Tokina 12-24 SD F.4 (IF) DX AT-X PRO (NIKON)

[fastfocusing]

I suppose their commission is higher with 11-16mm.
I m using 12-24mm ver 1 and like the solid built of Tokina lenses.
Below are some photos taken with it for your reference.
[csnap] Layang Flying @Marina Barrage

Cheers!

I saw the photos you post on the marina barrage. the contrast is so great that it doesn't seem natural.

[kaiw14]

Just checked with a famous retailer shop today that the DX 1 version has been continued and now they are selling the DX 2 version at $940 due to the appreciation of Jap Yen. What a hefty price tag!
After this, I don't know if it's still worth to purchase a new piece or should rather buy 2nd hand of the DX 1 version or Nikon 12-24mm f4.0. Very confused

you can try buying online from bhphoto or adorama. I got mine for 499+60 USD for the canon mount. Its very attractive cause USD is only 1.3+ right now.

But I'm not sure about the tax you have to pay. I got mine when I was studying in Australia. Its tax free as long its below 1k AUD.

[Wurdelak]

tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 is way way way better than tokina 12-24mm f/4 in terms of sharpness, can try google tokina 11-16mm. If i didn't remember wrongly, it's a website from Ken Rockwell and comparison were made between tokina 11-16mm and Nikon 12-24mm f/4.

Planning to get a 11-16mm f/2.8 very soon. works only on DX and manual focus on some older models of Nikon bodies like d40, d40x if i still remember.

aha, first thing on google when you typed 11-16mm. http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/11-16mm.htm

don't trust the reviews that much... i had the tokina 11-16 f2.8 because the reviews said that the tokina 12-24 f4 had a very bad CA.

the 11-16 was good and sharp, but i personally don't find that range effective in my way of shooting, so i tested the 12-24 (which is my first choice if not for the CA complains in the reviews) and found out that it's not what the reviews says... it's better!

am not saying it's sharper than the 11-16 (which i sold to get this 12-24) but based on my experience with both lenses, the difference in sharpness is almost undistinguishable unless you pixel peep...

price wise, range wise... the 12-24 is the choice for me.

[Senifer]

don't trust the reviews that much... i had the tokina 11-16 f2.8 because the reviews said that the tokina 12-24 f4 had a very bad CA.

the 11-16 was good and sharp, but i personally don't find that range effective in my way of shooting, so i tested the 12-24 (which is my first choice if not for the CA complains in the reviews) and found out that it's not what the reviews says... it's better!

am not saying it's sharper than the 11-16 (which i sold to get this 12-24) but based on my experience with both lenses, the difference in sharpness is almost undistinguishable unless you pixel peep...

price wise, range wise... the 12-24 is the choice for me.

You're right bro, nothing beats trying the equipments yourself before buying. The review is right as well, just that you're not the right person to read it since your preference is more on 16-24, maybe you felt sometimes its too wide and you want to zoom it and still doesn't zoom in enough.
Personally I don't have any of these wide angle lens, So I hope my guess is right.
Please correct me if im wrong.

[kentwong81]

sorry to ask but whats the difference between DX1 and DX2?

Just copied from the Tokina website but I'm not sure if these new improvements will worth the higher price tag:-

The Nikon mount AT-X 124 PRO DX II has a built-in AF motor drive. The motor inside the lens was loaded onto the Nikon mount specification anew. The AF operates smoothly and quietly due to a DC motor that uses a new AF control gear assembly.

The optical system of original AT-X 124 PRO DX won awards for its sharpness world-wide. This design was maintained in the AT-X 124 PRO DX II and improved with the introduction of new multi-coating system. The new multi-coating helps reduce reflections that can cause flare and ghosting even more than in the AT-X 124 PRO DX.

Anybody using the 2nd version now? Mind to share your experience?

[HelenOster]

you can try buying online from bhphoto or adorama. I got mine for 499+60 USD for the canon mount. Its very attractive cause USD is only 1.3+ right now.

Thanks so much for the Adorama recommendation, which is very much appreciated!

BTW I'm only an email away for advice and / or after-sales support with any order from Adorama Camera.


