18-55mm VR vs VRII Lens

Hi all, just received my brand new D5300 today and can't wait to get started with it and learn all about photography in general.

Now my question is that it came bundled with the 18-55mm VR kit lens and not the VRII but will this make much difference seeing as I am just starting out?

I searched the forum and found the following comments such as "The VR has nothing to do with picture quality, it's all about the vibration reduction speed.", "has a zoom-lock button on the barrel" and "latest is a tad sharper". I also read about lens creep but does this just apply to large lenses?

I managed to get the bundle brand new from Tesco for £415 using staff discount and the Nikon cashback offer but would there be much point in taking it back to swap it for a VRII bundle? At the end of the day I suppose it's more about how skilful I am with the camera rather than just being about the lens?

Thanks for the help.

i doubt you will see a difference. both of the 18-55 lenses are kit lenses and are good for learning.

Thanks Don, appreciate the answer and thought as much. Not had chance to even get it out of the box for longer than 5 mins tonight so will have a proper play with it after work tomorrow.

Don Kuykendall said:

i doubt you will see a difference. both of the 18-55 lenses are kit lenses and are good for learning.

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Yes, and one of the things you'll learn , is that the 18-55mm is one kick ass lens.

Blacktop said:

the 18-55mm is one kick ass lens.

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Haha, I like the sound of that Blacktop

moose24 said:

Haha, I like the sound of that Blacktop

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It's true. At least for me. I also have a 18-140mm lens for walking around which I also love, but the 18-55 is always in my bag. It now has an ND filter and a CP filter attached, and is mostly used for my waterfall shots.
I also love taking pics of flowers with it as well.

Moose24, first of all congratulations on purchasing a first class set up and welcome to the world of photography.
The kit lens that you received with your body is absolutely perfect for almost everything that you may be thinking about shooting, for your first 10,000 images...the first lesson I can give you, if I may, is that photography has not a single thing to do with the lens, camera, filters, straps and tripods...all of these items are tools to help you capture the that your mind sees. Don't fall into the techno-trap of thinking about the gear...the Mark 1 eyeball is what you need, with a camera in front of it to grab the image.
With your discount, and then cash back deal you have grabbed yourself a fantastic bargain; don't take it back because the Nikon marketing department says that the VRII is a better lens.
The thing you SHOULD concentrate on early is how you plan to keep and catalogue all the images that you're going to be taking; that is important.
If you have a Mac then iPhoto is a free way to do it, and if you have a windows system then maybe use the cashback money to buy photoshop elements, which has a bit of post processing as well as a cataloging system.
Mostly, enjoy taking photos. If the images you create look good to you, then that's what matters...its not about trying to get gain praise on Internet sites, which so many people aim for, it's about taking great shots of your family, places you've been, things going on that you enjoy etc etc.
All the best,
Stevie

Well said Stooie19.

Thank you for the great advice stevie. Decided it's a keeper so the journey begins!

The journey that never ends, is a thoroughly enjoyable one.
Happy Snapping!


D7000 with f/1.8 35mm DX
C Class 220cdi
Nike running shoes!
Chief Engineer on an Amels 52m SuperYacht

I read from quite a few reviews the VR2 is not as good in terms of IQ.


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As some one said, 18-55 is a kick-ass lense and the latest is definitely better.

If I am not wrong the VR-II is slightly better
. VR is better
. It is marginally sharper
. It is lighter and retracts to a shorter length

What I do not get is how did you get the older lense with a new camera. If possible get it changed to the latest 18-55.

Vince1551 said:

I read from quite a few reviews the VR2 is not as good in terms of IQ.


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Check my posts, most of them are with the 18-55 VR-II at 55mm. It is quite sharp F7 and beyond. If you shoot at faster than 1/500 then VR may create problems, but in my case it has not as yet.

aroy said:

If I am not wrong the VR-II is slightly better
. VR is better
. It is marginally sharper
. It is lighter and retracts to a shorter length

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I think you should justify the hassle of making an exchange on more than just "it's a bit sharper" and "it's a bit smaller" for our beginner friend.



D7000 with f/1.8 35mm DX
C Class 220cdi
Nike running shoes!
Chief Engineer on an Amels 52m SuperYacht

I decided to stick with what I've got now but thank you for your reply aroy. I suppose I could just sell the one I have and get the VRII but even so from what people have said I don't think I will notice any difference myself to begin with.

Stoorie19 said:

I think you should justify the hassle of making an exchange on more than just "it's a bit sharper" and "it's a bit smaller" for our beginner friend.



D7000 with f/1.8 35mm DX
C Class 220cdi
Nike running shoes!
Chief Engineer on an Amels 52m SuperYacht

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The smaller is easy - the new lens has a button on the barrel. When you want to close it, pres the button and rotate the zoom beyond the 18mm mark. The lense barrel will go in and rest at its shortest length.

Regarding sharper it is personal view and what I read in some review, rest of the data is given here
Nikkor AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II versus Nikkor AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II versus Nikkor AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR - Side by side lens comparison - DxOMark
Here you can compare weights and size (choose specifications tab)

It won't make that much of a difference indeed and by the time the differences might show, odds are your 18-55 is collecting dust and you're using different lenses.

I had the VR II and enjoyed it very much but once I started buying more specific lenses, I don't think I used it more than a couple of times. Maybe if I'm going on a trip and need something handy it might be of use again.

I have no doubts that what you say about sharpness is technically correct, but as experienced photographers I think we should encourage the creative element of photography, provide some basic technical direction and probably most important of all caution newer photographers against the constant barrage of PR and advertising put out by the companies.

I can shoot great photographs on my iPhone and poor ones on my D7k. My personal view is that I actually prefer using my 50year old Canon Fx film camera with prime 50mm lens. It makes me think before operating the shutter, as I only have 36 shots to play with, and no immediate visual reference, until all is revealed when I collect my developed film.

Us blokes love a good technical mash up; i'm an Engineer and I LOVE technology, widgets and gizmos, so it is very easy to fall into the techno-trap, but the bestest all singing-all dancing, Carlos Fandango typewriter has never typed a line of text ever...it needs a human operator to manipulate it to create something beautiful. Photography is just the same...it's the eye and mind, not the gear.

However, I do love a good debate, so i'm happy to be educated

I believe only the D3300 comes with the VR2 as part of its kit


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Vince1551 said:

I believe only the D3300 comes with the VR2 as part of its kit

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Here they sell the D5300 with the II too.