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I am planning to buy a D80(my first dslr) in the near future and I am wondering whether I should go with the 18-135mm or 18-70mm. Because the 18-135 comes as a kit there is only a < 10 dollar price difference.I have to to make the order in the next couple days so I cant really wait around for more reviews.

I've heard decent things about 18-70 but I haven’t heard much about the 18-135 and only seen the Ken Rockwell review at

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18-135.htm

I generally have some doubts about KR reviews but he does mention the 18-135mm has significant distortion. However, Ill be getting the 10-20mm Sigma so i wont be using the wide end much.

Im guessing few if any of you have used the 18-135mm lens but if you had a similar decision to make which way would you go?

I’m also open to suggestion on similar lenses in the same price bracket.

Thanks in advance.

Its hard to decide on a new lens that has just been out for quite a little amount of time.

I believe that nobody (if any) in this forum have bough a 18-135 yet. Tho many of us has the 18-70 and will be granted that it is a great value lens.

From the pictures, I see the 18-70 is little bit better built than the 18-135, i cant say much about it since I never seen or touched the 18-135. From my PoV, the 18-135 has no focus distance window or scale, so you wont be able to do any focusing using a distance (hyperfocals).

I used the 18-70 as my main lens for a year on the D70 - fantastic lens. So if you want tried and true, the 18-70 is the go.

Otherwise take the leap for the extra length and let us know how you go.

But remember you can pick up cheap zooms 70-200 and 70-300 to extend your reach.

So it looks like a good coverage there, with a 10-20, 18-70 and perhaps a zoom at some point.

Hi, I've not used the 18-135, but have used the 18-70 on my d70 and d200 for over a year. It's one hell of a good lens, especially considering it's "just" a kit lens. I would "guess" that at 18-135, the gymnastics that would be needed with the optics in the 18-135 would make it less good than the 18-70 from an optical perspective. Mind you, in good light around f8 - f11, any lens will probably work well. Unless people are giving rave reviews on the 18-135, I'd go the 18-70 as prices are similar.
Cheers
John

Justin wrote:But remember you can pick up cheap zooms 70-200 and 70-300 to extend your reach.

A 70-200 range considered 'cheap' zoom with a 70-300??

rasice wrote:I am planning to buy a D80(my first dslr) in the near future and I am wondering whether I should go with the 18-135mm or 18-70mm. Because the 18-135 comes as a kit there is only a < 10 dollar price difference.

Where are you getting yours from?

Where I'm looking, it's a $100 difference. btw, I'm getting a D80 very soon. I will be getting the 18-70mm lens and have picked up myself a cheap 70-300.

I have decided to go with the 18-70mm. Thanks for posting

chet wrote:Where are you getting yours from?

Where I'm looking, it's a $100 difference. btw, I'm getting a D80 very soon. I will be getting the 18-70mm lens and have picked up myself a cheap 70-300.

18-135mm 1909 kit at camerastore, 18-70mm kit 1899 at teds. Where are you planning to get your gear from?

Ah yes, I've seen both those prices. Camerastore don't stock the 18-70 kit do they?

I think I'm going to go Teds

chet wrote:Ah yes, I've seen both those prices. Camerastore don't stock the 18-70 kit do they?

I think I'm going to go Teds

Just got you PM on OCAU

 LOL