Nikon 60mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Micro-Nikkor Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras

Buy Cheap Nikon 60mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Micro-Nikkor Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras

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Get better pictures from your digital SLR with this Nikon USA: AF-S Micro-NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED lens. With its two aspherical lens elements, lens aberrations are rare. And if you need to take a picture fast, the Silent Wave Motor produces high-speed and quiet autofocus operation. And its Nano Crystal Coat eliminates most internal reflections across a wide range of wavelengths for even greater image integrity. Faster, smoother autofocusing and eliminates barrel length changes and front element rotation Virtually eliminates internal reflections across a wide range of wavelengths Superior color performance, while substantially reducing ghosting and flare Optimized for edge-to-edge sharpness on both the Nikon FX-format (23.9 x 36mm) and DX-format image sensors Rounded 9-blade diaphragm for more natural appearance of out-of-focus image elements M/A Focus Mode allows fast, smooth transitions, autofocus to manual operation Focal length - 60mm Maximum aperture - f/2.8 Minimum aperture - f/32 Lens construction - 12 elements in 9 groups (with one ED glass lens, two aspherical lenses, one with Nano Crystal Coat) Picture angle - 39 40' (26 30' with Nikon DX format) Closest focus distance - 0.185 m/0.6 ft. (life-size) Maximum reproduction ratio - 1.0x (life-size) Filter/attachment size - 62 mm Diameter x length - Approximately 2.9 x 3.5 inches Weight - Approximately 15 oz. Supplied accessories - LC-62 62mm Snap-on front lens cap, LF-1Rear lens cap, HB-42 Bayonet hood, CL-1018 Flexible lens pouch Optional accessories - 62mm screw-in filters, including circular polarizing filter
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Technical Details

- Lens Type: AF-S 60mm f/2.8G ED
- Designed for use with Nikon FX and DX digital SLR cameras including the D40, D60, D80, D90, and D300
- Focal length: 90mm effective for APS-C sensor cameras
- Ideal for closeup and macro photography
- Minimum focus distance: 8 inches
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 "Excellent lens - welcome to the world of macro" 2010-02-19
By iamdavinci
I purchased this lens with the Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens due to my love of macro photography. The 60mm produces sharp and crisp images at a 1:1 reproduction ratio which makes the world of macro photography superb. Nikon's exclusive Silent Wave Motor ensures fast, quiet autofocus operation which is great when you are not able to use a tripod. The Nano Crystal Coat and high-performance Nikon Super Integrated Coating delivers superior color reproduction, while substantially reducing ghosting and flare. The rounded nine-blade diaphragm opening makes out-of-focus objects appear more natural which makes your photos appear more "real". If you have a digital darkroom this should spur the creative juices even more as you can take and develop your masterpieces within minutes.



I purchased the 60mm and the 105mm lenses due to the difference in focal lengths - while the 60mm will be used for studio work, the 105mm will be used for nature work. There is some hunting done at close range but it is quick to resolve and bring in the focus. If there is no shot to take it will do nothing until you are at the right distance from your subject. But you should familiarize yourself with the aspects of the lens than you will do fine. The bokeh is beautiful and creamy and it makes your photo feel like a work of art.



Overall well worth the money. Teamed this lens up on a D90 with a Nikon NC - 62mm Filter - for protection. An absolutely beautiful lens.

 "Nikon's 60mm Micro Macro" 2010-02-08
By David Saffir (www.davidsaffir.com)
Just purchased this lens after debating focal length, etc among macro choices. Settled on this one because I use it for more than one purpose - macro of course, but also fine art reproduction. I need the shorter focal length to reduce working distance for large pieces of art.



The new Nano coating is perfect for the newer DSLRs - astonishing contrast and clarity. Very, very sharp and excellent color accuracy. Also lighter than its predecessors.



This can be a great all-around lens, pretty fast at f/2.8, completely flat and sharp to the corners. Highly recommended.



David Saffir

 "Outstanding" 2010-01-30
By Gene Daniels (South-western New Mexico)
This is a superb optic, Nikon at it's best. Only thing lacking would be the addition of Vibration reduction. So far it is supplanting all my other lenses and is doing everything needed as an all around lens. Very sharp and not overly heavy .Well worth the dollars.

