Nikon AF-S DX Zoom NIKKOR 17 55mm F 2 8G IF ED Review | 54 Data compared

The Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 DX is a professional-grade, heavy-duty, DX-format lens featuring impeccable, tank-like construction, and an ultra-fast, silent autofocus system. It offers a constant f/2.8 aperture for excellent low-light performance and produces vibrant colors and high contrast. Key disadvantages noted by Ken Rockwell include its heavy weight, lack of Vibration Reduction (VR), and high price point compared to versatile, lightweight alternatives. Furthermore, as a dedicated DX lens, it creates heavy vignetting on full-frame cameras, rendering it a poor investment for those looking to upgrade.

The ePHOTOzine review describes the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Nikkor as a professional-grade, weather-sealed lens for APS-C cameras, highlighting its excellent central sharpness at f/2.8 and fast autofocus. It is described as a durable, responsive tool suitable for demanding conditions. Conversely, the lens exhibits high chromatic aberrations at image edges and significant geometric distortion at both ends of the zoom range. Despite these optical flaws, the review concludes it is a robust option for users requiring constant f/2.8 performance on a DX body.

The Nikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 G IF-ED DX is a professional-grade "gold ring" zoom lens built exclusively for Nikon's APS-C (DX) format DSLRs, offering a versatile full-frame equivalent field of view of 25.5–82.5mm. Klaus Schroiff's review highlights the superb, tank-like mechanical construction as a primary advantage, featuring a robust metal body, thorough rubber weather-sealings against dust and moisture, a non-rotating front element for polarizer use, and a fast, near-silent ultrasonic Silent Wave Motor (SWM). Optically, the lens delivers excellent sharpness and resolution in the center of the frame, low chromatic aberration, and well-controlled distortion for a standard zoom. YouTube · However, the review points out several significant drawbacks that impact its overall price-to-performance ratio. Optical weaknesses include soft border performance at the 24mm and 55mm focal lengths when shot wide open, along with noticeable field curvature at 17mm that can degrade edge results. Furthermore, the quality of the background blur (bokeh) is described as mixed due to flawed highlight rendition and heavy bokeh fringing. Mechanically, the zoom ring is slightly stiff, the lens lacks vibration reduction (VR), and its high...

The Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G DX is a large, heavy mid-range zoom lens designed specifically for APS-C (DX) format DSLRs, featuring a durable construction with high-quality optical elements. Its standout pros include exceptional image sharpness across the zoom range—even when shot wide open at f/2.8—along with minimal linear distortion and highly effective light falloff control. Additionally, its constant f/2.8 maximum aperture ensures very fast, hunt-free autofocus performance in dim lighting conditions. On the downside, the lens exhibits noticeable cons, including a stiff and thin zoom ring that requires a wide rotation, noticeable chromatic aberrations on high-resolution cameras, and vulnerable flare performance when pointing directly into the sun. It is also a very expensive and bulky choice for a DX lens. Ultimately, the review notes that it is difficult to recommend over the newer, less expensive Nikon 16-80mm f/2.8-4E lens, which offers a broader focal range and better handling despite losing the constant f/2.8 aperture.

The What Digital Camera Review highlights the Nikon AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF DX as a professional-grade standard zoom lens built exclusively for APS-C sensors. The core pros include its exceptional, rugged metal build quality designed to handle extreme conditions, and a bright, constant f/2.8 aperture. Optically, it utilizes aspheric and extra-low dispersion (ED) elements that deliver highly consistent resolution across the aperture range at 17mm, rivaling high-end full-frame alternatives while keeping center-to-corner light fall-off well controlled. Additional operational strengths include an internal focusing system that allows worry-free polarizer use and secure, well-damped control rings. Conversely, the prominent cons of this lens are its significant bulk, heavy footprint, and restrictive premium price tag, making it one of the most expensive choices in the DX category. Optically, the reviewer notes that resolution fails to match rival lenses when zoomed to 55mm. There is also minor chromatic aberration present as slight color fringing under extreme, high-contrast conditions near the frame corners. Finally, while the integrated Silent Wave Motor (SWM) operates quietly, real-world testing on a Nikon D80 revealed its autofocus speed to be...

