Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Lens

This Nikon 18-55mm lens was superseded by the almost identical Nikon 18-55mm II in December 2006. Ultra-compact 18-55mm 3x zoom provides superb versatility in a wide variety of shooting situations. Designed exclusively for Nikon DX format SLRs, this lens approximates the picture angle performance of a 27-82.5mm lens on the 35mm SLR format.

The lens features a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) with compact rod-type design enables ultra-high speed auto focusing with exceptional accuracy and super-quiet operation. Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass element achieves minimized chromatic aberration and superior optical performance. Hybrid aspherical element ensures high resolution and contrast. Focus mode switch enables quick switching between A (Autofocus) and M (Manual focus). 7-blade rounded diaphragm for more natural out-of-focus highlights. Nikon’s Super Integrated Coating minimizes ghosting and flare to provide even higher contrast and more vivid images, even in challenging light conditions.

Cheap, plastic build, it's silent wave motor is a budget version. The gears are made of plastic (matches the other lens parts). They eventually wear out and this becomes noticeable when the camera has an ever-increasing harder time focusing. any manual focus is next to unusable: Although the lens features an auto/manual switch, however focusing is done using a dinky ring at the front part of the lens and it's miserably inexact (the entire ring only moves a fourth of a turn).

The filter mount rotates when focusing: making it hard to use a polarizer filter. Did I mention it's fragile: don't ever apply (any) pressure on the front portion of the lens. I've seen the autofocus gear shaft snapped right off by putting the camera lens facing down inside a camera bag.  

  Sep 26, 2011

• AF-S Autofocus lens featuring a Silent wave, coreless, integrated, focus motor (unwrapped in 1996). Basically an updated AF-I Autofocus-Silent sporting a "Silent Wave Motor" (ultrasonic) to focus near silently and fast.

• D- Distance. Denoted after the  f-number. It signifies the lens has the capacity to use Nikon's 3D Matrix Metering on camera bodies where it is supported.

• DX - NIKKOR - Compact and lightweight Nikon DX lenses feature a lesser image circle and are specifically created and optimized for the Nikon D-series, digital SLR camera bodies. An ideal option for photographers and enthusiasts who require shooting of expansive landscapes with Nikon DX DSLR

• ED- (Extra-low Dispersion Glass)
a necessary element of the Nikon telephoto lens Nikon engineered Extra-low Dispersion optical glass to facilitate the manufacture of lenses that provide superior color correction and sharpness by diminishing chromatic aberrations

• G - labeled after the f-number. A G-lens contains no aperture ring, therefore aperture may only be electronically controlled by the camera and only autofocus camera bodies featuring function dials have the capacity to control G lenses

• SIC - Nikon Super Integrated Coating
Nikon uses an elite multilayer lens coating to augment the operation of its lens elements which also helps diminish ghosting and flare to minute levels. Nikon Super Integrated Coat also accomplishes several purposes,

• SWM- Silent Wave Motor
Nikon AF-S engineering is yet one more rationale why professional photographers like Nikon telephoto optical lenses.

LC-52 snap front cap

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