When considering the cost, this is a really solid choice. With a small SLR, the Nikon D3100 took up very little space in the bag, which was one of the reasons I was quite impressed with its compact size and low weight. The autofocus is quick enough, and there is hardly any noise during operation; in fact, I nearly didn't detect the sound of the motor at all. The picture is quite interesting to look at, and it is unquestionably superior to what you can achieve with the whale 18-55 in terms of sharpness. The sharpness is excellent right from the moment the aperture is wide open, and it remains that way all the way through F/4. The primary characteristic, in my opinion, is a focal length that is not at all pleasant. After being cropped, it appears that it is not at all wide, but it is not a portrait either. You are able to take photographs of cities and landscapes, but the access in many locations is so restricted that it is impossible to move freely inside the buildings. Because it does not suddenly become 50 on the crop, the set is not adequately focal for portraits, even if merely to photograph full-length or waist-deep (only the viewing angle corresponds to it). In general, an excellent lens for its budget, but you need to take into account the features of the focal length if you want to get the most out of it.