Nikon 17-55 f2.8

suggs

suggs

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Hi all

Thinking of going for a used one of these to use along side my D300 and 70-200 for motocross photography as i here this lens is razor sharp and fast..

are they a constant f2.8 ? only would i have depth of field issues shooting sport with this lens, i do get close up when shooting at the tracks im resident at plus i also currently use a 50mm at times..

the other alternative would be a lens in the range of 17-70 but the Nikon version will be out of my price range, so alternatives with similar iQ ?

thanks
 
I just got a used 17-55 2.8. Yes it's constant 2.8.

I haven't really had a chance to check sharpness yet as I've only been able to use high ISOs.
 
The best normal zoom on DX. Constant f/2.8, indeed. Well regarded in the IQ stakes as well.
 
Been using one for years. Brilliant, brilliant optics and the build quality is spot on. It's a big, heavy lens and not quite to everyone's liking, but as an optic it is without equal on DX I feel.
 
Thanks

this may be a very silly question but with a fixed aperture of f2.8 what happens with controlling the exposure i.e. im shooting in bright sun light at 1/200 then in the same light i now want to shoot at 1/1000 what happens then ? iso is likely to be on minimum settings at either speed in good light so how would i control the exposure ?

cheers
 
Fixed aperture doesn't mean you can't change it, it means it has the ability to stay at 2.8 through the full zoom range you can still alter it all the way to 22!
 
What the fixed aperture means is that if you set it to f/2.8, as you zoom it retains that aparture setting. It's not that it ONLY works at f/2.8 :)

A lot of cheaper zooms will feature variable apertures, something like f/3.5 - f/5.6. This means that at their wide end (18mm for example) you'll be able to open the aperture to f/3.5, but somewhere along the zoom range, the widest aperture (called the maximum aperture) that you'll be able to choose is f/5.6. That change usually happens somewhere at the half ay point. It's a way of cost cutting in the manufacturing process, because zoom optics that retain f/2.8 throughout their range have to be spot-on to avoid bad image quality, whereas it's easier to produce a budget optic with variable maximum aperture.

EDIT: You're 70-200mm will be a constant f/2.8, right? The 17-55mm will act in the same way - you choose the aperture and whatever you do with the zoom, that aperture value remains (when using Av)
 
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Arhhh the penny drops lol...

i couldnt understand how it could work if the lens only had a aperture of f2.8. now im understanding why this lens is the perfect all rounder :)

when looking for one are they all the same models regardless of age ? any known problems to be aware of ?

thanks
 
suggs said:
Arhhh the penny drops lol...

i couldnt understand how it could work if the lens only had a aperture of f2.8. now im understanding why this lens is the perfect all rounder :)

when looking for one are they all the same models regardless of age ? any known problems to be aware of ?

thanks
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They have a serial number that does correspond to a production period, but it's not a specific date code or anything, just a period of years it was made within

This website lists serial numbers and corresponding dates - http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

RE: being an all-rounder.... mine went for a swim last year (while still attached to the camera) and although it tried to keep working, it needed to be repaired. It was away for about 3 weeks and in that time, it was like I'd lost a body part, it's that important and versatile.
 
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i am seriously tempted by one thats for sure, think it would be a good addition to the Sigma 70-200 2.8 i have..

i like the chunky look of the 17-55 too, looks like a proper piece of quality kit..
 
suggs said:
i like the chunky look of the 17-55 too, looks like a proper piece of quality kit..
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It is, on my camera permanently as well. It's pretty hefty - I think it benefits from a DX DSLR with a grip (although I don't bother).
 
suggs said:
Suit my griped D300 just fine then, just need to check the money box and keep an eye out for a decent copy :)
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If you can get one for £500 or less buy it.

They retain their value very well.

I have the 17-55 glued to one of my D7000's, the other usually has the sigma 70-200 glued to it.
 
I loved the 17-55 on the d90, and was gutted when I realised it wouldn't do well on the d700
Now looking toward getting the 24-70 when I move it on, but only because it's tying up cash and sitting gathering dust
If money was no object, I'd definitely keep it. Great lens and built like a tank
 
500 seems to be the going rate. It's just the problem of finding one which has been looked after.

My hunt will start very soon!
 
Stunning lens and a must have lens for the Nikon dx body. I loved mine and think I prefer it to the 24-70. You think the 17-55 is heavy you want try lugging the 24-70 around all day. :thinking:

I think I bought my 17-55 for around the £500 and sold it on for the same price.
 
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