---
product_id: 1144200
title: "Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED Zoom Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras"
brand: "nikon"
price: "$1922.88"
currency: USD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
category: "Nikon"
url: https://www.desertcart.us/products/1144200-nikon-af-s-dx-nikkor-17-55mm-f-2-8g
store_origin: US
region: United States of America
---

# Constant f/2.8 aperture for low-light mastery 3.2x zoom range (17-55mm) for versatile framing Silent Wave Motor for ultra-quiet, lightning-fast AF Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED Zoom Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras

**Brand:** nikon
**Price:** $1922.88
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 📸 Elevate your Nikon DX game—capture brilliance in every frame!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED Zoom Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras by nikon
- **How much does it cost?** $1922.88 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.us](https://www.desertcart.us/products/1144200-nikon-af-s-dx-nikkor-17-55mm-f-2-8g)

## Best For

- nikon enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted nikon brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Whisper-Quiet Autofocus:** Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor ensures lightning-fast, near-silent focusing so you never miss a candid moment or disrupt your scene.
- • **Versatile Zoom for Every Shot:** From sweeping landscapes to intimate portraits, the 17-55mm focal length covers your creative spectrum with precision and clarity.
- • **Pro-Grade Optics, Always Ready:** Constant f/2.8 aperture delivers stunning sharpness and consistent exposure across the entire zoom range—no compromises, no missed moments.
- • **Seamless Control at Your Fingertips:** M/A mode lets you instantly switch between autofocus and manual focus, giving you ultimate creative control when it matters most.
- • **Built Like a Tank, Sealed for Adventure:** Rugged metal construction with dust and moisture-resistant sealing means your lens thrives in challenging environments—shoot anywhere, anytime.

## Overview

The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED is a professional-grade zoom lens designed exclusively for Nikon DX-format DSLRs. Featuring a constant f/2.8 aperture, a versatile 3.2x zoom range, and advanced optics including aspherical and ED glass elements, it delivers exceptional image quality across wide-angle to short telephoto shots. Its rugged metal build with dust and moisture sealing, combined with a silent wave motor for fast and quiet autofocus, makes it ideal for enthusiasts and pros seeking reliable performance in diverse shooting conditions.

## Description

L1)NIKON 17-55MM F2.8G IF-ED (2147) From the Manufacturer: Lens-making is an art--Nikon artisans craft Nikkor optics from the finest materials, taking pride in adding their intellect and technique to bring the world's finest lenses to life. They push the leading edge of lens-making in their effort to provide the "glass" that makes the world's greatest pictures. The Nikon 17-55mm f2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX is the world's first constant f2.8 3.2x zoom lens developed exclusively for use with Nikon DX Format. The 3.2x zoom covers from a wide angle of 79 degrees to a narrow angle of 28 degrees 50 minutes (equivalent to 25.5mm to 85.5mm for 35mm format) and is ideal for architecture, landscape, groups shots and portraits.

