What is the difference between these two Nikkor lenses?

Question

AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II (3.0x)
and
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR (3.0x)

I'm new to the world of lenses, and I'm purchasing one next week. I want a VR lens, and I can see one has it and the other doesn't, but I guess what I dont understand is if that is the only difference between the two. I'm using the lens mostly for children photography (babies), nature, and close ups. Which do you thing would be better for what I will be using it for? Also, I'm purchasing the Nikon D60 from bestbuy, and it comes with a lens - but I'm a little confused at what lens it comes with because it says both zoom and VR in the title of it.. and it's my understanding that those are two different lenses. Here is the link to the item, if you can help me understand what it is they are offering as a lens with that package, and the difference between the two - that'd be great help! Thanks!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8721733&type=product&id=1200703005185

Answer 1

The VR lens has vibration reduction built in. VR is well worth its cost it can let you shoot at slower shutter speeds and still get clear pictures. It reduces the effects of hand shake that can be a problem on longer lenses or when zoomed out, again giving you clearer pictures. Nikon is adding VR to more of its lenses and thats a good thing. If you can afford the VR you will be glad you got it. Both are for APS-c ( DX ) sensor cameras. The G means the lenses have no aperature ring, they cannot be used on some old manual cameras. As they are both AF-s both have silent wave motors in them Both will have multicoated lenses. The ED means "Extra-low Dispersion glass". ED glass helps eliminate secondary chromatic aberration. I think most Nikkor lenses use ED glass now but I could be wrong. The 3.0 X tells you the endding focal length is 3 times ( more or less ) the starting ( a true 3X would be 54 not 55 but whose going to argue about that, if you want to be exact I think the specs say 3.05 X ) .



Additional reply: Any lens that is not a prime lens can be called a zoom. Prime lenses have a fixed focal length ( e.g. 50mm) Zoom lenses have variable focal lengths ( 18 to 55 mm ) Some folks break the zooms down into categories such as wide angle zoom, standard zoom or telephoto zoom. The 18-55 VR kit lens is both VR and zoom. Nikon probably does not put zoom in the description on thier site because if they put the variable focal length ( 18-55) saying its a zoom is a little redundant. If you look up the 50 mm lens on thier site you want see them describe it as a 50mm prime lens for the same reason. Best Buy probably included it a more as an additional marketing tool to grab more peoples attention/.



I hope this helps

Answer 2

Both lens have the same sharp image quality but the VR, vibration reduction, is a fancy dodad for shooting at slow shutter speeds. The 18-55 lens is very light and easy to hold even at a 30th of a second, so honestly, you really don't need it unless you plan to shoot at speeds under a 60th of a second

Answer 3

Wow, Sam there isn't lots to characteristic to your answer, yet i can declare one factor from very own adventure with this lens. It got here with my D200, and the huge attitude pin cushion distortion is particularly undesirable. So undesirable in actuality, I offered it back to B+H, and am left surprised that Nikon could produce such junk. unhappy to be sure the optical high quality of Nikon sink that low to maintain up with mass production and third occasion lens selections.