5 comments about Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens.

1. I purchased this lens 10 months ago and it usually doesn't leave the camera. I also have the 50mm 1.8 that you often hear being recommended to beginners by more experienced users. I have found the 50mm to be too long (probably because of the crop), so I use this lens almost exclusively now.
   
   -Light weight plastic construction. If you have handled pro Nikkor or Canon glass, you know this lens feels like a toy. For $200, it is 1/5 or less of the price of pro lenses, so it makes sense that it weighs 1/5 of the weight. I think this is great for a beginner because most are not used to carrying around an APS-C sized body. If it were "pro" weight, not much beginners would bother to carry the camera because it and the body would weigh 5-7lbs. A bit much for pictures of the kids at the park. I think the light weight is a positive.
   -Picture quality. I have a pro photographer friend with L Canon primes and an 5D mkII. I have seen what pro equipment can do. That being said, I think this beginner lens delivers great image quality while you build up your photography skills to the point where the lens is the limiting factor. The lens is not to blame if you don't know how to balance your flash with ambient light, frame a subject, or have an unsteady hand. I pixel peep once in a while, and have found that this lens produces pictures that are not "razor" sharp. However, at this price range, it is much sharper and offers much more control than a point and shoot, and provides the benefits of an APS-C camera, which is increased resolving power, good colors, and sharper images than a lower level of camera. Compete or compare against Pro equipment? No. Not at all.
   -Manual focus. I have found the manual focus to be difficult to get right. Like anything, it takes practice. I use this lens with a D90, which does not auto focus during movies, so my movies look like a really clean 1980's camcorder hunting for focus when the subject moves. For pictures, it can be helpful once in a while, but I find using the manual focus points in the camera to be much faster and easier. I do wish there were more travel in the focus ring, but I guess it saves money, or gives you more reasons to upgrade to pro equipment.
   -Vibration Reduction (VR). I have found instances where this feature works wonders! Will it help you capture motion indoors at night at a party where everyone is not standing still? My answer is take a lot of shots, burst 3 or 4 at a time and choose the best one of the bunch. This VR will help for those users, like me, who have a wobbly hand. I find it helps when taking close up pictures of subjects, day or night, good light or poor light. You will still have blurry indoor party pictures, or kids who can't keep still though.
   
   *It is best to hold the halfpress aka focus, for at least a second for the VR to steady the lens before you snap the shutter. If you just go all the way in one click, the VR will not have time to work, and it will basically be like using the lens without the VR on.*
   
   I use a clear 52mm Hoya UV filter to protect the front element from damage. Being a beginner, I noticed many many things touching, rubbing, or hitting the filter that I would not want to hit the lens. Until you get good and handling the camera, I recommend using this approach. I also use a circular polarizing filter when using the camera in sunny, outdoor pictures to get great colors, especially in the sky.
   
   Overall this product has passed my expectations and those people without SLR cameras are impressed by the quality of my pictures. I know that they are no where near pro level, but just an upgrade from consumer and entry level equipment. When my pictures start to produce income, I will upgrade to pro stuff, but for now, this fits the budget and the expected use.



2. As a plastic-mount slowish zoom, the Nikon 18-55 VR is a compromise on every front except image quality, where - in my experience with three examples - it shines. If you can live with the limitations of 3.5-5.6 apertures and often too-much depth of field, and if you don't beat your lenses to death physically, then this is a lens that can play a complementary role in a lineup of high-end zooms and primes or stand on its own as a lightweight travel or walk-around lens. I use it to fill in the gap between my 12-24 and 70-200 VR in situations in which changing between the 35 and 50 is impossible or inconvenient. The VR helps off-set the slow speed and expands the lens' useful range. It's not the 24-70 2.8 for sure, but at $91 refurbished with a 90-day Nikon warranty and one-year Cameta warranty, it provides a quality image at a bargain price.



3. The good:
   -cheap walkaround 18-55 mm kit lens with VR
   -VR is decent, especially in low light for a lens of this cost
   -light weight
   -DX specific
   
   The bad:
   -doesn't come with hood which is sorely needed for outdoor photography as the lens is susceptible to lens flare; Nikon hood can be bought but is subpar and expensive.
   -iffy, cheap construction
   -at wide open, it's still f3.5
   -forget manually focusing, doesn't even have the markings
   -AF drive loud and not that fast
   
   I got this refurb'd for 100 dollars from J&R. At 180 it's still a great deal. Standard fare for the low end D3000 and D5000, it's just as good on the D200/300 series.