Review: What an awesome lens!! - The lenses I've owned in similar ranges are the Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 and the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8. Comparing this lens to the 18-70mm is probably a bit unfair, so I won't mention it again. However, there are many people looking for alternatives and the Tamron 17-50mm is as close as it gets so I'll base this review as a comparison to the Tamron. Having owned the Tamron for a few weeks before offing it, I can tell you this. If you're looking for a lens that equally matches or even exceeds the 17-55mm in terms of image quality, then by all means, go for the Tamron. Equality pretty much ends there. The advantages of the Nikon 17-55mm are the following: BUILD QUALITY - You immediately notice the build quality as soon as you handle and inspect the 17-55mm. It's encased in metal and nicely sealed so dust, moisture (which leads to fungus) will hopefully be minimized. "Built like a tank" is a good cliche. FAST FOCUS - The Silent Wave Motor is not only fast, but extremely quiet. SHARP WIDE OPEN - Using an aperture of f/2.8, this lens is very usable. Another advantage is that is focuses more accurately in low light. This is an aspect that was inferior in the Tamron. COLOR RENDITION - I've found colors out of the lens are very satisfying with little need to "tweak" during post processing. The Tamron had a warmer color, but this may vary among copies. MINIMAL CA - CA didn't bother me much in the Tamron, but it's much more controlled on the 17-55mm, especially wide open. BETTER QUALITY CONTROL - This was the deal breaker with the Tamron. I received a copy that overexposed which is in line with the experiences of many people with that particular lens. Although sample variance exists with Nikon, it's much more controlled. SIZE/WEIGHT/BALANCE - Some people mention this lens is too bulky and heavy. I find the size and weight actually helpful and helps balance and control on the majority of camera bodies. The 17-55mm doesn't have any major flaws for me. I'm not a professional nor am I a pixel peeper. I'm just an enthusiast that likes good image quality. However, if I were to knit pick, here are the flaws: SMALL ZOOM RING - It's annoyingly small at first, but you get used to it. FLARES EASILY - Point it at a light source directly or even indirectly and this lens has a propensity to flare. You can certainly use the massive hood to mitigate flare. DISTORTION AT WIDE END - Some say the distortion at the wide end makes this lens unusable for landscape/architecture work. If you're looking for a lens specifically for that task, you may want to consider a true wide angle lens like the 12-24mm or 14-24mm or go Sigma 10-20mm. However, I find this lens quite usable at the wide end. One peculiarity with the 17-55mm is that it's at its shortest length almost fully zoomed at around 45mm and longest and fully extended at 17mm. I found this amusing since I haven't experienced other lenses with this characteristic. In my research, I also considered the new Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8. This lens should definitely be on your list because it offers the latest technology and it's a full frame (FX) lens. I ruled it out because it's not only $500 more than the 17-55mm, but also because it's not wide enough for my purposes. Also, I happen to be under the opinion that DX has at least a few more years before it becomes obsoleted/deprecated by FX. People are beginning to recommend against investing in DX lenses, but IMHO, affordable full frame bodies are years away. Ultimately, I selected the Nikkor 17-55mm over the Tamron 17-50mm because of its superior usability wide open. The hit on my pocketbook was rather significant, but I have no regrets of getting such a excellent lens with a great usable range. If Nikon ever added VR to this lens, then it would be a dream come true. I state this because I often need to use a shutter speed of 1/30 or slower when shooting in low light and I rarely use a tripod. VR would come in extremely handy in this situation to prevent camera shake. I highly recommend this lens. It's on my camera 9 times out of 10. Okay, I'll stop now.
Review: Great for people who don't like lens bags and compromises - This is the first lens I purchased for my Nikon D7000 and I think that it may have skewed my expectations - after using this lens, all of the other Nikon DX lenses seem to pale in comparison. The Good: ------------------- Make no mistake about it, this is a pro-grade lens and you will probably get the most out of it on Nikon's only "pro grade" DX camera, the D7000. It will work on just about all of the other camera bodies, however. It's body is made out of metal and its constant f/2.8 means great performance across its range of focal lengths even in dim lighting. On a DX camera you're getting 26mm to 83mm and everything in between, so with this one lens you can effectively handle most photographic work. I like this aspect from a business standpoint, because can go to the long end for excellent portraits or the short end for excellent wide-angle shots. This lens effectively replaces a bag of primes and I can confidently say it performs BETTER than the other primes available for DX cameras; it's basically an FX lens downsized to the DX format and quality was not sacrificed. Taking pictures with this lens will really unleash the potential of your D7000, but it will have the nasty side effect of making all of your other lenses look bad. I have completed a couple shoots using this lens and the results were night-and-day with other DX options, namely the 35mm f/1.8G (about 53mm on full-frame cameras). In all lighting conditions the results were substantially better with the 17-55mm lens, and considering the focal ranges it covers as well as its quality, the price is justifiable. The Bad: ------------------- It's freakin heavy! The 17-55 weighs in just under 2 lbs and that bulk seems to get heavier if you have to carry it around your neck for any extended period of time...though to be honest it's not as bad as I thought it would be - just make sure you get a quality padded camera strap like the one made by OP-TECH. It's BIG so it will partially block the AF assist light on the D7000 when you are not using the included hood, and when you do use the hood it blocks the AF assist light almost entirely. The big size also interferes with the D7000's built in flash, causing a shadow to appear on the lower half of your shots...if you want to use a flash, you'll need to go with a dedicated unit. Expensive in relation to other DX lenses, but then again it's the only DX-specific lens that isn't a hunk of junk. Its constant f/2.8 speed makes it versatile enough to be usable in poor lighting, but it's not ideal for "flashless" low light photography. Y u no have nano crystal coating!? How I use it: ------------------- I love this lens for model shoots and portraits, but it also does well with anything that does not require super zoom or ultra-wide angle. I am a fan of available light and prefer to make the subject work within the scene rather than making a scene for the subject...like a challenge, if you will. The Lumix GH2 camera that I have been using before the D7000 delivered impressive results with its 25mm Leica lens and its 14-140mm Zoom - but the D7000 with the 17-55mm stepped my game up from "hi I'm a freelance picture guy with a camera" to more of a pro-level "take a number and wait your turn" kinda photographer. In other words, the pictures it is capable of taking sell themselves and then some! Recommendation: ------------------- If you enjoy taking pictures in the 17-55mm focal length range on a DX camera, this is the best lens you can get for that purpose. The quality you get with this lens is generally better than what you get from the primes of the same focal length. If you're strapped for cash you could consider renting one of these from a local camera shop to get a feel for it, otherwise get it and make sure you have a decent camera too.

