Designed for use with Nikon DX-format cameras, the new AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f /3.5-5.6 G ED VR will be offered in some Nikon DSLR lens kits – even with the new D90, was used for our tests.
Cover of view equivalent to 27mm to 157.5mm, it is a good general purpose lens for everyday photography, and is correspondingly expensive. Nikon internal focusing allows the lens with angle-critical filters, such as polarizers are used, while a Silent Wave Motor ensures focus drive auto focus is fast and quiet.
Constructed in Nikon’s Thailand factory, this lens is 15 elements in 11 groups, with an ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element and one aspherical elements to the possibility of various aberrations to be minimized. Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC) was used to minimize internal reflections, thus increasing the likelihood of flare and ghosting.
Built-in voice coil motors for lens shift image stabilizer to provide the claims used about three stops of shutter speed advantage over a non-stabilized lens. Only a stabilization mode is provided. The DX-Design is not for cameras with a “full frame” sensors – as well as film SLR cameras.
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Designed the G-type designation indicates this lens for exclusive use with Nikon SLR models where aperture is controlled by the camera. It allows more accurate dosing when the latest cameras with 3D Color Matrix Metering used but no support for the automatic iris control and wide open aperture metering on older cameras without the necessary electronic connections.
In line with its affordable price, most of these lens made of plastic, with the running of the structured plastic bodies of the Nikon cameras for it’s designed game. been used for high quality industrial-polycarbonate has both run and mounting plate – and the filter thread. Internal focusing ensures the front element maintains a fixed orientation, regardless of the focal length. The zoom ring is positioned on the front of the lens barrel and is about 45mm thick. Almost 30 mm this is a rubberized handle with grooves for comfort and safety. Six focal length settings on the camera end of the focus ring, engraved, for 18, 24, 35, 50, 70 and 105mm settings.
Behind the zoom ring is a narrow (8 mm wide) focus ring, which is also a ribbed rubber coating. No distance scale is provided, nor is it a depth of field scale of infrared focus index. On the side of the lens are two sliders, the top switch between automatic and manual focusing and turning the lower VR (Vibration Reduction) stabilization and off. The lens is supplied with a petal lens hood (HB-32), end caps and a soft carrying case (CL 1018).
Handling
The review lens fitted easily – and comfortably – on the D90, where it was well balanced and very natural fit with the camera. The Silent Wave motor drive was fast and very calm. A soft sound is heard when the focus is achieved and the selected AF points are red described with compatible cameras.
Both the zoom and focus rings move smoothly and positively, and the lens showed no signs of enlargement, when the camera was carried out with the lens pointing down. (No zoom lock is provided.) Moving from the 18mm to 105mm focal length that requires a quarter turn and extends the lens of 45mm. Focal lengths between the frame was exactly easy, as the perfectly matched to the lens focal length can be engraved marking.
The focusing ring moves through 360 degrees, when the slide is taken from A and about a third of the rotation with the M setting. It feels a little looser than the ring but the degree of focusing precision should be provided sufficient for most users zoom.
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Performance
Imatest showed the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR lens is a good partner for the D90 and a competent if not stellar – Actor. Highest resolutions were recorded was a few stops from the maximum aperture of f/20 and resolution steeply. We suspect, diffraction limits were largely responsible for this loss of resolution and wonder why Nikon do not limit the minimum aperture to 22 for all focal length settings.
The highest resolution was taken at the 50mm focal length, close to the 35mm focal length behind. The chart below shows the results of our Imatest tests at all aperture / focal length settings. (Test images were taken at ISO 200.)
Slight corner vignetting (darkening of the edge) has been in test shots where subjects were photographed with a white background displayed. Barrel distortion was taken into test shots with the 18mm setting observed, but it disappeared to be replaced with light pincushioning to 105mm of 25mm. At no time either distortion was strong enough to affect everyday photography.
Flare was only visible when the camera was pointed directly at the sun and even then it was well controlled. Bokeh was soft and very attractive. The image stabilization is extremely good and we could use the camera by hand at shutter speeds up to 1/8 second with the 50mm focal length and 1/13 second at 70mm instead.
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