solid build, sharpness even wide open, comes with hood included

auto/ manual focus - clutch type

I´ve just tested carefully x 17-40L and for my surprise, WOWWWW!!!!!!!!!! What a lens!!!Extremally sharp on the center even wide open, and the corners looks great!!! Well built, almost the same weight than 17-40L, only one incovenience is change AUTO to MANUAL focus,the clutch type is not so easy to use. As good as 17-40L... Tokina´s now got a new customer!!!

Customer Service

No needed yet

Similar Products Used:

17-40 4.0L

Sharp, even wide open. Built better than Nikon version. A pro lens that looks the part, unlike the nikon.

More CA wide open than the Nikon, but nothing to worry about. Sample variation is often a worry for sharpness and CA, so test and return if you think you have a lemon.

Tested this lens carefull against the Nikon 12-24 which is close to twice the price. The Nikon had slightly better CA wide open, but sharpness was quite poor. The Tokina was noticeably sharper wide open and even at F11. The Tokina is even sharper than my excellent 18-70mm kit lens. In fact, I'm selling the kit lens which has basically been bested by the Tokina and Nikon 28-200G. Along with my 50mm 1.8 and 70-200VR it's a perfect kit. The Tokina is clearly superior to the Nikon. Test and see for yourself.

Customer Service

No need this far.

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Nikon 12-=24, Sigma 12-24

Everything, very good build quality at an outstanding price.

Aside from the fact this is not an ideal lens for shooting architecture, none that I have found.

I puchased this lens to shoot interiors of homes for QTVR's because of it's wide angle of view on my Canon 10D. Even though I was already using another Tokina lens and was very happy with it, this one has proven to me that this manufacturer is among the best. I figured that for the price this lens was going to be for web projects only, but suprise suprise! This lens is S*** HOT for the money!!! As one of the other reviews had stated there are times that it is a slight bit soft at the edges, but once you stop it down just a little bit it is tack sharp. As far as color if have not noticed anything that is dissapointing. Some distrortion can be expected (as with any lens this wide) when it is wide open @ 12-14mm but only noticable when you shoot a subject that has distinct lines in it and you are shooting at an angle. Beyond that it is great for someone shooting outdoors and needs a wide lens. It may not focus as fast as a Canon "L" lens or any other Mfr. brand $1000 + lens but it is very fast and almost completely silent. It also has a very close focus so you can get litarally right on top of a subject.

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Tokina AT-X 280 Pro Canon 15mm

Size and weight. Ability to use filters. Build quality. Sharp and contrasty results. Quiet and reasonably fast autofocus. Great lens for a great price.

Manual focus "clutch" does help make manual focus more readily available, but not as efficiently as I would like. Reverse the zoom order on the zoom ring (not a biggie really).

Like everyone who is fond of shooting wide, the switch to digital brings disappointment in the loss of the ultra-wide focal lengths. I've been wanting to regain my 17mm focal length since I bought my Canon 10D a year ago. I considered two lenses (the only two in this range that are out there right now to fit the 10D): the Sigma 12-24 EX and the Tokina 12-24 AT-X Pro. Even though I am a fan of Sigma's EX line, I chose the Tokina for four reasons: (1) the Tokina is about $150 less expensive than the Sigma, (2) the Tokina is a constant f/4.0 while the Sigma is f/4.5-5.6, (3) the Tokina is lighter and more compact, (4) the Tokina can use threaded filters on the front of the lens - the Sigma can only use rear filters. The Sigma front element felt very exposed to me. I like being able to protect my lenses with a high-quality UV filter - not possible with the Sigma. I have only begun to use the Tokina, but I already like it and am pleased with the results. Although not a high-speed motor, you wouldn't know it when you're using it. It acquires focus quickly and accurately, even in less-than-ideal light. The lens' build is excellent. The dials work smoothly and solidly. The thrown on the zoom ring is comfortable - though it is reversed from most lenses: zooming 24-to-12 from left to right rather than 12-to-24 from right to left - a little different, but easy to adjust to. My zoom ring felt pretty tight coming out of the box, but it loosened up readily (and trust it won't CONTINUE to loosen!). The mechanism to engage manual focus is what Tokina refers to as a "clutch" - the focus ring is pulled firmly towards the camera body in one solid click. It works well and confidently - though not the most convenient for those quick minor adjustments that true full-time manual focus affords. All in all, I like it. I believe it will serve me well and long. The optics and build are great. I recommend the lens for any digital photographer looking to recapture his/her wide focal lengths - and at a decent price. (Just a note - I bought this online from Beach Camera. It was my first purchase from them. I will return. Prompt shipping. Lowest reliable price available. The cost of shipping was included. Excellent experience.)

Customer Service

I'm a new Tokina customer ... we'll see!

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Sigma 17-35 EX Tamron 24-135 SP Canon 24-70 L

Image quality and build (it's solid)

None unless you find the weight a problem. However, it balances nicely on my Nikon D70 and is not a problem.

Although I have been using this lens only about a week, I am impressed with the high image quality especially at f5.6 and smaller and even f4.0 is highly usable. If you want/need a super wideangle zoom for your DSLR, this lens is a great value and won't disappoint. I'm using it with a slim 77 mm UV filter and have experienced no vignetting.

Customer Service

None needed.

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Nikon 18-70 mm zoom Nokon 24-120 mm AFS VR zoom

Price; $200-$500 less than competitors. Professinal quality build; should last forever! Quiet; It's not hsm-usm, but its about as quiet as a ps lens while focusing. Fast af. Internal focusing; Filters stay put. Wide angle distortion and lens flair are minimal for a zoom lens.

Weight; Its heavy because of metal construction, If weight is a priority, spend more money! Focus clutch; Should be a non issue as autofocusshould be fine for wide angle. Having said that, It will cause some photos to be taken out of focus at some point! It could be sharper. I only say that because I Compared it to a 50mm f1.8 D lense. Apples an oranges!

I have had this lens for about a week and am very happy with it. At f4 Its pretty sharp in the center, and pretty soft in the corners. At f 5.6 theres a big improvement in corner sharpness, and improvement continues through f16. There is slight light fall off at f4, and is gone by f8. I havent put a filter on it yet, so I don't know if that will increase vingnetting. there is some barrel distortion @ 12-18mm, however I only noticed it when shooting a newspaper at 18 inches.However, I did not notice it in my real world photos! Sharpness is on par with my 18- 70 nikon DX zoom, which is quite sharp. Lens flair seems to better controlled than the 18-70. This thing is built very well! Metal lens barrels with a nice crinkle finnish, rubberized zoom and focus rings. Speaking of the focus ring, Another View has pointed out to me that it has a push pull focous clutch, which is probably a cost saving design. This could cause you to take out of focus photos if the lense is set to manual focus and you don' know it, or it can cause frustration trying to quickly manual focous. I think this should not be much of an issue unless the lens is set to manual focus and you dont realize it. It takes a deliberate force to change the lens from af to mf. You must have a good grip on the camera & the lens and you wont be able to be looking through the viewfinder wile you do it without some practice. To sum it up, it's a great lense deserving of its pro designation. A perfect lens for anyone that wants a super wide angle lense that zooms to wide angle.

Customer Service

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Similar Products Used:

nikon 18-70 DX.