## Features

- Constant f2.8 3.2x zoom lens developed exclusively for use with Nikon DX Format, optimized for Nikon digital SLRs
- Dust and waterproof rubber sealing mount. Focal length : 17-55mm. Maximum Reproduction Ratio : 0.20x
- High optical performance by aspherical lenses and ED glass elements
- Silent Wave Motor enables ultra-high-speed autofocusing with exceptional accuracy and powerful super-quiet operation
- M/A mode for quick switching between autofocus and manual operation

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B000144I2Q |
| Best Sellers Rank | #1,016 in SLR Camera Lenses |
| Brand | Nikon |
| Built-In Media | AF-S DX NIKKOR 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED Zoom Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras, CL-1120 Soft Case, HB-31 Bayonet Lens Hood, LC-77 Front Lens Cap, LF-4 Rear Lens Cap |
| Camera Lens | 17 |
| Camera Lens Description | 17 |
| Color | Black |
| Compatible Camera Models | Nikon D1, Nikon D100, Nikon D2H |
| Compatible Camera Mount | Nikon F (DX) |
| Compatible Devices | Nikon Cameras, Nikon Digital SLRs |
| Compatible Mountings | Nikon F (DX) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.1 out of 5 stars 281 Reviews |
| Exposure Control Type | Automatic |
| Focal Length Description | 17-55 millimeters |
| Focus Type | Ultrasonic |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00018208021475 |
| Has Self-Timer | No |
| Image stabilization | digital,optical |
| Item Weight | 755 Grams |
| Lens | Standard |
| Lens Coating Description | Super Integrated Coating |
| Lens Design | Zoom |
| Lens Fixed Focal Length | 55 Millimeters |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F |
| Lens Type | Standard |
| Manufacturer | Nikon |
| Maximum Focal Length | 55 Millimeters |
| Media Type | ProductImage |
| Minimum Aperture | 22 |
| Minimum Focal Length | 17 Millimeters |
| Model Name | 2147 |
| Number of Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
| Photo Filter Size | 77 Millimeters |
| Real Angle Of View | 79 Degrees |
| UPC | 018208021475 |
| Video Capture Format | MP4 |
| Video Capture Resolution | 1080p |
| Water Resistance Level | Not Water Resistant |
| Zoom Ratio | 3.2x |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Nikon
- **Camera Lens Description:** 17
- **Compatible Mountings:** Nikon F (DX)
- **Focal Length Description:** 17-55 millimeters
- **Lens Type:** Standard

## Images

![Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED Zoom Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61EAFlj+SOL.jpg)
![Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED Zoom Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81l+yQzQwpL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What an awesome lens!!
*by M***S on April 8, 2008*

