Nikon 1855mm f/3.55.6G ED AFS DX Nikkor Zoom

So far so good
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
While not spectacular, if you’re looking for a starter lens this seems to be the best way to go. Works very well with my Nikon d80. My only complaint is that it looks and feels somewhat cheap; when zooming, the lens reaches out unlike other models of lenses where the lens stays contained in the lense container. Multiple times I’ve had the lense not retract all the way, too.

Great starter lens
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
It is nice to see a quality lens that is affordable. I had been using my old nikorr 28-80mm lens on my D50, because I didnt think it would make a difference. After getting this lens ($120 from cameta) I would definitely recommend it. I can really tell the difference in sharpness and contrast between this and my old 35mm lens. Most people get this kit lens with their camera, but if you are like me and bought the body only and are thinking about upgrading I say it is worth it (especially at under $200)

Nice lens
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This lens is great. It’s really inexpensive! And it’s clear! As of now it’s my walking around lens. I read tons of reviews before I bought it and for the price I don’t think you will find a better lens.

And for a fast lens pick up the Nikon 50mm f/1.8. Again, super inexpensive, incredibly crisp and fast!

Great all-round lens. Unbeatable image quality for the price
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This is a light & silent lens, with surprising image quality.

For this price, it’s very hard to beat. I’ve also used the 18-70mm Kit lens, which has better construction, a longer focal range and is also a little heavier. They’re difference in optical quality is noticeable, but not dramatically.

If you’re on a tight budget, you won’t go wrong with this lens.

Inexpensive Moderate Wide Angle Zoom for Nikon DX Digital SLR Cameras
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
The current issue of Popular Photography has a glowing review of this lens and its sibling, the 55mm-200mm zoom lens, for Nikon DX Digital SLR cameras. I’m amazed that Nikon has opted to produced a high quality moderate wide angle zoom lens for digital SLRs at a relatively low price. But don’t be fooled that this relatively inexpensive lens isn’t capable of producing excellent results, which the fine Popular Photography review certainly attests (At nearly every focal length there is excellent contrast and resolution, with minimal barrel distortion, except at 18mm, since there the barrel distortion is a bit noticeable: this would only have an adverse impact in photographing buildings, but again, the impact is just hardly noticeable.). Nikon has opted to use most of its optical innovations, including the new improved Super Nikon Intergrated Coating (Nikon’s latest multicoating) to help greatly minimize flare and thus produce images which have excellent contrast and resolution. For many owners of Nikon’s inexpensive line of DX Digital SLRs, such as the new Nikon D70s, this lens and its 55mm-200mm zoom sibling, may be all the optical firepower they’ll need for photography, with the chance of expanding sometime later into Nikon’s impressive line of superb optics for 35mm film and digital photography.

Very good for a “kit” lens
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Typically the kit lens on an SLR is something along the lines of “You wanted a piece of glass, you got a piece of glass.”

Certainly handling the lens doesn’t inspire confidence, as it’s mostly plastic, and feels flimsy. Many people often put down plastic lenses as they’re supposedly to liable to break, but the ones saying that are often veterans from the film era when camera bodies were metal and simple. I’d say if you’ve dropped your digital SLR hard enough to break a plastic lens, you’ve probably broken a few other things as well.

What the 18-55 does offer is a 3X zoom, silent wave motor focusing, and widely spaced zoom settings, with only moderate distortion. It’s not until you’ve used some other zoom lenses, where at the wide angle everything turns in a barreled funhouse, or the zoom settings are something like 28-35-50——135—200 that you appreciate how well this lens is thought out.

The only odd thing about the lens is it extends and then retracts through the zoom cycle. The silent wave motor is quick and fast, and results have consistently been sharp.

While it’s “only” a 3X zoom, it gets around the compromises in distortion that full length zooms have. Pair this with the 55-200mm VR and you’ll have 90 percent of your photo needs covered.

