The Nikon AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens (or the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, to get technical) is a small, light, versatile, and inexpensive zoom lens that works particularly well with DSLR cameras like the Nikon D3500 and D3400.
It’s designed for Nikon DSLRs with a DX cropped sensor and zooms from a wide-angle 18mm out to a 3.1x zoom of 55mm.
One of its key features is that it has built-in vibration reduction. That helps reduce motion blur from that slight shake you get when taking hand-held photos, especially in low light. That translates, in turn, to sharp photos more reliably.
- Nikon F-Mount Lens/DX Format
- Aperture Range: Æ’/3.5 – Æ’/38
- Pulse Stepping Motor AF System
- VR Image Stabilization
- Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm
I’ve posted some practical examples of the zoom range of this lens. Here are some samples of photos I’ve taken with the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G to give a sense of how it performs in real-world shooting.
You can click on each image to open a full-size version for a closer look. These were shot on a mix of the Nikon D3500, D3400, and D3300. You can see the shooting information under each photo.
Photos taken with the Nikon AF-P 18-55mm Zoom Lens
Nikon’s Other Models of 18-55mm Lenses
Nikon has a few different 18-55mm lenses. They’re similar, but there are still key differences between them. Nevertheless, telling the model numbers apart isn’t as simple as it could be.
The model used to take the sample photos above is the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR. This lens is often bundled as a kit lens with entry-level Nikon DSLRs like the Nikon D3400 and Nikon D3500.
There’s also a version with updated vibration reduction known as VR II. Its name is the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II. But it has apparently been discontinued.
There’s also a version of this lens that doesn’t have vibration reduction. It’s the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G (note that it doesn’t have “VR” in the name or printed on the lens barrel).
Confusingly, there’s also a Nikon AF-P DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II.
Price & Availability of the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Zoom Lens
The Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR zoom lens is sometimes included as a kit lens in some of the Nikon DX DSLR bundles, but you can also buy it separately.
Buy New
Check the current price and availability at:
- Nikon F-Mount Lens/DX Format
- Aperture Range: Æ’/3.5 – Æ’/38
- Pulse Stepping Motor AF System
- VR Image Stabilization
- Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm
Buy Used
It’s also common to find this used. Here are some good places to check:
Accessories for the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Zoom Lens
Filters. It takes standard 55mm screw-in filters: Polarizer | UV/Haze | ND.
Lens Hood. It comes with a petal-style lens hood. If you need a replacement, it’s model number HB-N106. You can get aftermarket versions that are cheaper and work just as well, like this one.
Lens Caps. It uses standard Nikon front (LC-55A) and rear (LF-4) lens caps.
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Nikon D3400 Accessories
Here are some of the key accessories and official part numbers for the Nikon D3400.
Battery & Charger for Nikon D3400
If you're looking for a replacement or spare battery for your D3400, the Nikon D3400's battery is model EN-EL14a. It's a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that's also used by many other Nikon DSLRs (7.2V, 1230mAh). You can also find very good aftermarket versions, like this one from Watson or these from PowerExtra that provide more cost-effective alternatives.
- ✔ Battery Specs：Capacity: 1500mAh / Battery Type: Lithium-ion / Voltage: 7.4V /Package includes: 2...
- ✔ Standard Compatible with Nikon EN-EL14 / EN-EL14a：Ideal Replacement for Nikon D3100 battery, Nikon...
The battery charger is model MH-24. It's an AC quick charger that plugs directly into the wall socket. Unlike many other cameras, you can't charge the Nikon D3400's battery in the camera. Some of the aftermarket batteries come with a dock charger, which can be a cheaper way to solve the problem.
Memory Card
A memory card is right up there with a battery as an essential accessory for your D3400. But, unlike the battery, it doesn't come with the D3400.
There's no official SD card for the D3400, but there are some that make more sense than others. Some older-model cards are too slow. And some newer, faster (and more expensive) SD cards will work in the D3400 but go beyond what the D3400 can make use of, so you'd be paying for SD card performance that the camera can't take advantage of.
I've put together more detailed SD card recommendations for the Nikon D3400. But here's the Cliff notes version. Any of these make for a good choice and are reasonably priced:
USB Cable for Nikon D3400
If you're looking to connect a Nikon D3400 to a computer to download your photos and videos, you'll need a USB cable. If you've misplaced the one that came with the camera, replacements are easy to find and not expensive. If you'd prefer to get the Nikon original, the model number you're after is UC-E20, and you can find them at camera specialists like B&H Photo.
But there's no particular reason you have to stick with the Nikon-branded one. There are also many aftermarket micro-USB cables that will work just fine. But there is a bit of a catch: not all micro-USB cables will work with the data transfer that the D3400 needs.
By all means try any others you have lying around to see if the camera mounts to your computer--it won't hurt it. If it doesn't mount, you can pick up replacement data transfer cables like this aftermarket version or this one.
And a reminder that this is only for data transfer. You can't charge the battery while it's in the D3400. For charging, you'll need the MH-24 charger or equivalent (see above).
- Length: 3FT, light and easy to carry.
- Brand new, high quality usb 2.0 Data cable/lead.( Non-OEM )
Camera Strap for the Nikon D3400
There's no particular reason you have to use the original Nikon strap with the D3400--any camera strap will work. But if you want to replace the original (the black one with the gold/yellow Nikon branding), its model number is AN-DC3.
There's also a huge variety of other good alternatives. My personal favorites are the ones by Peak Design, which come in especially handy if you're going back and forth between multiple cameras because they come with a quick-release system. And they're very strong.
