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Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens | 
 enlarge | Brand: Nikon
Category: Photography
Buy New: $1,149.89
New (11) Used (4) from $1,139.69
Avg. Customer Rating:  52 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Fragile: No
Batteries Included: No
Optical Zoom: 3.2
Maximum Focal Length: 55
Minimum Focal Length: 17
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.7
Dimensions (in): 10.8 x 4.9 x 4.7
MPN: 2147
Model: 2147
UPC: 018208021475
EAN: 0018208021475
ASIN: B000144I2Q
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | 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 |
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| Editorial Reviews:
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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 47 more reviews...
Fast and sharp November 29, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Wedding photography is challenging, partly because of low-light situations, such as in a church when no flash is allowed or in a reception hall when the house lights are dimmed. For those situations this is my lens of choice.
And this lens also produces some very sharp images. If I am shooting portraits in the 17-55mm focal length range then this is the lens I grab. I also own a 50mm prime lens but I tend to gravitate toward this one.
Another bonus is the vibration reduction. I've hand held this lens for as long as 1/30 of a second without noticeable camera shake blurr.
If you are shooting Nikon with a DX sensor professionally or if you just want your images too look professional then this is the lens you need. If you need a lens for a D3 or the new D700, which use the FX format then this is the wrong lens.
Expensive but... excellent quality all around October 24, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I bought this as an upgrade to my existing 18-55 lens. Not a professional photographer but I have been working photos since Photoshop version 2.5 and I know a good shot when I see it. My 18-55 really did a nice job considering the cost and size.
When I got the 17-55, first thing I did was try to setup something to compare both lenses. I did a hand-held shot of a grouping of fallen leaves with both lenses sans filters at same apertures and focal lengths. The shutter speed ended up being just slightly different due to either change of outdoor lighting or brightness of the lenses for proper exposure. When examined zoom out... the photos were very close in appearance which was surprising. However, when zoomed in... the differences became clear. The 17-55 produced more detail in some of the leaves mainly the veins of the leaves. If you were buying this lens alone for this reason... the price might not justify it. Further research shows the AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II to just about out perform most of the other offerings from competitors in this zoom and price range which could explain why images were very close. So... why pay the price?
Ok, the other thing of note is the extra f/stop down to 2.8. At 55mm the 18-55 is at 5.6 with widest aperture setting while the 17-55 can still hold it at f/2.8. Even at this wide open setting... I was amazed how much detail it captures. I shoot a lot of landscapes and often would go for aperture settings of f/8 -16 to maintain detail and DOF on the slower lenses but... I have been surprised how much DOF I could get at even f/3.3-4 which has been nice on those evenings when sun is dipping low and I don't feel like getting the tripod out.
The lens is big... and it is a bit heavy... but everything about it says quality to me. It feels like a solid and well built lens in hand that can probably withstand a fair amount of abuse from traveling and the environment. I would probably prefer the zoom ring and focusing ring to have swapped places as the focus ring is in front and zoom in back but that is probably just my personal preference. I am throughly happy with the lens and its the most used lens I have at the moment on my D200. I look forward to getting more f/2.8 Nikkor lenses now.
high quality build! October 15, 2008
if you have a DX body, want a pro grade lens then this is it.
Better than Leitz/Leica October 15, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have been a photographer for over 40 years, beginning in high school sports for the newspaper. I used a 50mm f2.0 Summicron lens, for years considered the sharpest lens available for 35mm photography. I switched to digital several years ago, with the Leica digilux. Then I got smarter and purchased a Nikon D80, with the 17-55mm as my basic lens. This is a masterpiece for me: sharper, less distortion, and better color than any of my old leitz lenses, including the 35f2 aspherical, 24f2.8, 50f2, 90f2.8, and the 135f4. My 11X14 prints show amazing detail. I estimate the resolution at better than 80 lines per mm (the point at which the human eye can no longer "see"additional detail).
Outstanding General Purpose Professional Grade Lens September 19, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I purchased this lens along with the excellent 70-200 f2.8 VR for my D300 body. I prefer to use a flash as little as possible so the faster f2.8 lenses are a must for me. While there are other Nikon lenses in this zoom range for considerably less money, this one fits the needs of photographers requiring outstanding optics and the speed of a fixed aperture f2.8 lens. (Most kit lenses are variable aperture, meaning the aperture gets smaller as you zoom in.)
This lens is professional grade - built like a tank and relatively heavy. It is much larger than similar kit lenses and it weighs considerably more. The added weight actually provides a nice balance for the D300 with MB-D10 attached. The autofocus is very fast and precise and the images it produces are tack sharp. I use it as my everyday general purpose lens with outstanding results.
As others have stated, more expensive equipment doesn't necessarily mean you'll get better photos. The premium price reflects features and build quality. A $200 kit lens may very well provide comparable image quality at your backyard barbeque. But for those who need and will take advantage of the wider aperture in low light settings, this lens has few equals among standard zooms.
Bottom line: If you plan to take advantage of the wide aperture, this lens is an uncompromising must-have. It is an outstanding lens for those who need its capabilities. However, if most of your shots are outdoors in daylight, or you're used to using a flash inside, this lens might be more than you need. Save your money and get the excellent all purpose AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED or the less expensive AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR.
Note that this is a DX lens and is intended to be used specifically on the smaller DX sensor cameras (everything from D40 to D300). Anyone with a D700 or other full frame (FX) sensor should look at the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70 f/2.8G ED. Of course anyone with an FX camera should already know that. But anyone considering upgrading to an FX camera in the near future might want to rethink purchasing this $1200 lens.
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