AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED
This high-performance, wide-angle zoom is designed exclusively for use with Nikon’s DX-format, is fast and versatile for travel and portrait work
$1,539.95*SRPSRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.
Close
Supplied Accessories
- HB-31 Hood
- CL-1120 Case
- 77mm lens cap
- Rear lens cap
*Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area.
/Views/87_4332_CL-1120-Soft-Lens-Case-(Repl.)_FRONT.png)
AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED
72
72
A Masterpiece
An excellent lens in performance. Worth in every dollar spent on this lens. Sharp in focussing, shades and tone well balanced. Low light photography at its best.
October 22, 2011
Don't think. Buy.
I have had this lens for about 3 weeks now. I am using it excusively on a Nikon D7000. Prior to acquiring this lens I was using Nikon's "kit" 18-105 zoom, which is actually a pretty good lens, and under the right circumstances can take tack sharp photos. I originally was looking for a good prime lens, but during my research, this lens kept popping up. At first I was quite put off by the price, but I kept reading reviews that gave stellar ratings. I am a traveler who often finds himself in extremely humid, or extremely hot and dry (jungles or deserts) conditions that have a single common thread. They're all very dirty. I needed a lens that was tough (this one is built like a tank) and that had seals (this one does), and would allow me to take as few flash photos as possible (this one is rated at F2.8 across its zoom range...need I say more?). This lens is known as the "photo journalist's lens". It has earned that name by being versatile and tough.
As soon as the lens arrived, I started taking photos and checking them with my editing software. My first photo was of the cat I share a house with. I zoomed in with the editing software. Every single hair was clearly visible. OK. So far, so good. I went into the back yard and took a few shots of flowers. Flowers, especially deep red roses, can be very challenging. The colors were excellent, and the edges of the petals extremely well-defined with no CA that I could see. Bokeh was great, and very natural looking, too. Depth of field is easily controlled as the lens is zoomed because of the Fstop does not change because of the zoom, as in some other zoom lenses.
A few days later I found myself at a car/motorcycle show. Lot's of shiny paint and bright chrome. Shots taken there were incredibly crisp, with no discernible ghosting or comma (ok, ok, I did avoid shooting right into lights, but the chrome could have caused problems). I posted some of the shots to a social media site which usually cuts the resoluton of photos, and my photographer friends there immediateliy commented on how sharp the pictures were.
Though the lense does not have VR, it really doesn't need it. VR is a mechanism that allows you to take pictures at much lower shutter speeds or smaller F-stops than you normally could. Since this lens is already an F2.8 lens across its zoom range, there's not much VR could do for you.
Like any lens made by anyone, this lens has its sweet spots. Like any lens made by anyone, this lens also has some areas where the pictures might not come out as well as hoped. A good photographer will learn the lens and use it in its sweet spots, which are very wide.
Some have complained that this lens is heavy. Well, compared to some of the plastic lenses in production, it IS heavy. However, quality equipment is made with quality materials. Brass and steel, and good glass has weight. On my D7000 this lens is well-balanced. Add a battery grip and it's even better. I have carried the camera/lens set up all day with no problem, but for those complaining about weight, adjust your neck strap, or purchase a harness.
The lens focuses internally so nothing moves when you focus. The zoom does move the front element in and out perhaps 3/4 of an inch, but the lens hood is connected to the body of the lens, so it does not move with the zoom, as on some lenses. This is an added design plus, but it makes for an extremely large and deep lens hood. Many photographers leave their lens hood on to protect the lens against bumps. On some lenses the hood is connected to the front bezel. A bump on a lens like that, even with a lens hood, can damage the internal mechanisms. On a lens like this one, where the hood is connected to the body, damage is much less likely.
Of course I don't need to suggest putting a clear or UV filter on the lens to protect the front element from dirt and scratches. A filter is much cheaper to replace than a front element. The filter threads, by the way, are plastic. This is not just a cost-saving design element, but actually pretty smart on Nikon's part. Bump metal filter threads too hard and then dent, making getting the filter off almost impossible. Bump plastic filter threads and they will often spring back, but can also be worked with a little to get the filter off.