4. This is such an excellent lens! I have the 18-55 that came with the kit (no VR), and wasn't that impressed. When I upgraded my camera, it came with this lens with the VR in the package and I was skeptical, wondering how different it could be from the other one. To say there was a large difference in an understatement.
   
   This one takes much sharper, clearer images and I've found the wide angle to be especially useful for landscape shots. This has quickly become one of my favorite lens for floral and landscapes. Nice and light weight as well as compared to other lenses.
   
   If you're looking for a good, all around wide angel lens, consider this one, but spend the extra and get the Vibration Reduction feature. You won't regret it.



5. I love this lens! The availability of this compact lens made me switch from the Canon G10 mini zoom camera to the D3000 as my snapshot and vacation camera. I bought the Adorama lens hood for it and it's worked fine on the lens. The lens certainly isn't ruggedly built and the manual-focus ring is almost useless, but for casual use on a compact auto-focus body it works wonderfully. The VR feature really helps when taking low-light interior shots. The lens can also be used on full-frame cameras from 24-55mm, so I use it a lot on my D700 since it's the only lens with VR I have. The intermediate speeds are as follows: 20mm: f/3.8, 24mm: f/4, 35mm: f/5, 50mm: f/5.6.

5 comments about Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S NIKKOR Lens For Nikon Digital SLR Cameras.

1. When I purchased this lens, a friend assured me it would be my "walk-around lens." That is true. I admittedly have a problem with camera shake so I am thrilled to be able to use this lens successfully in many situations. The photos are beautiful in detail and i am pleased to have purchased this lens.



2. I wonder whether there is anything about this lens that has not been said before.
   
   I jumped into the bandwagon a couple of weeks ago and got one myself. I used it over the last two weekends in some parks.
   
   Majority of the people have very positive experience with this lens, and a handful of the people, not so.
   
   I belong to the majority group, and have very positive experience with this lens. This lens is that good. It is extremely sharp, it is fast, and capable of producing some of the most beautiful images I have ever seen. It also works well with teleconverter. I have a Kenko 1.4x. The combo gives me a 280mm focal length (420mm in a DX) and I lost only 1 stop of light. I have posted two images, one with the use of a TC, one without.
   
   I bought this lens in a store. I didn't bring my own camera that day as I didn't expect to buy a lens. I went there to get other items, and saw the store owner took one out for display. Out of curiosity, I check that out. The owner of the store has a D3, and he lets me played with the lens. I was so impressed, and on the spot, I just have to have it.
   
   I want to share a bit of experience on the portability of this lens. People talk quite a bit about the weight of this lens, which is about 1.5kg (3.3 Ibs). So, I know it is heavy, but I didn't realise that it is THAT heavy until I hold it in my hands.
   
   Some people talk about not wanting to walk around with this lens due to the weight (it will give you a sore neck or tired arms). I have different type of problem: when attached to my camera, which is a D300S, I have a feeling that the sheer weight of this lens might rip the aluminium mount off my camera, if I don't hold it.
   
   Hence, I have difficulty in setting my camera (EV, WB, aperture size, from A-priority to S-priority, frame speed, etc.) without resting my camera/lens on a solid platform (e.g., my wife's shoulder, or a monopod/tripod), as I need to free up the hand that hold the lens to hold down certain buttons in order to access those functions. May be I just need to learn how to hold a camera attached with lens of this size.
   
   On a separate issue, the "breather", I don't think it is going to bother people too much if they don't own a previous version of this lens (the VR I) and compare them side-by-side. I don't have the previous version of this lens.
   
   IQ is more important to me than the weight and so breather issue, and I am glad that I decided to get this lens - it is the best I owned to date. For people who plan to get one, I suggest you go to a store and hold it yourself/mount it to the camera that you own. If weight (and assuming the price too) is not an issue, you should definitely consider getting yourself one.



3. I stepped up from the Sigma 70-200 2.8 HSM II and the difference is HUGE, although the Sigma is a respectable lens I think it was well worth the extra money to pick this up.
   