Nice and Small But Limited Focal Length
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I got this lens with my D50 about a year and a half ago. It is a nice, small lens with pretty good IQ. Decently sharp, not a lot of distortion, good color and contrast.

I ended up replacing this lens with teh 18-135mm about 6 months later do to the focal length being a bit limiting on the 18-55mm and the 18-135mm being more useful in combination with the 70-300mm VR. I still have this lens, though, and occasionally use it when I want a small, light lens and know I won’t need a lot of zoom.

Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
The lens is good for the price. I used this lens a few times for large groups of people with my Fuji S3Pro and the quality if shot in raw is very good up to an 11×14.

Nikon kit lens
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I had just purchased a Nikon D80 and needed to pick up 3 lenses for a trip to Lee Vining / Yosemite. I had read great reviews on this item and decided to go for it. I know that there is a faster, much more expensive lens in the same focal length range but that wasn’t going to work for me. Not only does this lens capture great images, I can’t say enough about the speed with which it was delivered to me. This was especially important since I ordered mere days before the start of my trip! All in all this is a fantastic lens for those of us on a budget.

Nikon does produce very very good products
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
See my review on the D50 to get more information on my opinion of this lens. This lens is excellent and works EXCELLENt with the D50. HOWEVER, note that the D40 requires a different type of lens as the autofocus is located on the lens and not on the body. GET THE D50 WHILE THEY LAST!

Excellent transaction!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I had great service with this company, Cameta camera and the lens is just like brand new. Works like a charm and I am throughly happy! Highly Recommended!

A great lens at an amazingly cheap price
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
The Nikon 18-55 is one of those rare pieces of glass that surprises across the board — I find that it is far superior to the more expensive Nikon 18-70 kit lens now packaged with most new Nikon dSLR’s. The 18-55 is not only a third of the price, but it is crisper and clearer at 18, and super sharp from 35 – 55. There is next to no barrel distortion at 18, certainly far less that the 18-70. And there is nothing better than a 6 ounce lens for carrying to parties, events, and dinners, rather than those pound+ lenses. I highly recommend this lens.

Very good for the price
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
For the price, you can’t beat this lens. I’ve been using it for over a month and have had some very sharp results. There is a bit of distortion at the shorter focal lengths, but overall I am pleased. I’ve even had some results with long exposures at night (with tripod) at all apertures, where professional photographers have said “wow”. It is light and easy to carry.

My only complaint is that it’s a bit slow (f/3.5).

However, if you are weighing this lens with the Nikon 17-35 f/2.8, this lens is not a substitute. If you are not familiar with the 17-35, this 18-55 is probably the right lens for you. If you are weighing between the two, don’t bother. Buy the f/2.8.

A really terrific lens
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I upgraded to a D200 from my D70 and waited and waited and am still waiting for my 18-200 VR. I needed a wide angle lens so I listened to Ken Rockwell (I enourage everyone to visit his site) and bought the 18-55. It is a wonderful lens, produces excellent, sharp images, is light weight, and focuses quickly. It’s an inexpensive build, but for the price I can use for a few years (or until my 18-200 arrives which ever is first) and feel that I have gotten more than my money’s worth. Don’t let the light weight fool you, though, this is a great lens.

nice lens
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I LOVE THIS LENS, EVERYTHING WORKS FINE. I AM USING IT IN NIKON D60, AND TAMRON 38/70 MM, AND SIGMA 70/300 FROMM PREVIUS F 60. THOU THEY HAVE TO FOCUS MANUALLY, BUT WORK FINE TOO. HAVE BEEN NIKON FAN FOR MANY MANY YEARS. (since 19550).

I’m quite happy with this lens
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I’m quite happy with this lens, included in the D50 kit. It seems much better than my old Canon and Sigma zooms (which I’ve sold some years ago, after change from a EOS650 to digital), although it presents some barrel distortion at wide-angle (18mm). To be honest, I only noticed it recently (only after taking a few hundred shots), when I had the chance to get some pictures with the ocean at the horizon. I will try to remember not to use this lens at 18mm with perfectly “horizontal horizons”…

Anyhow, one can solve it in Photoshop, quite easily.