I only have one small complaint. The focus and zoom rings are a bit narrow for me, and placed in such a way that they don't fall easily under the fingers. and one ring is very close to the camera body when the lens is mounted. The zoom ring is pretty stiff, but I believe that's on purpose, as the elements in the zoom mecahnism are quite heavy, and would cause zoom creep if the zoom mechanism was less stiff. Not a huge deal, but takes some getting used to.
The one statement I can make about this lens is that I have four Nikkor lenses, but of the four, this lens rarely comes off my camera body. It's a versatile and robust lens for most photographic situations. It does not suffer fools, however. You will need to spend time learning its quirks, but doing so will be time well-spent, and you will find yourself really falling in love with this thing.
Don't think. Buy. You won't be sorry.
October 13, 2011
Average performance
Traded up to this lens from nikkor 18-200 dx on the basis of third party reviews promising razor sharp resolution, at the expense of more weight and less range.
My conclusion: unless my particular unit needs calibration of some kind, it is not significantly sharper than the lens it replaced , at half the price.
Quality justifies the pricetag, and weight is not unreasonable.
September 22, 2011
Ones you put this lens in a camera you will not want to change!
August 4, 2011
my every-day lens
I've used over ten Nikkor lenses, this is the one I always have on my D7000 and F5. It is solid in performance, provides excellent sharpness and no distortion.
June 9, 2011
Suberb wide angle zoom
For nature, portraits, and travel photography the 17-55 zoom provides moderate wide angle capture and zooms to an 82mm tele on my D300....high resolution and excellent color rendition The f2.8 maximum apature gives me great available light advantages. Overall, it is the best wide angle zoom I have ever used.
April 20, 2011
My standard lens
We originally purchased this lens in 2007 to use for a trip to Italy believing it would work well for shots in the cities. It did this very well. Since then it has become our standard lens on the camera. While not as fast as our 50mm f/1.4, it has proven so versatile that the drop to f/2.8 is an excellent trade-off for us. The resulting photos are sharp and the lens weight and size balances well with our D200 body. This is an excellent lens for DX cameras.
April 20, 2011
Professional Workhorse
Pros: super sharp, good range for DX (35mm equivalent to 25.5-82.5mm), pro build, fast silent focus, close minimum focus distance, rubber seal against dust and moisture, nice hood lock & no exposed extending barrel (hood is fixed with outer barrel, hiding the inner barrel which extends a little).
Cons: no VR, stiff zoom ring, mild light fallof (at 2.8) & distortion at 17mm. Rubber grips for zoom and focus loosen after couple of years.
April 20, 2011
Solid, professional, not for everybody
Excellent quality, when taking picture close to 17mm or 55mm the focus is not clear all the time and need to check the focus.
If D300 used by point and shoot person, with the 17-55mm, most often you get not perfectly sharp image.
Strong Robust, construction, Feel good quality. Heavy to bring on a Ski slope...
IF the 16-85mm has been available when I bought the lense, I would probably go for that one as a walkaround lense.
Louis
April 17, 2011
Great all around DX lens
fast zoom with fast focus. Bokeh isn't as creamy as some of the longer lenses but will do portrait just fine. Excellent contrast even @ F/2.8.
Construction is typical nikon pro lenses - like a tank. Zoom and focus rings are both buttery smooth.
Had this lens on D50, D70 and D300, all produce excellent colour and sharpness. But on the D300, with a SB800, the rig does get bit heavy to carry around for the day.
April 16, 2011
It's a "do all" lens.
I bought this lens for mostly doing weddings and have not been disappointed in the least. I take 75% of my shots with it and the rest with my 80-200 2,8 lens. I shoot with a D200 and the combination is a real joy to work with. All I need now is a 50mm 1.4 and I'll be all set. I also enjoy taking landscapes and the close-ups are exceptional. The 17-55 is a great lens to have and recommend it for anyone who can afford it.
April 15, 2011
Bokeh is the best
I picked up this lens from my local shop along with a Nikon D7000 to use for architecture shots and portraiture. It's got the best bokeh I've seen in a DX lens.
I stopped shooting still when my clients hired me for more video work, and now that I have been picking up more still work I picked a camera that could do fantastic stills and a little bit of video on the side. The 17-55 keeps it's bokeh on the video settings and gives great image quality for video with completely washed out backgrounds when set at anything lower than f4.
April 15, 2011
VERY GOOD
A complete zoom lens to use for panorama.