 "Tenacious Waynette" 2009-12-24
By W. Lamorell (Maryland)
This is my first introduction to micro lenses world .I love the ability to take close-up shots. The 60mm lens takes crisp, sharp, and clean line exposures. Great lens! Highly Recommend as a good buy.

 "A great DX/FX Macro for those who need the versatility of a 60mm Macro" 2009-12-16
By S. S. Malhotra (Norwalk, CT)
Pro's:

I really labored over purchasing this lens, as the Nikon 85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX ED VR Micro Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras was announced around the time I had bought this lens.



But I knew I wanted more working distance since I was going to use this lens on my D200 (DX body, so effective focal length 90mm); I also wanted something that would work on my N75 and have the ability to use with a D700/D3/D3x if I so chose to.



A recent Dec 2009 review from Popular Photography also supported my choice, titled "7 Versatile Pieces of Photo Gear":



The 60mm Macro Lens



For tremendous versatility in a single focal length, nothing beats a fast (f/2.8 or faster) 60mm macro lens, especially when you use it on a DSLR with an APS-C-sized sensor. It's tops for both fascinating close-ups and flattering portraits. A macro lens is a must to get in tight on a small object. And if your subject is round (like these cherries), a 60mm can help bring out the shape in ways that longer macros, which flatten the scene, cannot. Even better? Its typical close-focusing distance of 7-9 inches lets you adjust your subject while your eye remains glued to the viewfinder. But with portraits, you want to be farther away. The one here succeeds in part because the photographer's 60mm macro lens, used on her Nikon D200, scaled up to a 90mm equivalent--just about perfect for people pictures.



Regardless, this macro has been a joy to use, and it gives me several stops advantage over the "competing" 85 3.5 VR macro recently released. . .

Quick, silent focus, and excellent gold-stamped "N" construction round out the pluses!



Con's:

Odd length, doesn't really fit well with my small lens cases.



HEAVY for the size. But I like it (some may not).



Some hunting in low light and slow to focus from infinity to close, as expected of a macro though since they are made to be be finely adjusted.



Wish it had VR as I use it as a portrait lens sometimes.



P.S. I also use with the post-processing suiteDxO Optics Pro v5 Standard Edition(D200 + 60mm 2.8). Cleans up my shots and gives me a few-stop advantage in post processing!


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Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens

Buy Cheap Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens

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The AF-S VR 105 f/2.8G IF-ED brings the benefits of vibration reduction (VR) to the domain of Macro photography. It offers high-resolution, high-optical performance for both digital and 35mm film format SLR cameras. This lens incorporates Nikon's second-generation vibration reduction system (VR II) that allows flexible hand-held shooting by stabilizing the image to the equivalent stability of a shutter speed that is 4 stops faster when compared with a conventional lens (as determined by Nikon performance test). The SWM (Silent Wave Motor) and IF (Internal Focusing) ensure quiet autofocusing with quick and convenient switching between autofocus and manual operation. Optical performance is enhanced by an ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element that minimizes chromatic aberration, and Nano Crystal Coat which drastically reduces flare, enabling finely defined, clear images.
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Technical Details

- Designed for close-up and macro photography; versatile enough for virtually any photographic situation
- Features new VR II vibration reduction technology, which allows photographers to shoot hand-held shots up to 4 shutter speeds slower
- Nano-Crystal coat and ED glass elements that enhance overall image quality by further reducing flare and chromatic aberrations
- Includes internal focus, which provides fast and quiet auto-focusing without changing the length of the lens, retaining the subject's working distance
- Weighs 27.9 ounces, and measures 3.3 x 4.5 inches (Diameter x Depth)
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 "The Nikon 105mm Micro-Nikkor" 2009-12-16
By Alfred J. Mosco (Spring TX USA)
The lens performs as advertised. When used within the suggested parameters the results are great. Not the silver bullet for every situation, but excellent for what it was designed for. The user must become proficient on how to take into account all the attributes of an excellent image. The lens cannot compensate if the lighting,focus, etc. are not optimum. The lens reproduces what it "sees"; no more no less.