Overall, I’m content with the building quality and sharpness of this lens and, probably, I’ll spend much more time with it (getting used again with a SLR).

one of the best buys for a nikon dslr
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
for the money the only possibly better buy is the 1.8 50mm. this lens is probably the best kit lens around. it’s very crisp.

Great starter lens
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I can see why this lens is usually with a DSLR at initial purchase. A great lens to start with. I have been using this lens for about 2 months and enjoy the quality and build. Photos are as sharp as I expected and the zoom range is what most people will use. Although, now I am looking for a wide angle or the VR version. I say it’s a great lens to start with because now I can really compare what to look for with my next purchases of lens. If you’re a hobbyist, then look no further. If you are going to be an enthusiast, then this will quench your thirst for only a short time. I wouldn’t have known that if I didn’t get this wonderful lens.

April 2008 update:

I sold this a couple weeks ago due to just simply outgrowing it’s performance. The VR version is not that much more great other than of course it’s VR! I’m sure many others went for the 18-200mm VR or the 18-55 f/2.8. Intermediate user’s may feel emotionally attached to this lens because it was with them initially, but you too will outgrow this lens. None the less, a very very good beginner’s lens.

Good lens, minimal distortion
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I bought this lens for my D70s because of its light weight – almost half the weight of the Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED IF AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens – and because it has less barrel distortion at 18 mm than the 18-70. True, the build quality is not as good, but I’m careful so that wasn’t too much a concern to me. After 15 months of extensive use, my lens is still working fine.

Reportedly, sharpness is best (and is excellent) across the frame at f/8 at 18mm, f/8-11 at 35mm, and f/11 at 55mm.

After 15 months of use, my two favorite features in this lens are still its light weight, and minimal distortion compared to other zoom lenses. For example the Nikon 18-200 VR, which I own also, has very noticeable pincushion distortion at 50mm. In contrast, this little 18-55 doesn’t have any perceptible distortion at focal lengths higher than 35 mm.

One or more lenses for Nikon
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
I bought the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens because I thought I would need a lighter lens at times as the Nikon 18-200 would be to heavy to cary around and use all the time. Big mistake. The latter is a ‘do all’. I am stuck with the 18-55 and looking for a buyer.

please with lens
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
very pleased with camera lens, very lightweight, easy for everyday use use and does not add much to total camera weight, downside is that it is mostly plastic and not as sturdy. Pleased with product, arrived timely

Value for the entry-level amateur
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I bought this lens for just over $100.00 on eBay. I expected it to perform as well as it does. For the price, the lens is better than the 28-80mm by far. The images are clear (in good lighting conditions) and the sharpness is adequate. I have taken several thousand pictures with the lens, and I am satisfied with its performance. The macro photo possibilities are generally acceptable. It is a good beginning lens because you really get what you pay for. The lens does not perform well in low-light conditions, however, due to its aperture limitations. It does not feel too light, although the plastic mount is a liability if you remove lenses often. All in all, it is a worthwhile purchase for anyone excited about jumping into photography. This is a good, general portrait, landscape, and non-zoom macro lens.

EDIT: 2/26/07 The lens began sticking after a few months and ultimately became useless. I dismantled it to determine the cause and noted that the (unofficial name) three rails that the internal lens slides on all have a velvet-type layer of friction material glued to them. One of my rails started losing it’s adhesive velvet material and the lens stuck on it as I zoomed in and out, eventually causing my zoom to be inoperable.

Very pleased
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
We were very pleased with the price and quality of the new camera lens. Good, fast service. I will return to these folks for more equipment in the future.

Nikon 18-55mm Zoom Lens
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I am very satisfied with this lens. It takes great pictures in daylight & at night! Amazon was very easy to deal with, the order came to my house within 4 days.