Very good quality wide angle
April 15, 2011
Excellent lens though expensive
Very good lens in all situations and all appertures. Rather heavy and a bit too expensive.
April 15, 2011
Serious lens for the serious photographer
I have find on problem with this lens, do I like Nikon lens, yes.....why, they work and produce great quality pictures and let you concentrate on getting the shot.
April 14, 2011
Worth the weight and cost
I love this lens. It's built like a tank, it's very sharp and the colors are saturated. You get what you pay for. But shop carefully. I tried out 3 samples - two were great and one was poor.
April 14, 2011
Excellent quality and features
This lens is my all-time favorite. The wide angle to tele zoom range is perfect for 90% of my field of photography. The lens is tack sharp, and the f/2.8 stop throughout the zoom range is perfect.
Excellent result, I cannot see any flaws in my pictures, the resolution is fantastic. Really great lens.
April 14, 2011
17-55mm f2.8
There is little better that can be said of this lens, period! It is flawless. Not once have I questioned about purchasing it or using it. It is so versatile and the landscapes are superb. If there is a better lens, expect to pay a lot more for a small benefit that might not even be noticed.
April 14, 2011
The Bomb
Super-sharp, built like a tank, great color rendition. Exactly the sort of design and build quality that made Nikon lenses famous. And a really good bayonet-style lens hood.
April 14, 2011
I love this lens
Excellent, reliable, capable, excellent build quality, sharp, great color. What else could I want from a lens?
April 5, 2011
A truly BRILLIANT ALL-ROUND performer.
I have been using this exceptional lens on my D200 since January 2007. I find it to be absolutely superb right across the board. Yes it does distort a little at 17mm, but this can be corrected to a lesser or greater degree with a little re-positioning of my shooting angle. The use of ED elements makes this lens exceptionally sharp, especially while engaged in portrait or landscape work which I undertake most of the time. While being used with a polarizing filter, it renders exceptional quality images both in colour and black & white which is essential during the Summer months when the Sun is high in the sky. The build quality of the 17-55mm is also without equal and the weight of this "Trusty Steed" actually improves it's overall performance dramatically. No fear of any bumps and bashes doing irreparable damage to this baby. It just goes on and on turning out superb results every time and truly 'delivering the goods'. this is a 'Go Any Where' lens that used on my D200 in combination with a good camera holdall has become a friend for life and I am truly happy with it because there is NO photographic situation that I CANNOT handle. As for the rubber grip ring issue, this can be resolved with a good quality waterproof epoxy resin that once applied will re-seat the rubber ring tightly around the lens barrell and allow you to continue using the lens, slip free in ANY situation in ALL climates and temperatures. This is a very minor issue that is very easily resolved. I love this lens totally, and on my D200 body is where it stays....PERMANENTLY !!!
April 3, 2011
My favorite lens
not much to say
I have had this lens for several years
Moved from my D-200 to the D300s and the D2X
It just works
If you need an all around lens this is it
April 2, 2011
this lens is like gold for my eye....
I drooled over this lens for years before I finally bit the bullet and slapped down the 13 hundred for it. Am I having buyers remorse? NO! This lens was and is so worth every single little penny spent. I toyed with the idea of getting a cheaper lens. I am SO glad I didn't!! This lens is like the all fabulous and dependable standard lens only a Million times better (at least a thousand bucks better)! My photos are sharper, brighter, more colorful, I think it even helps my clients look better! hAHa! If you are debating over this lens, get it! I put it on my d200 and it does not leave. I am a natural light photographer that does everything from babies in my "home studio" to the weddings. I absolutly LOVE it and highly recommend it. Now get off that fence and go freakin buy it!
February 15, 2011
A pleasure to shoot, great look and feel.
Contrary in belief to some, that this lens is too robust to be an everyday walk around mount, in my opinion, is false. Its perfect on my D90. How I use this lens to conform too comfort, is simple; I invert the hood when not in use and this creates a larger platform for my hand to balance its weight and length. I'm 6'1, with fairly large hands, so this works for me, but I'm sure not for all. Mounted on my D300, I find the combination a bit too cumbersome for hand-held shots.
December 9, 2010
just one
i have a 50 mm 1.4
70-200mm 2.8
and 17-55 mm 2.8
and the true that i use this lens most of the day for my work, weddings, is good for inside and outside, low light, fast...wide when there is not space were you can stand.
good color, use with filter b+w
100% the best lens expensive but you get the best quality..
