Anyone notice the focus problem of Tokina 11-16mm on D80?

Elijahzhong · 9th March 2009

Went to Cathay last weekend, and tried four or five new Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 lenses, found that at 16mm at f2.8, the autofocus of this lens failed on D80:

Always got very soft results while using autofocus, but much better while switched to manualfocus. It seems the focal point is beyond the target, cuz after tuning the manual focus ring a bit back and found that the focus indicator in the viewfinder of D80 was just blinking, the image was the sharpest.

At 11mm, this lens seems ok. Have to say that, this lens does gives a very sharp result provided that you can focus properly.

Lastly, I had to give up this well-evaluated Tokina and turn to Sigma's 10-20mm. Just post this and see whether some CSers also found this problem...

cereal · 9th March 2009

i encountered the same issue with d80 also.. currently using d300 with no issues at all

Hexlord · 9th March 2009

Having the same issue here... maybe need to change to another lens...

JeffryZ · 9th March 2009

I haven't noticed that yet on my D80. There were some earlier versions of the lens which had a small spacer missing which caused a focus problem. Tokina will fix it if you send it to them from what I was reading.

Hexlord · 9th March 2009

Originally Posted by JeffryZ

I haven't noticed that yet on my D80. There were some earlier versions of the lens which had a small spacer missing which caused a focus problem. Tokina will fix it if you send it to them from what I was reading.

I see, I am not sure how to go about doing it right now though. How long do Tokina take to fix it, in your opinion?

Elijahzhong · 9th March 2009

Originally Posted by JeffryZ

I haven't noticed that yet on my D80. There were some earlier versions of the lens which had a small spacer missing which caused a focus problem. Tokina will fix it if you send it to them from what I was reading.

What is the version of your D80's firmware? 1.10 or 1.11? If D300 is ok, should be the problem of the camera? really confusing...

TheChef · 9th March 2009

I have no problem with this lens on an S5 Pro. It takes excellent landscape shots and event shots too! Cheers!!

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

Hexlord · 10th March 2009

Actually I have no problem shooting landscape but when I shot an object/person around 2-3 meters away from me, the focus distance went to infinity making the object/person OOF.

No such problem when I attached a standard kit lens to shoot the very same subject.

Elijahzhong · 10th March 2009

Originally Posted by Hexlord

Actually I have no problem shooting landscape but when I shot an object/person around 2-3 meters away from me, the focus distance went to infinity making the object/person OOF.

No such problem when I attached a standard kit lens to shoot the very same subject.

My test results showed that, even shooting landscape, still quite blur at f2.8 at 16mm...

calebk · 10th March 2009

Is the object that you are focusing of significant enough size and contrast?

Remember that at such wide focal lengths, most subjects appear very small in the frame, and the AF sensor may find it difficult to lock on the right subject, given that they may not stand out enough from the background, and are not very big. This is a problem not limited to only the 11-16, but most other UWAs.

In any case, if you are shooting landscapes, or a human subject with a landscape in the background, you would stop down, and as such, your DOF would become significantly greater.

Elijahzhong · 10th March 2009

Originally Posted by calebk

Is the object that you are focusing of significant enough size and contrast?

Remember that at such wide focal lengths, most subjects appear very small in the frame, and the AF sensor may find it difficult to lock on the right subject, given that they may not stand out enough from the background, and are not very big. This is a problem not limited to only the 11-16, but most other UWAs.

In any case, if you are shooting landscapes, or a human subject with a landscape in the background, you would stop down, and as such, your DOF would become significantly greater.

I dont think it's due to the inadequacy of the contrast or size, cuz after shooting at 16mm, I shot at 11mm, the image was much better in the latter case. The contrast did not change, and the size of the obstacle was even smaller at 11mm.

Yes, as u said, we all need to stop down to give a good landscape shot. However, for 2 or 3 meter away's object, the problem is still there, and quite obvious...

I guess, it's becase of the incompatibility between the D80 and this tokina...

Elijahzhong · 10th March 2009

Originally Posted by TheChef

I have no problem with this lens on an S5 Pro. It takes excellent landscape shots and event shots too! Cheers!!

Good shots! I think maybe this problem only happens on D80...

Hexlord · 10th March 2009

Probably going to ask the shop to have a look at the lens later, see how it goes.

Saw this thread earlier: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...6&changemode=1

TheChef · 10th March 2009

The S5 Pro is known to produce less sharp pictures than the Nikons, but the Tokina 11-16mm performs fine even in the hands of amateurs like me. All shots were taken at f/2.8, which is known to be the least sharp of all apertures. It focuses very very fast indeed. I am loving it.

#1

#2

#3
This shot is aimed at the moon, i.e. infinity and taken at 16mm f/2.8.

#4
Look at the fallen leaves, it is so clear that they seem to be jumping out of the picture.

#5
Aimed at the tree top. Very clear leaves again even though the contrast with the bright lit sky is great.

JeffryZ · 11th March 2009

Originally Posted by Elijahzhong

What is the version of your D80's firmware? 1.10 or 1.11? If D300 is ok, should be the problem of the camera? really confusing...

I bought my D80 when it first came out and never updated my firmware. It is a US model made in Thailand.

JeffryZ · 11th March 2009

Originally Posted by Hexlord

I see, I am not sure how to go about doing it right now though. How long do Tokina take to fix it, in your opinion?