   This lens is sharp from f 2.8 up, the autofocus is extremely fast and tack on every time, and the VR II is simply incredible; it can easily buy you 3 stops back. The only downside to this lens is the cost but you do get what you pay for, once you shoot this there is no doubt in your mind that this is a professional lens.



4. It's everything as advertised. Got to use it a few times and lately at a wedding. Great image quality and fast.



5. I don't know how we ever did without this lens. It has been on our list to purchase for the last year but it was a big investment for a business that is just getting started. From the minute it went on the camera we loved the sharpness of the subject and the softening of the background. Anyone who shoots portraits or weddings will always have it close at hand. The only complaint is that it is heavy so start those arm exeercises now.

5 comments about Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR.

1. First of all I'll say that I ordered my lens as soon as Amazon had them available. I upgraded to next day shipping and got it 18 hours later - quick service. Thanks Amazon!
   
   But now on to the real review...
   
   This lens is fantastic - especially for $399. My first concern was whether it not it had a plastic or metal mount since some DX lenses in this price range have plastic. I even contacted Nikon and they couldn't (or wouldn't) tell me. Well, I was really pleased to see that it does have a metal mount. It has a nice solid feel to it. The zoom movement is smooth and I haven't had any problem with lens creep when I'm aiming it downward. Even when I point the camera downward and shake it, it won't creep.
   
   I'm just beginning to get into testing it but my preliminary pictures are coming out nice - really nice. The sharpness is amazing and the lens produces a very nice bokeh. I posted the image of the bug with the chicken wire background (see the customer uploads) Check out the detail in the wings. That shot says it all. It was HAND HELD and cranked all the way out to 300mm. The original image is great but a lot of the detail was lost with the upload to Amazon. But - none the less - it's still pretty sharp. The auto focus on this lens is fast, smooth, quiet and very accurate. It locked right in on the insect. It was set on aperture priority at f/8 1/500sec for the shot that I posted here (shot with a D-90).
   
   The VR on this lens is great. The detail I get with hand-helds just amazes me. It has Nikon's VRII image stabilization and it even has a tripod detection mode that reduces any vibration from shutter release when it's on a tripod.
   
   Colors are rendered accurately and the contrast is pretty sharp even at the max aperture. The lens is compact for a 300mm and it's lighter than my AF-S DX 18-200mm which I use as my regular walk-around. I'm sure the new 55-300 will be used as my walk around pretty frequently also.
   
   All in all for an APS-C lens, Nikon did a great job with this one - especially for the price. It's a welcome addition to the DX line and I'm really glad I have one in my gear bag.



2. Pros:
   + Excellent Image Quality
   + Solid build with metal mount
   + Significantly better in all ways than the Nikon 55-200mm VR
   
   
   Cons:
   - Slight long (but that's expected for a telephoto like this)
   
   I've owned (and subsequently got rid of) the Nikon 55-200mm and Sigma 18-250 OS. This lens beats them both significantly. The Sigma 18-250 OS was pretty nice when I needed to take only one lens with me, but that situation is rare.
   
   I hardly shoot telephoto, but when I do, I'm glad I can turn to this new Nikon 55-300mm VRII lens. The full time manual override is nice, although I don't think I'll need it often because my focus has always been quite accurate. Low light focus hunts a little bit, but that's expected - and it's significantly better than the Sigma at equivalent low light.
   
   This lens is much better than the older Nikon 55-200mm VR often sold as part of the kit. That lens feels like a toy with a plastic mount and cheap plastic feel. This lens has a much better build quality. Consequently, it's also more expensive.
   
   If you're debating about the Nikon 55-200mm vs. this lens, I highly recommend you get this lens. I've been very happy with it.



3. I know it's twice as much but it's well worth it. I took about 150 shots with it this weekend and was blown away. Bokeh is beautiful and it is sharp from 55-300mm. I had the 55-200mm VR and this is a significant step up. It's more solidly built and the results are excellent. It's a huge lens, and heavy, but the shots speak for themselves. Great, great lens!



4. Ordered on Sept. 2; preliminary photo quality looks promising as does lens construction, but zoom action sticks in three places. Zoom will not be usable in action shots, so I will have to return it. Other reviews suggest I may have received a lemon.



5. For the price this is a great lens. The pictures are sharp, the autofocus is fast, the build is excellent and overall I'm very happy with this lens. For the price you can't go wrong!

5 comments about Nikon 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras.

