Hey fellow nikonians,
Which of nikon's 18-xxmm zoom lenses have the least amount of distortion?
What thirdparty lenses as well..
I would appreciate sample pics of 18mm distortion of your lenses at its worst.

Thank you , salamat po, arigato gozaimas, merci, gracias, xie xie!

marty,

Is your question limited to 18-35, 18-70, 18-200, 18-135 and 18-55 Dx? I have tried the following lenses and here is my comments for each:
- 18-55 - Not sure if this is the worst among what I tried or the 18-70, but the barrel distortion is pretty bad at 18.
- 18-70 - Almost the same as the 18-55, the barrel distortion is quite bad.
- 18-35 - There are some noticeable distortions, but nothing that a little Nikon Capture can't fix.

I haven't tried the 18-200 and 18-135. And I probably, I can only post for the 18-35 and 18-55 (because I still have it with me). I sold off my 18-70 kit a few months ago.

I'll post some pics for comparison (un-pp'ed of course).

sorry, my posting might take sometime. I need to borrow this from gf. She owns both lenses now. I'll try to get back to Manila next week and get some shots. Cyah next week!

I have both the 18-55 and the 18-70 nikkors. The latter does have a stronger barrell distortion. If you want to shoot at 18mm with no distortions at all, get the nikkor 12-24mm and use it at 18mm.... :)

i read some posts from other forums and they claim that the Nikkor 18-135 has the least distortion among the kit lenses (even with the 18-200vr in the mix). Anyone vouch for this?

is the distortion only at 18mm?

is the distortion only at 18mm?

barrel only at 18mm, pincushion higher focal length. most zooms have some of both

barrel only at 18mm, pincushion higher focal length. most zooms have some of both

Thanks for the reply Marty

i see, so getting at 19mm above lowers pincushion?

also, are these distortions easily edited like those nikon softwares?

Thanks for the reply Marty

i see, so getting at 19mm above lowers pincushion?

also, are these distortions easily edited like those nikon softwares?

Wait, just to clarify. these lenses exhibit barrel distortion at shorter focal lengths. At around mid point of their ranges, distortion is nil. At full focal length, some exhibit pincushining.

my question was which of these kit lenses have less barrel distortion at 18mm.

Sorry for the confusion

Wait, just to clarify. these lenses exhibit barrel distortion at shorter focal lengths. At around mid point of their ranges, distortion is nil. At full focal length, some exhibit pincushining.

my question was which of these kit lenses have less barrel distortion at 18mm.

Sorry for the confusion

hahaha.. thanks for clarifying marty... nalito talaga ako:Grin:

Hey fellow nikonians,
Which of nikon's 18-xxmm zoom lenses have the least amount of distortion?
What thirdparty lenses as well..
I would appreciate sample pics of 18mm distortion of your lenses at its worst.

Thank you , salamat po, arigato gozaimas, merci, gracias, xie xie!

IMO most of them do have, with very slight, unnoticeable differences... If you want to shoot in this range with the least possible distortion... Get a 12-24 (as Orly said), 17-55DX or 17-35mm and shoot it at 18mm, you'd be surprised at what you'll see. :)

IMO most of them do have, with very slight, unnoticeable differences... If you want to shoot in this range with the least possible distortion... Get a 12-24 (as Orly said), 17-55DX or 17-35mm and shoot it at 18mm, you'd be surprised at what you'll see. :)

Thanks Earl, I can't afford the 12-24 nor justify its price for the way I shoot. I seldom shoot <28mm. However I sold my 18-55 since I wasn't happy with its distortion at 18. I mean that lens was sharp at 18 but in the few times I want to get wide, the distortion bothers me too much and 55mm isn't long enough as a walk around.

18-70 seems ok, but after seeing shots from the new 18-135, the old nikkor is headed for retirement. IQ of the 18-135 blows 18-70 in sharpness, contrast and CA control. but the barrel distortion was pretty much the same or even a bit worse.
:Sick:

you can't have it all.

Im checking this site.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/index.html

Can see here complete details and sample pics and review. For me ok yung 18-135 Nikon kit lens for D80. Mostly pag zoom meron talagang distortion for i wont shoot at 18 go a little higher say 20 up ant at full extent of 135 say 120.

Next cguro invest sa prime 30 50 105