Nikon R715 (AF-S DX 18-105G VR)

An important lesson in photography is that it doesn't matter how expensive your digital camera is, the pictures you take will only be as good as the quality of your lens. In fact, I would rather own a cheap camera / decent lens combo, than own a top-of-the-range camera and a cheap lens. One of my favourite reasonably priced lenses at the moment is Nikon's 18-105mm VR, a versatile and lightweight model which outperforms its economy price-tag. The lens is compatible with all of Nikon's current crop of digital SLR models, and many of their older shooters. The lens features a zoom range of 18-105mm (equivalent to around 7x), which makes it extremely versatile - it allows me to take wide-angle shots, and also get fairly close to my subjects when needs be. As a result, the lens represents a decent option for nature photographers, suitable for both landscape and animal spotting.

The 'VR' part of the lens's title stands for Vibration Reduction - a feature activated by flipping a small switch on the side of the body. In general, Nikon's vibration reduction is superb, and in practice you can get away with using a slower shutter speed that you normally would at full zoom. A switch above the Vibration Reduction allows you to choose between Auto and Manual focus modes - and here's one of the main issues I have with the lens - the manual focus ring feels flimsy, plasticky, and generally cheap. That said, let's not forget this is a budget model, and apart from this particular issue, the lens is rather good. It features Nikon's top quality ED glass, designed specifically to increase sharpness and minimize any chromatic aberrations.

The lens is comfortable to hold (and pretty light), with the zoom ring coated in a large rubberized grip. The zoom is spaced out nicely, and a decent turn is required in order to navigate through the entire range. This makes accurate zooming really easy, and thankfully, there isn't any 'lens-creep' (when the lens moves by itself via the power of gravity as you angle it vertically), which is something I find to be particularly annoying. Although it features a plastic lens mount, the build quality (apart from the focus ring as mentioned earlier) feels well made, and is arguably of a better quality that Nikon's other budget zoom, the 55-200 VR.

The aperture range (amount of light that enters the lens) starts out at f/3.5, and reaches f/5.6 by the time you get to around 85mm - for this reason the lens isn't especially good for low light photography (check out Nikon's cheap 50mm f/2 if you want an excellent and pin sharp low-light shooter) although the autofocus speed is pretty snappy in dim conditions. All the focusing is done inside the lens, meaning that the actual lens barrel doesn't ever rotate, which is good for those who like to use polarizing filters. Speaking of filters, if you're intending to use one with the lens, you'll need it to be of the 67mm variety. I generally leave a UV or skylight filter on all my lenses, so the glass at the front is protected at a times.

The closest focusing distance is around one and a half foot, meaning it really isn't best suited as a macro lens. That said, it can produce good results from this distance at full zoom - I've shot a few insects in this manner to decent effect. Finally let's look at the image quality - surely it can't be any good for such a reasonable price? Well actually, I have found the 18-105 to produce sharp results throughout the entire zoom range. That said, there is a little softness at the extremities - but nothing out of the ordinary for a budget model. Similarly, there is a bit of vignetting at full zoom (darkness in the corners of the image), although again, it's not something that I am particularly concerned about.

Overall then, Nikon's 18-105 VR is a really good lens, which I would wholeheartedly recommend if the finances dictate that you can't purchase a more expensive model. Personally, I would love to own Nikon's 18-200mm VR for the increased versatility, but it costs a hell of a lot more, and the image quality isn't any better. Although this particular model may sound fairly expensive, in the world of Nikon lenses, this is the equivalent of pennies - a real bargain at the price and a decent buy.

The R715 AF-S Nikkor 18-105mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED is a DX format lens and is fully compatible with my Nikon D-60. In fact, it will work with a whole swathe of Nikon DSLR cameras, but in general, the older the model, the fewer features may be available.

It includes Vibration Reduction (VR), and - so far - fully auto or manual modes at the push or press of the necessary switches or buttons work at will, as expected.

It only arrived a couple of days ago (at near record-breaking speed as usual, in spite of industrial action within the postal service - well done Amazon), so I haven't had the chance to give it a proper roaming road test. However, initial efforts do not disappoint.

It's longer by 1.5cm than the 18-55mm lens that came with the kit version of the camera I bought. It needs 67mm rather than 52mm filters, hoods, and other attachments at the objective lens end. A bit heavier too, because of all the glass inside to cover the amazing focal length range, but still handy.

A big plus is that the overall barrel diameter is pretty much the same, so it will fit into any smaller `day bag' that already takes, say, the D-60 or similar sized camera fitted with a standard lens, plus a longer lens, spare battery, speedlite and a few other bits, and certainly doesn't cause a problem with the full size bag.

It comes ready-to-go with a `crown' lens hood, rear lens cap and pouch. The focus and zoom rings have a pleasingly precise, slightly viscous resistance, although, as I've found with other Nikkor lenses, the focus ring gearing is fast, and only the slightest tweak is needed to fine-tune once you're near the spot, using the camera's excellent viewfinder digital rangefinder.

Apart from specialists - I'm not - this is almost the universal lens, covering most of the bases. To put its scope in perspective, the DX 18-105mm lens is approximately equivalent to a 28-150mm version in 35mm format. But much more compact. Very pleased, and you won't have to change lenses very often.

Lens to me is ideal.Not too bulky ( little more than 18-55)with an adequate zoom range for all normal photography;the VR is useful on the longer zoom settings ( & from moving coach!). So my recent holiday to Lake Garda & Dolomites produced a highly satisfactory set of photographs. The urgent despatch from Amazon worked well.