Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G DX Lens

This is an exceptional lens, and if you are a wedding or event photographer using a DX camera, then you should own it! No, it does not have VR, but that is not necessarily a detriment at this focal-length. Considering that this lens will be most useful at wide apertures with fast shutter speeds on moving targets, and that it excels in that performance bracket, VR wouldn’t be being used that often anyway. Especially since, for the posed shots, you will probably be switching lenses to more of a portrait focal-length anyway (or mounting it to a tripod for group shots). Nonetheless, this lens is capable of getting just about any shot, within its focal range. It is expensive, but it is also worth it!

For my needs, especially art related, I generally shoot this lens at about the 24mm focal length (I just like that angle of view on DX). If the newer, Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G lens had been out when I purchased this zoom, and if I would have known how often I would be shooting at 24mm, I probably would have gone in that direction. However, this lens has provided me with lots of versatility, especially when shooting things like backstage at St. Louis Fashion Week. There really aren’t any overwhelming flaws with this lens (as there shouldn’t be at this price-point); its construction is top-notch, it is heavy but balances well, optically, it is fantastic, and it even has a wonderfully creamy out-of-focus area. Maybe the only downside is that it is impossible not to see you coming when you’ve got this sucker attached to the end of your camera body!

All pics Nikon D300 with Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G lens.

More pics and stats after the jump–>

At 17mm:

At 35mm:

At 55mm:

With hood attached:

Full name: Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Nikkor
Max/Min. Aperture: 2.8/22
Diaphragm Blades: 7 Rounded
Lens Configuration: 14 Elements in 10 Groups, with 3ED and 3 Aspherical elements
Filter Size: 77mm
Magnification Ratio: 1:5
Focuses Beyond: 14″

From the side:

Pics done with this lens:

And here’s a little something from someone who knows a bit more about product photography than I do: