Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED DX AF-S
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Review Date: Oct 27, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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A sharp and contrasty (18-105 vr lens) that delivers in spades.
No review heading (category) for this new VR lens so I thought I would include it here.
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Cons:
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None, Given it`s price point and since it`s obviously a consumer (kit) lens it would be rediculous to think you could get more than this lens offers for the price . ($275.00)
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Hey! What more can any reasonably person ask for in a kit lens.
I`ve had very good copies of every Nikon 18-XX(X) consumer grade lenses and this one is the very best.
Previously my favorite was the 18-135 but at the long end it was hard to hand hold and get consistantly sharp images.That lens needs VR badly.
The 18-105 simply makes more sense with the range and VR. .
Build quality is equal to the 18-135 . The VR is fast and super accurate.
If you really have to have faster apertures and better bokeh you should be looking at lenses that cost 4-5X more.
In summary it`s an excellent general purpose walk about lens that just can`t be beat for the money.
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Sigma 18-50mm F3.5-5.6 DC
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Review Date: Jul 29, 2005
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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For it`s intended audience and $100 price tag it is a very good piece of goods for entry level and advanced users however it`s bigger brother the 55-200 DX is noticeably the better of the two and it`s priced at just $150
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Cons:
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None when you consider how the image quality they deliver for the small amount of cash one has to shell out.
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Anyone reasonable and fair person would have to rate both of these kit priced lenses pretty high for what they deliver at their respective pricepoints, the 55-200 definitely being the best of the two mentioned . I did sell off the 18-50 as I already have the Nikon AF 18-70 and it`s unquestionably better.
I am presently shooting the D70 with the 55-200DX and it seems to be nearly as sharp as my AF 80-200D-ED. Actually it`s hard to call wide open at full zoom and blown up to 100% which one is sharper. Yes, my copy is that good.
The color is well saturated but neutral with litte if any noticeable flare, ghosting, or artifacting. The coatings simply have to be very good. I shoot raw too.
Focussing is obviously noisier and slower than AFS but not unlike any other Nikon non AFS consumer lenses and on a par with them with regards to build quality.The zoom ring is adequately smooth and quick IMO, however the MF ring is not damped in the least but that might not be important with most users of this lens.
Hey, It`s surely not a pro class item but sharpness is impressive and the focussing is spot on accurate.
Best of all it don`t hurt the wallet and it`s a lens that you won`t mind carting around..
Bottom line is that it is a very good mid range zoom ,well worth the cost of admission.
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Nikon 18-70 f/3.5-4.5G AFS DX
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Review Date: May 23, 2005
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Recommend? |
Price paid: $300.00
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Pros:
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Same as in my original review.
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Cons:
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None, now that I have exchanged it
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My new copy of this lens is noticeably sharper at 18-24mm even wide open at f3.5 .
Lesson learned : There can be quite a variation from one lens copy to another.
I`ll not be as quick to judge another lens based on one copy .
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Nikon 18-70 f/3.5-4.5G AFS DX
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Review Date: May 12, 2005
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $300.00
| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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Reasonably priced, lightweight, decent build, and a good entry level lens.
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Cons:
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softness at 18-24mm
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This lens is definitely capable of producing sharp, contrasty images but unfortunately not at the wide angle settings, (18-24mm) . It tends to be soft even when stopped down .
However, given the zoom range of this lens and the price point, it isn`t surprising.
Regardless , most amateurs can get by just fine with this lens and Nikon did the right thing by making it part of the D70 kit.
For what it does, it`s well worth the price of admission.
John
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Tamron 24-135MM F/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical (IF) Macro
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Review Date: Apr 14, 2005
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Great build quality . Sharp at all apertures and focal lengthsand reasonably priced.
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Cons:
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Stiff zoom ring however no lens creep . Should loosen up with use.
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Can`t say enough good about this lens. Tamron has a sure winner here. My copy is respectably sharp wide open and at all focal lengths. Even better than my sharp copy of the Nikon AF18-70 kit lens. Focus is plenty fast and spot on accurate.
I`m using it on my D70 and compared with images taken with my Canon 10D with a comparable 28-135 IS attached this one blows the Canon away. The 200mm+ reach is wonderful and the extra 4mm at the wide end also makes a substantial difference too.
This is the lens that going to be on my D70 99 % of the time. Kudos Tamron!
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