Tokina 11-16/2.8 review

[VTEC_EATER]

http://www.photozone.de/Reviews/Canon%20EOS%20Lens%20Tests/379-tokina_1116_28_canon

Well, Photozone got their hands on the new Tokina 11-16/2.8. It seems to be a great performer, despite its small range and lateral CA, but it certainly makes one question range vs. optical quality.

As for me, I already have the Nikkor 12-24/4 and I have no plans of replacing it, but if I were in the market for an ultrawide again... well, I would still go with the Nikkor. However, some may look at the Tokina and feel it's fast aperture and high resolution characteristics are a winning combo.

[Rooz]

the 2.8 aperture makes it hands down the winner for budget wide angle. what a great lens !

[DonSchap]

No SONY-mount ... pfft! :( :rolleyes:

[VTEC_EATER]

No Sony mount YET, Don. Remember this lens only came out a few days ago.

Plus, shouldn't you be looking forward to Tamron's new ultra wide? Isnt that supposed to be 10-24 or something like that?

Regarding the F/2.8 aperture, I'm not 100% sold on having that fast an aperture on such a lens. Granted, this lens performs extremely well at F/2.8, but Ive never needed such an aperture on a lens this wide. Depth of field at these focal lengths are pretty huge to begin with, and with the large amount of distortion you get at these focal lengths, close focus is something rarely used. Exploiting the F/2.8's depth of field is something I would rarely have any use for.

If its for increasing shutter speeds in low light, well, I can maybe see the reason for it. However, when I need to shoot something at such slow shutter speeds, I either use a tripod, or I just put the camera down and enjoy living in the moment instead of capturing it.

At any case, the Tokina seems to perform very well, and definitely should not be a lens that is overlooked when considering ultra wide angles.

[DonSchap]

Tokina made an active decision to not include SONY ... because they are not convinced of its market-ability. Personally, I think that is a lame idea ... because the market is W I D E - O P E N, folks ... SONY needs lenses for their cameras currently limited coverage ... and that's what I would call a "market feature."

Canon has plenty of coverage ... as does Nikon. These two camera manufacturers need another wide-angle, or any lens for that matter, like a hole in the head.

Yes, TAMRON is developing a SP AF 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II LD... which you can be sure will be mounted on the A700 the day it arrives at my door. I'm pretty certain it will easily outperform the SIGMA 10-20mm f/4-5.6 I'm currently try to make due with.

Again, SONY-mounts lag the Canikon-mount releases, mainly due to the sheer number of bodies out there. But, for Tokina to totally ignore SONY seems like an "avoidable mistake" that their investors and potential customers will suffer for. Poor business call.

Heck, I don't know. That's not a decision I would have made, especially in light of the four new bodies (fifth on the way) just released. In my humble opinion, it just sounds kind of ... "foolish." :rolleyes: To purposely avoid revenue, especially in this day and age, for the sake of a mount ... I can't see it.

[Rooz]

actually its the only 2.8 WA lens available for canon mount and is half the cost of the 14-24 nikkor 2.8. so its not a "duplication" lens. this is a real advancement. shame for you cos as per normal the tamron will be a pretty crap lens in comparison.

[DonSchap]

I can live with a zoom of such magnitude ... I suspect it will be quite versatile, in churches and whatnot ...

35812

without having to change lenses to get that much closer. We all have our ways of shooting, though ... and you tend to make due with the glass you carry. A seven-mm overlap is pretty good. I am just kind of interested at how soon it gets to f/4. The SIGMA is already there at 10mm.

Of course ... a wider aperture is nice ... so you don't have to set the entire place on fire ...

35811

just to get the corners.