Nikon Zoom-Nikkor 17 mm-35 mm F/2.8 D ED AF-S IF Lens

This is an exceptional piece of photographic equipment and you can tell that the moment you take it out of the box. Even the boxes - specially the case - are beautiful.

My experience with this lens is awesome, it just gives me the picture I want regarding the light conditions.

Delivers tack sharp images all over the frame and even at 17mm f/2.8 the results are outstanding. My Nikon 14-24mm renders PERFECT corners, but that is the BEST wide-angle lens ever made, it cost a small fortune and is intended for special work, so IMO can't be compared with this "all day on the camera" type of lens.

Fast as lightning auto focus. The manual focus ring - with ZERO lag, period - is a pleasure to use and the zoom ring is soft to move, feels super solid and the most important: stays right where you left it until you move it again yourself.

The focal range is right what I need in most occasions therefore is normally on my D700 all day, and never let me down.

Bottom line: Get one as soon as you can afford it, just beware of the ones with the "Squeaky Sound" if they're out of warranty... it could be only lubrication or a sign that the autofocus motor is about to fail. Nikon will replace it anyway (if under warranty) but after five years you are on your own.

This babies are also a good investment; prices are going UP in the full frame era!!

Enjoy.

In picking a wide to mid range lens for my d70, I came upon a choice between the ultra wide 12-24mm nikon, a few 3rd party brands, and the semi-wide angle 17-35 and 17-55 2.8. Of course, that extra 5mm (or even slightly more on some brands) may make it worth it to grab the 12-24mm. It doesn't sound like a lot but the difference is quite astonishing. However, if you don't fit into this category and picture yourself as one who uses digital with yearnings for film (or perhaps a luddite), look no further than the 17-35mm. Everything you hear about this lens is probably true, excellent sharpness, great out-of-focus area, not as great wide open better stopped down etc. The lens is a tank and almost eliminated the camera shake I experienced with lighter lenses on the d70 and the quietness/quickness of the AF-S zoom is superb if you've never had one before. Takes 77mm filters which means you can pop them on and off most of the higher end lenses like the 80-200mm 2.8 and 70-200mm etc.

While it isn't a super wide angle on a digital, I like the focal length on the d70 and it has given me nothing but great shots. The best part is, you can pop it on your F100, F5, or another film body and take great shots (some say better) even wider. I personally like this ability as I still love black and white film and would like all my really good lenses to be compatible just in case I take that plunge and actually bid on that F5 on ebay.

This lens is awesome on a Full Frame body, but also GREAT! on a DX Cropped body. This lens is VERY SHARP if you use it properly. Optically, it is the same lens as the Nikon 17-55mm 2.8 DX Lens without the extra 20mm on the long end. I will tell you now, that this lens is NOT an f2.8 lens, but you have to understand that this is a zoom lens and it's sharpness performance compared to a Nikkor Prime Lens is unmatched. It's useable apertures from the 17-20mm range is f/5.6 and f/8. From 20-35mm range it's useable apertures are f4, f/5.6 and f/8. Not too worry though; placing this lens on a high performance low noise camera is a DEADLY COMBO! I love this lens because I can shoot in a photojournalistic style VERY Easily. The speed is fast and silent. the M/A ring is VERY USEFUL when u wish to override the focus. All in all it is a MUST for Photojournalist when prime lenses are not applicable. I would HIGHLY recommend this lens. Yea sure its got limitations compared to the Nikon 17-55mm DX but what you have to look into is it's overall stability and dependability. It is just awesome!!! Go out and try it; you won't regret it! =)

This is a replacement lens to one I'd used for a number of years. My original lens recently accidentally got dropped into the ocean and was instantly rendered DOA.

This is a WONDERFUL professional lens for interiors and also gives a great perspective for certain outdoor shots. The lens is extremely fast, both f-stop-wise and focusing-wise, and has virtually no distortion. The f-stop remains constant throughout the 2X focal length range. It focuses very close. All in all, one of Nikon's very best zoom lenses.

It's really got a solid build--all metal; all glass; no plastic. Consequently, it is pretty large and heavy for a casual photographer.

This is a legendary lens from Nikon. It's my favorite lens and the one on my camera most of the time.

+ Build Quality (tank like)
+ good wide open (f2.8)
+ Fast focusing
+ Smooth manual focusing
+ AF-S is great
+ Great control placement
+ Tack sharp on film bodies
+ very little to no distortion
+ lighter than carrying around 20, 24, 28 and 35mm f2.8s :)

- heavy (compared to a single lens)
- big (again, compared to any single 2.8 in this range)
- not as sharp on digital body (not just my opinion, look around)
- not as wide on digital body (of course)
- expensive (though ebay is great for that problem)

People are selling these lenses to get 17-55mm DX lenses. I shoot both film and digital so picking up one of these on ebay is a steal compared to what it is new. Mine was in A+ condition and half of what they go for new. Get one, you won't be sorry.