 "More than a macro-lens" 2009-11-26
By M. Henri De Feraudy (France)
This is not only a superb macro lens (though the offerings by Zeiss and Leitz are reputed even sharper, and more expensive) but it makes a very good all round 105 mm lens thanks to the vibration reduction. I've used this to make many a discreet shot at a wedding with my D300 and I didn't have to use a tripod, even in dim light. I have also used it to take shots of architectural details in dim light.

The contrast and the bokeh are excellent.

I should add that since its focusing range is so long (from a few centimeters to infinity) this lens is more likely to hunt when autofocusing than a standard 105mm lens, so it might not be the best lens for action shots. You need to be a little patient when using the autofocus.

In many macro situations you should turn the autofocusing off. I'll let you be the judge.

As for the VR you should definitely turn it off if you are using a tripod: you'll be wearing the mechanism out less and often the VR makes things worse.



As to sharpness the more formal tests whether on slrgear, popphoto, photozone or the French magazine Chasseur d'Images say it all.

 "Works like a charm" 2009-11-23
By William C. Cross (Boston, Ma USA)
I upgraded from the older Nikon 60mm macro and can see the difference in image quality in the viewfinder. What I didn't expect was the richness of the colors in the unprocessed frames. This lens shines.

 "Wanted to *love* this lens, but..." 2009-09-22
By Paul J. Adams
I'll start this review with the following caveats:



1) I rented this lens for a weekend, and probably put 150-200 shots through it. I don't own it.

2) I don't spend a lot of time doing macro work, so my lack of skills there (assuming there are some skills specific to macro work) may have gotten in the way of getting full enjoyment out of the lens.

3) I used the lens on a Nikon D300 body, which has its limitations in autofocus (that is, if it gets confused, it sometimes won't even "hunt", it will just not do anything when half-pressing the shutter release button).



This isn't my first experience with fast, pro-quality glass, so my experience won't be the same as some others here who might be just upgrading from a kit lens (which are nice for the price, but just can't compare, IMHO). I rented the lens to try it out at a wedding and around the house/yard, and I *really* wanted to fall in love with the lens, but I just didn't. Yes, it's got great construction, great image quality, VR, etc.



All that said, I recommend spending $30 to rent this for a weekend and see if it does what you want, before devoting nine hundred bucks to it. I'm happier with my 80-200mm (non-VR) 2.8 lens that I bought for a bit less. It doesn't do macro, but I'm also not stuck (as I was during the wedding this past weekend) with having a single-focal-length lens on my camera at the wrong time (yes, my mistake). I'm no stranger to prime lenses, and find them to be excellent for image quality (this one being no exception).



What didn't I like? Two things: 1) focal length is a bit long (for my taste) for use on a DX-sensor camera -- I might try the 60mm -- at least for what I was using it for; 2) auto-focus was almost unusable in many circumstances -- though I understand that many macro/micro photographers use manual focus anyway. Since I already have fast glass that encompasses this focal length, I would only want it for macro work, and I can get a really nice (shorter) manual focus lens for a fraction of the price (only a third to half for a new 60mm AF-D, and less than a tenth for a fully manual older (used) 55mm f/3.5).



So I'm not *not* recommending this lens (I gave it 4 stars, after all), just STRONGLY suggesting you rent one first.

 "Wow!" 2009-08-14
By English_Wolf (Annandale, VA)
If you want to go macro, this the lens for nikon and nikon mount cameras.



I do most of my shooting hand held and I have no complaints. I am happy!



Samples here: [...]

Coupled with 2x extender and you enter a word of near micro photography.


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Buy Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens Now

Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens

Buy Cheap Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens

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The fast, wide-angle to medium telephoto AF-S zoom lens from Nikon is optimized for edge-to-edge sharpness on both the Nikon FX (23.9 x 36mm) and DX-format image sensors, with focus as close as 14.9 inches. Enhanced optical formulas, engineered to produce exceptional sharpness, contrast and color, render outstanding image integrity, while two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements and PGM aspherical lenses futher control chromatic aberrations at even the widest aperture settings It has an exclusive Nano Crystal Coat to reduce ghosting and flare for even greater image clarity. The Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM) enables ultra high-speed autofocusing with exceptional accuracy and powerful, super-quiet operation, while the Internal Focus (IF) provides fast and quiet auto focusing without changing the length of the lens and M/A Focus Mode switch enables quick response to changing situations between Auto and Manual focus operation. With all these features, as well as an incredible resilience to dust, water and general wear and tear, the Nikon 24-70mmf/2.8G ED Lens is a welcome way to meet your telephotography needs. Internal Focus (IF) provides auto focusing without changing the length of the lens M/A Focus Mode switch enables quick changing between Auto and Manual focus operation.
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Technical Details

- AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens
- Designed for use with Nikon digital SLR cameras including the D40, D60, D80, D90, and D300
- 36-105mm effective focal length for APS-C sensor cameras
- Versatile zoom range for landscapes, people photography, and everyday shooting
- Minimum focus distance: 16 in.
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 "consider an alternative" 2010-01-20
By Jim Mcculloch (Austin, TX USA)
This is not actually a review of the lens, which I do not own, but its price. The old nikkor 35-70 f/2.8 is still widely available, and the optics (according to reviews I have read) are essentially indistinguishable. Certainly mine has superb optics. Neither lens has vr. The difference between 24mm and 35mm at the wide end is significant, but in my opinion is not $1500 significant. (I picked my 35-70 up recently for $300 used and I am very pleased with its performance.) So if you have the money, go for the 24-70. If you are strapped for cash, you can still find a terrific alternative, the 35-70, much more cheaply.



My 3 star rating is entirely about the price as compared with a very good alternative.

 "Fantastic Mid-range Zoom!" 2010-01-15
By J. T. Hwang (Chicago, IL)
I was a bit skeptical about all the positive reviews of this lens, after owning it for a month and using it frequently, I would have to agree with all the positive reviews of this lens. Yes, it's heavy in comparison to prime and consumer lenses, but this is light compared to 70-200 or 80-200/2.8. Construction is very good, AF-S focusing is quick and quiet, zoom is pretty smooth (definitely don't have issues here), and lens hood is heavy duty and included with the lens. Takes sharp and contrasty photos with my D700, though I have other lenses covered by the focal lenth of this lens, I use the 24-70mm unless I need a faster lens.



Few things I didn't know about before purchasing this lens. 1) Lens will cause shadows with onboard D700 flash with hood (24-33mm with hood off) which will require me to buy an external flash (which I planned to do), very minor vignetting at 24mm wide open aperture (I notice it but not to the point where I would edit out), will focus very close (est 12-14") for almost macro territory, bokeh is surprisingly good, I don't feel the need for uv filter with the hood in place, lens is water resistant (similar to D700) and liking that I can shoot outdoors w/o having to worry about water getting into optics or electronics.



Some may say it's a bit expensive for mid-range zoom, but it is money very well spent (at least for me). I'm glad that I could enjoy this lens now, than having to wish that I had this lens some five years from now. VR would be nice but unnecessary as D700 takes great photos at ISO 6400, the only way to make this lens better is to wish for a f1.4 version.

 "Best Lens EVER!!" 2010-01-09
By Patrick Smith (Augusta, GA)
I bought this for me d300 and it is an AMAZING lens. The build quality is outstanding!! The only downfalls it that it is heavy and takes a 77mm filter, but the pros defiantly outweigh the cons on this lens. I shoot concerts for my job and this lens is awesome for the job and does crystal clear low light pictures.

Definitely a lens to buy.

 "Very pleased with this lens" 2009-12-17
By Richard C. Pruitt (Chesapeake, VA)
I was frustrated with low light shooting situations, don't care for flash much, so this was my choice. This lens is the one that just stays on my D5000 body. Travel shots, catching the grandkids at play or whatever, it is the most universal lens I could ask for. It is super fast to focus, produces razor sharp images and the weight helps steady things a bit. I also wanted the new 70-200mm F2.8, but I know I will do more shooting in this range than any other. I love it.

