High Rated Digital Cameras

This 5.8x zoom, designed exclusively for use with Nikon's DX-format, features Nikon's VR image stabilization and is perfect for portraits and action. The wide-ratio 5.8x zoom Compact, versatile and ideal for a broad range of shooting situations, ranging from interiors and landscapes to beautiful portraits--a perfect everyday zoom. Vibration Reduction is engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens and enables handheld shooting at up to 3 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper images.

User Reviews about Nikon 18-105mm f 3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

I use this lens on my Nikon D60. I originally bought the kit with two VR lenses: the 18-55 and the 55-200. After using these two lenses during a few major vacations, I noticed that I was changing lenses frequently during the day, and the weight of an extra gadget bag was causing a pain in my back. When the D90 kit lens came along, it seemed that a lot of buyers were jettisoning it for the heavier and softer 18-200 VR. Bucking the trend, I was able to buy the new 18-105 kit lens for just under $300. It solved my vacation problems at a reasonable cost. I found its image quality to be functionally equivalent to the two lenses it replaced, and more than adequate for my purposes. I have not missed the loss of long zoom, given that I vacation in cities or villages, where the long end accounted for a small percentage of my pictures. Later, I bought a 70-300mm VRII on the niggling fear that I was missing something in my photography. I made the mistake of taking it on vacation once. Although I found the longer range useful for picking up architectural details, and in daylight stadium sports events for picking up action on the field, it was nevertheless too bulky and heavy to justify these specialized advantages. The real revelation came when I purchased a Sigma f3.5 10-20. It opened up a whole new world of street photography to me. Now these are the only two lenses that I take on vacation. I've noticed that I favor the short lens increasingly as I move on with my photography.

This lens is not for the specialist. Unless you have specialized hobby needs, don't bother spending your money to get a long zoom that will break your back and your bank, even though everyone else seems to be doing it. This lens is more than adequate for most vacation scenarios. With the money you've saved, and two-hundred bucks more, you can buy a quality short lens that will entirely change you perspective on photography. You won't look back.
-- Excellent vacation lens

I had this lens for 6 months, paired with my d5000. This is my first Nikon lens (having shifted from Canon). For the price, focal length, built and image quality, its just right for an enthusiast. I used to crave for longer focal lenght but have realized that most of my shots were never past 100mm. This lens surely fits the budget and I am planning to buy a 35mm 1.8 as a compliment to this lens.
During my recent trip to HK, I was able to take great shots with this gear and I'm very happy and satisfied with it!
If money is not an issue, an 18-200 would add more versatility though but the only advantage of it is the extra long end (as I have compared pics using my friend's 18-200). Quality wise, performance, reliability, they are pretty much the same.
Now with the plastic mount, its not really an issue for me. SInce I'm not a pro, a little distortion and light falloff is acceptable. Both this and the 18-200 has these imperfections.
Overall, this is a good buy! -- SImply just right

I bought a D5000 that came with the 18-55 but I thought it was way too wide even at 55mm. A month after buying the camera I realized I was never using the 18-55 so I sold it and bought the 18-105. The 18-105 not only has a serious reach advantage over the 18-55, but also allows you to manually focus without flipping the focus switch to manual. It's also just a more convenient and sturdy lens. The 18-55 is sharp and all, and if you're certain you don't need the extra reach then it might be the way for you to go. But for nature and many other kinds of shooting, I want the most reach I can get. This lens + my 70-300 VR is all I need for my nature shooting. You can generally get both of these lenses for about the same price as the 18-200, but with the two lenses you get 50% more reach and sharper images. The convenience of one lens is nowhere near enough of a reason (at least for me) to sacrifice reach and sharpness.

So even though review sites are more critical of this lens than they are the 18-55 and 55-200, I think it's one of the best in Nikon's DX lineup. I just wish I would have bought this from the get-go with the D5000 body-only instead of getting the 18-55 kit lens. Oh well, I'm good now! -- Forget the 18-55 and 18-200 - This is the one you want

I upgraded to this lens from a the kit 18-55mm DX (non VR) lens that I had with my D40 (which I sold). I needed a short range lens for my D90 and read good reviews about this lens.

The portrait and lanscape clarity and image quality is on par with or a little below the 18-55mm. The principal benefit here is the extended range.

I most shoot pictures of a perpetual motion machine, my border collie, and I have yet to get action shots that I am consistently happy with. If I think I am going to shoot an action shot, I need to put on the 55-200mm DX lens, which is an outstanding budget lens.

If I had it to do over again, would I buy this lens? I am not sure. If I shot more DX, I might investigate 16-85mm Nikkor lens. But I shoot mostly FX on big bodies with pro lenses, and the D90 is a just a walk-around for me.

So when I am out wiht my D90, it is the 18-105mm for portraits and landscapes and a reluctant switch to the 55-200mm for action. I had hoped to get more of an all-in-one for the 18-105mm range, but unfortunately it didn't turn out that way.

For people who are primarily shooting landscapes and portraits, I would give this lens 4 stars and recommend it. For those like me who are more concerned with action photos, you might want to investigate some alternatives before settling on this lens.


-- Landscapes and portraits, yes; action, no