Remote Shutter Release for Nikon D3400
There's a number of different options for remotely triggering your D3400 (unlike the D3500, where this functionality was removed).
The first step is Nikon's ML-L3 wireless remote. It's very simple--just a single button, without any intervalometer or other features--and with an infrared signal, its range is limited to about 16 feet or less. But it's inexpensive and designed by Nikon for use with their cameras.
And there's a variety of other wireless receiver/transmitter kits that can be set up to work, some of which get up there in terms of complexity and price.
Lenses for Nikon D3400
One of the great things about DSLRs--and especially ones that use a long-standing mounting system like Nikon's F-mount--is that there's a huge variety of lenses that you can use. So there's no "right" lens to use.
But for the D3400, in general, you want to look for lenses that have Nikon's F-mount system and that are designed for DX camera bodies (that's the cropped sensor size of the D3400). And you'll probably want one that has autofocus. None of these things are requirements, though--there are any number of ways to use adapters or manual older manual-focus lenses--but sticking to those basics will make things easier if you're looking to expand your lens collection.
If you're after some recommendations on lenses to get for the D3400 to step beyond the kit lens that comes with the camera (usually a basic 18-55mm zoom lens), I've put together some recommendations on wide-angle lenses for the Nikon D3400.
And here are some other ideas that are sensibly priced and greatly expand your options:
Nikon AF-S DX 18-300mm Æ’/3.5-6.3G ED VR zoom lens. If you had to choose just one lens to take with your traveling, this is a great choice. It has a very wide zoom range. At 18mm (equivalent to 27mm on a full-frame body), it's great for interiors or landscapes. At 300mm (equivalent to 450mm on a full-frame body), there's plenty of reach for wildlife, sports, or dramatic sunsets. It has vibration reduction, is surprisingly compact and light, and is competitively priced. Sigma also makes a good version that's a bit cheaper but great quality.
- Maximum magnification of 032x
- Angle of view from 76 degree to 5 degree 20'. Focal length range: 18 300 millimeter, minimum focus...
Nikon AF-S 50mm Æ’/1.8G lens. It's hard to go past a 50mm prime lens for versatility, fun, and learning photography. They're fast, which means they're good in low-light as well as give you that nice blurry background while keeping the subject sharp. They're inexpensive. They're often very sharp. And they're small and highly portable. This is the Æ’/1.8 version. Nikon also makes a B&H Photofaster Æ’/1.4 version, but it's about double the price. because the D3400 has a cropped DX sensor, the 50mm lens will become a slight telephoto perspective, equivalent to a 75mm lens on a full-frame camera (i.e., 35mm equivalent). Which makes it all the more useful as a portrait lens, whether you're taking formal portraits or candids of the family. And if you want a more traditional "true" 50mm perspective, you can put the 35mm Æ’/1.8G on the D3400 instead.
- Fast, upgraded f/1.8, compact FX format prime lens. The picture angle with 35 millimeter (135) format is...
- Focal length 50 millimeter, minimum focus distance 1.48 feet (0.45 meter)
Nikon D3400 Body Cap
If you're transporting or storing your D3400 camera body without a lens attached, you'll want to put on a body cap over the opening where the lens goes. That prevents dust and moisture from getting inside and causing havoc (and pesky dust bunnies on your photos).
The camera comes with one, but they're easy to misplace. The model number for the replacement part is BF-1B. It's the same cap used for all Nikon F-mount camera bodies. And this is a great opportunity to save a few dollars with an aftermarket version. They're often sold paired with a rear lens cap, since you often need both of those things when removing a lens.
Nikon D3400 Rubber Eyecup
If the rubber eyecup has been knocked off when you take out of your camera bag, the replacement part model number is DK-25. There are also slightly cheaper aftermarket versions, such as the ones by Vello or JJC.
- Made from soft and durable silicone + high quality ABS
- Provide cushioning around the camera's eyepiece, and are especially useful to eyeglass wearers
Battery Dummy for Nikon D3400
A battery dummy is used for longer-term power supply to the camera. They're especially useful for things like time lapse photography, astrophotography, or using your D3400 as a webcam.
It's an accessory that fits into your camera's battery compartment. By itself, it doesn't provide any power, but it's attached to a cable that you can then attach to different power sources such as AC power or a larger battery pack.
Nikon's official model is EP-5A. You can also pick up aftermarket versions. Some include only the dummy battery part; others come bundled with AC adapters.
- [COMPATIBLE WITH MODEL:] The EN-EL14 / EN-EL14A Dummy Battery EP-5A DC coupler (Connector) work for Nikon...
- [STEPS FOR USAGE:] Remove the EN EL14 original battery, Replace with EP-5A virtual battery, and cover the...
FAQs
Where Can I Find the Nikon D3400 Manual?
You can find the Nikon D3400 manuals here. There are a few different versions. The Reference Manual is the most detailed and most complete. The User Manual is basically a quick start guide. There are also versions designed for different parts of the world.
The Reference Manual is available as both a downloadable PDF and as on online HTML version.
Where Can I Find the Nikon D3400 Latest Firmware?
Nikon releases firmware updates on their website.
There are a few different types of firmware used by the D3400. The main camera firmware is the "C" version. (The others are for the lens and lens distortion control.)
I have a detailed guide on how to check and update Nikon D3400 firmware versions here.
Nikon 18-55mm VR – non of these pictures are sharp , gigantic chromatic aberration too
There’s definitely some, although gigantic is probably overstating it. It’s about in line with what I’d expect from an entry-level kit lens.