Thinking of buying a Nikon/Canon body just for 11-16mm or 12-24mm Tokinas.

rrstuff · 11-28-2013, 03:02 AM - **1 Like**

Funny enough buying a used budget camera body and a tokina version of either of these lenses, would be cheaper than buying the Pentax version of 12-24mm. I think it is a little bit ridiculous, I am baffled as to why did pentax set the price of 12-24mm this high.

VisualDarkness · 11-28-2013, 05:00 AM

That's a mystery for sure.

Zav · 11-28-2013, 05:00 AM

Have you considered the Sigma 8-16 as an alternative?

Ishpuini · 11-28-2013, 05:34 AM

Originally posted by Zav

Have you considered the Sigma 8-16 as an alternative?

My thought exactly. I actually believe the Sigma 8-16 scores better than the Tokina 11-16 in terms of IQ... Of course the Tokina is f/2.8, but at these ultra wide angles that shouldn't be a critical difference. Only downside to the Sigma 8-16 is the inability to use filters due to the front element sticking out.

Wim

stormtech · 11-28-2013, 05:36 AM

I think that is kind of crazy especially when the DA 12-24 is $736 this weekend.......

Andi Lo · 11-28-2013, 09:43 AM

I've heard that the Tokina version of 12-24 is more prone to flare than the Pentax, although this is just hearsay.

What I know that my 11-16 is stupidly flare sensitive, have to really be careful using this lens facing the sun. Everytime I do that it makes me long for a DA 15 really.

I find myself often missing the 10mm of the sigma in good light, but the 2.8 of the tokina makes up for it (yes, there are people that use it!). And this lens is sharp sharp sharp. Rendering is okay but it gets the job done and done well.

The FF version of this lens (16-28mm) at just $150 more is apparently considered the Sigma 10-20 of the FF realm (best price/performance), but you need that FF body.

lytrytyr · 11-28-2013, 09:49 AM

Originally posted by Ishpuini

I actually believe the Sigma 8-16 scores better than the Tokina 11-16 in terms of IQ.

FWIW, Roger Cicala reached the opposite conclusion:

LensRentals.com - Rent a Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM for Nikon DX

"Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 . . . It has very little vignetting and distortion, probably the least of the group. It does show quite a bit of chromatic aberration at times, but overall it may be the best image quality of the group."

**Miguel** · 11-28-2013, 10:15 AM

Certainly worth considering. The Pentax price is pure profit grab as few alternatives exist. My Tokina 12-24mm is so much better than the two Pentax versions I owned over the years. Far sharper in corners and across the frame, plus the build quality is sturdier. Not bad for under $300US on the used market. They are out there.

The 11-16mm I see used for about $400US frequently as Canikon users migrate to 135mm format.

M

**gaweidert** · 11-28-2013, 10:22 AM

The Pentax 12 - 24 mm DA lens that I have has worked great for me.

**Canada_Rockies** · 11-28-2013, 10:58 AM

I'm a fan of the DA 12-24 as well. There are some shots I took when I first got mine that have flare inducing shots that have almost no flare on my Flickr site.

sussexphoto · 11-28-2013, 11:52 AM

I bought a D7100 for exactly this purpose. The 11-16 would be very nice for pentax, but I know they would just double or treble the price. I had the D7100 and a very very sharp 18-140 nikkor for a couple of weeks, but trying to keep track of what the camera was setting itself to was really problematic, it seemed to keep the shutter at 1/2000th and 6400 iso and I could not always tell. I would suggest you play with a nikon as the pentax viewfinder and menus are much better. I still hanker for that 18-140 though, it makes the 18-135 blush in embarressment.

rrstuff · 11-28-2013, 12:24 PM

I chose K-30 over D7000 not a long time ago. The wide angle options are the only problem for me. I think 8-16 would be fantastic, but I do need ND filters. One lens I didn't consider was the old 12-24mm from Sigma that takes gelatin filters - although I don't know which ones to get as they seem a bit unpopular.

Additionally, I would like the F2.8 option, for night shots of the sky. So ideally I would look into an F2.8 zoom.
Alternatively, an F/4 zoom and an F2.8/F2.0 prime, but that can get pricey.

I think I might just get a 10-20 F4-5.6 (seems to be good enough) and a Rokinon 16mm F2.0 for the skies.

DSims · 11-28-2013, 12:35 PM

I like the rendering I've seen from the Tokina better, but my Sigma 8-16 is very good. Sharpness is outstanding (I didn't believe it until I owned it myself, especially since I'm not a Sigma fan), and the infinity focus mark is spot on. It's very strong from 10-16mm.

It's a very different experience from my fast glass. Usually infinite DOF - just plan on it.

Simple to use. Always use MF. f/6.3 (I almost never shoot that slow on other lenses!). Set exactly to infinity or just farther that 3'. Adjust your zoom, frame, and shoot. The rendering is much better than most other Sigmas, and you'll be OK with it because of the nice build quality and the fact that your photos come out good.

**miltona580** · 11-29-2013, 09:56 AM

Isn't the Pentax 12-24 the same lens as the Tokina 12-24, just with Pentax coatings?

**Canada_Rockies** · 11-30-2013, 08:47 AM

Originally posted by miltona580

Isn't the Pentax 12-24 the same lens as the Tokina 12-24, just with Pentax coatings?

Yes it is. I would think it less expensive to buy a DA 12-24 for my exissting camera than to buy a Nikon + 12-24. You also get the better coatings.

