For D5100 which is better 18-55 or 18-105 ?

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super

Senior Member
I am confused and based on the online research, it appears that people recommend kinda both.

Many people says 18-55 kit lens is good portrait and it is very useful.

But many people says, the kit lens sucks and you should go with something else better than that.

Currently, I have 18-55mm VR but the only problem is that when I need a little more zoom, I can't do that.

So based on image quality - is 18-55 better than 18-105 ? or both are almost same ?

Use: I am not looking for a specific thing, I want a lens which has good image / video quality and works for most of the things.

Aim: To keep 1 out of two as I can't afford to keep both. If I get 18-105 then I will sell 18-55.

Please advise - would you recommend me to keep 18-55 or go for 18-55 ?

Also, I do have 55-200 so I have the range beyond 55 covered, it is just that sometimes it is not very convenient to change lens again n again.
 
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weebee

Senior Member
Well, you say you read the ongoing discussions on these type of lenses so I would assume you know the pros and cons with these lenses. That being said I think the 18-105 is a decent daily lenses. But it is not going to be a replacement for the 18-55. I believe the 18-55 is a great, light lenses. And should be kept. You might want to look at the 18-200 Tamron. I own one and it's a pretty darn good lenses. Or, either a 55-300 Nikon or 70-300 Nikon to boost your range. And ditch your 55-200.
 
nikonpup

nikonpup

Senior Member
IMO THEY ARE BOTH EQUAL FOR QUALITY, THE EXTRA ZOOM RANGE OF THE 18-105MM IS NICE TO HAVE. REFURBISHED THEY ARE AROUND $200. 18-55mm used around $100 retail i would keep it as a backup.
 
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bechdan

Senior Member
I got rid of my 18-105 because i didnt like the distortions and blurring I got with it used it on the D60 and D5100. I much prefer the 18-55 dx, ive also got the 55-200, and I agree that its a nuisance to change the lens and carry a seperate one with you so you have to decide - are you going to take more photos if you have the 18-105 just because its more convenient, or would you rather the extra hassle of another lens if it means you get better photos

Nikonpup has taken good photos with the 18-105, so for him its a good lens.

Heres Ken Rockwells report

Nikon 18-105mm VR
 
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super

Senior Member
I guess if distortions and blurring occurs beyond 55 then it is still ok because having 18-55 or 18-105 will be same as long as 18-105 gives good pictures from 18-55...beyond that point if there is any problem, it is up to the photographer's preference to use the same lens of other for more than 55 range ?

I feel I get distortions and blurring many times with 18-55 which is why I am concerned if 18-105's quality if better or worst ?
 
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carguy

Senior Member
I really like my 18-105mm. I have experienced zero distortion or blurring with my D40 or D7100.

I kept my 18-55mm for the sole reason of having a lens for my old body. My son is now using that from time to time. Considering this is $99 or so new, resale isn't much for it anyway.

You can find a nice used/refurbished 18-105mm in the $200-220 ballpark. Great all around lens for the money.
 
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bechdan

Senior Member
I dont get any blurring or distortion with the 18-55 (and neither does Ken :eek:)
yes its a kit lens and yes its got a variable aperture which isnt great, but its also one of the least expensive lenses that you can buy.
For me for portraits I like the 35mm 1.8G lens and for wide the sigma 10-20mm (only cos I cant afford the nikon 12-24). However for a normal all purpose lens I really like the 18-55. I know its limited in its tele range but as I say its inexpensive and gives me good images.

The D5100 is a decent body and has a lot of good settings, its odd that you get blurring and distortion, I do wonder if you are just using it on Auto, or whether you use your aperture mode more correctly? Also - its worth turning the VR off unless you need it due to e.g. low lighting, as Ive found that it actually gives me poorer quality images! Thats worth a try first
 
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john*thomas

Senior Member
I'll probably go through different lenses but I'll always keep the 18-55. I find though that when out just walking around I want something that will reach further.
 
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Pretzel

Senior Member
All I know is this:

My 18-55 takes pretty durn good photos, and you can get SO CLOSE to your subject considering it's a non-macro lens. .9 feet minimum focus distance. I find that to be advantageous on a regular basis.

The 18-105 has a 1.48 feet minimum focus distance, so 6" farther away, but more zoom to draw things in. Guess it COULD be a trade-off, and that's about all I know about it. Then there's the 18-140mm VR out there... *shrug*
 
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Deezey

Senior Member
My 18-105 has been awesome. But turn the VR off unless you need it.

I don't get blurry photos when using it correctly. It is also capable of very sharp photos. Keep the 18-55 and pick up the 18-105. You won't be disappointed.

Sent from my RM-860_nam_usa_100 using Tapatalk
 
SkvLTD

SkvLTD

Senior Member
Or 18-70. Or the new 18-140. Or even 24-85 to save you some money if you plan on moving to full frame sometime (and it's getting cheaper and cheaper to do so). Basically, anything that isn't as cheap as 18-55 and has manual focus override.

On the 55-200 note, if and when you find yourself wanting more reach, I'd sell that one for a 70-300 VR as it is THE bang for buck in this category.
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
Sorry I hit send by accident. The 18-55 and the 18-105 are pretty much equal in quality and are both good. The 18-105 was my daily lens. I got the 18-140 with my D7100 so I really can't compare those lenses sine I have not used them on the same camera. I love the quality of the 18-140 and the range. Given a choice the 18-140 would be my choice


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
 
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carguy

Senior Member
Don Kuykendall said:
Sorry I hit send by accident. The 18-55 and the 18-105 are pretty much equal in quality and are both good. The 18-105 was my daily lens. I got the 18-140 with my D7100 so I really can't compare those lenses sine I have not used them on the same camera. I love the quality of the 18-140 and the range. Given a choice the 18-140 would be my choice


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Click to expand...
post whore :)

Sounds like you should sell your 18-105mm to @super :)
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
right now my wife is trying to decide if she wants to keep the D7000 w/the 18-105 or stay with her D5100 and the 28-200 she has on it. the 18-200 is not a Nikon lens and i would not put it on the D7000. would kill the great quality of that camera.
 
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super

Senior Member
Just a quick question - how is 18-70mm? in comparison to 18-55 and 18-105 ? is it similar quality lens ? Also, I don't see many photographers talking about the 18-70 lens much in the forum ?
 
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SteveH

Senior Member
Lenses less than 18mm are more expensive than the 18-55mm etc, but also bear in mind that the 18-55 & 18-105 are the kit lenses designed to a price.
That being said, they are not bad lenses - If you suffer bad blurring with the 18-55mm, then check you technique and settings as the lens is a good match to the D5100. (I use mine a lot with both the D3100, and the D7100)

Persoanlly, the 16-85mm looks most suited to what you want and while it may appear expensive, lenses are.
 
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