I need some advice on the 18-135 AF-S IF ED G lens

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bobgcc

New member
​Let me start off by saying that I am new to the DSLR world. I purchased a D5000 used (had 1500 shutter clicks on it) for $165 a couple of months ago. I currently have a 18-55 kit lens and a 55-200 vr lens. Now I find myself looking for a more versatile lens. I have been shooting a lot of general outdoor stuff at this point. Vacations, family gatherings, wildlife that holds still long enough for me to snap a shot, and other general stuff. I also plan on doing some occasional wedding and portrait stuff. But for the portrait shots, I think I am going to invest in a decently fast prime lens.

I have just been presented with the opportunity to buy the 18-135 AF-S IF ED G lens for $100. Its used but is in perfect condition. So here are my questions / concerns.

  • Is this a decent lens from an optical standpoint or am I wasting my money?
  • Is it higher quality than the "beginner lenses" that i currently have?
  • Its not a VR lens, Should that be a deal breaker for me?

Thanks for the help,
Bob
 
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WayneF

Senior Member
I should keep quiet, since everyone has different notions.. You should get whatever you want. $100 sounds like a good price for about anything, but I wondered what you expected it to do different than your other two? I mean, it is not f/2.8. Your 55-200 already does VR. It is a loooong 7.5 zoom ratio, which may offer convenience of carrying only one lens, but which is not an optical plus. There must be some way spending $100 would help you more?

Here is a good source of lens tests: Nikon / Nikkor (APS-C) Lens Tests
 
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crashton

Senior Member
For $100 I would buy it. Yes it has limitations, one being it does not have vr, but that is not important to all people. Heck I shot for 30 plus years before they even invented it. I think the range will be nice for a walk about lens. Buy it & if you find you don't like it sell it off. You won't lose money.

​Welcome to nikonites.... :D
 
Fred Kingston

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
In excellent to pristine condition, that lens sells for close to $200 on eBay... Comparing it using DXO's web site and lens and camera database, the numbers are almost equal between the two lenses...

IOW, with no discernible quality difference, I'd buy it and blow it out on eBay and add the $200 to the pot, and keep looking...
 
SkvLTD

SkvLTD

Senior Member
IMO, I'd get that 18-135, sell your 18-55 and/or 55-200, and play with the 18-135 thoroughly. Find your favorite focal lengths/fields of view. See if 135 end is enough for you or if you'd like to have a farther reach. Then depending on your preferences, invest into good prime/tele/zoom lenses and keep the 18-135 as your kit-level lens.
 
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bobgcc

New member
Thanks for all of the reply's. I decided to get the lens. The person who sold it to me also threw in a D40X with about 15,000 clicks on it and an aftermarket flash. I would have had to have been out of my mind to not take that deal. The whole lot for $100!!!! I have been playing around with the lens on my D5000 for about a month now. I have not been impressed with the IQ of the pictures coming from it. Please excuses my terminology if this is the wrong word but they seem "soft". Its almost like the focus is slightly off. I know the higher end cameras allow you to fine tune the focus but my D5000 is not one of them. If i couple it up with the D40X, The pictures seem much sharper.

So based on that, I think I am going to sell the D40X and lens as a kit on ebay and put the money towards a higher quality lens.

I am planning on a budget of around $500. Any advice on what lens to get? I am looking for a good quality walk around lens with a moderate reach but I don't need anything crazy. I see the 18-200 VR lenses in that price range but image quality is important to me and I really don't want to sacrifice a lot of IQ for focal length. Is the 18-200 a good lens for the money or should I be looking at something else. I understand that there are always compromises when it comes to zoom lenses and if have to stay with a lens below 100mm focal length to get the best pictures, I am fine with that.

​Thanks!!
 
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mr2_serious

Senior Member
For that price, buy and try it! If you don't like, you will have no problem selling it for what you paid or just a tad more


- William via Tapatalk
 
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phillymike

Senior Member
I bought the same lens off of Craigs list for ~$50... I did not realize it at the time, but it seems to not focus very well, sometimes not at all. Even when the camera indicates it is in focus, I also find many of the images are 'soft'.

I think that there is something wrong with the motor/gear train, but I am too chicken to buy the replacement part off of ebay and try to install it myself (it does not look like you have to completely disassemble the lens to fix the motor, just have to remove some plastic bits without touching the optical barrel). Also, how much money would I dump into a lens that is only worth ~$100 - $150.

The lens also went through a 'field' adjustment the other weekend during my son's soccer practice. After the impact, it actually seemed to focus better :), the bad part is that I now need a new lens shade :(. It is really nice to have a walk around / disposable lens.

In any case, aside from the focus issues, I really like the lens. Even with it's focus issues, I use it all of the time. I like to think of it as my lens that goes to '11'. When you require that little extra throw, it allows you to go there (as opposed to the modern 18-105).

VR would be nice, but not a necessity, especially when you can just vary the ISO (to some extent). What I really want is a wider aperture, because VR does not help if you want fast shutter speeds for 'action/sports' shots.

In any case, it appears that you got some really good deals with your equipment, and as far as I can tell, you can always resell the Nikon lenses (bodies may be another story).
 
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