Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm ED Zoom Lens User Manual

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm ED Zoom Lens

About Nikon

Nikon Corporation is a multinational corporation based in Tokyo, Japan, and is known for its expertise in imaging and optics. The company was founded on July 25, 1917, as Nippon Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushikigaisha (Japan Optical Industries Corporation). It later changed its name to Nikon Corporation in 1988.

Nikon is renowned for its high-quality cameras, camera lenses, and other imaging products. The company’s cameras are widely used by amateur and professional photographers alike and are well-regarded for their exceptional image quality and reliability. Nikon’s camera lineup includes DSLRs (digital single-lens reflex), mirrorless cameras, and compact digital cameras.

Notes on Safety Operations

CAUTION

• Do not disassemble

Touching the internal parts of the camera or lens could result in injury. Repairs should be performed only by qualified technicians. Should the camera or lens break open as the result of a fall or other accident, take the product to a Nikon-authorized service representative for inspection after unplugging the product and/or removing the battery.

• Turn it off immediately in the event of a malfunction

Should you notice smoke or an unusual smell coming from the camera or lens, remove the battery immediately, taking care to avoid burns. Continued operation could result in injury. After removing or disconnecting the power source, take the product to a Nikon-authorized service representative for inspection.

• Do not use the camera or lens in the presence of flammable gas

Operating electronic equipment in the presence of flammable gas could result in an explosion or fire.

• Do not look at the sun through the lens or viewfinder

Viewing the sun or other strong light sources through the lens or viewfinder could cause permanent visual impairment.

• Keep out of reach of children

Particular care should be taken to prevent infants from putting the batteries or other small parts into their mouths.

• Observe the following precautions when handling the camera and lens

1. Keep the camera and lens unit dry. Failure to do so could result in fire or electric shock.
2. Do not handle or touch the camera or lens unit with wet hands. Failure to do so could result in electric shock.
3. When shooting with back-lighting, do not point the lens at the sun or allow sunlight to pass directly down the lens as this may cause the camera to overheat and possibly cause a fire.
4. When the lens will not be used for an extended period of time, attach both front and rear lens caps and store the lens away from direct sunlight. Failure to do so could result in a fire, as the lens may focus sunlight onto a flammable object.

Nomenclature

1. Lens hood (P. 16)
2. Lens hood attachment index (P. 16) )
3. Lens hood setting index (P. 16)
4. Lens hood mounting index (P. 16)
5. Zoom ring (P. 16)
6. Focal length scale
7. Focal length index
8. Focus ring (P. 17)
9. Mounting index (P. 15)
10. CPU contacts (P. 20)
11. A-M mode switch (P. 17)
12. Vibration reduction ON/OFF switch (P. 17)

Thank you for purchasing the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens. DX Nikkor lenses are specially designed for use with Nikon digital-SLR (Nikon DX format) cameras, such as the D300 and D90. When mounted on Nikon DX-format cameras, the lens picture angle is equivalent to approximately 1.5x the focal length in 35mm format. Before using this lens, please read these instructions and refer to your camera’s User’s Manual.

Major features

• By enabling vibration reduction (VR), slower shutter speeds (3.5 stops*) can be used, thus increasing the range of usable shutter speeds and zoom positions, particularly when hand-holding the camera. (*The effects of VR on shutter speed are measured according to Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA) standards; FX-format lenses are measured using FX-format digital cameras, and DX-format lenses using DX-format cameras. Zoom lenses are measured at maximum zoom.)
• This lens employs a Silent Wave Motor to drive the focusing mechanism, making autofocusing smooth, silent, and almost instantaneous. The A-M mode switch (11) is provided for a simple selection of autofocus (A) or manual focus (M) operation.
• More accurate exposure control is possible when this is mounted on a Nikon camera with 3D color matrix metering capability because subject distance information is transferred from the lens to the camera.
• Superior optical performance and rendering characteristics are maximized with the use of one aspherical lens element and one extra-low dispersion (ED) glass element, which ensures the correction of chromatic aberration. In addition, the rounded aperture produces soft and pleasing blur characteristics in portions of pictures that are out-of-focus.