 "pronounced front focus on wide end" 2009-12-12
By Jat Munda
The copy of the Nikon 24-70 f2.8 lens that I received exhibited gross front focus. The front focus was so severe that no special testing was needed to see the effect. The problem started to decrease after approximately 36mm, but continued throughout the remainder of the focal length. Because the front focus was more pronounced toward the wide end and less severe at 70mm, the use of the fine tune feature in my D300 would only correct one end or the other. I took the lens to a local store and found the problem reproducible with a D300s body. Auto focus or manual focus gave the same results. The problem was the same irrespective of focus point used. I only tried the single shot method, as I rarely use the continuous shooting mode. I had back focus issues with two Canon 5D bodies and the Canon 24-70L f2.8 lens. After sending both bodies and the 24-70L lens to Canon repair facility several times and not getting the back focus issue resolved, I gave up on Canon and switched to Nikon. It has been an unhappy experience so far with Nikon. BTW, I have the LensAlign to test a lens for front/back focus. However, the problem with the Nikon lens was so severe that it was first easily observed in real world picture taking situation. I did use the LensAlign, which showed a front focus issue as well.



Update (December 14, 2009): The lens was exchanged. Unfortunately, the replacement lens was worse for front focus. Besides the D300 body that I own, I tried the replacement lens on two D700 bodies, one D200 body, and one D3 body. The front focus was present with all of the tested bodies. I own five other Nikon lenses and none exhibit front focus problem. One lens out of the five (50mm f1.4) does show ever-so-slight back focus. I also have an inexpensive 12-year old 24-135mm variable aperture third party lens. This lens is not as sharp as the Nikon lenses that I own, however, there are no focusing issues with this lens at all. A brief look at some of the forums online will show that this is not an isolated case. In the end, I would say that this lens is finely crafted and the zoom ring is silky smooth. It takes very sharp pictures, only the focus is about five feet in front of the target that is used to focus (16 feet away)! I have been a Nikon fan since the F3 body days. However, my one-star rating stands mainly due to the fact that this type of quality control is unacceptable in light of the relative cost of the optic.


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Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

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This 5.8x zoom, designed exclusively for use with Nikon's DX-format, features Nikon's VR image stabilization and is perfect for portraits and action. The wide-ratio 5.8x zoom
Compact, versatile and ideal for a broad range of shooting situations, ranging from interiors and landscapes to beautiful portraits--a perfect everyday zoom. Vibration Reduction is engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens and enables handheld shooting at up to 3 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper images.
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Technical Details

- Includes - LC-67 67mm snap-on front lens cap; LF-1 rear lens cap; HB-32 Bayonet lens hood, CL-1018 Flexible lens pouch
- Vibration Reduction is engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens and enables handheld shooting at up to 3 shutter speeds slower than normal.
- Aspherical lens element virtually eliminates coma and other types of lens aberration, further improving image integrity.
- Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC) enhances light transmission and offers superior color consistency and reduced flare.
- Close focusing to 1.48 feet - Creative close-up photography is possible throughout the entire zoom range.
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 "Definitly better than its reputation on expert sites!!" 2010-01-14
By Cheap-n-Easy (Triad, NC)
I got this lens with my D90 kit. I am also a fan of Ken Rockwell and his reviews and deep expert knowledge about cameras, film and digital. Especially his expertise with Nikon over the past 30 or so years helped me a lot to be smarter and take better picutres. ken is not the biggest fan of this lens and that would lead many to caution. I have done my own comparison and truly believe he is too cautious.

What I have:

D90 and D40 (For fast flash photography)

AF-S 35mm f/1.8 prime (you MSUT get this one)

AF-S 18-105 VR (This review)

AF-S 18-55 D40 non-VR kit lens

AF-S 70-300 VR (Tripod wildlife shots and similar)



What is good about the 18-105 VR;

- Very versatile. Great zoom range for most of your photography needs

- Better AF "hit rate" than the 18-200

- Sharp, well exposed pictures with great colors all the time

- Relatively portable for the range it provides

- Probably the best bang for the buck AF-S DX VR lens by far



What could be better:

- Plastic lens mount is my biggest complaint and the only reason I gave it 4 stars. Nikon has to cut somewhere, but the lens mount?? C'mon ... this is a real goof by Nikon.

- No aperture window. Not a must but would realy be helpful

- For me a bit on the heavy side, but still light for these "all around" wide range zooms that are getting so popular now. I personally prefer to shoot as much with teh 35mm prime and the AF-S 18-55 non-VR as I can!

