The blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges. The incorporation of VR technology allows photographers to take substantially sharper pictures at slower shutter speeds than previously possible, and according to Nikon's own specifications, speeds up to three stops slower can be used before the image-degrading blur of camera shake becomes apparent. VR, Focal Length: 36mm, Focus Mode: AF-A, AF-Area Mode: Auto, VR: ON, Aperture: f/5, Shutter Speed: 1/60s, Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority, Exposure Comp. An impressive performance at 35mm, where sharpness is high across much of the frame at F8, contrasts with a rather less desirable set of results at 55mm. These results demonstrate that you no longer need to pay an arm and a leg for a lens with an effective VR system for your Nikon dSLR.

The optical design features 11 elements in eight groups, and an aspherical lens element minimises spherical aberration and other forms of distortion while ensuring high resolution and contrast.

At 35mm it's just a little softer in the corners, but with no lateral color it's sharp enough for anything. Even if VR can be turned off in some bodies, I still think it is not the optimal solution: it is easy to forget about the in-camera setting and shoot with VR turned off. It is an all-plastic lens featuring the newest stepping motor, which focuses faster and quieter than the traditional silent wave motor used on most standard Nikon lenses.

Thom Hogan praised its value and optical performance, but criticized its handling, noting a diminutive focus ring that rotates during focusing, with no manual override. We tested the VR system at both the long and short ends of the zoom range in our standard studio test.If you want the best possible low-light performance for even less money, consider instead the 50mm f/1. It does not have a “Normal” and “Active” VR switch, which I personally do not miss since I hardly ever change VR from Normal to Active. CameraWorld is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, registration number 689327. It is an excellent feature in case you are shooting under challenging conditions, and the lens is hunting. Part of Nikon's new "P" series of lenses, it uses a pulse motor (utilizing stepping motors) for ultra-fast, near silent autofocus and two Aspherical lens elements for outstanding optical performance.

Image quality is pretty good too; results are sharp in the centre even wide open, and improve further on stopping down to F8, with the corners not far behind.When defocused backgrounds do appear, they aren't all that smooth either, showing harsh sharp edges to specular highlights. Nikon's new P series of NIKKOR lenses use a pulse motor (utilising stepping motors) to focus smoother and quieter than previous drive systems. The D3300 with which it ships completely corrects the distortion if you have Automatic Distortion Correction ON.

AF-S Zoom-Nikkor lens is a midrange zoom lens manufactured by Nikon for use on Nikon DX format digital SLR cameras. Even if this lens does not feature any high-end Nano Crystal Coating, it still does a great job dealing with direct light. Users of D5200 cameras should note that if the standby timer is allowed to expire, the focus position will change when the timer is restarted. Very good and even performance across the focal lengths, in any part of the frame, and at all aperture values is an excellent advantage of this lens. m (2 ft) and remove lens hoods to prevent vignetting (shadows created where the end of the lens obscures the built-in flash).Macro is a full-frame L-mount lens that's designed to be a medium telephoto, portrait and macro lens all-in-one. The effects of VR on shutter speed are measured according to Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA) standards; FX-format lenses are measured using FX-format digital SLR cameras, DX-format lenses using DX-format cameras.