Mounting the lens

1. Turn the camera off.
2. Remove the rear lens cap (Fig. D).
3. Align the mounting index (9) on the lens with the mounting mark on the camera, and rotate the lens counterclockwise until it clicks into place. Be sure that the lens is in the correct position when the mounting index (9) is on the top of the lens.
4. Remove the front lens cap (Fig. C).

Removing the lens

Turn the camera off before removing the lens. Press and hold the lens-release button on the camera while turning the lens clockwise.

Using the Lens Hood HB-32 1 Attaching the hood

Align the lens hood attachment index (5 either of two indexes) (2) on the hood with the lens hood mounting index 4) on the lens, and turn the hood counterclockwise (as viewed when holding the camera with the lens facing away from you) until it clicks into place (Fig. B). Be sure that the lens hood mounting index is aligned with the lens hood setting index (- o) (3)

If the lens hood is not correctly attached, vignetting may occur. To facilitate attachment or removal of the hood, hold it by the base (near the lens hood attachment index) rather than its outer edge.

Detaching the hood

Hold the lens hood by the base (near the lens hood attachment index) and turn clockwise, as viewed when holding the camera with the lens facing away from you, to detach.

Focusing, zooming, and depth of field

Before focusing, rotate the zoom ring S to adjust the focal length until the desired composition is framed.

If your camera has a depth-of-field preview (stop-down) button or lever, depth-of-field can be previewed through the camera viewfinder. For more information, refer to your camera’s User’s Manual.

• This lens is equipped with the Internal Focusing (IF) system. As this focusing system differs from non-IF lenses, focal length at closer distances decreases slightly.

Focusing (Fig. A) Autofocus mode

Set the camera focus mode to AF-A, AF-S, Or AF-C, and set the A-M mode switch (11) on the lens to A. Press the shutter-release button halfway to focus and completely to shoot.

Manual focusing is possible even when the lens A-M mode switch is set to A.

Set the camera’s focus mode to AF-S, and press the shutter-release button halfway to initiate autofocus. Next, while pressing the shutter-release button halfway, manually rotate the lens focus ring (8) to fine-tune focus.

Note: Do not attempt to rotate the focus ring while autofocus is operating. If autofocus stops operating, release and press the shutter-release button halfway again.

Manual focus mode

Set the A-M mode switch A on the lens to M. Rotate the focus ring (8 manually to focus. Shooting is possible when the camera focus mode is set to either AF or M.

For more information on camera focus modes, refer to your camera’s User’s Manual.

Getting good results with autofocus

Refer to “Notes on using wide- or super wide-angle AF Nikkor lenses” (P. 22).

Vibration reduction mode (VR)

By enabling vibration reduction (VR), slower shutter speeds (3.5 stops*) can be used. Panning is also supported.

(*The effects of VR on shutter speed are measured according to Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA) standards; FX-format lenses are measured using FX-format digital cameras, and DX-format lenses using DX-format cameras. Zoom lenses are measured at maximum zoom.)

Using vibration reduction

1. Set the vibration reduction ON/OFF switch (2) to ON. Note: Be sure to set the switch (12) so that the indicator is precisely aligned with ON.
2. Camera shake is reduced when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. Autofocus and manual focusing, as well as precise framing of the subject, are simplified because the camera shake visible through the viewfinder is also reduced.
3. To disable vibration reduction, set the vibration reduction ON/OFF switch (12) to OFF.

