I must admit that I had long flirted with this lens, when I bought a D90 me over 3 years. At that time I had 17-50 mm 2.8 decided for cost reasons for the significantly cheaper Tamron VC and was thus both the D90 and this year on the D7100 very pleased overall.
Then I recently had the opportunity to acquire 17-55 mm uses the Nikkor, which I was lucky enough to even be able to give the current Tamron in payment. From the first shots in, I was thrilled. Aperture 2.8 is a real working aperture. I can confirm that and has already been described in another review. I have no tests carried out as some are doing here, but the lens used in everyday life in various shooting conditions that are relevant to me: So shooting with little light, people shots with and without flash at private celebrations, architecture and landscape photography. In any shooting situation I was disappointed with this lens. The autofocus is lightning fast and very quiet. The sharpness and contrast of the photos is compared to the Tamron, with which I was really pleased and previously I've often used visibly better and the pictures requires hardly any post-processing. My expectations for this objective were met and surpassed. Incidentally, I have set a photo of the bridge in Frankfurt as an example photo. It is made without a tripod and ISO 6400. Normal photos in daylight or flash are simply sensational in quality. So if you also have a D7100 and eventually pulls the lens into consideration, I can only encourage. New I would not buy it, plus it is too expensive. But used in very good condition, it is an unconditional recommendation.
Some will argue that such a weighty objective is certainly not "always-on". This may have its justification. Man drags already with camera and lens more than 1 kg around. I wonder if I should not but acquire the additional battery grip for D7100 for vertical shooting, so that the camera is better in hand. For horizontal shooting that does not matter.
On the other hand, what good is my objective when I bought it and then not use it? Since I have other lenses, of course I can dodge even once on a lighter lens, depending on the situation. But I have also previously always taken several lenses on vacation and not only one.
So what speaks for the lens:
+ Fast and very quietly, more accurate autofocus
+ Excellent sharpness, natural colors and good contrast
+ Aperture 2.8 to be used in all situations - not always the case when Tamron - and allows great waivers
+ Low-light shooting without flash is possible
+ Unlike the Tamron 5mm longer focal length
+ The tube does not extend as the Tamron
+ Very good haptic processing of metal
Negative points are actually no real negative points, if one accepts and knows beforehand.
- High price one must take note - Recommendation "used" for the half to 2/3 of the original price, then the lens is worth the price!
- Very heavy, you have to be ready to wear, otherwise I need the lens is not for sale
- Lack of stabilizer, which does not fall at this focal length for me so much weight.
For me, a strong buy recommendation
