18-70 AF-S DX G Nikkor

I haven’t used this lens too much in a while, but of the standard zoom lenses I own this one still has the best overall image quality.  This is especially true in terms of value, versatility, size, and price.  This lens was the “kit” lens that was originally sold with Nikon D70 kits, and then with Nikon D200 kits.  The 18-70 preceded the newer 18-135 AF-S DX and 18-105 AF-SVR  and 18-135 AF-S VR lenses, and is better built than any of the newer versions listed here.  Specifically, the 18-70 is the last of these “less expensive” kit lenses that still has a metal lens mount.  The newer lenses with the plastic mounts are a serious bane to digital SLR users that change lenses frequently.  The plastic mounts are softer than the camera’s metal lens mount and users end up with plastic shavings in the mirror box and later on their image sensor.  The shavings on the sensors means that the image sensors need to be cleaned more frequently - a significant inconvenience.  Note that this is not true for the 18-200 AF-S VR DX which I intend to review soon, this one does have decent build quality and a metal lens mount (although throughout the range the 18-70 AF-S covers the 18-200 is not quite as good optically which my review will cover).

It should also be noted that the 18-70  lens is a significant step up from the various versions of the 18-55 mm lenses that are sold as kit lenses for lower line Nikon cameras.  Although the 18-55’s have reasonably good image quality (almost as sharp as the 18-70, a bit less contrast and more flare) these lenses have abysmal build quality on top of their plastic mounts.  We have now used 10 of these 18-55 lenses at the Family Foundation School and have had a total of six failures on a total of three lenses (one lens failed twice, another three times - Nikon service was good, but this is still BAD statistics).

In summary, and before image specifics, the 18-70 AF-S DX G is the best “mid-priced consumer” zoom lens.  New cost for a US version is $360 or so, and it can be had used for $150 or less - a downright bargain for the image quality this lens has to offer.  The only consumer zoom that may produce slightly better images is the newer 16-85 VR AF-S DX G which runs $530 new and not that much less used (and it vignettes more and has a slower maximum aperture).

In terms of image quality the 18-70 AF-S is pretty much top notch.  In many respects it rivals the quality of the much more expensive, larger and heavier 17-55 AF-S G lens (it’s nearly 4x the price).  Images are sharp from corner to corner, nearly from wide open apertures and at most focal lengths.  The lens has excellent contrast, focuses fast and has decent flare resistance.  To prevent vignetting, I recommend a “thin” filter (if you use one), although this lens vignettes less than many of the newer lenses.  No significant vignetting problems are observed using the thin filters under normal conditions.  Chromatic aberration is also well controlled with this lens.

Here are some samples, most stopped down a fair bit.  Even stopped down where diffraction effects rob some of this excellent optic’s acuity all image shown here have been printed with outstanding quality at 17 in x 25 in, showing remarkable detail at that size.

Falls at Mileses, Delaware River Valley (near Hankins, NY).  This image was hand held and taken with a Nikon D200, exposure 1/10 sec, hand held at f/16.

Nikon D200, 18-70 AF-S DX G

The next image was taken on a feeder stream to the Canonsville Reservoir.  This print looks excellent on textured canvas.

Nikon D200, 18-70 AF-S DX G

Now an image from Zion National Park, Observation Point trail.

Nikon D200, 18-70 AF-S G

The last image here shows a view from Mt. Cascade in NY’s Adirondack Park.  This is the view from the top of Cascade toward Whiteface Mtn, which can be seen in the distance.

Nikon D200, AF-S 18-70 DX G at f/22

To give an idea of the acuity in these images, here is an 100% crop of the previous image.  Note the detail even at f/22 where diffraction already robs some of the lens’ resolution.

100 % crop of Whiteface view from Cascade Mtn.