you need to include any US state sales tax that may be payable.

No I am not going to buy one.

[jcon]

I personally don't see the point for this lens.

[K1W1]

According to the actual press release on the Nikon Australia web site the lens is being offered as a kit lens with the D80.
That seems slightly strange as the D80 is obviously on run out the way that they are discounting that unit and the other rumours about production being finished.
As the 18-55 is a slow lens I can think of lots of times where the VR would have been useful to me over the last couple of years but that won't encourage me to buy one as an additional lens - I'd rather buy something "better" for an additional lens.

[ssil2000]

According to the actual press release on the Nikon Australia web site the lens is being offered as a kit lens with the D80.
That seems slightly strange as the D80 is obviously on run out the way that they are discounting that unit and the other rumours about production being finished.
As the 18-55 is a slow lens I can think of lots of times where the VR would have been useful to me over the last couple of years but that won't encourage me to buy one as an additional lens - I'd rather buy something "better" for an additional lens.

totally agree, if this was out when i got my setup i would of gotten the vr

[Rooz]

According to the actual press release on the Nikon Australia web site the lens is being offered as a kit lens with the D80.
That seems slightly strange as the D80 is obviously on run out the way that they are discounting that unit and the other rumours about production being finished.
As the 18-55 is a slow lens I can think of lots of times where the VR would have been useful to me over the last couple of years but that won't encourage me to buy one as an additional lens - I'd rather buy something "better" for an additional lens.

agreed. i think clearly positioned as a kit lens. if thom hogans predictions come true we'll probably also see the 16-85VR as the other kit lens.

for those that say is VR really necessary at this focal length...my answer is probably not. but if you had a choice between VR and non VR which would you choose ? sony/ pentax/ olympus have done us a great favour with in-body IS imo. they've forced canon/ nikon to make VR viable for in-lens systems by making this increasingly available to your average joe in consumer lens' rather than just the big ticket stuff.

[dolphin]

Here it is ;)

http://cameras.pricegrabber.com/slr-lenses/m/59496921/search=18-55+vr

[jcon]

Still dont see the point, especially with the 16-85VR. Why would anyone want this lens when you can purchase the 16-85VR? This reminds me of the D40X, completely pointless.

[coldrain]

The 18-55 made sense next to the 18-70 too... more affordable, less distortion, and yet very good contrasty optics.

So... in that way probably the 18-55 VR will make sense next to a 16-85 VR... $200 price difference is a lot for a lot of people, and personally I do prefer the Nikon 18-55 over the 18-70, and I do prefer the Canon 18-55 IS over the Canon 17-85 IS.

[K1W1]

I suspect that it's cheaper for Nikon to make a 18-55 f3.5-5.6 VR lens these days than for them to make a 18-55 f2.8 or similar lens but as I said at the beginning the main reason for this lens' existence is marketing. Nikon MUST have a complete range of low cost VR lenses to compete with the companies who offer in body VR.

[e_dawg]

If the Nikon 18-55/VR turns out to be as good as the Canon 18-55/IS, then it will be a bargain and we're in for a real treat.

In a recent lens test, the Canon 18-55/IS turned out to be a very sharp lens across the board -- a notably better performer than its predecesor and for only $180. That's only $60 more than the kit lens and it's less than half the price of the similarly performing 17-85/ IS.

For Nikon, this lens represents a better value than the 18-70 at just over half the price.

[skagen]

How necessary is VR on an 18-55 lens?
Depends on how you look at it. What VR really does is allow you to use a longer shutter time without blur.

Which makes a lens like this (max aperture 3.5 at best and 5.6 at worst) more useful in lower light situations that it would be normally. That is how I'd see it....

[ChrisJH]

This thread got me thinking (dangerous) so I looked at one of the local camera stores web site. Sure enough they are showing the 18-55VR as in stock at Aus$299.00 (US$263.00). Just for comparison the same store has the 55-200VR at Aus$329.00 (US$289.00).

Hi K1W1,

Which Oz online store did you find these prices?

I'm interested in these lenses because of their bang for your buck - which is why I'd be interested in any reviews. They are meant to be sharp and will give me the equivalent of 27-300mm in a fairly compact package.

Plus, maybe, a Tokina 12-24 for wide angle stuff...

Cheers,

Chris