October 28, 2010
The best DX wide angle zoom
I bought this lens a year ago finaly and use this on the D50 wich i own almost 5 years together with the 300MM F4 AF-S i have a perfect combination to do all kinds of phothography with high iq results.
I use only Nikkors because the results come out with the same colour balance en contrasts.
Yes its even worth my 6MP amateur camera because glass matters
October 22, 2010
Most used lens in my bag
at a fixed 2.8, this lens is great for low light and everyday applications. I find it to be most useful at its extreme ends. 17mm and 55mm are very useful lengths on a for a DX sensor. although there are times that i wish i had a wider focal length, i am much happier to buy another lens without the 55 zoom. great lens to bring on travel when space is limited. it can literally shoot an entire trip.
It might not be the best lens Nikon has ever made, but what it was made for, it gets the job done…very well
November 18, 2010
A Real Gem of a Lens!
I love this lens! For general photography it's fast and sharp and has that magical Nikon quality. This lens will be regarded a classic very soon. The constant f2.8 aperture is fantastic and has the best bokeh of any Nikkor I've ever seen! You can't beat this lens in quality!
September 24, 2010
Great General Purpose or Closeup Lens
I have used this lens exclusively on a Nikon D300. This is a great combination. It works extremely well in lower light closeup situations. Mushrooms and very small plants are two examples of subjects. The color and clarity of the lens for these situations is as good as any. The other combination I use for this type of photography is a Nikkor 24-70mm on a D700. Honestly, in most instances, I can't tell any difference in photo quality.
This is a very nice, rugged lens for landscape photography too. I lost a strap and my footing in a small creek canyon, dropping the camera and 17-55mm lens into the rocks. It broke the UV filter and put a small scratch into the lens barrel, but otherwise, the lens is fine and as good as it ever was.
I highly recommend this lens for general purpose photography on a DX format camera. Distortion and chromatic aboration are non-existence and the bokeh is excellent.
September 22, 2010
much better than a kit lens
Over the past year I've been working freelance for local newspapers shooting high school sports and other odd jobs along the way. The money I've been making on my submissions has been set aside and I've been using it to upgrade my gear to better stuff. This is my latest acquisition and I couldn't be more pleased with it for my photojournalism purposes.
Images captured at basketball games from near and above the goal are awesome, sharp, clear and with little noise in them. Missouri high school gyms are not well lit, so shooting at ISO 3200 and higher is a near must, but IQ is still very good for newsprint work. No regrets at all.
Yes, it was an expensive purchase, but it will soon pay for itself with senior picture work and wedding jobs. LIKES: The construction is solid, but heavy - it's not a cheap kit lens. The mount is weather sealed and metal - no plastic. CONS: The rear focus ring is stiff - hopefully it will loosen with use. The lens extends when focused to the extreme short or long ends of it's range.
August 8, 2010
5 Questions | 9 Answers
Product Q&A
Ask your questions. Share your answers.
5 Questions | 9 Answers
Have a new question?
Ask a new question Search the Product Forum
All Questions
1 of 1
All
All
I'm a serious passion, hobbyist and I'd like to buy one new lens, but could you explain the main difference between the 17~35 f2,8 and 17~55 f2,8?
which one is the better for my use, I've a D7000 and D90, and I like to photograph inside events, portraits and landscape.
I appreciate if you can answer it for me, thank you too much
which one is the better for my use, I've a D7000 and D90, and I like to photograph inside events, portraits and landscape.
I appreciate if you can answer it for me, thank you too much
1 year, 2 months ago
by
Marcelo
Brazil
Location :
Brazil
Age: 45-54
Favorite Subject: Landscape
Nikon Family: 11-20 years
Role: Serious passion, hobbyist
2 Answers
Answers
Answer:
The 17-55 G lens is designed exclusively for DX format cameras like your D7000 and D90. If you plan to move up to FX Full Frame like the D3 and above and expect to use this lens, your going to lose sensor compatibility. However, this lens is going to give you the maximum compatibility with your cameras now because it's designed for the DX sensor in your cameras. It's also slightly better glass than the 17-35 D and in my professional opinion, handles metering and exposure better communicating with the cameras systems.The 17-35 D lens is also excellent glass, has an aperture ring on the lens and can be used for DX and FX cameras. On DX cameras, your image will be cropped, meaning what you see in the viewfinder will be cropped so your final photo will slightly be trimmed down from the corners.
