Nikkor 17-55 f2.8 or better

Hi,

I just start shooting with D300 w/ 18-200 VR lenses and I'm looking for a good prime lenses.

I just went from Canon (I sold all my Canon gear and bought the D300 w/ 18-200 VR) and my last Nikon was the F2 (yeah, looong time shooting with Canon). I still have my old Nikkor-C [email protected] and [email protected] but my initial tests using these lenses with D300 didn't make me very happy with the results.

I found the 17-55 f2.8 to be a good choice. Could anyone confirm or show me a better option within this focal length?

Thx in advance.

Its my favourite lens.

Sharp, good colours and contrast and built like a tank.

Also big, heavy, expensive and obtrusive with the hood on.

Its merits and eventual demerits are often hotly debated here.

If the search functon is up, do a search for more info.

See if you can rent or borrow one for a weekend to see if you like it, its a fairly steep investment.
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Phil_L

Wow... there's A LOT of discussion about this lens in deed.
Thank you for your input, Phil.

Unfortunately it's very hard to get this kinda "good" lenses in Brazil to test. Specially after 100% of import duties over the FOB price plus shipping.

I'm travelling to London next week and I need to make my mind before that. I'll base my decision in all very helpful posts of the site.

Thank you for your comment.

Cheers.

I have the 17-55 f2.8 and its on my D2x most of the time. My copy of the lens is extremely sharp to the corners but, many others haven't been so lucky.

The new 24-70 f2.8 would probably be my choice now and I would gravitate towards this lens as being the best choice. Its resistance to flaring and ghosting and low distortion makes it very attractive.

For ultra wide ange the 12-24 Nikon/Tokina or sigma 10-20 would do nicely. You could get the Tokina 12-24 plus the sigma 10-20 and still have over 500.00 left for the price of the new Nikon 14-24.

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Just another Shooter.

Stay away from AF-S17-55mm IQ is beatiful but mine developed zoom ring unevenness and focus ring squeaks after just year of light use. Nikon service refused to repair it under warranty because quote"Sustain External Damage" and i can assure you it wasn't misused and there was not a dust on it last time i saw it assembled. Internal parts are mostly cheap plastic and its definitely not worth a price.I know i probably got a lemon but you cannot count on Nikon Service. AF-S17-35mm f2.8 might be better option slightly shorter and bokeh is inferior but truly built to highest standards or buy Tamron17-50mm f2.8 cheaply built, almost as good IQ and 3X cheaper.
Peter

have mostly prime lenses now becuase 17-55 was not what it should be for $1200. I eventaully bought the Tamron 17-50/2.8 lens and am happier with it then the Nikon, even if they were the same price.
Sample from Tamron and Nikon at f2.8 side by at 100% crop.



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D80 site
http://home.comcast.net/~nikon-d80/
D50 site
http://home.comcast.net/~nikon-d50/
Pentax istD Site
http://home.comcast.net/~pentax-istd/

in the past I have almost always shot primes, I just like them better, recently I added the 17-55 to my kit for events, at f.2,8 its right up there with the primes and I actually think I have finally found a zoom that I love, but if I did not shoot events where I really needed the zoom, I would just use my Nikon 35mm f/2. smaller, lighter faster and cheeper.

Marcio Esteves said:

Hi,

I just start shooting with D300 w/ 18-200 VR lenses and I'm looking
for a good prime lenses.

I just went from Canon (I sold all my Canon gear and bought the D300
w/ 18-200 VR) and my last Nikon was the F2 (yeah, looong time
shooting with Canon). I still have my old Nikkor-C [email protected] and [email protected]
but my initial tests using these lenses with D300 didn't make me very
happy with the results.

I found the 17-55 f2.8 to be a good choice. Could anyone confirm or
show me a better option within this focal length?

Thx in advance.

Click to expand...

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Nikon D80 & D200, 10.5mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2, 17-55mm f/2.8
85mm f/1.4, 200mm f/2VR, Lensbaby 3G
other assorted BS