The autofocus does not rely on just the camera itself. There is a motor in the lens as well. And depending on what it is, some can focus much faster than others.

I still would not waste my money on a 18-55 kit lens, when the 18-105 is on adorama for $250.

Lens > Camera. A D40 with a better lens will have better pictures than a D60 with a shitty kit lens. That I know for a fact, so take it for what its worth.

Good catch there. $200 for a VR kit lens that you get for free with most cameras is outrageous though. Amazon and Adorama are your friend. Trust me there. I work at Best Buy and a lot of our photography stuff is wayyy overpriced.

 

The 18-105 is not a better lens than the 18-55. The optics of the 18-55 are actually slightly better than the 18-105.

Also, if anyone is interested in how good a lens is, check out http://photozone.de/ or www.lenstip.com

 

Thanks for the links. I would like to pick up a nice wide angle and telephoto lens in the near future.

 

You're welcome. Sorry I didn't respond to your facebook message. I read it while I was sitting at a stop light and forgot to write back when I got home.

Definitely check the reviews before you buy! I want to pick up a nice wide angle lens eventually, but that'll be after I get a new job. I just can't afford new camera gear right now.

 

I disagree. The 18-105 has a bigger diameter and is also offered with the D90 (and the D60) as a kit lens. Compared to the 18-55 being offered on the cheaper models. Why would they put a worse lens on a more expensive camera?

But to each their own I suppose.

 

It's not worse, it's just not much if any better.

They have identical max aperture values, similar vignetting problems, the closest focusing distance is actually better on the 18-55, and one review site rates the optical quality on them identical and another review site gives the 18-55 a half star better optical quality.

They seem near identical to me. The difference being the 18-105 has twice the zoom range.

 

I just like having the bigger diameter, which in my personal comparisons took much better pictures than my 18-55. But to be fair, the new 18-55 VR is a lot better than mine so things could have changed there. But still I would prefer the bigger diameter lens. Just seems like it would take in so much more light, which again from personal use I found it much easier to take low light shots with the 18-105.

Of course it'll be getting replaced with an 18-200 once I get the cash. Even more diameter for my tastes.

 

That's fair enough. I do like the 18-200 because it's a very good lens for if you don't know what focal length you need and don't want to carry around a bag of lenses. Lately I've been inseparable from my prime lenses.

 

I love my 35 f/1.8 but I need something a little bit bigger when I'm walking through town or for those un-planned photo moments. The 18-200 does wonders, but for the cost it sure as hell should.

 

just received the camera. next step is a lens. probably going to best buy thursday and buying the 18-55mm. worst case scenario, it's a lens, i can buy more down the road. i just want to get started so come may i can take a shot and have it in focus and look half decent. thanks switch.

best buy, ritz photo, photo image, as well as photo lab didn't have the lens in stock and are all waiting for nikon to send them more (i wont hold my breath), so i've decided to go through ebay to buy the lens and i'm looking at one from adorama that they're selling via ebay. how "refurbished" will this lens be? i'm assuming 08mustang_gt has bought something(s) from these guys so what am i looking forward to?

 

They're refurbished by Nikon. So, imagine you bought a lens from Best Buy and had issues with it, then returned it to Best Buy and they sent it to Nikon to get whatever it was fixed. Then that refurb gets sent to places like Adorama and you save yourself a **** ton of money.

Ta-da!!! It's basically brand new. I have four, yes four, refurbished lens from Adorama and they're ******* immaculate. Saved myself like 400-500 bucks getting it from them instead of through Best Buy's employee accommodation.

 

Here is your first lesson in photography: your ABC's.

A: www.adorama.com
B: www.bhphotovideo.com
C: www.calumetphoto.com

 

LMAO! I like that!

 

okay i thought they were a "i broke this lens, buy it from me and fix it so you can resell it for bank."

can you distinguish between: this, this, and this. the first one is from ebay (adorama), the second is from the adorama website (doesn't say it's used) and the third and last lens is again from the adorama website and it's used with an "OB" condition, for $5 less than the second lens; oh and "OB" isn't on their "how we rate" stuff page.

that made me lol.

 

Pretty sure the second and third one are the exact same. OB usually means "original box", same thing as "brand new in box".

The first one I'm not sure about. As ebay is sketchy as ****. But it looks just to be a normal refurb as well....

Although all three of those are the ED II 18-55 not the VR like you originally posted from Best Buy.

 

$99.95 - 18mm - 55mm (Grey Market)
$109.95 - 18mm - 55mm (used?)
$139.95 - 18mm - 55mm VR (Grey Market)
$184.95 - 18mm - 55mm VR (USA)

also, what's your opinions on buying these items with the "kit" which comes with an ultra violet filter, lens cap leash and a cleaning kit.

another question i had was is there any specific maintenance with a dslr or the lens? i have a microfiber cleaning rag (got it when i bought a psp in 2007). i was wondering if at any point is it okay to wipe either side of the glass or anything of the sort.

 

The last two I would get, absolutely. The first two are not the VR (vibration reduction) lenses.

I have never had a problem buying refurbished, and they come with the same warranty as if you bought it new so 'meh'.

As for cleaning always be careful when switching lenses as to not get anything inside of the actual camera. The mirror and sensors inside of there are verrryyyy sensitive and cannot just be cleaned with a cloth.

As for the lens, I'd get a UV filter (does nothing for actual pictures, just more of a protectant) for each lens you have and just leave it on there. Then if it happens to get scratched you just buy a new lens. Now for the side that connects into the camera, you have to be careful with it just like the actual camera body. I've cleaned the inner side with a microfiber cloth, but be careful as to a scratch there can realllyyyy show up in pictures.

I've even gone so far as to get a Zagg shield and cut it to fit the LCD screen on my camera. Partially for the anti-glare, and partially for the protection as well. But I don't think thats as 'required'.

 

is vr nescisary for the 18-55mm? i've been reading most of the dslr topics here and jacktheripper said something along the lines of it being pointless for anything under 70mm unless you're going to have the shutter open for a lengthy time.

 

On a normal lens (not a telephoto or wide angle), VR will help if your shutter speed is less than 1/40th or so. It's up to you if you think it's worth the extra money. If you shoot all the time in good lighting, it might never help. If it's dark, it'll help a lot.

 

i'm sold. going to buy the 139 vr online today, at some point.

 

Also, if you're ever unsure of camera/lens quality and want to see some sample pictures, http://www.pixel-peeper.com is awesome.

Here's the section for photos taken with the 18-55
http://www.pixel-peeper.com/lenses/?lens=179

 

WOOHOO!!!! I'm stoked to see another photographer on MB.

 

I really ought to start posting stuff here again.

 

Please do. I'd even vote to have a thread stickied for up photo-geeks.

 

There is one in the photoshoots section but it's outdated and most of the links and pics are bad. I would love to see a new sticky that is updated.

 

https://mustangboards.com/pictures/4...hy-thread.html

Done.

 

ordered the lens around 4pm today and decided to shoot for the 3 day shipping for an extra Abe and to my surprise:



thanks. i can also go to the nikonusa.com website to get 3-4 shots taken with a specific lens.

i look forward to taking some better car shots of my mustang as well as my friends cars: '11 370z, '10 camaro z28 ss/ss, '97 camaro z28, '93 240sx, some bagged trucks and a slew of random other things.

yes, i like to see the angle people shoot cars and what not. others' pictures give me ideas of what i could do.