If your not going to move to a $2500+ camera, go with the 17-55 G as its made specifically for the cameras you have. If you are moving in the near future, go with the 17-35mm D, Although I would advise you to consider other FX full frame G lenses because they do such a better job interacting with the cameras software producing cleaner images that require less post-shooting processing.
Jun 1, 2011 by
by
Nicky Nikon
Baltimore, MD
Location :
Baltimore, MD
Age: 25-34
Favorite Subject: Landscape
Nikon Family: 2-5 years
Experience: More than a year
Role: Professional photographer
Answer:
17-55 has a longer focal length range, that is, from a wide lens to a moderate middle-range lens. the difference is that the 17-55 is a DX lens which means it won't work on full-frame bodies (d700 and up), but they will work just fine on DX bodies (d7000 and d90 are DX, so it's good for them). however, for portrait and event work you'll still need a longer focal length lens, something above 90mm.
AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED
2 Answers
can i use this lens with an fx model camera...d700 and d3s
1 year ago
by
Anonymous
Age: 35-44
Favorite Subject: Portrait
Nikon Family: 11-20 years
Experience: 6-12 months
Role: Semi-professional photographer
2 Answers
Answers
Answer:
Yes, but it is designed to work in "crop mode" only. This means less megapixels will be used and there will be an effective focal length multiplier of 1.5x. If you wish to use the full-frame on these cameras, then you must override the auto-DX cropping in the menu. After you do you will see vignetting on the images at wide angles (below ~24mm) because this lens is designed for an DX body.Instead, Nikon would recommend you purchase the 24-70mm f/2.8G for this sort of camera. I believe it is only MSRP a couple of hundred dollars more, so, for the price of this lens, is a reasonable upgrade with some bulk.
If you are searching for a wide angle lens for an FX body, the recommended lenses are the 16-35mm f/4G, 17-35mm f/2.8D, and the 14-24mm f/2.8G.
Products related to my answer
Answer:
Yes you can, however, it will cause vignetting in FX but you can switch to DX mode, at reduced mp, and use it.
AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED
2 Answers
would this be an appropriate lens for a Nikon d5000?
6 months ago
by
Anonymous
2 Answers
Answers
Answer:
Short answer: Yes.Long Answer: Nikon DX lenses are optimized for use for APS-C digital Nikon bodies (Nikons except for the D3, D3S, D3X, D4, and D700). In particular, this lens is equivalent to the 24-70mm f/2.8G on the FX bodies. This means that this lens is probably best used on a Nikon D5000(series) or D7000(series) in documentary style wedding photography, personal on-site news photography, etc. The large aperture and normal range is good for anything from group shots (wide angle) to portraiture.
Jan 7, 2012 by
by
tychay
San Francisco, CA
Location :
San Francisco, CA
Age: 25-34
Favorite Subject: Landscape
Nikon Family: 6-10 years
Experience: Less than a month
Role: Semi-professional photographer
Answer:
yes
AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED
2 Answers
can you use a teleconverter with the 17-55mm f/2.8 lens
5 months, 2 weeks ago
by
Mike
West Seneca, NY
Location :
West Seneca, NY
Age: 55-65
Favorite Subject: Landscape
Nikon Family: 6-10 years
Experience: More than a year
Role: Serious passion, hobbyist
2 Answers
Answers
Answer:
No, teleconvertoers cannot be used with this lens, they will not fit and most likely cause damage if you do try and fit one on.Answer:
Yes, but it has to be the AF-S series. They are the TC-20E II, the TC-17E II and the TC-14E II. They are expensive, but the only ones that will work.Feb 2, 2012 by
by
Upchucked
Bluffton, SC, USA
Location :
Bluffton, SC, USA
Age: Over 65
Favorite Subject: Sports
Nikon Family: 21+ years
Experience: 3-6 months
Role: Serious passion, hobbyist
7 months ago
by
Anonymous
1 answer
Answers
Answer:
Yes the lens can be used on the D700 but I probably wouldn't bother to use it. The D700 has a DX mode but images go do down to 5.1mp because not all the sensor is being used.1 of 1
1 of 1
We’ll keep track of the products you view here.