The Imaging Resource review details the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF DX AF-S Nikkor as a premium, top-notch optic designed for high-quality performance across its entire zoom range. The primary standout feature of this medium zoom lens is its ability to maintain a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture, providing excellent wide-open sharpness and a very wide "sweet spot" that lasts all the way to f/8. While the sharpness only softens marginally at f/11, it drops significantly by f/22. Overall, the review positions this as the definitive choice for photographers seeking the highest quality glass to mount on a compatible Nikon DX camera body. However, the review highlights that this premium performance comes with specific drawbacks, notably a high price tag and extra weight. Optically, the lens exhibits high geometric barrel distortion (nearly 1%) and high vignetting (around 0.8% light falloff) when shooting wide open at the maximum 17mm wide-angle setting, though both drop off rapidly as you zoom toward 28mm and 55mm. Chromatic aberration is also noted as being somewhat high in the frame corners at wide and medium focal lengths, though...

The NIKKOR 17-55 f/2.8G lens offers a highly practical focal range equivalent to 25.5-82.5mm on a DX body, making it a versatile all-round choice for portraits, group photos, and wide-angle event coverage. Its robust build quality partially utilizes magnesium alloy, providing a substantial, premium weight that perfectly balances with a camera body like the Nikon D7100. A major benefit is its large, fixed maximum aperture of f/2.8, which allows photographers to shoot comfortably in low-light environments without the constant need to swap out prime lenses during a shoot. Despite these strengths, the reviewer experienced massive disappointment due to a severe and unforgivable back-focusing defect that ruined critical event photos. Handling is also hampered by a poorly positioned and overly small zoom ring located too close to the mount, causing the user to repeatedly rotate the focus ring by mistake and slow down their reaction time. Furthermore, at over ten years old, the lens lacks modern vibration reduction (VR) technology, fails to fill the 55-70mm gap when paired with a standard 70-200mm lens, and represents a steep financial investment for an...

The Nikkor AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8 G IF-ED is a professional-grade, "gold ring" zoom lens designed specifically for Nikon’s APS-C (DX) format F-mount DSLRs. Introduced in 2003 to provide high-end glass for professional digital shooters, it offers a 35mm equivalent focal range of 25.5–82.5mm. Tested on a Nikon D7000, this lens features an internal focusing design that keeps the front 77mm filter thread stationary, a 9-blade rounded aperture, and a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for fast, near-silent autofocus. The lens boasts exceptional, professional-tier build quality, featuring a robust metal body and full rubber weather sealing against dust and moisture. Additional pros include its constant, fast f/2.8 maximum aperture, a smoothly operating focus ring, and an effective petal-shaped lens hood design. However, it carries prominent cons, including a steep price tag exceeding 1,200 EUR / 1,400 USD and a heavy, bulky physical footprint weighing 755 grams. Furthermore, its mechanical zoom ring feels slightly stiff, and the lens barrel unusually extends at both extreme ends of the zoom range—moving furthest outward when adjusted to its widest focal length.

The AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED is a flagship normal-zoom lens originally manufactured from 2003 to 2022, built like a single piece of cast metal with professional-grade weather sealing. Optically, the lens delivers exceptional center sharpness starting at f/2.8, beautiful bokeh rendering via its 9 curved aperture blades, and impressive corner sharpness specifically tailored for wide-angle landscape framing at 17mm. It also features a highly neutral color rendition, robust resistance to ghosting, and quick autofocus speeds capable of tracking erratic moving subjects when adapted to modern mirrorless setups. However, the lens suffers from notable flaws, most significantly the total lack of vibration reduction (VR), which severely impacts low-light handling on standard DX and film bodies. Optically, it exhibits immense barrel distortion at 17mm and poor control over chromatic aberration, displaying high amounts of purple fringing at f/2.8 that only disappear entirely by f/8. Mechanically, the first-generation Silent Wave Motor (SWM) is notorious for squeaking and eventual failure due to moisture or oil contamination, and the overly complicated 9-blade iris mechanism is prone to becoming sluggish over time. If you...