18-55 Replacement

RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
I am thinking of replacing my 18-55 Kit lens... I am selling my 55-200 (keeping 55-300) and looking for just a bit more reach than the kit 55 provides.

I have been pleased with the quality of the 18-55. I have seen several reasonably priced 18-105's (kit for the 7000 I think) and wondering if that would be a worthwhile replacement for my 18-55??? How is the image quality of the 18-105 compared to the 55??? Is there another economical option I should be considering??? I can afford a used 18-105 so an alternative would need to be close in price...

Basically looking for a good light weight walkaround lens!

Thanks all for the opinions...

Pat i n NH
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
I have a Tamron 17-50 2.8 and am very satisfied with this lens. Satisfied enough that I sold my Nikkor 17-55 2.8 and kept the Tamron. There are some on the used market that could be interesting for you. This option would give you a few stops more light than the 18-105. But nothing is perfect and you always have to compromise.
 
F

fotojack

Senior Member
I love my 18-105. It actually replaces my 18-55, which I find I never really use, except maybe on the D40. I find nothing wrong with the picture quality either with the 18-105. And it's not a budget buster either. Nice all around lens.
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
Marcel said:
I have a Tamron 17-50 2.8 and am very satisfied with this lens. Satisfied enough that I sold my Nikkor 17-55 2.8 and kept the Tamron. There are some on the used market that could be interesting for you. This option would give you a few stops more light than the 18-105. But nothing is perfect and you always have to compromise.
Click to expand...

I thought of that too marcel (faster). I have not really had any issues with the 18-55/55-200 from that standpoint. I have a couple primes for faster when needed.. you are so right on the compromise!! :) I am looking to balance speed, price and range... not easy...

The good thing is, I am not in a hurry so I can research the suggestions and look for price (used/refurb etc) I will look up the lens you suggested but I think I want a tad more reach... (now and 18-105 f/2.8 would be a winner for me!!) :cool:

Thank You....

Pat in NH
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
fotojack said:
I love my 18-105. It actually replaces my 18-55, which I find I never really use, except maybe on the D40. I find nothing wrong with the picture quality either with the 18-105. And it's not a budget buster either. Nice all around lens.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jack!! That is good to hear... It would replace my 18-55 (likely would sell) so I appreciate your response.

Pat in NH
 
R

Rick M

Senior Member
I replaced my 18-55 with the 16-85 and it was the best Dx lens I owned. I really liked the extra 2mm on the wide end, it is more significant than it would seem.
 
Fred Kingston_RIP

Fred Kingston_RIP

Senior Member
Pat... Look at Tokina... they have a 50-135mm F2.8... for less than $900... I have a couple Tokina lenses, and their quality is every bit as solid as Nikon's...
 
C

crycocyon

Senior Member
Not from personal experience but from reading, I think the 18-200 VR (or VRII) performs better than the 18-105. The 18-55 also performs noticeably better. The 18-55 is a great lens, but for more reach I'd recommend the 18-200 VR. There are some good condition used ones on Ebay (I always look used before considering new).
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
Rick M said:
I replaced my 18-55 with the 16-85 and it was the best Dx lens I owned. I really liked the extra 2mm on the wide end, it is more significant than it would seem.
Click to expand...

Rick, thanks! That would also work... I will give it a look! The 2 mm on the wide end is nice but I am planning to add an ultra wide (11-18/240 range!)

Pat in NH
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
fotojack said:
Ummm...my 18-105 is NOT an f/2.8 lens. It's a zoom lens at f/3.5 - 5.6G lens. I hope I didn't give you a false impression, Pat. :)
Click to expand...

No confusion Jack.. That was in response to another suggestion that I look at faster glass... I realize what your 18-105 is and that is what I was looking at and hence asking for comments on... again, thanks!

Pat in NH
 
A

Akiviri

New member
This is the site I use to compare lenses - they don't have the full reviews up yet for Nikon, but usually the chart shots suffice to get a 'feel' for the lens - all the reviews do for me is confirm what I see on the charts, and give a couple real-world shots anyway.

Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR DX Nikkor Lens Image Quality

Sorry I don't have a link for MTF charts - they seem to be 'top secret' or something as every link I follow tends to be either a dead-end, or in Japanese lol.

I went with the 18-105 F3.5 - only because I had the 18-135 from 'that other company' and found that I rarely went beyond 100mm or so anyway, and rarely wanted anything wider - so it seemed a good fit for me. Time will tell overall, but from my putzing around shots (all I can do with uncooperative weather) I think it will be fine, and it doesn't break the bank.
 
§

§am

Senior Member
I like my 18-55mm, has given me some great shots, but I've been looking into an alternative too, so this topic will be of use to me too.
I currently have my eyes on the 18-105mm as it's reasonably priced for the budget I have, and although it overlaps a fair amount with my 55-200mm, I can safely say as the later doesn't see much use beyond say 150mm, I wouldn't be seeing too much of a loss anyway :)
From review I've read, hands on experience too, the 18-105 is as good as the 18-55mm, and although both are considered entry level lenses, they are in fact very good :)

Out of my budget is the 16-85mm which seems like a very nice lens, doesn't overlap my 55-200mm too much and gives me 2mm extra wide at the bottom end too. But it is a hefty priced lens, and for me possibly not as useful as I think it would be.

I have been interested by some of the FX lenses too, e.g. 24-85mm or the 24-120mm but I'm not keen on losing the wide end so much, but given a few have turned up on Fleabay, price might draw me in :)
 
N

nickt

Senior Member
I'm going to give the 18-105 a try. I just ordered a refurb last night. I have been struggling to find my middle range everyday casual zoom. I have the 18-55 and my old 18-70. The 55 is a little short for everyday stuff. I really like the 18-70, but I sometimes miss that it does not have VR. For a few years I was using a Tamron 18-270 as my everyday lens, but over the winter I picked up a Tokina 11-24 and a Tamron SP 70-300, both are fairly sharp. Now the 18-270 all-in-one disappoints with softness in many situations. I think the 18-105 will fill the everyday spot nicely.
 
Top