chip_chipowski Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>I just received a refurb 18-55VRii for use on an IR converted D200. I previously owned the original 18-55 and then the first VR version. I am impressed with the compact size Nikon was able to achieve with the collapsing design. Obviously this is a budget lens (I paid a little over $100 for refurb) and obviously it is all plastic, but mechanical operation exceeds expectations. On this latest incarnation, the front element does not rotate with zoom or focus. There is also a nice optional bayonet hood. </p> <p>All in all, I am very pleased. I am hoping the IR performance is adequate. I will post a few size comparisons below.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chip_chipowski Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>Compared to Tamron 17-50.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chip_chipowski Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>Compared to Tamron 17-50.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chip_chipowski Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>Extended.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chip_chipowski Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>Compared to Sigma 30mm and Tamron 60mm.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chip_chipowski Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>Compared with Tokina 12-24.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_halliwell Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 <blockquote> <p> obviously it is <em><strong>all</strong></em> plastic</p> </blockquote> <p>Maybe beware of IR fogging? Unless they've put in an IR blocker/filler into the plastic, it's completely transparent.</p> <p>Try a metal lens cap and a 30 second exposure in bright sunlight and see if it picks up anything?</p> <p>Usually the sensor is completely IR shielded, but the filter's been removed now.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chip_chipowski Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>Hey Mike - the previous 18-55 EDii is rated pretty decent for IR by Bjorn Rorslett, so hopefully that means the plastic is not a deal breaker. I could not find any comments on my VRii version for IR, so this is sort of a leap of faith.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User_276104 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>I just won a Nikon refurbished VRII on eBay for $83.00 last week. It feels more solid than the regular II (non-VR) that I got with a D40 many years ago.</p> <p>I looked into the hood for it - $25 for the genuine Nikon product. I'll likely try a replica from China for less than $10.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chip_chipowski Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>Eric - I know right? The stupid hood costs almost half what you paid for the lens! I bit the bullet and paid for the Nikon hood. It is a good unit, nice and snug fit and not too bulky when reversed onto the lens.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_brown4 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>That lens is getting all good reviews.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User_276104 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>In looking up info on the various incarnations of the 18-55mm focal length, I just realized that the ED element went away with the introduction of VR to the lens.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chip_chipowski Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>Eric - that fact caused me to seriously consider the ED ii version. It is even cheaper than this current version. I decided the retractable design and VR were too enticing. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Currie Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>I'll be interested to hear how it performs in the real world. I've read various accounts of it from no difference to less good than the previous. I have the VRI version, which works all right, but if I break it before I break the camera, it seems an attractive replacement. </p> <p>If you're not worried about compactness, the HN3 metal hood originally meant for a full frame 35 is a good fit on the 18-55. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric_arnold Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>personally i hate the retractable feature, which i encountered on my nikon 1 10-30. it basically adds another step in-between you and getting the shot. YMMV. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chip_chipowski Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>Eric - a valid point. Of course you can work around that by leaving the lens "deployed" if the camera is hanging around your neck, etc. To me, the retractable part is really just handy when the lens is being stored. Only time will tell whether the mechanism will be an annoyance.</p> <p>I note the Tamron 17-50 has a locking tab. I like this feature, as it lends a little more security when the lens is being stored or transported. Same deal - unless you shoot the lens at 17mm, you have to unlock it before shooting.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justthings Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>I don't understand what is meant by 'retractable' barrel in this context. Does it require the user to manually extend the barrel to achieve the longer focal length? Or does the barrel simply extend/retract as you turn the zoom ring? </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chip_chipowski Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>Christopher, take a look at the top picture and compare it to the shot of the lens @ 35mm. There is a little button on the zoom ring, which you press to take the lens out of the "lock" position. Once you rotate the lens to 18mm you can leave it in the 18-55 range and it is no longer a collapsing lens until you press the button and return to lock position. In the 18-55 range, the length of the barrel extends with zoom.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chip_chipowski Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>Christopher, this <a href=" probably beats my written description. Take a look around 25 seconds in, you can see the operation.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User_5050610 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 <p>Chip--thanks for posting this--the new 18-55 is an excellent little lens. Very light and does a great job.<br> No complaints--Nikon surely got this one right...!<br> Paul</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 <p>I got the new Nikkor 18-55mm VR II with my refurbished Nikon D3300 (both for $399). I'm extremely pleased with the lens' performance, and upon inspecting my initial images, it appears super-sharp with excellent contrast. I actually like the compact form factor when retracted, and its VR works really well:</p> <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/D3300G-4.png" alt="" width="700" height="467" /><br /> Nikon D3300 + AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II @ 18mm; ISO: 100; f/3.5 @ 1/4 sec. (handheld).<br /> <br /> I didn't even know they made a hood for this lens--thanks for posting those images! I'll probably spring for the $25 Nikon petal hood since the lens looks naked without it (plus, it'll provide a modicum of front-element protection since I don't use any "protective" filters). I assume the <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1037085-REG/nikon_4994_hb_69_bayonet_lens_hood.html">Nikon HB-69</a> is the correct hood for the VRII version of this lens.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chip_chipowski Posted March 17, 2015 Author Share Posted March 17, 2015 <p>Ralph - yes, HB-69 is the one. Glad I could return the favor after you turned me on to the HoodEye :)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User_276104 Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 <p>The retractable/lock feature is indeed a little odd for such a lightweight lens. Tamron has had a zoom lock feature for many years because of the weight of their all-in-one zooms. I own a Tamron 24-135 and zoom creep has never been an issue.</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chip_chipowski Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 <p>I just got my IR D200 today, so I took a break from work to try it out. The 18-55 seems to do fine on IR. I took some shots with a 28mm f/3.5 Type K and I didn't see a dramatic difference. These samples are processed on my work laptop, which doesn't have SilverEfex on it - my preferred B&W processor. I can tell I need a lot of practice processing IR. And "seeing" IR.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chip_chipowski Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 <p>Portlandia</p> <div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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