1. I absolutely love this lens. It is by far my favorite and it almost never comes off my camera.



2. This 50mm f/1.4G lens from Nikon is superb. I use it primarily for night and low light situations where I don't want to or cannot use a flash. I currently shoot with a Nikon D90. The clarity and detail with this 50mm lens is sensational. Its auto focus is fast and quiet. The results are great. I have tried many different third party lenses, but I always wind up coming back to Nikon lenses. Yes, they are more expensive than most third party lenses, but the optics and performance are outstanding. In my opinion, they are worth the money. I highly recommend this lens!



3. This lens is spectacularly fast, sharp, and manageable--just incredibly functional in every respect. Years ago, I switched over from primes to zooms, and now I'm back. This outshines even the best zooms in every respect. The quality of images with this lens, and the ease and degree of control are spectacular.



4. I'm fairly new to SLR's and decided that a fixed prime lens was going to be my tool of choice mounted on a D90. With a 1 and 2 year old at home, I wanted to capture as many precious moments as I can. I don't mind having to move back and forth to compose my shoots, and actually enjoy getting into weird positions to get the picture I want. My only mistake in using this lens as my one and only is that I think it ruined it for all others. I don't know how anything will ever compare to its outstanding quality. With the kids constantly moving around, I am able to get incredible pictures, without blur almost 100% of the time. My brother-n-law has a D300 with various zoom lenses, and while they all produce nice sharp pictures, I can definitely see the difference when compared to my fixed 50mm. I am amazed at the colors and sharpness at any light setting. If it wasn't for the tight field of view, I don't think I'd every need anything else. Shortly I may end up getting an 18-55 for tighter spaces, but for now I am so pleased with this lens. Well worth the money.



5. This is the best lens to use while shooting in available light. Background defocus is quite nice when shooting portrait within 1 to 4 feet from lens. Optics are great overall and color rendition is excellent. I generally carry three lenses with me for on-location shoots which are what I consider the best of the best that Nikon makes, the 16-35 F4 VRII, 105mm F2 DC & this little beast. Only complaint that I have is that the autofocus is not nearly as fast as my other favorite prime listed above.

2 comments about Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR.

1. I'm an advanced amateur photographer shooting landscapes, nature, animals, fast cars and faster jets. I've owned Nikon DSLR's and lenses for the past five years, always upgrading as I make new purchases. I use a Nikon D300 camera body. I bought this lens to replace the Nikon 18-200mm, even though I gave up some range on the low end. As soon as I opened the box I could tell by the weight and feel of it that it is a high quality lens. I started taking a variety of shots of my dogs, inside, outside, and in a park. I was very happy with the results - even my wife complimented me on the pictures which is hard to come by. I used it last night, in the dark, zoomed all the way out to take a few shots at an outdoor symphony concert, with the ISO set at 3200. I didn't use a tripod since there wasn't room; I handheld it so I didn't expect good results. I'm amazed at the sharpness of the images. The VR II works as advertised too. Today I took it out to run it through a few comparison shots to see how well it works under nature/landscape settings on a tripod and handheld. I also took some images to merge into HDR images. The results were crystal clear and exceptionally fast set at ISO 200, even zoomed out to the max. Although it weights more than the Nikon 18-200mm lens, it's a fair exchange for the speed, reach, and clarity that result. I'm planning out my weekends around using this lens at a NASCAR race, air show, and fall foliage in the Shenandoah Valley. This lens is well worth the price; I highly recommend it.



2. Whenever I travel, I always take 2 or 3 lenses to experiment and take shots with. Cumbersome as it is, I don't mind because the end results are worth it. I hate being in a situation in which I wished I had a lens to take a unique photograph. However, I did not have a zoom lens with such a range. I love photographing people but not all cultures/people are comfortable with having their photos taken up close (something I would do with a portrait lens here at home). I researched and was going to buy a much cheaper Nikon lens (Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR Zoom), but then a few days ago Nikon released this one. I looked for user reviews but didn't find any. I decided to take an expensive gamble and bought the lens. I put it on my camera and went shooting the same day I received it. I was very happy with the range, the weight felt right and the lens was extremely responsive when changing subjects. I was utterly pleased with the results when I got home. I got some beautiful shots of people working in an open market whether in the sun or under shade. I never expected such crisp photos from such a long range. Overall, I highly recommend the lens for anyone who is willing to make the sacrifice to purchase such an expensive lens during these difficult times. However, it is definitely worth it. Not only will it end up being the only lens you will carry but you will also be wowed by the results.