The lenses I've owned in similar ranges are the Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 and the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8. Comparing this lens to the 18-70mm is probably a bit unfair, so I won't mention it again. However, there are many people looking for alternatives and the Tamron 17-50mm is as close as it gets so I'll base this review as a comparison to the Tamron. Having owned the Tamron for a few weeks before offing it, I can tell you this. If you're looking for a lens that equally matches or even exceeds the 17-55mm in terms of image quality, then by all means, go for the Tamron. Equality pretty much ends there. The advantages of the Nikon 17-55mm are the following: BUILD QUALITY - You immediately notice the build quality as soon as you handle and inspect the 17-55mm. It's encased in metal and nicely sealed so dust, moisture (which leads to fungus) will hopefully be minimized. "Built like a tank" is a good cliche. FAST FOCUS - The Silent Wave Motor is not only fast, but extremely quiet. SHARP WIDE OPEN - Using an aperture of f/2.8, this lens is very usable. Another advantage is that is focuses more accurately in low light. This is an aspect that was inferior in the Tamron. COLOR RENDITION - I've found colors out of the lens are very satisfying with little need to "tweak" during post processing. The Tamron had a warmer color, but this may vary among copies. MINIMAL CA - CA didn't bother me much in the Tamron, but it's much more controlled on the 17-55mm, especially wide open. BETTER QUALITY CONTROL - This was the deal breaker with the Tamron. I received a copy that overexposed which is in line with the experiences of many people with that particular lens. Although sample variance exists with Nikon, it's much more controlled. SIZE/WEIGHT/BALANCE - Some people mention this lens is too bulky and heavy. I find the size and weight actually helpful and helps balance and control on the majority of camera bodies. The 17-55mm doesn't have any major flaws for me. I'm not a professional nor am I a pixel peeper. I'm just an enthusiast that likes good image quality. However, if I were to knit pick, here are the flaws: SMALL ZOOM RING - It's annoyingly small at first, but you get used to it. FLARES EASILY - Point it at a light source directly or even indirectly and this lens has a propensity to flare. You can certainly use the massive hood to mitigate flare. DISTORTION AT WIDE END - Some say the distortion at the wide end makes this lens unusable for landscape/architecture work. If you're looking for a lens specifically for that task, you may want to consider a true wide angle lens like the 12-24mm or 14-24mm or go Sigma 10-20mm. However, I find this lens quite usable at the wide end. One peculiarity with the 17-55mm is that it's at its shortest length almost fully zoomed at around 45mm and longest and fully extended at 17mm. I found this amusing since I haven't experienced other lenses with this characteristic. In my research, I also considered the new Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8. This lens should definitely be on your list because it offers the latest technology and it's a full frame (FX) lens. I ruled it out because it's not only $500 more than the 17-55mm, but also because it's not wide enough for my purposes. Also, I happen to be under the opinion that DX has at least a few more years before it becomes obsoleted/deprecated by FX. People are beginning to recommend against investing in DX lenses, but IMHO, affordable full frame bodies are years away. Ultimately, I selected the Nikkor 17-55mm over the Tamron 17-50mm because of its superior usability wide open. The hit on my pocketbook was rather significant, but I have no regrets of getting such a excellent lens with a great usable range. If Nikon ever added VR to this lens, then it would be a dream come true. I state this because I often need to use a shutter speed of 1/30 or slower when shooting in low light and I rarely use a tripod. VR would come in extremely handy in this situation to prevent camera shake. I highly recommend this lens. It's on my camera 9 times out of 10. Okay, I'll stop now.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great for people who don't like lens bags and compromises
*by F***L on February 25, 2012*

