The following sample shots were taken with a D7000 and RAW-converted via CaptureOne.
Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window).
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
40.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/320s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
32.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/500s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
55.0mm
Aperture:
f/6.3
Exposure
1/800s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
40.0mm
Aperture:
f/6.3
Exposure
1/500s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
26.0mm
Aperture:
f/5.6
Exposure
1/2000s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/5.6
Exposure
1/1600s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
55.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/500s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
26.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/640s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
40.0mm
Aperture:
f/5.6
Exposure
1/500s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
55.0mm
Aperture:
f/5.6
Exposure
1/1000s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
52.0mm
Aperture:
f/5.6
Exposure
1/1000s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
28.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/250s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
125
Focal Length
18.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/320s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
125
Focal Length
30.0mm
Aperture:
f/5.6
Exposure
1/800s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
125
Focal Length
22.0mm
Aperture:
f/7.1
Exposure
1/250s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
125
Focal Length
35.0mm
Aperture:
f/7.1
Exposure
1/320s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
36.0mm
Aperture:
f/6.3
Exposure
1/500s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
18.0mm
Aperture:
f/5.6
Exposure
1/400s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
42.0mm
Aperture:
f/5.6
Exposure
1/1000s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
36.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/200s
Verdict
The Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55 VR is a typical kit lens in the sense that it delivers a lot of value for rather little money. It's probably not the lens of anyone's dreams, especially regarding its rather poor build quality. However, there's not really much to complain about its performance regarding center sharpness, CAs and also vignetting. On the current high resolution sensors however the border and corners resolution falls a bit behind.
The lens shows pronounced distortion towards the short end of the focal range, but that's a quite typical behaviour in this class.
The lens features a silent but not overly fast AF-S drive, which makes it compatible with any current Nikon DSLR, as well as VR. Even though it's not the latest generation of Nikon's optical stabilization, it's a valuable addition to the lens' attractive zoom range.
So, in summary, the 18-55 VR is a good choice both for anyone buying his or her first DSLR as well as advanced users looking for an affordable standard zoom. At least unless you plan to focus manually or can't stand the haptics of cheap plastic.
