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Nikkor AF-S 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 G IF-ED DX - Review / Test Report |
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Lens Reviews -
Nikon / Nikkor (APS-C)
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Page 1 of 3
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published June 2006
Lens kindly provided for testing purposes by Martin Henke!
Introduction
The Nikkor AF-S 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 G IF-ED DX is considered as THE
standard zoom for Nikon DSLRs thanks to attractive specifications
combined with a moderate price tag of around 350 US$/€. Nikon
also sells this lens in some camera kits (D70s, D200).
The Nikkor is a designated DX lens projecting a reduced image circle and as such
not compatible to full-frame SLRs. The field-of-view is equivalent to
27-105mm (3.8x zoom ratio) on classic full frame cameras.
The build quality is very decent. Nikon used higher
quality plastics compared to e.g. the AF-S 18-55mm DX but it can't
match the (excessively higher priced) AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 DX here.
Interestingly the lens features a dust and waterproof rubber sealing mount
which is highly unusual in this price class.
The zoom ring has a relatively high friction whereas the focus ring feels
quite smooth (though a little plasticy).
As you can observe in the product shot above the lens has a duo-cam
zooming mechanism which extends towards the long end of the zoom range.
The inner lens tubes/cams wobble only marginally. A petal-shaped hood
(not shown) is also part of the standard package.
Typical for all G lenses the Nikkor does not provide a dedicated
aperture ring anymore.
The Nikkor features an AF-S motor (silent-wave (ultrasonic)) which
is both very fast and near silent. It is also possible to intervene
manually in S-AF mode. Thanks to an IF (internal focusing) design
the front element does not rotate so using a polarizer remains easily
possible.
| Specifications |
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| Equiv. focal length | 27-105 mm (full format equivalent) |
| Equiv. aperture | f/5.3-f/6.8 (full format equivalent, in terms of depth-of-field) |
| Optical construction | 15 elements in 13 groups inc. 1 aspherical and 3 ED elements |
| Number of aperture blades | 7 (rounded) |
| min. focus distance | 0.38 m (max. magnification ratio 1:6.2) |
| Dimensions | 73 x 76 mm |
| Weight | 390 g |
| Filter size | 67 mm (non-rotating) |
| Hood | Nikon HB-32 (supplied), petal-shaped |
| Par focal | yes |
| Other features | Lens provides distance (D) information to the camera. Dust and waterproof rubber sealing mount. |
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