Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G

Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom. This is a great lens for photojournalism, weddings and general photography. It is amazingly well built, has excellent image quality, fast focusing, wonderful glass.  Some of you will argue that for less money people can get an f/2.8 Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Lens or a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Macro Lens, but such comparisons are completely off the mark. The $800 difference in price is not just marketing hype. 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. The downside is primarily the price -- it's expensive. You decide! Do you want quality or do you want cheap?

Three Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass elements minimize chromatic aberration and provide higher resolution and superior contrast. Three aspherical lens elements minimize distortion in a lightweight and compact design similar to 17-35mm f2.8 lens. The 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 design for smoother focusing and great body balance. Nikon D-type design provides precise distance information for flash and ambient light exposure processes. The rounded diaphragm makes out-of-focus elements appear more natural. The G Type DX Nikkor lens is designed exclusively for use with Nikon Digital SLR models.

• ED glass: An essential element of Nikkor telephoto lenses
Nikon developed ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass to enable the production of lenses that offer superior sharpness and color correction by minimizing chromatic aberration. Put simply, chromatic aberration is a type of image and color dispersion that occurs when light rays of varying wavelengths pass through optical glass. In the past, correcting this problem for telephoto lenses required special optical elements that offer anomalous dispersion characteristics--specifically calcium fluoride crystals. However, fluorite easily cracks and is sensitive to temperature changes that can adversely affect focusing by altering the lens' refractive index. So Nikon designers and engineers put their heads together and came up with ED glass, which offers all the benefits and none of the drawbacks of calcium fluorite-based glass. With this innovation, Nikon developed several types of ED glass suitable for various lenses. They deliver stunning sharpness and contrast even at their largest apertures. In this way, Nikkor's ED-series lenses exemplify Nikon's preeminence in lens innovation and performance.

• Nikon Super Integrated Coating ensures exceptional performance
To enhance the performance of its optical lens elements, Nikon employs an exclusive multilayer lens coating that helps reduce ghost and flare to a negligible level. Nikon Super Integrated Coating achieves a number of objectives, including minimized reflection in the wider wavelength range and superior color balance and reproduction. Nikon Super Integrated Coating is especially effective for lenses with a large number of elements, like the Zoom-Nikkors. Also, Nikon's multilayer coating process is tailored to the design of each particular lens. The number of coatings applied to each lens element is carefully calculated to match the lens type and glass used, and also to assure the uniform color balance that characterizes Nikkor lenses. This results in lenses that meet much higher standards than the rest of the industry.

• AF-S — Autofocus lens with a Silent wave, integrated, coreless focus motor (1996). Basically an update to AF-I.Autofocus-Silent. Uses a "Silent Wave Motor" (ultrasonic motor) to focus quietly and quickly.  Some older bodies can't autofocus with them (N60, N8008). Some newer bodies (D40, , D40x, D60, D3000 and D5000) can only autofocus with them.

• Aspherical lens elements
Nikon introduced the first photographic lens with aspherical lens elements in 1968. What sets them apart? Aspherical lenses virtually eliminate the problem of coma and other types of lens aberration--even when used at the widest aperture. They are particularly useful in correcting the distortion in wide-angle lenses. In addition, use of aspherical lenses contributes to a lighter and smaller lens design. Nikon employs three types of aspherical lens elements. Precision-ground aspherical lens elements are the finest expression of lens-crafting art, demanding extremely rigorous production standards. Hybrid lenses are made of a special plastic molded onto optical glass. Molded glass aspherical lenses are manufactured by molding a unique type of optical glass using a special metal die technique.

• IF — Internal Focusing
Imagine being able to focus a lens without it changing in size. Nikon’s IF technology enables just that. All internal optical movement is limited to the interior of the non-extending lens barrel. Internal focusing allows for a more compact, lightweight construction as well as a closer focusing distance. In addition, a smaller and lighter focusing lens group is employed to ensure faster focusing. The IF system is featured in most NIKKOR telephoto and selected NIKKOR zoom lenses. The lens focuses with only the slight motion of a few internal elements instead of having to crank the entire lens in and out. This means the front no longer rotates as you focus, making polarizing and graduated filter use easy.

• Distance information
D-type and G-type Nikkors relay subject-to-camera distance information to AF Nikon camera bodies. This then makes possible advances like 3D Matrix Metering and 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash. Note: D-type and G-type Nikkors provide distance information to the following cameras: Auto exposure; F6, F5, F100, F90X, F80, F75, F70, F65, F60, F55, F50, Pronea S, Pronea 600i, D2 series, D1 series, D100 and D70s/D70. Flash control; F6, F5, F100, F90X, F80, F75, F70, D2 series, D1 series, D100 and D70s/D70.