5 comments about Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras.

1. I have had this lens for a couple of months now and it is by far one of my better lenses. I have shot closes up pictures of plants, insects, birds etc... I have it mounted my Nikon D90 and it is just perfect! I very recently bought a sigma 150-500mm telephoto zoom lens, and it should arrive tomorrow. I hope it will be as good as this lens maybe even better. For any average to professional photographer, I highly recommend this lens. The lens will not fit in small camera cases but in medium size cases (what i have) it fits snugly. Like i said, the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S Zoom Nikkor lens is perfect for photographers average to professional.



2. I will make this short and sweet. This lens is good. One of the best bargains out there. On my D60, it balances sweetly and gives you the feeling of a pro. The rubber barrel of the lens is smooth during focusing and auto focus speed is relatively fast for a f/4.5 lens. The optics is near tack sharp out to 250mm which will cover your zooming range 95% or more of the time. Although not an indoor lens you can get good pics indoor but my companion to this lens is the ultra light weight and cheap 35mm f/1.8 ($199) which covers most of my indoor needs (except sports). With those two lenses you are well covered most of the time. My last purchase hopefully this xmas will be the 105 VR. In any event this lens can be had as low as $390 (fairly used or refurbished - like mine) from eBay (appologies to amazon).



3. I really like this lens, aside from the fact that it's got a lot of plastic in it, it's still a very solid lens. My only real complaint is that it's not 400 or 500mm. Sharpness seems good at all focal lengths on my D700. This is really your only decent option for an "affordable" full frame 300mm zoom from Nikon. The VR technology works great too. Here's some shots of a red tailed hawk in flight that I took with this lens on a D700 last year.
   
   [...]



4. I've been using this lens for two years and thought I'd add my thoughts. While this is a plastic, consumer-construction Nikkor, the optics are great. It's light, produces great images and is a convenient size to take anywhere - this lens is very compact for a long telephoto. The big, fast pro glass is great if you need f/2.8, but for daylight shooting this lens delivers. The bokeh is surprisingly nice, too. This is one of the best values in Nikon's lens lineup.
   
   I've used it on FX, DX and film and it generates good results in all three formats. The VR feature is perfectly matched to this type of lens, too, and works well. You'll get sharp results at all focal lengths for most reasonable shutter speeds.
   
   The focus speed won't blow you away (it's not slow, but it's not blazing fast either), but I think Nikon got the price / performance balance here right - slightly slower focus and cheaper construction in exchange for good optics, particularly up to 200mm, and a low price.



5. I bought this based on the advice of a combat photog friend of mine. He mentioned it was a great lens and it would really help me reach out and grab the stuff I really wanted to (Royals games, Airshows). Combined with my Nikon D40, it has really given me the reach I need without a huge cash outlay. Plus it's not super heavy, although it takes a bit to get used to.

5 comments about Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon DX-Format Digital SLR Cameras.

1. For those of us who like to travel, or like to be able to carry one lens, this is perfect for us. I wouldn't even call it an amateur lens, I would say semi-pro, it is not metal, but other than that it shoots high quality images. Just the ability to go on vacation or anywhere without having to carry multiple lens is a joy, though for us DX shooters, I would suggest picking up a wide angle to fill the void in that area. It is slightly heavy if you are used to having a kit 18-55, 18-105, 55-200 lenses, but you will get used to it quickly and I feel it helps with steadiness and gives a better feel to the camera. As it has been said previously, the only difference between this and the VR version is the added lock which I have not seen mine creep with the lock off so save yourself a few dollars and get the original.



2. The focal range is nice for a one lens outfit, but the zoom ring is way too small. If you have big hands you will only fit you thumb and index finger on the rubber grip ring. It just did not feel right for me and I returned it for that reason. I use the 18-105mm VR and the 70-300MM VR instead and they are much more comfortable. Nobody ever mentioned this information and it is just as important as all the technical talk if you are spending $700+ on a piece of gear that you will keep and and use alot.



