NIKON 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Nikkor Review Round-Up
If you own or have used this lens, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below. Get information and user reviews for this lens at Amazon: Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens
Photo Zone
There’s no such thing as a free lunch and the Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED DX is no exception to the rule. The build quality is downright miserable … However, the optical quality of the lens is not all that bad. The resolution figures are actually very good … The contrast level at large apertures leaves something to be desired though (dull colors). The distortion characteristic is about average whereas the vignetting is surprisingly well-controlled for a DX-type lens (APS-C image circle). Chromatic aberrations are quite high and can be field relevant in some situations. Naturally this has all to be seen in the context of the extremely low price tag so all-in-all it is almost surprising what the lens is capable to deliver. If you use f/8 or f/11 you’ll be a happy camper in most situations. The question may be whether such a limitation makes sense with a high priced DSLR. … READ FULL REVIEW
The 3262 comes in two versions, QR and non QR. The QR version doesn’t use the standard Bogen hex plates. It uses a smaller rectangular plate, which makes more sense on a medium-small ball head. I’ve used the non-QR version, so that’s what I’ll talk about. The 3262 is a simple head. No panoramic base, a single ball lock/unlock lever, no adjustable ball tension. Within these limits it works quite well. I’ve used it with lenses up to a 300/4 (with TC), but that’s the upper limit. I wouldn’t even think of putting a 300/2.8 on it. Overall, it’s a decent, solid ball head for an SLR with small (maybe medium) lenses. At the price, again you can’t really beat it. 
The 3001 is the “baby” of the line. It’s not tall enough to reach eye level for most adults without the center column extended, and even with it fully extended, those over about 5ft 6in will have to bend a little. So why is it useful? Well, it’s light (3.6 lbs) and very sturdy for it’s size. It’s also cheap. It’s a low cost alternative to the Gitzo 1227/1228 carbon fiber tripods which are a little lighter (3.3 lbs), extend a little higher, are a little more stable, but cost about $500 more. 
