18-105mm VR (D90 kit lens). How is it?

[devincco]

I'm looking at getting a D90 and was wondering if anyone has the 18-105mm VR lens that comes with it? How do you like it?

I've been looking at a few package deals and am torn on which way to go. I currently have a D50, 18-55mm VR, 70-300mm (non-VR), and 50mm/1.8 (on order). Below are the options... Any advice?

Option #1
Buy the body only. Use my 18-55mm VR and 70-300mm (non-VR), and 50mm 1.8 (that is on order)

Option #2
Buy the body & 18-105mm. Keep the 70-300, sell the 18-55mm with the D50.

Option #3
Buy the body & 18-200mm VR. Sell both the 18-55mm, and 70-300mm with the D50.

Option #4
Buy the body & the 18-105mm VR + 70-300mm VR. Sell both the 18-55mm, and 70-300mm with the D50.

 

[jaseone]

The first question anyone here will ask including me is what is your intended usage for the camera + lenses?

I personally have the D90 with 18-105 kit lens along with the 70-300VR and am VERY happy with that setup, am just looking at adding either a 50 or 85 prime to the mix.

 

[FX120]

It's a cheap lens, IQ is OK albeit soft in the corners, but I'd be very careful with it as it can be easily broken. In my case it broke after knocking it into an open door while holding it at my side.

Mine is sitting on my desk at work in two pieces... I'll post pictures some time...

 

[jaseone]

It's a cheap lens, IQ is OK, but I'd be very careful with it as it can be easily broken.

Mine is sitting on my desk at work in two pieces... I'll post pictures some time...

What did you do to it for it to end up in two pieces? It seems fairly sturdy to me and can't really see how it could be easily broken.

 

[FX120]

What did you do to it for it to end up in two pieces? It seems fairly sturdy to me and can't really see how it could be easily broken.

I edited my original post to describe the details, but:

Basically I knocked the end of the barrel into an open door, barrel seperate from the rest of the body where the two halves were joined durring manufacture.

 

[telf22]

Ok seriously, the 18-105mm is a horrible lens. Very flimsy, alot of barrel distortion, and not very sharp. I'd spend more and get the 16-85mm. It has far better sharpness and no where near as much barrel distortion as the 18-105mm. Metal mount, alot more sturdy.

 

[peapody]

It is an alright lens. I personally like it alot because of the price and the vr, and it has fair reach. Photography on a budget, you like what you can get.

 

[devincco]

60% - 70% of the shots will be taking quick pics of my son, wife, dog, general stuff. The remaining would be when we're or I am out setting up shots, etc.

 

[numbersyx]

How about buying the body only and then getting a general all purpose lens such as the 18-200 VR from Nikon?

 

[peapody]

60% - 70% of the shots will be taking quick pics of my son, wife, dog, general stuff. The remaining would be when we're or I am out setting up shots, etc.

I am pretty happy with my set up with the 18-105mm and the 50mm prime. I find it is just enough for family shots and such, and maybe not more serious artistic photography though. It's great to keep on the body every day though.

 

[jaseone]

Just FYI I took the D90 and 18-105mm kit lens on a 3 hour rough hike along a creek, climbing over rocks, under & over fallen branches etc etc and it never skipped a beat. With that said however of course I was being careful with always retracting the lens between shots and if I had something tricky to do that required two hands I would either hand it to my brother as I negotiated the climb or put it back in my Lowepro Fastpack 250.

I don't think any lens would fare that well if you smacked it around especially if the lens is extended, even though the 18-105 is far from being the highest quality out there I don't think it is all that much of a big deal.