Nikon Zoom Super Wide Angle AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF Autofocus Lens USA

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

I wanted a lens wider than 20mm to do some scenic/landscape photography. The specs on this lens looked great and I was excited. After spending a small fortune on this lens I put it to work shooting the Golden Gate Bridge and Yosemite National Park. Although the lens performed well from 20mm to 35mm. I was extremely disappointed that at 17mm the corners were vignetted at all f-stops. Had I known this, I would not have bought this lens. I wrote to a Nikon rep months ago and I still have not heard from them.

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

Somehow, I lost my original... don't ask, I have no idea.

I looked at the 16-35, but decided I wanted an f/2.8 as opposed to f/4. I don't shoot it wide open anyway, so why go f/4?

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

Fast, no nonsense lens.

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

I had been debating between the 14-24 and the 17-35 for quite some time. Both offered a 2.8, but I wasn't sure if I would need the extra wide angle of the 14. Turns out, the 17-35 is perfect for what I needed - and I love having the extra mm to 35. I can go on shoots without even having to pull out a longer zoom (and shooting hotels, that is key).

It's really a great lens. And if you don't need those extra 3mm for wide angle, I'd go with this one everytime!

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

My new favorite! The sharpness is exceptional. How could I have survived without this lens?

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

Pros: Versatile focal lengths, solid construction - built like a tank. Not for those who stay out of the fracas, and designed as such.

Cons: If it really matters to you, the corners can be a little soft at wider apertures. At 17mm, don't add any more than one filter - you'll get noticeably dark vignettes.

So...
I kept searching for a reason to buy the 35mm f/2 D lens, and always came back to the fact that, although a stop slower and about $1300 more expensive, this lens would offer up far more artistic freedom and creative possibilities on the fly than having 2 or 3 lenses in my bag to cover the range. There are plenty of technical reasons to buy a 24mm 1.4 and a 35mm 1.4 and a 14mm 2.8, but for those on a realistic working capital, this is the one to beat.

If you want to get into your subjects' space and really push the limits of your photography, while remaining versatile enough to back off and take a more traditional editorial viewpoint, then this lens will live on your camera.

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

For those of you researching which wide angle lens to buy before plunking down your hard earned cash, please allow me to point out a few things learned by experience. I shoot primarily landscape images, so wide angle lenses are constantly in my bag. I shoot quite a few moving water shots, where I use a polarizer and variable neutral density filter to get the longer exposures to obtain the effect I am looking for. Having multiple lenses is great, if you don't mind lugging them around and can afford them. But if you only wish to buy one wide angle zoom lens, read on - this may help you make a decision.

After trading in some old primes and a 28-85mm zoom, I purchased the 14-24mm f2.8. It is an excellent lens - even the Canon users buy it, as Canon has nothing that can touch it. Clarity, bokeh are outstanding. I love this lens. For an ultra-wide, in my opinion, there is no equal. That said, it does have limitations. The front element is large and convex, and there is no front element protection if you aren't careful. You cannot attach filters (the screw-in type) to the front of this lens. As of this writing, you can purchase an adapter from Lee for a substantial amount of money - if they are available. Then there is buying filters to use in that adapter. More money. There is also the issue of light reflecting off the rear of the filters in front of the lens element. Annoying to say the least. If you use filters in the field as I do (saves time in post capture) this is really a strong point to consider.

I also have the excellent 24-70mm f2.8. Another exceptional lens, and this one is on my camera most of the time, if I'm only going to carry one lens. I'm very happy with it. I won't review this lens in it's entirety here, you can read the reviews under its column. This lens has the ability to attach filters to the front of the lens, but I have vignetting issues when using a couple of my filters - even with the thin rings. The vignetting seems to disappear around 28 mm, but when using this lens wide and for multiple image panoramas, the vignetting does cause extra work, post capture, especially when stitching those images together. Something to be aware of. I found that photographing in some tight creekside areas, I just couldn't get wide enough and needed the extra few millimeters on the wide-side that the 24-70mm or my 24mm prime didn't have. The 14-24mm would work, but I could not use any filters to extend the exposure time. Enter the 17-35mm.

I had strongly considered the 17-35mm when I purchased the 14-24mm. Through use, I have experienced that the 14-24mm is more of a specialty lens, which is great - but it does have its limits. Needing to fill the void of not being able to use filters on the 14-24mm but needing wider view than that of the 24-70mm, I bought the 17-35mm. After using this lens now for 6 months, I have found that the majority of my recent wide angle shots have been taken with this lens. Build quality is excellent. It feels solid, focuses well on auto (although I use mostly manual - old habits are hard to kick) and is very sharp. There is a little distortion at 17mm, but if it bothers you, that can be corrected easily in Photoshop. With filters installed ( SinghRay Vari-ND and polarizer ) there is only very slight vignetting at 17mm, and completely gone by 19mm. If you using only one filter, there is none, even at 17mm.

Nikon also has the 16-35mm f4, and it has VR (vibration reduction), which to me is not a big deal. It's a little longer, a little lighter and about $500 less than the 17-35mm. It gets good reviews, and although I have not used one, I do subscribe to the "You get what you pay for" mantra. The 17-35mm is one of Nikon's pro-lenses, the 16-35 is not. Nikon Pro Glass is top quality - 'nuff said. Nice to have the f2.8 as well for those smooth blurry backgrounds or less light when needed.

