Lens review
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 17-55 mm f/2.8G IF-ED
11. Summary
Pros:
- great workmanship quality,
- fabulous frame centre sharpness for the whole range of aperture and focal lengths,
- very good picture quality for the frame border,
- only slight astigmatism,
- vignetting smaller than with the most serious competitors,
- good work against the light,
- great autofocus work.
Cons:
- chromatic aberration a bit too visible, especially for f/2.8,
- big size and weight.
We can recommend this lens only by comparing the amount of disadvantages and advantages, especially that the last disadvantage is rather a warning for the potential buyers than a disadvantage in itself. You can’t cheat the laws of physics after all - a piece of good, durable, fast optics must have a considerable weight.
The results of our test show that Nikkor 17-55 mm is the best lens in its class on the market. It is true that Canon 17-55 is only slightly worse and is additionally equipped with tempting image stabilizer but still Nikkor wins when it comes to optics and mechanics.
Every owner of a digital camera with a DX matrix who can afford it, should consider buying this lens very seriously.
Finally, I invite all full frame lovers to compare frame corners of pictures taken with Nikkor 17-55 F/2.8 and D90 or D300 with pictures from Nikkor 24-70 mm f/2.8 and D700, D3 or D3x. Maximum aperture effects can give you a lot to think about.
Sample shots:
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| Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 28 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/160 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.4 MB |
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 55 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/160 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.6 MB |
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 18 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/160 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 2.8 MB |
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| Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 48 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/160 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.0 MB |
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 17 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/160 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.3 MB |
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 23 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/160 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.2 MB |
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| Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 28 mm, f/4.5, exp. 1/160 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.1 MB |
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 55 mm, f/4.5, exp. 1/160 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.5 MB |
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 40 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/160 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.3 MB |
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| Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 17 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/2000 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 5.0 MB |
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 35 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/3000 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.2 MB |
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 55 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/1000 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.6 MB |
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| Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 35 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/800 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.9 MB |
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 17 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/750 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.1 MB |
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 55 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/250 sek., ISO 200 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.3 MB |
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| Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 35 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/320 sek., ISO 200 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.6 MB |
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 55 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/250 sek., ISO 200 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.7 MB |
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 28 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/400 sek., ISO 200 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.8 MB |
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| Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 17 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/320 sek., ISO 200 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.4 MB |
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 17 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/500 sek., ISO 200 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 6.0 MB |
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 17 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/800 sek., ISO 200 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 5.2 MB |
