Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

This is the kit lens that came with almost all Nikon DX-cameras. That means there are many to choose from.

You should be aware that there are (at least) six versions (or marks) of this lens:

• DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED
• DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G II ED
• DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
• DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G II VR
• DX AF-P Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G
• DX AF-P Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR < the one I have

Some people say that as a kit lens they are boring, not very sharp etc. And that they’re boring I can kind of agree with, probably because there are so many of them in circulation. In other words, they are not that special.

Look at any place that sells used photo gear, and you’ll see plenty of these, selling for next to nothing.

So in terms of value, they are hard to beat.

Ken Rockwell says that the AF-P version is sharper than the previous ones, and it has faster focus too. In fact, he states that the AF-P VR is a “significant improvement over the old 18-55mm VR II”.

Makes sense, I guess, that the latest would be the best, and I am pretty happy with my version, which is the latest, AF-P VR.

I would say you’ll be happy with whichever version you pick, but pick one with VR if you can.

In the Nikon Z-world I guess the equivalent is the Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3,5-6,3 VR, which I’ve not tried, but maybe you have, any thoughts on it?