NB please don't forget that we are in the midst of our Fall holiday period.
Adorama NYC Retail Store schedule:
Sukkoth: We will close Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 2:30pm and will reopen on Sunday October 3 at 9:30 am

Adorama phone-sales department schedule
Wednesday Sep 22 9:00 - 3:00
Tuesday Sep 28 – 9:00 - 5:00
Wednesday Sep 29 9:00 - 3:00

Thank you for your understanding and your business

[kaiw14]

Thanks so much for the Adorama recommendation, which is very much appreciated!

BTW I'm only an email away for advice and / or after-sales support with any order from Adorama Camera.

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No worries. Yup and another note. You could pay by paypal instead of credit card. The exchange rate is way way better.

[CyberTron88]

So does the multi coating actually increase or decrease the glare and ghosting in DX II compared to DX?

Currently the DX goes for $399. DX II $499 and the 11-16mm/2.8 goes for $599.

Wonder worth going for the DX?

[geraldkhoo]

I've owned both the Tokina 12-24 f/4 and the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8. I like the zoom range of the 12-24, but the 11-16 wins in sharpness hands down.

CA has been discussed... but for me, as long as I can correct something in post-processing, I am not so concerned... and CA's can be corrected. The distortion can also be corrected... but you can't sharpen a soft image much without affecting the overall IQ.

Also, the 11-16 can be used from 15-16mm on a FX sensor. I've used my 11-16 on my friend's D700 to shoot some shots without a problem.

[nikkie]

I am also planning to get this lens and checked with AP but was told they don't carry this anymore because the sensor now has outgrown this lens and its not as sharp anymore and they recommended 11-16 instead. How true is this?

what stupid shop is that? absolutely not true.

the tokina 12-24mm can be used on fullframe as of 19mm on wards (therefore becoming a wide zoom for fx) without any shadow of the mount.

[CyberTron88]

The sharpness of the Nikon 18 - 105mm is closer to the 12 - 24mm or 11 - 16mm? Know the range is different, just wonder when everyone mention 11 - 16mm is very sharp, how much sharper is it compared to the 18 - 105mm which I have now.

Is the DXII worth the extra USD100 for the multi coating compared to the DX? Since I'm using a D90, so the motor on the DX II does not matter to me?

[defcom81]

If you're on a budget or if you want the sharpest ultra-wide lens for your DX Nikon, get this Tokina 11-16mm. It's better than the more expensive (and longer zoom range) Nikkor 12-24mm.

This Tokina 11-16mm lens sets a new standard for speed and sharpness in small-format digital SLR lenses. It's also the fastest ultrawide available for small format digital SLRs.

Its only disadvantages are the potential for incompatibility with present or future features of Canon and Nikon bodies, and the fact that its zoom range is so restricted that you almost should consider it a fixed-focal length lens.

I don't mind the limited zoom range. I almost always shoot these lenses stuck on their widest settings, and only shoot at the longer end when I'm too lazy to put on a longer lens.

Never worry about "missing" a few millimeters of range between this Tokina's longest 16mm and the 18mm common for most midrange zooms. Just walk forward or back half a step.

I was at TK Photo yesterday....price was $940 for Tokina 11-16mm

[rasdeep]

Here is a pic from Tokina 12-24 to share.

[rasdeep]

Another one from this lens

[technoglitz87]

Just traded my tamron 17-50 F2.8 for this little piece of monster, man build quality and pictures turned out awesome.

[GReddyZC76]

Just saw some shots of this on d7k, surprisingly awesomely sharp @ f/4. However, obvious distortions at sides when shot @ 12mm, nonetheless no compromise of sharpness..

[rasdeep]

this lens is way under rated. for those that dont need the f2.8, this lens just as sharp as the 11-16mm/2.8.. It even works on FX from 18-24mm as compared to only 16mm on 11-16mm

[dardar]

unless u want to use the lens to cut vegetables
y do u need that sharp

get tokina if u like Internal Focusing and zooming (which i find it the key feature)

here Some samples


Stormy beach by Erronax, on Flickr


ant view city by Erronax, on Flickr


stairs by Erronax, on Flickr
note : some blur due to camera shake and Long exposure

[technoglitz87]

Erm, anyone has problem with the hood that comes with it? i found my pictures to vignette with the hood attached and perfectly fine when removed. It's strange, shouldn't affect rite.

[edmo0001]

Erm, anyone has problem with the hood that comes with it? i found my pictures to vignette with the hood attached and perfectly fine when removed. It's strange, shouldn't affect rite.

Yap shouldn't.. what's the type of your hood? For Tokina 124 should be either BH-777 or BH-779...