Who is using the 18-135 kit lens?

[BellaB]

I got that one with my D80 but have barely been using it because I don't want to risk using this kit lens when I have others that are better. But it would be the most convenient as a walk around lens.
Can you post some good shots from this one if you are using it?
Just to inspire and encourage me?

 

[JoJo2Fast]

Got this lens when I got my D300. It's definitely been a wonderful lens for me. I haven't really been able to buy any other lenses yet so this one gets used by me a lot. I definitely encourage you to get out and shoot with it. Just because it's not a super expensive lens doesn't mean it cant produce good results. Here are some shots.

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[liftoff]

you got some nice shots from that lens - good job!

 

[CraigH]

I think that the 18-135 is a wicked sharp lens. Just some from this Monday.

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[watsonD50]

nice pictures

i have read this is pretty much one of the sharpest lenses that Nikon makes and (apparently) out resolves some pro zooms in the center and corners. I love to see some shots demonstrating the bokeh characteristics.

 

[Argent]

I love my 18-135 - I'll have to find some examples

 

[The Clam]

I bought one a a couple of months ago from Tosh - love it! My sister borrowed it for a trip and she immediately asked me to get one for her. Here are a couple of samples:

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[The Ben]

I liked it when I bought my D80 with it. Then I sold it in favor of the Sigma 18-200 OS HSM thinking I'd use that more often. Well, I just sold my Sigma too and madr the 'beast' my walk around.

Great lens, I just didn't have any use for it.

 

[keith5523]

Just an observation...

I haven't read much of anything NEGATIVE about this lens. I often think that since it has been identified as a "kit" lens, a lot of shooters consider it "just another cheap consumer lens", which it is just by definition. If it were a $650 zoom, would it get more consideration?

Keith
North Carolina

 

[Tosh]

As noted by others, it's very sharp:

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95mm "wide open" at f/5.6

I ultimately chose a Tamron 28-75 2.8 as my light carry due to its greater light gathering, but it was a tough choice. The Tamron was sharper, but it was close.
18 to 135mm is truly a huge range and a major plus for a walkaround.

 

[watsonD50]

how does it compare with the 18-70 ?

I use my 18-70 + 70-300 quite a bit, but i wouldn't mind having more reach than the 18-70. I consider the 18-70 sharp, but it doesn't have the 'biting' sharpness of other lenses I have used. Nice pictures btw.

 

[BellaB]

Thank you. Those are all some great shots.
I think Keith is right. Because it's a kit lens I just assume that it can't possibly be as good as a better non-kit lens. Why else would they be so much more expensive.
But when I look at my shots with this lens they are really good and I never had anything to complain about.
I'll have to start using it more.
Thanks again for the great examples!!

 

[paulskimcb]

Just an observation...

I haven't read much of anything NEGATIVE about this lens. I often think that since it has been identified as a "kit" lens, a lot of shooters consider it "just another cheap consumer lens", which it is just by definition. If it were a $650 zoom, would it get more consideration?

Keith
North Carolina

Not necessarily true; I actually see quite a bit of negativity directed toward this lens. It is VERY sharp, but distortion and vignetting are both problems with this lens, and for me, personally, it is a bit difficult to hand-hold at the longer focal lengths, especially given the relatively slow speed of the lens.

From what I read here and elsewhere, I think that, in terms of pure IQ, the heirarchy seems to go something like this between the kit lenses:

18-70
18-135
18-55 (all variants, with the VR being the best)

That said, the 18-135 is sharp, offers nice contrast and a great range. I have a copy, and while I shoot mostly with primes, I like my copy and find it a useful, dependable lens.

Paul

 

[Bolts]

I :Love: my kit lens 18-135! (Please ignore dust on sensor.)

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[The Clam]

I am using the 18-135 in place of the 18-70 and 70-300VR. For my purposes, the one lens light weight kit works just fine. When I was in casual mode, I found that I was using one or the other but not both, so having the extra reach in one lens now is helpful. I considered reacquiring an 18-200 but the 18-135 is about $300 less than the 18-200 which I was hesitant to use above 135mm anyway.

 

[Argent]

finallly found some shots

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[watsonD50]

wow

really impressive stuff, for a kit lens, this one really can deliver the goods...

 

[Cleo68]

Thanks guys and gals. You've made me feel so much better about my gear! I like mine too. I was afraid I'd be disappointed after having so many high-end Canon lenses in the past. But I'm really enjoying this lens. Love the focal range.

Here's one taken at 135mm:

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and at 40mm:

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[VOLKeith]

I love the 18-135mm. As can be seen by the great pictures already posted in this thread it is very, very sharp. This is one of the lenses that I bought and sold then bought again. While on vacation I missed it dearly. Even thought about replacing my 17-55mm with it. This lens together with the 70-300mm VR make a great light kit. I keep the 18-135mm on my D50 all the time, what a combo that is.

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[keith5523]

I've actually been keeping a 24-70 on a D3 and a 12-24 on the D300 as the walkaround lenses. After looking at these shots, I think I'm going to rethink the D300/12-24 and hang the 18-135 off the front.

Thanks for all of the great shots!

Keith
North Carolina