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May 24, 2007
[ REVIEW—TOKINA ATX124 12~24mm lens ]
Price: $850
Highly Recommended
The low-down: This wide angle lens has a zoom range that equates to 18–36mm film equivalent, with constant f4 aperture. It is made specifically for digital single lens reflex cameras and is not suitable for film cameras. It comes in either Nikon or Canon mounts. Its construction and finish are excellent. The lens barrel is metal with a crackle enamel finish and the zoom and focus rings are rubberised material. Zoom and focus mechanisms are smooth with just the right amount of resistance. Auto focus is fast and accurate, however prospective buyers should note that it doesn’t have an in-built focus motor so it will not autofocus with cameras like the Nikon D40/D40X which do not have in-camera focus motors. Manual and auto focus are easily selected by pulling the focus ring towards or away from the camera body. Zoom and focus movements are in the lens body and do not alter the overall length. The lens is supplied with a hood.
Like: The image sharpness and minimal distortion at the 12mm end of the zoom range are exceptionally good. The lens is colour-neutral with excellent contrast.
Dislike: Chromatic aberration (colour fringing on sharp edges in high contrast situations) is noticeable. However, keep in mind that as with barrel distortion this is a characteristic of wide angle zooms. The Tokina is no worse than the competition.
Verdict: This is a marvellous lens. There is a special joy to wide angle photography because of the great depth of field and peculiar perspective on subjects. The well-controlled barrel distortion (it’s there but in most photos it is not noticeable) means that it is ideal for photographing buildings and streetscapes. We would dearly love to take this lens to Venice! The fact that it is so competitively priced by comparison with the third party competition – and not even in the same ball park as Nikon or Canon equivalents – adds to its considerable attractions. We had a lot of fun using the Tokina and were sorry when we had to send it back. It is highly recommended without reservation.
[Sample images from the Tokina ATX 124 here]
Posted by terry at May 24, 2007 12:11 AM
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Comments
Hi Terry,
Thank you for another wonderful review with beautiful sample photos.
Have you ever tried the Sigma AF 10-20mm or the Canon EF-S 10-22mm? If so, how do they compare to the Tokina? I'm hoping to find a nice wide angle lens for my EOS 30D.
Posted by: Tony M at June 1, 2007 02:33 PM
Tony: I haven't tried either the Canon or the Sigma wide angle zooms, nor the Nikkor for that matter.
Experience teaches me that the Canon would probably be the best and would cost the most. But I have seen some reviews comparing the Tokina with the Nikkor and concluding that the Nikkor is nice but not worth the extra money because the Tokina is so good.
It's a hard call. All I can say is that I would be happy with the Tokina -- but I used it on my Nikon D80 and there is a suggestion floating around in cyberspace that third party lenses can vary in performance depending on the mount being used. Not having tried the Canon mount I don't know if this is true or not.
TL
Posted by: Terry at June 2, 2007 01:13 AM
Yes, I've also heard those suggestions of varying performance on different mounts. Together with tales of "bad copies" of lenses it can be quite daunting when finally attempting to make a decision.
Sites like this are a great help though. I remember you recommending another site called Photo Zone. I'll take a look at that.
You're images using wide angle have whet my curiosity on the potential of wide angle and with recent reviews of Adobe Lightroom and the HP ProB9180, I'm afraid my savings are in for some punishment!
Tony.
Posted by: Tony M at June 2, 2007 02:31 AM
Tony: Have a look at the review [objective Imatest] of the Canon wide zoom at http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_1022_3545/index.htm
which makes a passing comparison with the Tokina. The reviewer makes the same point in the Nikkor 12-24 review -- the Tokina is better made than the Nik/Can alternatives, almost as good optically -- meaning that in real use you won't see the difference -- and much cheaper. Tough decision!
Whatever you buy be sure to send me some photos taken with the lens. [ terryl@bigpond.net.au ]
Posted by: Terry at June 2, 2007 03:32 AM