- Front lens cap is inferior and fiddly to put on as others have noted here



Bottom line for those thinking about dropping three+ times as much on the (in my opinion) overhyped and very heavy AF-S 18-200 VR ... THINK HARD ABOUT IT and try the 18-105 too. I would never pay the crazy premium for the AF-S 18-200 VR. No way ever. With a little shopping you could get the AF-S 18-105 VR, the AF-S 70-300 VR and the must-have 35mm f/1.8 for the same or just a little more money than the single 18-200 VR lens and have a full system to which the only thing I would ever ad is a super wide angle such as the AF-S 10.5mm fisheye.



Unfortunately the 18-105 is really underrated even though users here have also experienced and commented on how good this lens actually is. It is an excellent lens, a real bargain with the only real drawback being the plastic mount. Give it a try before you disregard it. it hink you'll agree with owners here!

 "Super People Shooting Lens" 2010-01-04
By Tiffany Ann (Black Diamond Bay)
If I know I'm going to be shooting people, you know, a wedding, bar mitzvah, baptism, birthday party, especially one with children and clowns, then this is the lens I use. If I take both bodies, I'll have a wide angle on the other one, so I can get good group shots inside. The 16-85mm range of the camera translates to 24-127mm in real world photography and that'll give you good wide angle shots and allow you some pretty good closeups from across the room or yard, plus the 80 to 120mm range is perfect for portraits.



This lens isn't all that expensive and you're buying better than excellent optics, Nikon quality (the build on this lens is as good as you'll find on any lens made today) and VR that works (it's almost like going a couple stops lower).



You might wonder why I'd opt for this lens for people shooting events over the very nice Nikon 18-200mm or the Tamron 18-270mm, well this lens weighs less, focuses faster, takes sharper photos and I've never ever wished I'd had a longer lens at an event, well once, when I shot a wedding in Huntington Beach. It was a beach side condo and there was some good surf action going on, great waves, but that had nothing to do with the wedding.



If you want a longer range than the kit lens, this could be a good walkabout lens and there have been days when I've used it for that, though I prefer the more compact Nikon 18-55mm for everyday use and one of the above mentioned wide to long telephotos for vacations. Still if you shoot a lot of people or are planning to, you'll find this lens will serve you well.

 "A great upgrade and overall excellent lens" 2009-12-26
By Weston Powers (Pennsylvania)
I want to say that when I first got this lens for Christmas I was utterly disappointed, not because it wasn't a good lens, but I had my heart set on a prime lens. Well, I pushed my sadness aside and mounted it on my D60. The first thing I noticed about it was the size, it was significantly larger in every way possible over the 18-55mm kit lens that came with the D60. The only thing that didn't change was the f-stop. It was sort of heavy mounted on the D60's tiny body but that is something that is easily overcome. The picture quality and the overall use of the lens is where it started to win me over.

I was shooting inside all day with f/3.5, ISO 800 and shutter speed of 1/6 of a second. The pictures came out crisp and clear with the aid of the vibration reduction, whereas my 18-55mm would be a hit-or-miss. I found it great that I could go from shooting wide angle shots to mid-range telephoto shots without having to switch between lenses. I began to see a difference between the quality of my old 18-55mm and the 18-105mm. The 18-105 is the older brother of the 18-55mm kit lens, and it is more useful/ The focusing ring on the lens can override the auto focus. If you are someone in my situation with a three point AF D60, then this comes in handy considering that the focus isn't always where you want it to be. The feel of the lens was different. It felt like it was made of plastic and rubber on the outside, which isn't bad and doesn't inhibit the ability of the lens to do its job, it just feels sort of cheap if you are obsessed with having the best built thing possible. The feeling of cheapness, isn't something to be concerned about, so long as you realize that the lens is meant for picture taking and not groping. The sheer portability of the lens doesn't seem to be an issue, it is just bulkier then the 18-55mm, especially on the puny D60.

The lens is the kind you want to have if you enjoy having versatility in your range but don't want to put more money towards the 18-200mm lens. I look forward to using this lens a lot more and seeing what it can do. Like everything else, it's flaws are just something that the user will have to learn to overcome. But if you are looking at buying D40, D60 or D5000 I strongly suggest buying the bodies only and buying this lens.