I could not give you any sort of estimate how long it might take. You would have to contact them. I believe this is where I read all this: http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00S5dl So far, I have not noticed this problem with my lens and camera.

TheChef · 11th March 2009

Originally Posted by Hexlord

Probably going to ask the shop to have a look at the lens later, see how it goes.

Saw this thread earlier: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...6&changemode=1

Hi Hexlord, please give us an update if you will.

Hexlord · 12th March 2009

Originally Posted by TheChef

Hi Hexlord, please give us an update if you will.

Made an exchange (1 to 1), after some testing the focus seems to be accurate even under low lighting condition.

Will try it again this weekend

deklan · 12th March 2009

i have the same set up, no problems for me.
what i think ure experiencing is probably due to the few focus points of the D80 and that the wide angle covers "more" area and at some points two objects close to each other might differ significantly in distance from camera...

Hexlord · 12th March 2009

Originally Posted by deklan

i have the same set up, no problems for me.
what i think ure experiencing is probably due to the few focus points of the D80 and that the wide angle covers "more" area and at some points two objects close to each other might differ significantly in distance from camera...

Based on my own personal experience, I have to disagree with you on that.

Anyway, case closed for me... for now.

9th March 2009	#7
TheChef Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Where the action is Posts: 1,317	Re: Anyone notice the focus problem of Tokina 11-16mm on D80? I have no problem with this lens on an S5 Pro. It takes excellent landscape shots and event shots too! Cheers!! #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 __________________ In search of excellence in photography.

10th March 2009	#8
Hexlord Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bedok Posts: 1,505	Re: Anyone notice the focus problem of Tokina 11-16mm on D80? Actually I have no problem shooting landscape but when I shot an object/person around 2-3 meters away from me, the focus distance went to infinity making the object/person OOF. No such problem when I attached a standard kit lens to shoot the very same subject. __________________ Black Rabbit Photography DeviantArt \| Multiply \| Flickr

10th March 2009	#10
calebk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Clementi Posts: 10,476	Re: Anyone notice the focus problem of Tokina 11-16mm on D80? Is the object that you are focusing of significant enough size and contrast? Remember that at such wide focal lengths, most subjects appear very small in the frame, and the AF sensor may find it difficult to lock on the right subject, given that they may not stand out enough from the background, and are not very big. This is a problem not limited to only the 11-16, but most other UWAs. In any case, if you are shooting landscapes, or a human subject with a landscape in the background, you would stop down, and as such, your DOF would become significantly greater. __________________ deviantART \| fotologue

10th March 2009	#13
Hexlord Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bedok Posts: 1,505	Re: Anyone notice the focus problem of Tokina 11-16mm on D80? Probably going to ask the shop to have a look at the lens later, see how it goes. Saw this thread earlier: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...6&changemode=1 __________________ Black Rabbit Photography DeviantArt \| Multiply \| Flickr Last edited by Hexlord; 10th March 2009 at 03:27 PM.

10th March 2009	#14
TheChef Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Where the action is Posts: 1,317	Re: Anyone notice the focus problem of Tokina 11-16mm on D80? The S5 Pro is known to produce less sharp pictures than the Nikons, but the Tokina 11-16mm performs fine even in the hands of amateurs like me. All shots were taken at f/2.8, which is known to be the least sharp of all apertures. It focuses very very fast indeed. I am loving it. #1 #2 #3 This shot is aimed at the moon, i.e. infinity and taken at 16mm f/2.8. #4 Look at the fallen leaves, it is so clear that they seem to be jumping out of the picture. #5 Aimed at the tree top. Very clear leaves again even though the contrast with the bright lit sky is great. __________________ In search of excellence in photography. Last edited by TheChef; 10th March 2009 at 10:30 PM.

9th March 2009	#1
Elijahzhong New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5	Anyone notice the focus problem of Tokina 11-16mm on D80? Went to Cathay last weekend, and tried four or five new Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 lenses, found that at 16mm at f2.8, the autofocus of this lens failed on D80: Always got very soft results while using autofocus, but much better while switched to manualfocus. It seems the focal point is beyond the target, cuz after tuning the manual focus ring a bit back and found that the focus indicator in the viewfinder of D80 was just blinking, the image was the sharpest. At 11mm, this lens seems ok. Have to say that, this lens does gives a very sharp result provided that you can focus properly. Lastly, I had to give up this well-evaluated Tokina and turn to Sigma's 10-20mm. Just post this and see whether some CSers also found this problem...

9th March 2009	#2
cereal Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 280	Re: Anyone notice the focus problem of Tokina 11-16mm on D80? i encountered the same issue with d80 also.. currently using d300 with no issues at all __________________ My Personal Blog http://www.projectrq.com

9th March 2009	#4
JeffryZ Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 347	Re: Anyone notice the focus problem of Tokina 11-16mm on D80? I haven't noticed that yet on my D80. There were some earlier versions of the lens which had a small spacer missing which caused a focus problem. Tokina will fix it if you send it to them from what I was reading. __________________ IR- Not Just For Landscapes Anymore Converted Fuji F31fd P&S www.pbase.com/jeffryz/galleries

12th March 2009	#19
deklan Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 551	Re: Anyone notice the focus problem of Tokina 11-16mm on D80? i have the same set up, no problems for me. what i think ure experiencing is probably due to the few focus points of the D80 and that the wide angle covers "more" area and at some points two objects close to each other might differ significantly in distance from camera...