3. I would consider myself an advanced amateur in photography. I have been shooting pics since 1976, using a variety of cameras. I started with the Nikon F2A, and I have progressed to the D300. A diverse group of Nikon lens have accumulated also. My last purchase was a Nikon 28-200 in the 300 dollar range.
   The 28 was just not enough for wide angle shooting. Thus began the search for more. I had read the reviews for the 18-200 VR, and it seemed to be the answer. Except for one thing: the price.
   But, I gave in and made the purchase. Smart move. This one lens replaces almost all my existing inventory(save the 70-300). I have shot a couple hundres pics, and any doubts are now gone.
   Yes, the price is pretty steep for the average Joe, and there is that much talked about lens creep in the middle range(around 135). But I don't shoot a lot of pics straight up or down. Probably most others don't either.
   The build quality is high. The lens tube is plastic,but appears to be of a very high quality(it is hard to tell it is not metal). And for a first time user, the VR is amazing. Seems almost like magic.
   The most impressive quality to me is the clarity and color rendition. This lens is better than any previous Nikon product I have owned, hands down. Some of the reviews have questioned the sharpness. No problem here. Again, it outperforms all my other lens. Unless you are incredibly demanding, I think you will find this to be the lens to leave on the camera almost 100 per cent of the time. I have.
   I would heartily recommend this product. The price is higher than average, but it will replace 2 or problably 3 of your current lens. No toting a box or bag to carry all of them. And the weight is not an issue for me. For what you get in one lens, it is well worth a few extra ounces on the camera. Buy this and move on. I don't think anyone will regret it. I didn't.



4. I read alot of mixed reviews before buying this from Best Buy. I learned that even though a lens might get bad reviews, you should still check it out for yourself. This lens is on my Nikon D90 right now, I also own the 50mm 1.8, and the 85mm 1.8, but the 18-200mm VR 2 is my favorite. This is a sharp lens, contrary to what some have wrote. If I showed you the photos from my photo shoot from today, you would think I took it with a Nikon D3 or a Canon 5D mark or something. I'm a strobist, so I shoot with lights and all, but if your shooting at home with low lights, then of course your not going to get the most out of this lens. This is a wonderful lens, I promise you that, I don't have any ties to Nikon, they didn't put me up to this...I wish they was hooking me up though, but their not. Slap this baby on your camera and you won't take it off for a minute.



5. Like many of you, I did the two lens thing for the last couple of years. The whole time I've been debating on whether to buy an 18-200mm because of price and the semi-mixed reviews. Happy to say that I purchased the 18-200mm VRII and could not be happier.
   
   The good:
   * One lens...enough said
   * Will satisfy 99% of non-professional photographers
   * Takes good photos in all lights. I use a SB-600 speedlight which is awesome, so I have not noticed the low lighting issues
   * Did I mention you will only have one lens now? No more tourist Dad with a huge camera bag in tow
   
   The bad:
   * Adds some weight to your camera. For the pros, this is normal. For the rest of you, you will get some more bulk and weight. But the weight gives it a more professional dimension and balance
   
   Like I said above, stop debating and buy this lens. You can sell your old lens on eBay!!!

5 comments about Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR [Vibration Reduction] Zoom Nikkor Lens.

1. I can't really rate this item as it was given as a gift. I gave it to my 27 y.o. daughter for her birthday to go with her camera she received for Christmas. She says she really likes the ease of use. This is her first SLR-D camera.



2. 
   Almost all my shooting is with a 17--70 zoom, but occasionally I need a longer lens. Willing to trade weight for the quality construction of a professional lens, i bought this lens. I also expected to compromise image quality. What a surprise ! Wide open is is very good and two stops down it is outstanding. And the image stabilization works.



3. this is an excellent piece of glass for the price. i was able to grab a refurb'd lens from beach camera for about $150 and i couldnt be happier. this lens performs as well if not better than other comparable lenses in the $500 range. the difference the VR makes is like night and day. be forewarned, this is a big and heavy lens, but for a 55-200 with VR technology its to be expected. this lens, combined with a nikon 2x teleconverter, and you should be extremely satisfied for nature shots, sports, etc.



4. Well, i'm just gonna talk about the negatives of this lens.
   
   1. Image Quality at high zoom (200 mm) is average at best. Under 150 mm this thing is great, tho.
   2. At high zooms, the auto-focus doesn't always focus where you want it to. When i have it locked to the center, it sometimes 'misses' and zooms maybe a meter or so away when I'm at 200 mm, making the subject a little blurry :( I shouldn't say sometimes, I should say about half of the time. SO make sure to take a lot of pictures because half of them won't be perfect focus.
   
