Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II Zoom Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras

I do have a 18 to 200 mm lens and two primes 35mm/1.8 and 50mm/1.8. My camera is a D7000.EDITED 07-14-13:I enjoyed this lens and it produced some awesome pics on our camping trip. It focuses very sharp in Autofocus. It has a manual focus/auto focus switch, and the manual focus ring is the quarter inch ring IN FRONT OF the 1" zoom ring (as simple as it sounds, I have to refrain from explaining how long it took me to recognize it). It works great with the built-in flash of my D7000 (no vignetting/shadowing). The 'normal position' (shortest length of the lens barrel) is at 35mm. The lens gets longer as you zoom down from 35mm to 18mm or zoom up from 35mm to 55mm (the barrel moves out from 35mm zoom/focal length position). Furthermore, the G-option designator in the lens means that there is no aperture ring, but that the aperture is controlled by adjusting the sub-command-dial on the D7000 (other cameras may be able to control through the main control dial, not sure, because they do not have the sub-command-dial in the front). VR is indeed not necessary on this lens in my personal opinion, so this is a great economical high quality lens for the money (~$120), but the latter statement is dependent on your application,needs, preferences.Original Review:The reason why I bought this lens is that sometimes I need just this focal range and I do not want the 18 to 200 mm lens (much bulkier, and with the build-in flash you get vignetting). Furthermore I use this lens in well lit places and outside, so the speed doesn't matter as much. However, this lens produces great pictures indoors with flash if needed. Even though I prefer natural light and the 35mm 1.8 when I know I shoot indoors (no flash necessary).I bought this lens as a non-VR lens because I really don't need VR in this range. The 18-200mm does need VR, especially above 55mm. I think it's something to really think about (as I did) whether you really need VR since it doubles the cost of this lens. Also the lens system is more complex with the VR, and Nikon dropped the ED glass element in the newer VR version.Without VR makes this lens very reasonable at ~$120, is of very good quality for what it is (not outstanding, but very good), is very robust, and if something were to happen, it's relatively cheap to replace ($120 versus 18-200mm at $850).If you are a pixel peeper you will hate this lens, but if you judge your pictures by the picture and your composition, you will love this lens.Therefore, considering cost, performance, quality, and the fact that it is light and has the most needed focal range, I have to give it 5 stars.

This lens is a top rated lens by Consumer Reports. See their December 2009 issue and the standard zoom lens that they reviewed. With its moderate wide angle to moderate telephoto, it is a great lens to use for a lot of every day situations, particularly those with family and friends. It is lightweight (only about 14 ounces), so it is easy to carry around. The autofocus is very responsive. I love the pictures that I have got with it--bright and clear. All of this at the price for which Amazon sells this lens is a great deal. The only drawback for me on the lens was the lack of image stabilization. Nikon, however, does sell a similar lens with a image stabilizer, but it will cost you more.

Packaged well. I’m pretty sure I could have dropped from my second floor window safely. And the lens looks good as new. I immediately took a few pics to check it out, and, perfection. Body looks immaculate, glass is crystal clear. Great lens.

There's no doubt that this lens is capable of producing some spectacular images in the hands of the right photographer. It's light weight, clean, fast and quiet. However, it has one major flaw, build quality.The 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II is to an AK47 as the 14-24mm f/2.8 is to a FN SCAR. Both great lenses, both great guns, but the build quality and price are vastly different, we all can agree on that.The AK47 is the simple, cost effective implement of war. It's reliable, accurate and deadly. Its tolerances are loosey goosey so you can bury it in the dirt and dig it up and it will function just fine. It's designed to do one thing and one thing only, fire bullets. And like the AK47, the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II is also built for one thing, to help sell bodies. Pairing this lens with a high end body would do next to nothing from a sales perspective. Customers shopping for the high end body will buy it with or without a kit lens. Pairing it with a lower end camera, say a Nikon D3100 or the like, ensures the sale of many, many more bodies. Though this is a lens capable of producing images with extremely sharp focus and next to no distortion what so ever; it is not exactly the most reliable.Enter the FN SCAR. Built with the tightest of tolerances and the utmost in manufacturing superiority, it's not exactly going to perform well after you've dug it out of the dirt. However, the job it was designed to do, in the right conditions, is un-matched by any competitor. Just like the 14-24mm f/2.8. Tolerances on this lens are quite a bit tighter, smoother and more precise than that of the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G. Like the 18-55mm, the 14-24mm was designed to do the same thing, but better.I know I'm comparing a $2000 lens to a $120 lens here but I'm trying to relate to you the vast difference in build quality of one over the other. Being a gun guy myself, the reference fit pretty well.The 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II is a fantastic lens, but, given the build of the barrel and the loose tolerances therein, it's possible to throw this lens out of focus pretty easily while you're shooting. I mean, really easy. If you're shooting at a focal length that deploys the end of the barrel to the end of its traveling distance, it's very wobbly and sensitive to touch out there at that distance. If you merely touch the end of the lens, you'll feel how much the barrel can move around in place. Causing focus issues while you're composing your shot.Overall I think the AK47 is a fantastic weapon, and this lens is a fantastic lens. However, once I am able to afford the FN SCAR and the 14-24mm f/2.8, both the 18-55 and the AK47 will be sold off.

Excellent pictures.

Smashed my original one when the wind blew my rig over. Ordered this to replace it. Showed up fast, and never misses a beat. Fast, quiet focus. Great image quality, beautifully clear glass. Very Nice lense.