[GrahamS]

Way back when God was a boy I bought my Best Beloved a Nikon D3100 which came with a Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm f3.5/5.6 G VR "kit" lens. I was so impressed by the image quality of this little camera that, when I spotted the same lens at a local dealer, used, for £65 I snapped it up. At the time my primary camera was a Nikon D90, replaced by a D7000 and then a D7100. The D7000 came with an 18-105mm ff/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX AF-S Nikkor which is sharp across the frame at all apertures and focal lengths, but is quite bulky and has poor close focus ability, and the D7100 came with a 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX AF-S Nikkor, which is my usual carry around lens and which gives superb results for my landscape and portrait work, but is also bulky and heavy.

Whenever I want to shoot flowers or close-ups I grab the old 18-55. It is super sharp at f8 and focuses down to 28cm. If you remember to use an aperture of f8 or f11 this lens will hold it's own with much more expensive lenses. If you have sufficient sensor resolution (and today, who doesn't?) a little diligent cropping will increase your magnification even more.

here are a couple of examples taken with the D7100 and the Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm f3.5/5.6 G - VR

[EdMak]

Informed buy! Ed.

[RobertMurariu]

Nice pictures!
Never owned a 18-55 but owned a 18-105 which was sharp but had washed colour rendition.
I own a d7100 as well,i shoot all my projects with it,delivers amazing quality with 17-55 f2.8 ED.For street i use a smaller body (d5300) with a 50mm
Regards
Robert

[pixbyjnjphotos]

Way back when God was a boy I bought my Best Beloved a Nikon D3100 which came with a Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm f3.5/5.6 G VR "kit" lens.  I was so impressed by the image quality of this little camera that, when I spotted the same lens at a local dealer, used, for £65 I snapped it up.  At the time my primary camera was a Nikon D90, replaced by a D7000 and then a D7100.   The D7000 came with an 18-105mm ff/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX AF-S Nikkor which is sharp across the frame at all apertures and focal lengths, but is quite bulky and has poor close focus ability, and the D7100 came with a 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX AF-S Nikkor, which is my usual carry around lens and which gives superb results for my landscape and portrait work, but is also bulky and heavy.

Whenever I want to shoot flowers or close-ups I grab the old 18-55.  It is super sharp at f8 and focuses down to 28cm.  If you remember to use an aperture of f8 or f11 this lens will hold it's own with much more expensive lenses.  If you have sufficient sensor resolution (and today, who doesn't?) a little diligent cropping will increase your magnification even more.

here are a couple of examples taken with the D7100 and the Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm f3.5/5.6 G - VR

I haven't visited or posted on this site for quite some time.  I am blown away with your flower closeups.  I don't have the 18-55 but I do have the 18-70 that came with my D70S.  I never gave a thought to put it on my D7100 to try.  I will do that some time to see what it might do.  Your photos are absolutely awesome.

[GrahamS]

I haven't visited or posted on this site for quite some time.  I am blown away with your flower closeups.  I don't have the 18-55 but I do have the 18-70 that came with my D70S.  I never gave a thought to put it on my D7100 to try.  I will do that some time to see what it might do.  Your photos are absolutely awesome.

Thanks for the compliment.  I don't think the 18-70 has the close focus ability that the 18-55 has, but give it a try anyhow.

[EnglishBob]

A lot of people look down their noses at the kit lenses, given enough light ( so you can stop them down ) they produce excellent images. Very nice series Graham.

[pixbyjnjphotos]

I haven't visited or posted on this site for quite some time.  I am blown away with your flower closeups.  I don't have the 18-55 but I do have the 18-70 that came with my D70S.  I never gave a thought to put it on my D7100 to try.  I will do that some time to see what it might do.  Your photos are absolutely awesome.

Thanks for the compliment.  I don't think the 18-70 has the close focus ability that the 18-55 has, but give it a try anyhow.

I gave the 18-70 lens a shot.  You are right in your reply.  It doesn't focus quite that close.  I had the best luck using manual focus but nothing compared to your images.  I do have the 18-140 lens on my D7100 and it does pretty good since I can severely crop with all the pixels of the D7100.  I also have a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 lens which is really good, but it too does not focus that close to the subject.  You have given me some results to shoot for.  Now I will have to see if I can find a 18-55 kit lens somewhere because I really like your results.  Isn't it fun?  And it doesn't have to be really expensive either.  Have a GREAT DAY!

[GrahamS]

I do have the 18-140 lens on my D7100 and it does pretty good since I can severely crop with all the pixels of the D7100. 

It's that ability to crop that makes all the difference. But to use it, your image must be pin-sharp.

[delb0y]

Great close up shots. I have the Nikon 18-55 - it came with a D5100. I must try some flowers :-)

[GrahamS]

Great close up shots. I have the Nikon 18-55 - it came with a D5100. I must try some flowers :-)

Remember, stick to f8 to f11 and it will be as sharp as you could wish.