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How does the Tamron 17-35 stack up on a Nikon body. The price difference between the Nikon 17-35 is certainly attractive.

By todays standards, the Nikon 17-35 is very weak especially in the corners.  I don't see how the Tamron could be much worse.  I haven't tested one myself.  But here is a comparison of the two.  See how poor the Nikon is in the corners, that mirors my experience - it's probably the single worst Nikon lens I have ever use on the wide end at larger apertures:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=391&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=616&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

As you can see by moving the mouse side to side, even at f/8, the Tamron is still significantly better in the corners...

I have the Tamron 17-35 and it is OK on my D700/800. I had the 14-24 but the weight was too much for me as a walk around lens(I am 70 plus and female. To be honest the overall quality is down compared to my other Nikon lens, 24-70, 70-200 but if I use it at around 20-30mm at f5.6 - f8 the Tamron is good. My friend has the Nikon 17-35 and my Tamron gives better results consistently.
If I was buying again at this range I would still get the Tamron over the Nikon, except if I was young and fit again as I would still have the 14-24.

Also don't rule out this lens. It would be my choice of third party lenses in this range:
http://www.tokinalens.com/tokina/produc ... 8f28profx/

At apertures I'd likely shoot it at, it is a tiny bit better than the Tamron and Tokina Pro lenses have really good build quality:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Revi ... &APIComp=4

Thanks for the advice. Now, do I go with the DF and my emotions or the 610 and common sense.

If you are truly asking the question - I'll certainly give you my opinion The D610 is more camera for a lot less money. The Df has too many interface problems preventing you from working fast in fast changing situations - like having to change exposure compensation with your left hand - you know, the one that should be folding the lens. The Df, despite having the best low light sensor, doesn't have the best low light AF system that Nikon has. The Df, unless you are shooting in manual or shutter priority, will shoot at a DIFFERENT shutter speed than what is set on the shutter speed dial. the whole thing is a really poorly thought out interface IMHO. Read some of Thom Hogan's stuff on this camera and watch the DigitalRev TV review on it before taking the plunge. Heck for the same money as a Df you can get a vastly superior camera - the D800.

Thx E.J. you've confirmed my decision process. As attractive a concept as the DF is, the implementation doesn't add up. So now it's the 610 vs, the 800e.

Or even the D800. The E is great but in the vast majority of situations, you won't see the difference for a 10% or so savings.