11-28-2013, 03:02 AM - 1 Like	#1
rrstuff Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pasadena, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,126	Thinking of buying a Nikon/Canon body just for 11-16mm or 12-24mm Tokinas. Funny enough buying a used budget camera body and a tokina version of either of these lenses, would be cheaper than buying the Pentax version of 12-24mm. I think it is a little bit ridiculous, I am baffled as to why did pentax set the price of 12-24mm this high.

11-28-2013, 09:43 AM	#6
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	I've heard that the Tokina version of 12-24 is more prone to flare than the Pentax, although this is just hearsay. What I know that my 11-16 is stupidly flare sensitive, have to really be careful using this lens facing the sun. Everytime I do that it makes me long for a DA 15 really. I find myself often missing the 10mm of the sigma in good light, but the 2.8 of the tokina makes up for it (yes, there are people that use it!). And this lens is sharp sharp sharp. Rendering is okay but it gets the job done and done well. The FF version of this lens (16-28mm) at just $150 more is apparently considered the Sigma 10-20 of the FF realm (best price/performance), but you need that FF body. Last edited by Andi Lo; 11-28-2013 at 09:48 AM.

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11-28-2013, 05:00 AM	#2
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	That's a mystery for sure.

11-28-2013, 05:00 AM	#3
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	Have you considered the Sigma 8-16 as an alternative?

11-28-2013, 05:34 AM	#4
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727	Originally posted by Zav Have you considered the Sigma 8-16 as an alternative? My thought exactly. I actually believe the Sigma 8-16 scores better than the Tokina 11-16 in terms of IQ... Of course the Tokina is f/2.8, but at these ultra wide angles that shouldn't be a critical difference. Only downside to the Sigma 8-16 is the inability to use filters due to the front element sticking out. Wim

11-28-2013, 05:36 AM	#5
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	I think that is kind of crazy especially when the DA 12-24 is $736 this weekend.......

11-28-2013, 09:49 AM	#7
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by Ishpuini I actually believe the Sigma 8-16 scores better than the Tokina 11-16 in terms of IQ. FWIW, Roger Cicala reached the opposite conclusion: LensRentals.com - Rent a Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM for Nikon DX "Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 . . . It has very little vignetting and distortion, probably the least of the group. It does show quite a bit of chromatic aberration at times, but overall it may be the best image quality of the group."

11-28-2013, 10:15 AM	#8
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	Certainly worth considering. The Pentax price is pure profit grab as few alternatives exist. My Tokina 12-24mm is so much better than the two Pentax versions I owned over the years. Far sharper in corners and across the frame, plus the build quality is sturdier. Not bad for under $300US on the used market. They are out there. The 11-16mm I see used for about $400US frequently as Canikon users migrate to 135mm format. M

11-28-2013, 10:22 AM	#9
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,327	The Pentax 12 - 24 mm DA lens that I have has worked great for me.

11-28-2013, 10:58 AM	#10
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	I'm a fan of the DA 12-24 as well. There are some shots I took when I first got mine that have flare inducing shots that have almost no flare on my Flickr site.

11-28-2013, 11:52 AM	#11
sussexphoto New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: West Sussex Posts: 8	I bought a D7100 for exactly this purpose. The 11-16 would be very nice for pentax, but I know they would just double or treble the price. I had the D7100 and a very very sharp 18-140 nikkor for a couple of weeks, but trying to keep track of what the camera was setting itself to was really problematic, it seemed to keep the shutter at 1/2000th and 6400 iso and I could not always tell. I would suggest you play with a nikon as the pentax viewfinder and menus are much better. I still hanker for that 18-140 though, it makes the 18-135 blush in embarressment.

11-28-2013, 12:24 PM	#12
rrstuff Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pasadena, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,126 Original Poster	I chose K-30 over D7000 not a long time ago. The wide angle options are the only problem for me. I think 8-16 would be fantastic, but I do need ND filters. One lens I didn't consider was the old 12-24mm from Sigma that takes gelatin filters - although I don't know which ones to get as they seem a bit unpopular. Additionally, I would like the F2.8 option, for night shots of the sky. So ideally I would look into an F2.8 zoom. Alternatively, an F/4 zoom and an F2.8/F2.0 prime, but that can get pricey. I think I might just get a 10-20 F4-5.6 (seems to be good enough) and a Rokinon 16mm F2.0 for the skies.

11-28-2013, 12:35 PM	#13
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	I like the rendering I've seen from the Tokina better, but my Sigma 8-16 is very good. Sharpness is outstanding (I didn't believe it until I owned it myself, especially since I'm not a Sigma fan), and the infinity focus mark is spot on. It's very strong from 10-16mm. It's a very different experience from my fast glass. Usually infinite DOF - just plan on it. Simple to use. Always use MF. f/6.3 (I almost never shoot that slow on other lenses!). Set exactly to infinity or just farther that 3'. Adjust your zoom, frame, and shoot. The rendering is much better than most other Sigmas, and you'll be OK with it because of the nice build quality and the fact that your photos come out good.

11-29-2013, 09:56 AM	#14
miltona580 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 309	Isn't the Pentax 12-24 the same lens as the Tokina 12-24, just with Pentax coatings?

11-30-2013, 08:47 AM	#15
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by miltona580 Isn't the Pentax 12-24 the same lens as the Tokina 12-24, just with Pentax coatings? Yes it is. I would think it less expensive to buy a DA 12-24 for my exissting camera than to buy a Nikon + 12-24. You also get the better coatings.