   Those are my main gripes. This thing is still a steal at 200 bucks tho, but if you're looking for great quality telephoto shots, you may wanna spend a little more $$ and get something better.



5. After much research online and at various camera shops, I decided on this lens. I have three sons who play baseball, basketball and football. First, I tried it without the auto focus, but figured I liked the lens so much that it was worth the extra money to by the one with the auto focus and I am so glad I did! Also, takes excellent nature pics.

5 comments about Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras.

1. Since I am not a professional photographer, but a prosumer, I cannot give all the details that some reviewers have given, but it is their reviews that got me to buy this lens in the first place.
   
   Bought this lens for visiting a cave and some portrait photography and it does the trick. This is one of those "must have" lenses for any serious photographer. This along with my kit lens and the 55-200 should keep me happy for a while. Although I did see Nikon came out with a 55-300 and that will be tempting, especially since I like to photograph wildlife.
   
   Bottom line is this is one of those must have lenses.



2. I bought this lens because it's inexpensive...for a quality Nikon lens....
   this lens when used opened up is great for those low light situations where you
   need to photograph without using a flash...also is great for portrait work....
   I had this lens on my Nikon D60 most of the time...but recently I went back to my
   18-55mm kit lens...because it is more versatile in most situations...
   but be advised this 35mm F/1.8 lens is a great lens to have in your "arsenal"



3. This is a very fast lense for normal photos in low light. It's a very good choice at an excellent price!



4. I bought this lens as an experiment. I'm a beginner but have learned somethings already. I found some chromatic aberration, especially when taking pictures of landscapes. The lens is very quick, but the autofocus feature is slow, sometimes it is hard to make it focus when in dim light.



5. I've owned my D5000 for about 3 months now and have been using the 18-55mm kit lens up until a week ago. After using this lens for a week, I don't think I'll be able to go back! The picture quality in low light is great, and in good light is AMAZING! The 1.8-2.8 aperture settings throw the background out of focus very nicely IMO (other reviews said it was not great) while keeping the subject in sharp focus. I'm just getting into photography so am by no means an expert, but I do my homework before buying anything, and this lens seemed to be the best prime available for the D5000. For the price, you can't go wrong - get this lens!!

5 comments about Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras.

1. I love everything about this lens except AF not supported by D40 and D60, D3000, D5000 cameras. Since I have a Nikon D5000, I need to use it manually. So for the people who have mentioned cameras should think before they buy if they will be comfortable with manual focus. Otherwise It is a great deal and great quality for the price.



2. The is a great lens for an armature that needs to take photos in low light. You can't beat it for the price.



3. I purchased this lense last summer and finally was able to use it fully a year later! Construction is ok requiring a very snug twist to lock it onto the body. Other than that I have no complaints. Once you understand how to use a manual lense the rest is a piece of cake!
   
   Jay



4. It is fun to take candid indoor photos of my family (and cats) with this lens--particularly playing with the depth of field. This is my first lens after my 18-135 kit lens. F/1.8 is much more useful low-light indoor settings. When used indoors with natural ambient light pouring in, the color renditions are soft and true. When taking photos of more than one person, I like f/4. It's not too useful outside. If I were to do it again, I would definitely get this lense because of the price, but I would first consider the $200 35mm f/1.8, because the 50mm has a little bit too much reach for me because a lot of photos are taken in the close quarters of our apartment.



5. I purchased this lens to use on my d3000 and made the assumption that it would be able to auto-focus on its own. The lens does not have its own AF motor like the AF-S lenses, so that was my mistake. I had to manually focus on my d3000 in order to use the lens, but man, Nikon makes it easy to use. They have a little dot in the viewfinder that lets you know if it's in focus or not. Every photo I've taken with this lens has blown me away. The clarity, DOF, and overall quality of photos has been astonishing. Having to use the manual focus on the d3000 has helped me become a better photographer at the same time - I've had to be more skilled at picking the right environment for my photos and positioning my self at the right distance from the subject. That being said, this lens has been the bridge to my recent purchase of a D90, which does have its own auto focus motor to power regular AF lenses, so I'm even more excited about the possibilities with this lens. It's probably the best lens you'll ever buy for the money. Great job Nikon.