Nikon AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED
Last updated: Nikon AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G Review & Sample Photos @ CameraLabs (added on 27 April’07)
The Nikon AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED is a compact, lightweight 7.5x zoom lens features Nikon ED glass, aspherical lens elements and SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for quiet focusing, two focus modes, auto[A] and manual [M], with manual override in auto mode.
Nikon AF-S DX 18-135mm Latest Price
>> REVIEWS (last updated: 27.04.07)
SLRGear reviews the Nikon AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G (rating: 8.5/10) and writes;
“Build quality of the lens is excellent, perhaps not quite up to the level of the very best Nikkor optics, but far superior to the plasticky cheapness typical of kit lenses. Our test sample also showed little or no zoom creep, it maintained its zoom setting quite well, regardless of orientation. The internal focusing (IF) is also nice, in that the front element doesn’t rotate while focusing, making this lens well-suited for use with polarizers or graduated neutral-density filters. While not a macro lens by any stretch, the 18-135 also focuses more closely than do many long-ratio zoom lenses, handy for those times you’d like to shoot a little closer to the subject, without reaching for your macro.”
ThomHogan reviews the Nikon AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G and writes;
“Sharpness and contrast is simply excellent throughout the entire range, from corner to corner, at every aperture. That’s a very unusual finding, actually. Most zooms go a bit soft in the corners, and also as you zoom in. This lens seems to be the exception that proves the rule. It simply doesn’t have any side-to-side sharpness problems I can detect. At 18mm, this is a very sharp lens, and it doesn’t really seem to lose much acuity as you zoom. Compared to the 18-200mm, for example, the 18-135mm is sharper in the corners at every aperture and focal length, and in the center at many! I don’t know how you design this aspect of a superzoom lens any better.”
Photozone reviews the Nikon AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G and writes;
“The center resolution is excellent throughout the range. As to be expected the border performance suffers a bit at 18mm and less so at 35mm but it´s still pretty good here. Resolution is a real strength of the lens….The build quality of the lens is decent though Nikon has overdone it a little with the plastic mount. All-in-all a good consumer grade lens and maybe the current value king in Nikon land. If you´re shopping in this lens class there´re probably no reasons anymore to consider third-party alternatives. “
CameraLabs reviews the Nikon AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G and writes;
“It’s not all good news though. The DX 18-135mm suffers from greater geometric distortion than the others whether zoomed-in or out, and there’s greater coloured fringing when zoomed-in. Like the DX 18-55mm II, it employs a plastic lens mount and you should also watch out for camera shake when zoomed-into 135mm – that’s equivalent to over 200mm and remember this lens doesn’t have stabilisation. But it does offer many key advantages over the standard DX 18-55mm II kit lens and represents great value when bought in a bundle. It’s undoubtedly one of the classiest official kit lenses from any manufacturer, but if you’re buying a new body and can afford to spend more, the DX 18-200mm VR is a more compelling choice.”
KenRockwell reviews the Nikon AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G and writes;
“Bokeh (how out-of-focus areas look) is neutral, and pretty nice. I discovered this quite by accident photographing a kid…his 18-135mm is nice, but too expensive for what you get. Without VR the 135mmrange isn’t very useful. The 18-135mm lens is great for portraits and head shots, especially for pets, since it focuses so close and has nice bokeh. I strongly prefer the more expensive Nikon 18-200mm VR, or if on a budget, the much less expensive 18-55 mm. “
Nikon AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G user opinions @ FredMiranda;
“The ED glass, combined with the 18-35 focal range made this lens a must for me when I got my D100. Giving me a 28-52 zoom range allowed me to get a nice wide image, and when I started processing the images, I was blown away with the quality. There’s some light fall off and softness in the extreme corners on my old F3, but it’s perfect on the D100 and aside from some distortions, is every bit as good (on the D100) as the more expensive and heavy 17-35 f2.8.”
Nikon AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G user opinions @ Photo.net;
“I’ve had and informally tested the 18-70, the 18-200, and the 18-135. The 18-70 is the sharpest, and I’ve actually kept it. The other two I returned. The Sigma 18-50 seems to be a bit sharper than any of these three lenses as long as you don’t shoot wide open at f2.8, particularly at 18mm focal length. The 18-135 was actually the worst lens I tested. The 18-70 is also set up pretty nicely, with its own focusing motor, the focus and zoom rings in good places, and a decent lens hood. The 18-200 was better than the 18-135 within the 18-135 range.”
Nikkor 24-120 VR vs Nikkor 18-135mm discussion at Nikonians;
“i did have a chance to look at a 18mm+ and a 24mm+ lens in a retail store today. for group and family shots, having the 24mm meant only having to take a step=and=a=half back in order to get the same coverage as the 18mm. but that’s just one test. I don’t forsee (at least not now) doing a lot of nature or landscape shooting.”
>> SAMPLE PHOTOS (last updated: 27.04.07)
- Nikon AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED Sample Photos @ CameraLabs
- Nikon AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED Sample Photos @ Pbase
- Nikon AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED Sample Photos @ Flickr
- Nikon AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED Sample Photos: 1 & 2 @ Photozone
>> PRESS RELEASE
Nikon is pleased to announce the introduction of the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED, a compact, lightweight 7.5x zoom lens. Boasting a range of state-of-the-art optical technologies, this new lens offers outstanding performance at a remarkably affordable price.
The AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED features Nikon ED glass, aspherical lens elements and SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for enhanced performance. With a focal length range of 18-135mm, the lens is suitable for a wide variety of shooting situations; from sports, action and portraits to wide-angle landscapes. The picture angle is equivalent to a 27-202.5mm lens in the 35mm format.
Advanced Nikon engineering, particularly the compact SWM, has realised the possibility of a compact lightweight lens with excellent handling characteristics. The optical design features one ED glass element and two hybrid aspherical lens elements to assure high-resolution, high-contrast images while minimizing chromatic aberration, astigmatism and other forms of distortion. The compact SWM built into the lens offers the smooth and quiet autofocus performance that users have come to expect from Nikon lenses.
The wide range, high-quality performance and affordable price of this lens will expand the photographic horizons of Nikon Digital SLR owners.
Note: This lens is designed exclusively for use with Nikon DX format digital SLR cameras and is not compatible with 35mm [135] or IX240 format film cameras.
Specifications, design, product name, standard accessories, and release schedule may differ by country or area.
RRP: £299.99
Sales release: September 2006.
AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED Major Features
* Offers a broad 18-135mm focal range (7.5x zoom) for use in a wide variety of situations (equivalent to a 27-202.5mm lens in the 35mm format).
* ED glass and hybrid aspherical lens elements minimize chromatic aberration, astigmatism and other forms of distortion, while ensuring high resolution and contrast
* Incorporates a compact SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for quiet focusing
* Delivers high-level optical performance, specially designed for use with Nikon DX format digital SLRs.
* Employs a seven-blade rounded diaphragm opening that achieves a natural out-of-focus blur.
* Two focus modes, auto[A] and manual [M], with manual override in auto mode.
* Enables focusing from as close as 45cm (17.7 in.) from the subject through the entire focal range
* Internal Focusing (IF) design enables compact size and eliminates front element rotation, enabling the use of circular polarizing filters
* Flower-shaped Lens Hood HB-32 (provided) greatly reduces image degradation from stray light
See also: Lens Reviews | Nikon Lenses
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