Now that all that has been said, the 17-35mm would have been a better choice for an ultra-wide, and should have been my first choice. Don't get me wrong, I love my 14-24mm too - I just don't use it as much. It's a lot of coin to have sitting in your camera bag, yet unbeatable on those rare occasions when conditions are right and you really need it. However, you will have to decide what your primary use for a wide angle lens will be, what if any accessories (filters, hoods) you will be using, and what your budget will allow. Personally, I think the 17-35mm is a much more versatile and usable lens.

Bottom line - If you only can afford one wide angle zoom lens, in my humble opinion, the 17-35mm f2.8 is the ticket.

Would I recommend it to a friend? I think I just did.

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

This is a fantastic lens for nature and landscape photography. I highly recommend it. Be aware that it comes packed in a very nice hard case. This is not mentioned anywhere in the technical or other information about the lens, which could lead you to purchase an additional case unnecessarily. The only place you can see the hard case is by clicking "additional pictures".

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

Utilizing with my D300 and Film FM cameras.
Just started using it and so far it's a pleasure. Smooth operation.
Was looking at 14-28 or the fixed 14, due to the DX camera, happy that I selected the 17-35.
It is Expensive, but as I use it more I'm convinced it was worth every penny!
I am use to heavy equipment when shooting sports so the weight doesn't bother me.
Great Lens.

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

I bought this lens for my D7000 for hunting video, landscapes,underwater Ikelite housing dive,and inside shots, very goog lens. we went to Belize for unerwater dive, great underwater photos.

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

USED THIS NEW LENS FOR A BIRTHDAY PARTY AT PO JOS FOR MY GRANDSON.CAMERA BODY NIKON D7000. DIFFICULT LIGHT CONDITIONS WITH OVER HEAD STANDARD FLUORESCENT LIGHTING COMBINED WITH LIGHTS FROM ALL THE VIDEO GAMES AND AMUSEMENT RIDES.

FIRST TIME WITH THE F/2.8LENS ON MY CAMERA.

PERFECT PICTURES WILL VERY LITTLE POST PROCESSING REQUIRED. ALWAYS SHOOT RAW AND USE NIKON NX2 AND ADOBE PHOTOSHOP IF NEEDED.
VERY CLEAR/SHARPS LENS. NO FLASH REQUIRED AND DID NOT HAVE TO GET CHILDREN TO POSE AND WAIT FOR FLASH, IE TOOK CANDID PICTURES ALL AFTERNOON.

LENS WELL BUILT AND EASY TO USE/ADJUST ON MY D7000. BOUGHT THE LENS FOR USE ON MY NEW D700 BUT AM IN A NEW LEARNING MODE FOR THIS CAMERA.

NOT A GIFT.

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

Great wide angle lens nice, wish it had VR.

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

I bought this lens for my D7000 for landscapes and inside shots It's a great lens. Expensive but well worth the wait.It is tack sharp but unfortunately a bit on the heavy side. And it works well with DX as well as FX.

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

This is a great lens, I have been using it for two weeks and I already love it.
Incredibly sharp in low light conditions, and awesome with sun light.
I´m using it on my D300 and my F100

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

This lens was purchased to fit on an AF100 "video" camera, and it's got an amazing heft and build to it. The zoom is dampened to the point where it's the most controllable slow zoom creep I could ever make, blows away 15K servo video lenses I've used in the video world before. I'm all manual focus and iris, and this lens makes the zoom part the "triple threat". Very nice lens indeed.

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

It's a great lens and works well with my D7000. The freedom and depth it gives you is truly awesome. Well worth the money.

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

Not being a professional, I didn't feel the need for the 14mm-24mm 2.8 AF-S lens, actually I was worried about protecting the front glass. The 17mm-35mm 2.8 AF-S seemed more for me. It surpassed all my expectations. Used mainly for that special landscape view and interior shots. Using this lens on Nikon D-700, along with 24mm-70mm AF-S and 70mm -200mm 2.8 AF-S VRII are my "Holy Trinity". Expensive but well worth the wait. WOW!

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

I bought this lens after searching around for a good manual lens that gave me manual and focus controls. I bought mine refurbished; came in a nice case [...]. The lens has no visible scratches and looks brand new.The focus is great, and having the aperture control ring gives me more control on my Nikon D700. The image quality is amazing and the lens is well built.

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

I am currently studying photography and I use this lens for alot of assignments and pretty much all the time.. Its a beautiful wide angle lens.

Comments about Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens:

JUST RECEIVED THIS LENS AND HAVEN'T HAD ENOUGH TIME TO PLAY WITH IT.USING THIS LENS WITH MY D-90. BUT HAVE SHOTS SOME PICTURE HERE ON BASE AND THE PICTURES WERE AWESOME.DID SOME NIGHT SHOTS THAT WAS REALLY GREAT. GOING ON LEAVE TO GREECE AND THEN GERMANY AND WILL PUT THIS LENS TO THE TEST.I'M SURE THE LENS WILL PASS WITH FLYING COLORS.