 "Bought this for a short vacation" 2009-12-11
By pilot27k (Kentucky)
I originally got a 18-55mm lens with my Nikon camera and decided to buy the 55-200 as my second lens but found that changing out the lenses was a hassle. When I decided to take a short vacation that was about 2000 miles away, I didn't want to deal with carrying the different lenses around so I bought the 18-105mm. It was one of the best things I ever did. I almost feel like it is the only lens needed for general photography. I chose this particular one because the customer reviews were so good. All my photos with this lens are wonderful. They look professional and that is the point when you buy a good lens from Nikon.

 "Great all-purpose at the right price" 2009-12-09
By Bradley Olson (Charlotte, MI)
Seems like everyone recommends the 18-200 mm VR lens, but at a cost of over $600-700!



Instead, this lens for about half the cost will cover most of the useful range of the 18-200. The VR works great on this lens, especially at 105 where the lens performs admirably.



A very good upgrade to a kit lens with more versatility, a more solid feel and VR to make your telephoto shots much better.


Images Product

Buy Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Now

Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon DX-Format Digital SLR Cameras

Buy Cheap Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon DX-Format Digital SLR Cameras

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f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX wide-angle to telephoto zoom lens * Vibration Reduction II allows in-focus shots with longer exposure times (up to four stops slower shutter speed) * 35mm equivalent focal length of 27-300mm * contains two ED (extra-low dispersion) and three aspherical lens elements for high resolution and contrast * Silent Wave Motor for fast, quiet focusing *
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Technical Details

- One-lens solution adept in a wide variety of situations
- Nikon VR II (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization
- Two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements; three aspherical lens elements
- Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC); exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM)
- Focus to 20 inches for extended versatility
See more technical details

 "A good all round lens" 2009-12-16
By Anthony Loh (NY, USA)
I also own the previous version together with this one. Why two? I have a D90 and a D300S and often go out and take photos together with my wife. We both love the flexibility and versatility of this lense.



This VRII version has the same optical quality as the previous version with the exception of a creep-lock, and it cost a couple hundreds dollar more. Not worth the extra money.



This is a good lens (fast focus, nice build, quiet), but not optically superior (ok in sharpness but not great), and still expensive. However, this is the one I almost always take with me wherever I go, although I will pair it with other lenses (e.g., a Nikkor 35mm f1.8g, Tokina 11-16mm f2.8, Nikkor 60mm f2.8g micro, Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 VC, etc.) depending on what I shoot that day.



If you have the $$$ and need a versatile and flexible super zoom lense, go for this one. Otherwise, a used previous version of this lens is equally good.

 "Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II" 2009-12-13
By Teunis D. Baas
I have had the earlier version on my D200 but due to a problem with the focus motor sent it in for repair. At the same time decided to change the D200 for a D300s. Since I could not wait for 6 weeks for the orignal 18-200mm to come back I decided to buy another Nikon 18-200mm lens. I believe this lens to be the most versitile for Nikon DSLR - if I could only have one lens this would be it.

 "great all around though a bit lacking" 2009-12-02
By lemonhedo (philadelphia, PA)
This is probably the so called "lens to rule them all" lens from nikon, well not that great, but it could very well substitute for many lens one may potentially have. For starters, this phat barrel can go from 18mm all the way to 200mm (duh*). Though it isn't that much of a fast lens, the aperture is sufficient for almost all daylight activity in the focal range. For people who just got into the dslr system, this is the lens to get.



In my pouch, I have this lens and the 35mm f1.8 prime lens for my portrait shots and night shots. I had not need to switch out the 18-200mm when I go out to take pictures, and that shows how awesome this lens is. Definitely recommended!

 "Very Good Intro Lens" 2009-12-01
By J. Montgomery (Colorado, USA)
I've used this lens and its predecessor extensively and I've been happy with both. They are clear, accurate, and focused. You can find a zillion reviews talking about how awesome this lens. I'm going to highlight the lens' shortcomings. This is not a be all, end all lens. Don't get me wrong, this is my walkaround lens and it stays on my camera 75% of the time. But it's important to know what this lens won't do.



1. Low light. This is a problem that plagues any reasonably priced long-range zoom. If you're going to be doing much shooting indoors, at night, or twilight with this lens, invest in a good quality flash.



2. Bokeh. The majority of the out-of-focus fields look great. However, if you're shooting wide open (low f stop) and there's a lot going on in the background (long grass, trees, etc) some of the finer details can be blurred or occasionally have a weird halo look to them. It's not that big of an issue, but it does happen from time to time.



3. Distortion. Very manageable and hardly noticeable for the most part, but when you shoot things that are obviously supposed to be very straight (buildings, roads, etc)at less than about 50mm there is some pincushioning. This is easily correctable in photoshop.



4. Light falloff. In low-light and long-exposure pictures, you can clearly see some falloff in the corners. Again, hardly a big deal for most photography.



5. Weight. If you're not used to big lenses, this will take some getting used to, especially if you're upgrading from a kit lens.



6. Filters. The 72mm size is getting more popular, but there still aren't nearly as many filters available as some other sizes. There are resizing rings to compensate if you already have some larger rings, or are eyeballing something in particular.



Ok, this was not meant to turn you off of this lens, only to give you a grounded sense of what this lens has to offer. It is a great walkaround lens for everyday use. It is also a great lens for people looking to get their foot in the door with high quality lenses without having spend too much. This won't replace prime lenses, fast lenses, and superzooms. This is a perfect lens to buy if can only afford, or only want one lens. I would still hate to be without this lens. Highly recommended.

 "If you have one lens, this is the one" 2009-11-30
By David Elliott
The Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G AF-S ED VR II (they must come up with a better naming system) gets five big stars for convenience. When I hike or travel light, this is the only lens I take. The small size and great zoom range are fantastic.



But lets be clear, the lens has many flaws. It is slow (f 5.6 is SLOW). VR is great for decreasing camera shake, but does nothing to stop the action. The lens has significant chromatic and geometric distortion. The geometric distortion is enough that you will not want to take architectural pictures with this lens (LensFix by Kekus can fix this). At the long end the contrast the color rendering decrease dramatically. The bokeh (the quality of the out of focus rendering) is rather busy and not too nice. When the lens if fully extended it is quite flimsy. The lens hood is not well attached (I am on #3).



All of that said, I am very happy with this lens. I am very glad I have it.


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Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Buy Cheap Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

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35mm f/1.8 standard lens * designed for Nikon DX SLR cameras * ideal for everyday use * minimum focus distance: 12 in. * minimum aperture: f/22 *
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Technical Details

- Engineered for Nikon DX-format digital SLRs - Optical formula optimized for use with Nikon DX-format digital SLRs
- Aspherical lens element - Minimizes coma and other types of lens aberrations, further improving image integrity
- Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC) - Enhances light transmission efficiency and offers superior color consistency and reduced flare
- Exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM) - Enables fast, accurate and quiet autofocus
- Close focusing to one foot for creative perspectives and versatility
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 "Great portrait lens" 2009-11-22
By H. Li (Arlington, MA USA)
This is a excellent lens for portrait. It works great in low light. I love it!

 "Great lens at a great price" 2009-11-18
By L. Villalobos (Los Angeles, CA)
I'm a beginner at photography and I bought this lens for my Nikon D60 camera. This is my first prime lens and I purchased it mainly for taking pictures in low light situations. This lens is working great with my camera and the pictures come out excellent. This lens exceeds what you would expect for the price.

 "35mm is my new favorite lens" 2009-11-16
By Patrick G. Parker (Antioch, TN United States)
I was looking for a low light lens, this one fits the bill perfectly. The depth of field is exceptional, and has really added a nice look to my indoor shots. I am using it on a D5000 so it acts closer to a 50mm lens which is perfect for indoor shots in my opinion. The only thing with the lens, I wish it had a shorter focal distance, but that is very minor. Awesome lens, the best AF-S prime lens you can get for the money I think.

 "My first prime lense." 2009-11-13
By A. Rybalnik (Framingham, MA USA)
This is a great lense, especially for DSLR beginners. I use this lense with my D80 and I am not planning on removing unless I need to do some zoom shots. The focus is not as fast or quiet as other lenses, but that does not bother me one bit. I was able to take a shot of the Halloween decorations in my neigborhood without flash or tripod and still get a crisp, beautiful shot!

 "A great lens for the price!" 2009-11-11
By Michele Brodbeck (Chicago, IL)
Great low light lens. I haven't own anything this bright before so I'm getting used to the depth of field at f1.8 but really love the results. I recommend this lens to anyone with a couple bucks laying around and a Nikon DSLR. It is a must have!


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Buy Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Now