Camera Labs

I just wanted to tell all those people, who want to upgrade their 18-55 kit lens to a 18-105: keep in mind that the Closest focusing distance of the 18-55 is 28 cm, compared to the 45 cm of the 18-105.

90% of the reviews I read barely mentioned this. I sent my 18-105 back to the shop. Small gain in Zooming vs 'Closest focusing distance': I go for the latter.

So, perhaps someone can use this info I for myself was really annoyed by this.

Greetings,

Charles from Luxembourg

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Nikon D5000 / AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55 mm 1:3,5-5,6G ED II / SB-600 / National Geographics Bag / 8 Fingers / 2 Thumbs (One up, one down) / Bad Sense of humor.

18-55 to 18-105 is not an upgrade...neither sharpness,or built quality or even aperture. I got my 18-105mm because it's the best possible range for DX & I need it for street photography.
I never heard of people returning a lens for it's closest focusing distance...this is the 1st a "all-around lens" will never focus close,that's logical. if you need a lens that focuses close,get the 35mm F/1.8 fast focus,compact,very nice build,amazing sharpness & F/1.8. if you care about focus distance,then you must be into portraits or macros. so that lens will be awesome for you,for endless applications

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Gear: Nikon D80, 18-105mm, 35mm F/1.8, 85mm F/1.8, SB-600
Visit my work here

Yeah, focusing distance is my absolute priority! Hehe I'm glad that I could be the first case you got to know and laugh about

But I take a lot of photos while sitting on table next to family members, and when I always have to lean back to get about 50 cm distance to my neighbour...

I'm going for a 35 or 50 mm now. Or perhaps a fisheye? I hate being a total N00b...

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Nikon D5000 / AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55 mm 1:3,5-5,6G ED II / SB-600 / National Geographics Bag / 8 Fingers / 2 Thumbs (One up, one down) / Bad Sense of humor.

The minimum focusing distance is measured from the sensor's focal plane, so why would you want to be so close? Assuming you want to take a headshot of your family members, being so close would force you to use the widest focal lenghts, which will distort their faces and make them look like this (maybe this is what you are after?).

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Nikon D90

I'm not certain here, but I think the 45cm close focus applies right up to the maximum focal length of 105mm, which means that the 18-105 will get you more magnification.

When I want to get close (flowers, for example) on the 16-85, I use 85 and it's quite satisfactory. More magnification is easily gained by a +3 close-up filter, which is good for items like flowers, where the interest is in the centre of the frame.

I also have an 18-55 and tested an 18-105 for a while, and all I can say is that the 18-105 is a noticeable step up. It holds definition much better at wider apertures and in the corners, has better implemented manual focusing (very difficult on the 18-55), the front element doesn't turn while focusing and has a really use focal range.

The 18-55 can take very good photos, but the 18-105 is a great deal more versatile.

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HCC
Nikon DSLRs, film cameras from Leica to Linhof

The 18-55VR does the highest magnification of the three (18-55 at 1:3.2 ; 16-85 at 1:4.6 ; 18-105 at 1:5). And I agree with Hilary that the 18-105 is not that similar too the 18-55 as Razvan said.

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- Wout -
Lowepro Nova 200 AW filled with Nikon D90 + MB-D80
18-70 DX, 70-300 VR, 35 1.8 DX, SB-700