Notes on using vibration reduction

• After pressing the shutter-release button halfway, wait until the image in the viewfinder stabilizes before pressing the shutter-release button the rest of the way down.
• If the camera is panned in a wide arc, compensation for camera shake in the panning direction is not performed. For example, when panning the camera in a horizontal direction, vertical camera shake is reduced. This stabilizes the image whilst allowing the desired panning effect to be realized.
• Due to the characteristics of the vibration reduction mechanism, the image in the viewfinder may be blurred after the shutter is released. This is not a malfunction.
• Do not turn the camera off or remove the lens from the camera while vibration reduction is operating. Failure to observe this note could result in the lens sounding and feeling as if an internal component is loose or broken when it is shaken. This is not a malfunction. Turn the camera on again to correct this.
• With cameras such as D300 and D40-series models, featuring a built-in flash, vibration reduction does not function while the built-in flash is charging.
• When the camera is mounted on a tripod, set the vibration reduction ON/OFF switch (12) to OFF. However, it is recommended that the switch be set to ON when using the camera on an unsecured tripod head or with a monopod.
• With autofocus cameras such as D2-series and D300 models, featuring an AF-ON button, vibration reduction does not function when the AF-ON button is pressed.

Setting the aperture

Use the camera to adjust the aperture setting.

Variable maximum apertures

Zooming the lens changes the maximum aperture by up to 1’/3 stop.

However, the camera will compensate for any change in aperture by adjusting the shutter speed so as to maintain the correct exposure value.

The built-in flash and vignetting

Vignetting is the darkening of the corners around the image that occurs when the light emitted by the flash is obstructed by the lens hood 1, or lens barrel, depending on the focal length or shooting distance.

• To prevent vignetting, do not use the lens hood (1).
• The built-in flash cannot be used over distances of less than 0.6 m (2.0 ft.).

• The built-in flash on the D100 and D70 is compatible with focal lengths of 20mm or greater. Vignetting occurs at a focal length of 18mm.
• For the latest information on vignetting with this lens, see the camera manual.

Lens care

• Be careful not to allow the CPU contacts 1 to become dirty or damaged.
• Clean lens surfaces with a blower brush. To remove dirt and smudges, use a soft, clean cotton cloth or lens tissue moistened with ethanol (alcohol) or lens cleaner. Wipe in a circular motion from the center to the outer edge, taking care not to leave traces or touch other parts of the lens.
• Never use organic solvents such as thinner or benzene to clean the lens.
• NC filters are available to protect the front lens element. The lens hood 1 also helps to protect the front of the lens.
• When storing the lens in its flexible lens pouch, attach both the front and rear lens caps. The lens can also be stored with the lens hood (1) attached in the reverse position.
• When the lens is mounted on a camera, do not pick up or hold the camera and lens by the lens hood (1).
• When the lens will not be used for an extended period of time, store it in a cool, dry place to prevent mold and rust. Be sure to store the lens away from direct sunlight or chemicals such as camphor or naphthalene.
• Do not get water on the lens or drop it in water as this will cause it to rust and malfunction.
• Reinforced plastic is used for certain parts of the lens. To avoid damage, never leave the lens in an excessively hot place.

Standard accessories

• 67mm Snap-on Front Lens Cap LC-67
• Rear Lens Cap
• Bayonet Hood HB-32
• Flexible Lens Pouch CL-1018

Optional accessory

67mm screw-on filters

Incompatible accessories

• Teleconverters (all models)
• Auto Ring BR-4 and all models of Auto Extension Ring PK, K Ring, and Bellows focusing attachment.
• Attachment Ring SX-1 Other accessories may not be suitable for use with this lens. For details, refer to the documentation provided with accessories.

Notes on using wide- or super wide-angle AF Nikkor lenses

In the following situations, autofocus may not perform as expected when shooting with wide- or super wide-angle AF Nikkor lenses.

A person standing in front of a distant background

A field filled with flowers

• When the main subject in the focus brackets is relatively small

When a person standing in front of a distant background is positioned within the focus brackets, as shown in Fig. E, the background may be in focus, while the subject is out of focus.

• When the main subject is a finely patterned subject or scene

When the subject is finely patterned or of low contrast, such as a field filled with flowers, as shown in Fig. F, the focus may be difficult to acquire using autofocus.

• Responses to these types of situations

1. Focus on a different subject located at the same distance from the camera, apply focus lock, recompose, and shoot.
2. Set the camera’s focus mode to manual focus and focus manually on the subject.

Refer to “Getting Good Results with Autofocus” in the camera’s User’s Manual.

FAQS About Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm ED Zoom Lens

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