- Constant f2.8 3.2x zoom lens developed exclusively for use with Nikon DX Format, optimized for Nikon digital SLRs
- Dust and waterproof rubber sealing mount
- High optical performance by aspherical lenses and ED glass elements
- Silent Wave Motor enables ultra-high-speed autofocusing with exceptional accuracy and powerful super-quiet operation
- M/A mode for quick switching between autofocus and manual operation
Product Description
Nikon is a precision optical company with worldwide manufacturing, research and marketing capabilities. The Nikon name is equated with extraordinary photographic performance, innovation, precision and optical quality.PRODUCT FEATURES:The world’s first constant f/2.8 3.2x zoom lens developed exclusively for use with Nikon DX Format;3.2x zoom covers from a wide angle of 79? to a narrow angle of 28? 50′ (equivalent to 25.5mm to 85.5mm for 35mm format) and is ideal for architecture, landscape, groups shots and portraits;DX design enables a combination of wider angle-of-view with optical characteristics that are optimized for Nikon digital SLR camera sensors;Nikon DX design produces a smaller image circle (the size of the image that is projected by the lens on to the sensor) enabling smaller lens diameter, lighter weight and optimal image quality from center-to edge-to-corner on the image;3 Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass elements for minimized chromatic aberration and provide higher resolution and superior contrast;3 Aspherical lens elements for minimized distortion;Lightweight and compact design: similar to 17-35mm f/2.8 lens;Exclusive Silent Wave Motor enables ultra-high-speed autofocusing with exceptional accuracy and powerful super-quiet operation;[M/A] and [M] modes allow rapid switching between AF and MF operation;Internal Focusing (IF) design for smoother focusing and great body balance;Nikon D-type design provides precise distance information for flash and ambient light exposure processes;Rounded diaphragm to make out-of-focus elements appear more natural;G Type DX Nikkor is designed exclusively for use with Nikon Digital SLR models;Fully Compatible with D1, D1X, D1H, D2H and D100.
Deborah S. Hall @ 3:04 pm
Reviewers below have already described how great this lens is — I add my voice to the choir but wanted to write here about the decision process that led to 17-55. As others have also said, choosing the camera is relatively easy but choosing the lens (or lenses) is mind boggling. I spent the better part of two weeks researching online and going to photo stores. The 17-55 was barely in my peripheral vision when I started. Of course the first thing I considered was the 18-200VR. All the reviewers like it — Rockwell was practically orgasmic — and softly bashed the 17-55 as a heavy, expensive and overkill for most. I looked at many options and kept coming back to the 18-200 as the best all round but something wouldn’t let me pull the trigger. And it’s this: I like natural light. Many of my photos are references for painting, and I do a lot of portraits and some landscape. Getting the best color, in natural light is my highest priority. In amongst the 18-200 reviews there were a few hints about it being a bit dark at the 200 end (even with VR allowing slower shutter) and about “creep” of the lens when held vertically. I liked the possibility of a one-lens for all situations but began to wonder if I would get my use out of the 200 end without flash or tripod. Came to the 17-55 and dismissed it several times until finally tried it in a photo store. In retrospect, the reviewers suggest focusing on your priorities and for me the 17-55 made the most sense. I admit that I am partial to the simple feel of the lens — phrases like “built like a tank” carry a lot of weight with me. I’m careful but do use the stuff. I also got an 85 1.8 for portraits so for the two lenses spent double the price of the 18-200VR — not what I had planned on. But this selection focused the dollars to the heartland priorities and perhaps eventually I will bracket these with a 12-24 (third party) and a longer Tamron. The value of SLR, it seems to me, is to choose the options that match your needs.
Ben @ 3:43 pm
This is a great lens for photojournalism, weddings and general photography. I’ve not had the opportunity to shoot landscapes with mine yet but I expect it to excel in that aspect as well. Wide open, the lens is very sharp – When opening images in Adobe photoshop, there is often no need for sharpening.
The lens balances well on my Nikon D70, and is very comfortable to use – the zoom and focus rings are adquately sized and have a nice consistent resistance throughout their respective ranges. Additionally, the lens focuses very close (about a foot from the subject), allowing a lot of creative flexibility.
I purchased this lens as an upgrade to the D70 kit lens (18-70 f/3.5-4.5) and can honestly say it was worth it. I shot a low light wedding (my first) with this lens and an 85 1.8 and found the 17-55 indispensible. The fast 2.8 aperture is great for low light while the 17mm end (appears similar to a 27mm on film) allows for a much wider angle than comparable 28-7x lenses. I’ve heard of sample variation, but have had no problems with mine. Highly recommended.