This is the first lens I purchased for my Nikon D7000 and I think that it may have skewed my expectations - after using this lens, all of the other Nikon DX lenses seem to pale in comparison. The Good: ------------------- Make no mistake about it, this is a pro-grade lens and you will probably get the most out of it on Nikon's only "pro grade" DX camera, the D7000. It will work on just about all of the other camera bodies, however. It's body is made out of metal and its constant f/2.8 means great performance across its range of focal lengths even in dim lighting. On a DX camera you're getting 26mm to 83mm and everything in between, so with this one lens you can effectively handle most photographic work. I like this aspect from a business standpoint, because can go to the long end for excellent portraits or the short end for excellent wide-angle shots. This lens effectively replaces a bag of primes and I can confidently say it performs BETTER than the other primes available for DX cameras; it's basically an FX lens downsized to the DX format and quality was not sacrificed. Taking pictures with this lens will really unleash the potential of your D7000, but it will have the nasty side effect of making all of your other lenses look bad. I have completed a couple shoots using this lens and the results were night-and-day with other DX options, namely the 35mm f/1.8G (about 53mm on full-frame cameras). In all lighting conditions the results were substantially better with the 17-55mm lens, and considering the focal ranges it covers as well as its quality, the price is justifiable. The Bad: ------------------- It's freakin heavy! The 17-55 weighs in just under 2 lbs and that bulk seems to get heavier if you have to carry it around your neck for any extended period of time...though to be honest it's not as bad as I thought it would be - just make sure you get a quality padded camera strap like the one made by OP-TECH. It's BIG so it will partially block the AF assist light on the D7000 when you are not using the included hood, and when you do use the hood it blocks the AF assist light almost entirely. The big size also interferes with the D7000's built in flash, causing a shadow to appear on the lower half of your shots...if you want to use a flash, you'll need to go with a dedicated unit. Expensive in relation to other DX lenses, but then again it's the only DX-specific lens that isn't a hunk of junk. Its constant f/2.8 speed makes it versatile enough to be usable in poor lighting, but it's not ideal for "flashless" low light photography. Y u no have nano crystal coating!? How I use it: ------------------- I love this lens for model shoots and portraits, but it also does well with anything that does not require super zoom or ultra-wide angle. I am a fan of available light and prefer to make the subject work within the scene rather than making a scene for the subject...like a challenge, if you will. The Lumix GH2 camera that I have been using before the D7000 delivered impressive results with its 25mm Leica lens and its 14-140mm Zoom - but the D7000 with the 17-55mm stepped my game up from "hi I'm a freelance picture guy with a camera" to more of a pro-level "take a number and wait your turn" kinda photographer. In other words, the pictures it is capable of taking sell themselves and then some! Recommendation: ------------------- If you enjoy taking pictures in the 17-55mm focal length range on a DX camera, this is the best lens you can get for that purpose. The quality you get with this lens is generally better than what you get from the primes of the same focal length. If you're strapped for cash you could consider renting one of these from a local camera shop to get a feel for it, otherwise get it and make sure you have a decent camera too.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very good, but damn that zoom ring!
*by V***R on November 29, 2015*

Most reviews of this lens note how heavy it is, but still, when you first hold it it's quite amazing. Certainly if you are using anything smaller than a D7xxx or D90, it makes your rig front-heavy. That isn't necessarily a problem, but it's still worth mentioning. In terms of image quality, I haven't tested it (or used it) extensively enough to make any strong claims, but what I've seen I am extremely happy with, both in terms of color rendition and sharpness. The reason for 4, rather than 5, stars are the ergonomics. The zoom ring is set unintuitively far back on the lens, almost far enough that the camera body interferes with it. More annoyingly, it is really stiff. Like, you need to force the zoom. Reviews around the web do highlight this problem, but I feel they downplay it. All other things being equal, this problem would keep me from recommending this lens to others. Fortunately for Nikon, not all other things are equal, and the build quality and optical characteristics of the lens allow one to overlook the terribly designed zoom ring.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED Zoom Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras
- SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card - C10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, SD Card - SDSDXXD-128G-GN4IN
- Front Body Cap and Rear Lens Cap Cover for Nikon D7500 D7200 D7100 D7000 D5600 D5300 D5200 D5100 D3500 D3400 D3300 D3200 D3100 D850 D810 D800 D750 D600 D90 D80 More Nikon F Mount DSLR and Lens

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*Product available on Desertcart United States of America*
*Store origin: US*
*Last updated: 2026-03-04*