Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G Review

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR Handling and Features

For a lens covering such a huge zoom range, this lens is relatively compact and lightweight, only weighing 550g. In fact, size-wise, it is no larger or heavier than Nikons' 18-200mm lenses, which makes it a much better candidate as a walkabout than the previous 18-300mm lens. It feels right at home on the Nikon D7100 body used for testing, and will make a good companion for Nikon's smaller, entry level bodies as well. As is the case with Nikon's other consumer-grade lenses, high quality plastics have been used for much of the lens' construction and a rubber gasket surrounds the metal lens mount, to help prevent the ingress of dust and moisture into the camera body.



A silent wave motor powers autofocus and speeds are reasonable, but certainly not amongst the fastest. Manual adjustments can be applied at any time via the narrow focusing ring, which is located close to the camera body. Manual focusing action is smooth and well damped, which makes fine adjustments reasonably easy to apply. The zoom action is also very smooth and consistent, not tightening up at any point in the zoom range. Just enough resistance has been applied to prevent the zoom creeping forward when it is pointed down and a switch to lock the lens at 18mm is provided, to prevent the lens from extending when it's removed from a case or bag.



Closest focus distance is 48cm, and focusing is performed internally, so the 67mm filter thread does not rotate, which should make this lens ideal for use with graduated filters and polarisers.

Nikon's Vibration Reduction system promises to allow hand-held shooting at shutter slower than the usual rule of thumb for sharp hand-held photos would allow. The system settles down much quicker than with some other Nikon lenses, providing a steady viewfinder image almost instantly, which is impressive. With care sharp held-held shots were possible at shutter speeds as low as 1/15sec around half the time, which is roughly five stops slower than the usual rule of thumb may recommend.

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