RonAnnArbor @ 5:08 pm
I have been using Nikon cameras for 30 years, and their digital SLR’s for the past 5 or so…this is far and away one of the best Nikon lenses I have ever used – amazingly well built, excellent image quality, fast focusing, wonderful glass. The downside is primarily the price — it’s as expensive as a full camera, and the weight — this is a two pound lens. If your budget can accomodate this lens, get it, you will be thrilled. If your budget can not, get the Tamron 17-50 which has similar image quality, weighs less than a pound, and sells for 1/3 the price of this lens. But wow…once you try this lens, you will kick yourself for getting anything lesser….Warning: filter size is 77, so most of your existing filters probably won’t work, and do your self a favor and get yourself an UV filter/lens protector out of the box before you put your fingers on your 1300.00 lens.
Tom Iancu @ 7:52 pm
After one year with my trusty D80 I finally jumped and got this lens.
I have to tell you that probably some of you will argue that for less money people can get a f/2.8 Tamron (click here:Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Lens with hood for Nikon-D DSLR Cameras) or a f/2.8 Sigma (click here: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Macro Lens for Nikon DSLR), but such comparisons are completely off track.
First of all, a $800 difference it’s not just marketing. It is reflected by a totally different image quality, a better build (metal and sealing), the speed of the AF system and the overall feeling of holding a real pro lens.
Secondly, the Tamrons I was contemplating into buying all had some problems with flash overexposure on TTL and TTL BL modes on my SB800 + D80 combo. I am not quite sure why it happened with the Tamron, but I have no such problems with the DX 17-55. Moreover, Tamron has inferior AF speed and this can be observed especially in lowlight. Try focusing with the 17-55 in ambiental light from a 60W light bulb and you will have no problem. Then try the same with a Tamron and you will.
Another thing that is annoying is the CA I’ve noticed with the Tammy, even when the lens was stopped down. I personally hate strong CA because it makes my photos look very P&S-like.
However, the 17-50 Tamron is a good contender and may be an option for anyone on a tight budget. Please keep in mind that I saved for the Nikkor and I got it actually one year after my first decision, but I believe the waiting was worth every penny.
Now back to the 17-55DX:
My experience with it is connected to a D80 camera.
The lens is very, very, very sharp, even wide open at 2.8. It is almost too sharp at f5.6 which should make you never use the in-camera sharpening at other setting than normal and this may create some problems for portraiture work if you will like, for example, to soften a bit some undesirable details on your model’s face… The sharpness is due mainly to the superb optics of the lens but also to the excellent microcontrast this lens is able to render. The overall microcontrast translates into very natural-looking images and excellent rendition of difficult hues and tones as skin tones have (for example).
Under direct bright sun, it tends to exhibit a slight magenta cast but this is easily correctable either with a filter or by postprocessing (pp) when using raw (NEF) files. I’m not sure if this is due to the lens alone or – more probable – the lens + antialising filter + sensor of the D80, so results may be different with other nikon cameras. The lens is quite obviously coated for neutral gray rendition on a 6000K color temperature, the one you will get with flash, for example. BTW, it is a good ideea to use manual white balance on 6000K when using D80 + 17-55DX + SB800 and A mode on the flash. I got best results with these settings.
Also about camera settings, the 17-55DX is a very contrasty lens so this may give you some hard times when shooting jpegs on a bright sunny day with huge image dynamics. My advice is to set your camera tone settings on low or lowest (-1 or -2) and mode I or III sRGB. No problem on raw as dynamics could be corrected in Capture NX. These issues are nonexistent with filtered or diffuse light (cloudy, diffusers etc).
Overall, this lens makes for each penny you spend with it. It has a superb build quality which will impress you from the first moment you’ll hold it in your hands, excellent sharpness, color rendition and image quality that equals the actual scene characteristics in naturalness and color. It is environmentally sealed (internal and at the flange with a rubber ring), the AF runs extremely fast and it is a good investment in a superb optical system.
M. Czajkowski @ 10:08 pm
I am a photojournalist and bought this lens to use with my Nikon D200 digital SLR. It has the best combination of focal length range, speed and quality of any lens available for the job. Yes, it is certainly a whole lot more expensive than the typical kit lenses sold with some of the other Nikon D-SLRs but to have an effective aperture of f2.8 across the entire zoom range is a tremendous plus especially in my line of work. This lens is also considerably larger and heavier than the slower kit lenses but it’s a perfectly acceptable tradeoff for the speed and quality of build you get with it. Granted, this lens is not for everyone but it oftens makes the difference between getting the shot or not getting the shot. I am very pleased with this lens and highly recommend it.