steven_pink Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Thanks to the recommendation of some photo.net members, I recently purchased a D7000 (instead of making the leap to FX). My entire lens collection consists of FX lenses and I have nothing to cover my wide angle and to use for walking around (which is very inconvenient). I've been considering the Nikon 18-70mm, Nikon 18-105mm VR (which I had in the past), and possibly the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8. I'm going to be buying used and trying to spend under $200. The 18-70 smokes the other two on pricing (a used lens for ~$70???), but is there something particularly better about the 18-105 VR's optical quality? I don't use VR much on the lenses I have, so that's not much of a selling feature to pay almost twice as much for. I liked my 18-105 while I had it, but I wasn't crazy about how cheap the build quality was. I understand the Sigma will give better low light performance, but I'm really having trouble justifying it over the old 18-70mm. Can anyone give recommendations based on experience? I'm a poor student so cheap is preferred as long as I'm not skimping out. This lens is just going to be a convenient walk around lens for when I'm not using my nice equipment or don't want to carry it around. If it matters, my main gear is:D7000 and D9028mm f/3.5 (AI)50mm f/1.870-200mm f/2.8300mm f/4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owen_omeara Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 <p>Steven;</p> <p>I heave only used the 18-70 and I consider it one of the greatest bargain lensed that Nikon ever made.</p> <p>-O</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vrankin Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 <p>I had an 18-70 on my D70, and an 18-105 on my D5000. I liked the build quality of the 18-70 better, and preferred the reach of the 18-105. But its complex horizon distortions were frustrating. Both suffered from vignetting wide open at the extremes. Lately I see more positive posting about the 18-140. I'm currently using the combination of a 18-55 VR II and 55-200 VR.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Brennan Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 <p>I have used both these lenses for quite a while on D70, D200 and D300. I much prefered the 18-70mm as I found the VR system on my 18-105mm pretty ordinary (I do like the VRII system better) and at the wide end neither option is great, however I found the extra reach beyond 70mm of the 18-105 provided lacklustre results making me wish I'd not sold the 18-70mm. By lacklustre I mean I did not like the way my landscape / architecture images looked in so far as they appeared flattened and without the same clarity and saturation that I'd long grown accustomed to with the 18-70mm.<br> I'd recommend the 18-70mm in this case, as stated above, one of the best bang for bucks Nikkors I've used.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter_in_PA Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 <p>I also haven't used the 18-105, but had an 18-70 for years and LOVED it.</p> <p>The size is just right, it's a little more ruggedly built (I think) than the 18-105, and doesn't really have any serious weaknesses.</p> <p>Tremendous value.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wouter Willemse Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 <p>I've had the 18-70 for several years, and as Owen said: one of Nikon's greatest bargains ever. In terms of construction quality, it sure feels better made than a 18-105VR. Optically... I'm not too sure. My 18-70 needed some stopping down (f/5.6 it was absolutely fine). What I see from several 18-105VR of friends, it's a tad sharper at wide apertures.<br> These lenses do suffer a bit more from sample variation probably, they're very close basically. In my view, you cannot go wrong either way, and $70 for a 18-70 is a really nice price, so that probably makes it a very easy choice :-)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjmurray Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 <p>I have both lenses and have used the 18-70 for almost 10 years now and the 18-105 vr since I got my d7100 a year ago. I have done a lot of great shots with both lenses (see my folders). I do have to echo what Walter said. Both are great lenses when you have a good copy, so when buying used, beware of sample variation and test any lens before buying. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimcee Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 <p>I received my 18-105mm lens as part of a kit when I purchased my Nikon D7000 in November, 2013 when B&H Photo was selling the kit with a very substantial discount (obviously in anticipation of the release of the D7100 the next year).<br> The lens has surprised me with its fine performance and it's been the primary carry lens that I've used with my D7000. I've subsequently purchased the new Tokina 12-28mm lens but haven't had much opportunity to use it.<br> I carried the 18-105mm lens this year on a trip to the Southeast Utah parks and on to some monuments in Arizona. It's certainly been a very useful lens, and I do find the VR feature quite useful for handheld photography!<br /><br /><br> Jim</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven_pink Posted October 25, 2014 Author Share Posted October 25, 2014 Thank you so much for all your input! I feel like the 18-70 is the way to go from what you've said. About the 18-140mm... I see they're around $200 used. Is it worth the extra $100+? If I'm going over 50mm I would typically use my 50mm f/1.8 or 70- 200mm f/2.8, so the extra reach isn't a big deal for me. What else makes the 18-140 better? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vrankin Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 <p>Your 70-200/2.8 is most likely far better than either the 18-105 between 70 and 105, or the 18-140 between 70 and 140. As I understand, the 18-140 is a later model designed to be the standard kit for the higher resolution requirements of more recent Nikon bodies.