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Does anyone have both the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II (I think it comes with the D40) and the AF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G (the one that comes with the D70)?

I have the DX 18-70mm but am looking for a zoom lens with a similar range that can focus a bit closer. The DX 18-55mm can focus closer than the 18-70mm (0.28m v 0.38m) but I haven't seem to find the maximum reproduction ratio documented for the 18-55mm. I don't know if the 0.28m with 55mm will give more magnification that 0.38m with 70mm.

Can someone with both lenses tell me which will give more magnification?

The DX 18-55mm is quite cheap but Ken Rockwell gives it a good review and prefers it to the 18-70mm.

Would not you be able to use extension tubes on your 18-70?

Maybe I need to explain my purpose, first. This is for underwater use and I can't change lenses or add extension tubes while underwater. I already have a Nikkor AF Micro 60mm f/2.8D which gives me sharp images of very small organisms, however, if I choose to use it for a dive it is very difficult to take photographs of larger organisms. To take photographs of larger organisms you need to move back further and this increases the amount of water between the lens and the subject as well as spreading the light from the strobes over a larger area.

The 18-70mm is great as a general lens and gives me a lot of flexibility, except for very small subjects.

I'm also looking at the 28-105mm macro. I'm just trying to look at all the options.

The Tamron 28-75 focuses very close - great value lens that one. Just another option to think about.

losfp wrote:The Tamron 28-75 focuses very close - great value lens that one. Just another option to think about.

I have been reading many positive reviews on this lens. I may take a closer look at this lens too.

Add a 500D or similar close-up attachment onto your 18-70 and you'll be able to focus on closer objects.

However I'd suspect the 18-55 lens is cheaper... Judging from the recent D40X samples posted on Nikon Japan's site, it's a pearler optically. I guess the low price reflects its comparatively lower build quality.

Do you own any primes?

Add extension tubes to your primes and they will focus real close. The 50mm is very inexpensive multi-purpose lens. Normal use for low light shots, then put some tubes on for close up macro, reverse it for extreme macro... So many uses in one little lens

I currently have 3 lenses:

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5
Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor ED 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF

These three (well the last 2 mostly) give me all the flexibility I need for above water photographs. The 60mm allows me to focus to 1:1 and is perfect for Macro work:



The 18-70mm has a great range and so is good for a walkabout lens. Its macro capabilities are somewhat limited with 1:6.2 being its best:



But that's fine, as I can easily swap lenses.

My problem is when I am underwater. The 18-70mm is also a great swimabout lens and works well for a range of subjects. The problem is that it just can't focus in close enough for very small objects like nudibranchs. Even with the +4 diopter lens that is required by the dome port, it doesn't get close enough:



The 60mm is brilliant for macro work and lets me get in very close. e.g.



but if I see something large and the water isn't crystal clear, I'm unable to get good shots. e.g.



That was about as much as I could get in. Any shots from further away were woeful because of the water clarity.

Anyway, I have a Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II on order from Poon. For $148 delivered to my door it was worth the risk. According to the tracking I should have it around Tuesday and then I will be able to answer my own question.

I am also trying the old 35-70mm today. It does focus closer than the 18-70mm at 1:4.4:



and even better with the +4 diopter lens:



However, I will lose the 18-35mm range. The 18-55mm should cover that.

I received the 18-55mm lens today. It is very cheap feeling and focusing is quite slow. Here are the results.

Closest focus at 55mm:


That makes reproduction at around 1:3

With the +4 diopter lens it is:


about 1:2.

This is a lot better than the 18-70mm and may solve most of my problems.

Just to put them together to make it easier to see.

18-70mm on left, 18-55mm on right.
Maximum reproduction rate with bare lens:


Maximum reproduction rate with +4 diopter lens:

such lovely nudibranchia...

I used the new 18-55mm lens on a dive today. I am quite pleased with its performance. The magnification of small subjects was not quite what I hoped, but still a lot better than the 18-70mm.

Something small:



Something large:



It was also great for the mating octopus:

http://www.dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php?t=24986

May I suggest something else?

I have not done any underwater photography but I have read comments many times that people use Olympus C-7070 or Olympus C-8080 for underwater photography. Both are very attractive SLR-like cameras which have been discontinued due to the cost of manufacturing. For both cameras Olympus made under-water housing.

I have the 18-55mm lens (came as kit lens with my d50) and am pretty happy with it. I have only played briefly with the 18-70 on a mates camera and it seemed faster to focus, more solid feeling and the extra reach of the 70mm was nice. am considering upgrading to the 18-70...would you recommend this now that you have played with both lenses? A lot of people arent fans of the 18-55 due primarily I would guess to its cheap feel...which worries me not! I just want a nice light walkabout lens to take hiking.

I still prefer to use the 18-70mm as a general walk around lens (above water) simply because I already have it and it is nice to have that little bit of extra length. I will be using the 18-55mm almost exclusively for UW use. The only exception will be where I know there will be very small subjects that I want to get and then I'll use the 60mm Micro.

If I didn't already have the 18-70mm, I would be more than happy to use the 18-55mm as a walk around lens and would consider buying a longer zoom lens for times where I need the extra length - maybe the 28-105mm.

Yeah thats what I was leaning towards. Am waiting on my 28-70 2.8 to arrive...with that and the 18-55 i should be pretty right i rekon. Thanks for the info.