• G — Indicated after the f-number.
G lenses do not have an aperture ring, and the aperture can only be controlled electronically by the camera body. Only autofocus bodies with command dials are capable of controlling G lenses. Older autofocus bodies will work with G lenses in shutter priority and program modes. Some recent G lenses feature a gasket around the mounting flange. G lenses otherwise have the same characteristics as D lenses. G - No aperture ring - G-type DX NIKKOR is designed exclusively for use with Nikon digital SLR models.

• SWM - Silent Wave Motor
Nikon’s AF-S technology is yet another reason professional photographers like NIKKOR telephoto lenses. AF-S NIKKOR lenses feature Nikon’s SWM which converts “traveling waves” into rotational energy to focus the optics. This enables high-speed autofocusing that’s extremely accurate and super quiet. SWM - Silent Wave Motor, which is an ultrasonic piezo device similar to Canon's USM. It moves things without making noise. The lens focuses silently, handy for snoop photography and for sensitive pets and wildlife photography

• M/A mode
AF-S NIKKOR lenses feature Nikon’s exclusive M/A mode, that allows switching from autofocus to manual operation with virtually no time lag — even during AF servo operation and regardless of AF mode in use. M/A (Manual/Automatic) mode - Even while in autofocus you may simply grab the focus ring to make manual focus adjustments. Next time you tap the shutter it returns to AF mode, and next time you grab the ring you're instantly in manual mode. I wish everything on earth worked this well.

• DX - NIKKOR
Compact and lightweight DX NIKKOR lenses featuring a smaller image circle are specially designed and optimized for Nikon D2-series, D1-series, D100 and D90, D3000 digital SLR cameras. These are ideal options for landscape photographers and others who need to shoot expansive scenes with Nikon DX-Format digital SLRs. Note: We do not recommend use of DX NIKKOR with 35mm (135) or IX240 format cameras. DX - Only works on digital SLR cameras. The corners will be black at many focal lengths on full frame or film camera. These lenses are ideal options for landscape photographers and others who need to shoot expansive scenes with Nikon DX-Format digital SLRs. Note: We do not recommend use of DX Nikkor with 35mm (135) or IX240 format cameras.

Lens, 77mm snap-on front lens cap LC-77, rear lens cap LF-1, flexible lens pouch CL-1120, bayonet hood HB-31.  

Excellent lens, July 4, 2009

By V. Kuznetsov

I've had this lens for a few months now. I use it with my D200, and the PQ is simply amazing. I try to stay away from 2.8 aperture though - I much prefer the sharpness and clarity at aperture 4 (or less). When the light is low - I use SB-600. Overall, I think this is the best lens there is in this zoom range - I'm sure 24-70 might be better (I've never tried it) - but is it worth the extra $700 or so? To me - it isn't. I just can't see how the picture quality can increase much from what I get with this lens. I also have D700 and a couple of other lenses (50mm 1.8 and 70-200 VR), so every once in a while I do compare them. D700 is REALLY good in low light. In the daylight D200 can hold its ground. The quality of photos I get with my D200 + 17-55 combo is so good - I don't even think about getting 24-70 for my D700 - and instead I will continue using D200 with 17-55. Highly recommend this lens for DX bodies.

By J. Moro "JM" (Stratford, NJ USA)

www.viewfromthetopfloor.com

This is one of the BEST lenses I have used! I purchased this beast after reviewing the lens here and at other sites. I needed a fast lens and this one seemed to be rated very highly. Now I can understand why. I just returned from three days shooting up in Maine (photos up on my website now) and I have to say the detail, and clarity are absolutely incredible! I am able to easily view images shot with this lens not only at 100%, but even at 200% in my Lightroom application! This is not something I could do with my other lenses. Well worth the money for sure. I am using it on my Nikon D300, and Finepix S2 Pro. Since I purchased it the lens has not come off the D300. This weekend (2/28) I am shooting my first wedding with the lens. It is entirely indoors, with available light and some light flash. I'm looking forward to it now. My other lenses include the 18-200 VR Zoom, though not as sharp and clear as this one still a very good lens. I also have the Tokina 12-24 F4 zoom and some other Macro lenses and a lensbaby 3G. I'm updating this review today, 3/16/09 to report the lens worked flawlessly in the wedding shoot! Quite frankly, I could not have shot the wedding and/or the images would not have been this great. I've not only received many compliments on the images themselves, but have also received enough side orders -- not even from the B & G to help offset the expense of the lens. Wow is the only word that comes to my mind. It is truly an amazing piece of glass. I shot the entire wedding with this lens, and a lensbaby in the confines of a small room, completely lit by tungsten lighting, and one soft box i brought in from my studio for some semi-formal shots.

Like I said, this one has not come off the D300. It's unbelievable. Well worth the money if you shoot pro, or just want the very best results.