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User_276104 Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 <p>The 18-70 is top-notch as far as build quality and sharpness, but the distortion quite noticeable on the wide end.</p> <p>This is by no means an award-winning photo but the horizon is not even near the edge of the frame.</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User_276104 Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 <p>The 18-70 is top-notch as far as build quality and sharpness, but the distortion is quite noticeable on the wide end.</p> <p>This is by no means an award-winning photo but the horizon is not even near the edge of the frame.</p> <p> </p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven_pink Posted October 25, 2014 Author Share Posted October 25, 2014 That's some serious distortion... Where in the zoom range is it most/least distorted? Also, does anyone have experience with the sigma/tamron 18-50 f/2.8 lenses? There's quite a few options there that can be had around $150- $200 used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andylynn Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 The Tamron 17-50 options are both excellent - the older model is maybe a bit sharper, the newer has VR, so you have some tradeoff either way. The newer Sigma model with VR is also great. Since you're not looking for longer than 50mm I'd think one of those lenses would be ideal. They're all stronger optical performers than these variable aperture kit lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjmurray Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 <p>The distortion of lenses such as the 18-70 is easily corrected these days with software. PS and ACR both have easy to use built in corrections for this lens. It should not be an obstacle. Here's an example with a horizon using the 18-70 at 18mm.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjmurray Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 <p>uncorrected</p> <div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjmurray Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 <p>Corrected</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph_smith3 Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 <p>I bought the Nikon 16-85 VR lens to replace my 18-70mm. It outperforms the 18-70mm in my opinion. I have no experience with the 18-105mm lens. I do recommend the 70-200mm f 4.0 FX lens if you need that much reach. It is very sharp and costs a lot less than the f 2.8 version. <br> Joe Smith</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjmurray Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 <p>Here's Eric's image with a quick correction. His shot wasn't level to begin with, but the curvature was easily fixed.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjmurray Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 <p>straightening is easy too. I used ps "select all" edit/transform/skew</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven_pink Posted October 25, 2014 Author Share Posted October 25, 2014 <blockquote> <p> I do recommend the 70-200mm f 4.0 FX lens if you need that much reach.</p> </blockquote> <p>I already own the 70-200mm f/2.8. I mentioned the gear I travel with most in my original post. </p> <blockquote> <p>The distortion of lenses such as the 18-70 is easily corrected these days with software. PS and ACR both have easy to use built in corrections for this lens. It should not be an obstacle.</p> </blockquote> <p>I'm really not too concerned about distortion. As I said, this is just a walk around lens. When I need to do wide angle shots at events (I mainly do event/sport photography), I usually use my DJI drone for an aerial view.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elliot1 Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 <p>The 18-105mm is like 2 lenses in one, giving you some extra reach, which is nice to have when you need it. The VR feature is also nice when you need it. Since you owned it, I am not telling you something you do not know. If you don't need the extra reach or the VR features at all, save your money and just go with the 18-70mm. IMHO, they are both nice to have, even if rarely used (the times you do need/use them, you will be glad they are there). IQ is pretty much the same between the two.</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyal_hirsh Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 <p>I own both, and will sell the 18-105. It's unbelievably bad. The 18-70 is sharp, and has quick, accurate focus, as well as great rendering. The 18-105 is worse than the Sigma equivalent. Well, mine is, anyway. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven_pink Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share Posted October 26, 2014 Sigma's modern quality lenses are pretty phenomenal. It makes me sad that their previous bad reputation hurts them so badly. I used a friend's Sigma 50mm f/1.4 (Not even the new Art version) and was blown out of the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjmurray Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 <p>Eyal's experience supports the fact that there is a lot of sample variation in these kit lenses. I am fortunate in that both my 18-70 and 18-105 VR are quite good. There are slight differences in each of them, and they both have their strengths and weaknesses, but its mainly only noticeable when pixel peeping. On 10x15 inch prints you'd be hard pressed to tell which lens I used. It is important to thoroughly test a lens before purchasing it. The camera store I use has a 30 day return policy, which is great. I think KEH has a good return policy too. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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