Tokina Lenses...

[JohnnyRebel]

Ken "knows more than God" Rockwell recommends a couple of Tokina lenses:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/11-16mm.htm

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/100mm-f28.htm


The prices are very appealing. Does anyone have any experience with these lenses?

All I know about Tokina is that they make the Hoya UV filters I use as lens protectors.

JR

 

[nboy22]

I have the Tokina 11-16 mm UWA for my Canon T2i.

It's an awesome lens, quality glass. My only problem with it is that it gives chromatic abberations. Not a huge deal though. I spend $670 on it a few months ago. The glass is supposedly made by the same facility that makes the Canon L-glass

 

[ElFenix]

hoya owns tokina, along with pentax and kenko.

hoya is one of two optical glass makers in japan (the other is nikon).

 

[Anubis]

I have the Tokina 11-16 mm UWA for my Canon T2i.

It's an awesome lens, quality glass. My only problem with it is that it gives chromatic abberations. Not a huge deal though. I spend $670 on it a few months ago. The glass is supposedly made by the same facility that makes the Canon L-glass

i have it as well, its a fantastic lens for what it costs, some slight CA some distortion, both eaisily fixable in post

 

[JohnnyRebel]

i have it as well, its a fantastic lens for what it costs, some slight CA some distortion, both eaisily fixable in post

So, it looks like the Tokina 11-16 has some fans. I would use it for event photos of interior and exterior "landscapes".

Now, what about the 100mm macro? I'm wanting to do individual item shots (trophies, plaques, set pieces, rings, instruments, etc...) that go along with the event being shot.

JR

Edit: Just found a sample image of the 100mm macro on a D7000.

 

[Kaido]

I don't know why everyone hates on Ken Rockwell. He writes a ton of good reviews and does a crapload more than 99% of the people on the net in terms of sharing knowledge.

The Tokina 11-16mm is an amazing lens - sharp and super awesomely wide. Not familiar with the other one. There are plenty of programs out there to deal with chromatic aberrations - here's a free plugin for Photoshop:

http://chromacute.com/

 

[iGas]

So, it looks like the Tokina 11-16 has some fans. I would use it for event photos of interior and exterior "landscapes".

Now, what about the 100mm macro? I'm wanting to do individual item shots (trophies, plaques, set pieces, rings, instruments, etc...) that go along with the event being shot.

JR

Edit: Just found a sample image of the 100mm macro on a D7000.

You don't need macro lens for those, except for small rings. That said a 50mm or 60mm macro lens is better than 100mm, because it doesn't compress the depth of field and give you slightly longer in focus zone.

IMHO, a normal 40mm or even 35mm with close up focus ability would give better field of view of the objects than longer focal length on a full frame camera. Or, 28mm for APS-C.

 

[iGas]

I don't know why everyone hates on Ken Rockwell. He writes a ton of good reviews and does a crapload more than 99% of the people on the net in terms of sharing knowledge.

The Tokina 11-16mm is an amazing lens - sharp and super awesomely wide. Not familiar with the other one. There are plenty of programs out there to deal with chromatic aberrations - here's a free plugin for Photoshop:

http://chromacute.com/

I don't hate Ken Rockwell, but he can be bias in some of his reviews.

 

[Kaido]

If you want to get a super macro on the cheap, check out 996GT2's guide on modding the Canon 35-80mm f/4-5.6 lens:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2051391

Utterly ridiculous. They go for like $35 on eBay. LOVE mine :awe:

 

[Kaido]

I don't hate Ken Rockwell, but the can be bias in some of his reviews.

Just a wee bit of bias

 

[JohnnyRebel]

I don't know why everyone hates on Ken Rockwell. He writes a ton of good reviews and does a crapload more than 99% of the people on the net in terms of sharing knowledge.

The Tokina 11-16mm is an amazing lens - sharp and super awesomely wide. Not familiar with the other one. There are plenty of programs out there to deal with chromatic aberrations - here's a free plugin for Photoshop:

http://chromacute.com/

I don't hate on Ken, but I do like making fun of him. I think he'd get a kick out of it and he is sorta asking for it. That being said, I'm only looking at these lenses because of his reviews. That should tell you more than my giving Ken "The Chuck Norris of Photography" Rockwell some nicknames.

JR

 

[iGas]

If you want to get a super macro on the cheap, check out 996GT2's guide on modding the Canon 35-80mm f/4-5.6 lens:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2051391

Utterly ridiculous. They go for like $35 on eBay. LOVE mine :awe:

It is great for extreme macro, so as reverse ring & extension tube that can be had for $11 or less.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=reverse+ring&x=0&y=0#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=extension+tube&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aextension+tube

 

[alfa147x]

Just a wee bit of bias

Something about his writing style drives me insane.

Oh okay. I don't mind his reviews but his articles on technique and tips and tricks type of things drive me nuts. He just comes off as a prick. Plus the website design. Really? That? Even blogspot could accommodate something looks better.

 

[angry hampster]

LOVED my Toke 10-17 fisheye. Awesome lens. Build quality was insane for a third-party manuf.

 

[lorenzostpierre]

I am extremely impressed with Tokina Lenses...These lenses are a good choice to be made.
I would like to tell you that most Tokina lenses are built with corresponding mounts to make them compatible with many popular camera bodies, including Canon, Minolta, Nikon and Pentax....Go for it.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

I'm sold...the 11-16 Tokina has made my short list. The macro will be the first one I look at when I need one. Thanks, guys.

JR

 

[Aharami]

i have the 11-16. Love the lens, although I dont use it as often as I'd like

 

[twistedlogic]

That said a 50mm or 60mm macro lens is better than 100mm, because it doesn't compress the depth of field and give you slightly longer in focus zone.

Huh? A 40mm macro gives you 4cm of working distance. A 180mm macro gives you a 12" of working distance.

Working distance can be a huge factor when considering the subject (bugs, animals) and when adding additional lighting or when trying to use ambient light.

The macro will be the first one I look at when I need one. Thanks, guys.

JR

Might wanna check out the Tamron 90mm macro too. Might be easier to come by than a Tokina.

 

[nboy22]

Image I took while at Venice Beach a month ago with my t2i and the tokina 11-16mm (I had no tripod, so there is a mistake in the panorama):

 

[DaWhim]

took it with my 11-16mm

i just sold it yesterday tho. hate the weight of DSLR, too heavy for travel, converting to m43 system.

 

[iGas]

Huh? A 40mm macro gives you 4cm of working distance. A 180mm macro gives you a 12" of working distance.

Working distance can be a huge factor when considering the subject (bugs, animals) and when adding additional lighting or when trying to use ambient light.



Might wanna check out the Tamron 90mm macro too. Might be easier to come by than a Tokina.

Completely agree if focus down to 1:1 magnification (full frame). However, the user was saying that he wanted to take pictures of "(trophies, plaques, set pieces, rings, instruments, etc...)" that doesn't require 1:1 magnification except for rings, and it could be that I error by thinking of musical instruments instead of tiny electronic/mechanical instruments.

That said, Photozone gave the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC Aspherical a damned good review, and it is 1/2 of the price of the Tokina.

 

[twistedlogic]

However, the user was saying that he wanted to take pictures of "(trophies, plaques, set pieces, rings, instruments, etc...)" that doesn't require 1:1 magnification except for rings, and it could be that I error by thinking of musical instruments instead of tiny electronic/mechanical instruments.

Aha, I understand now.

I've read a few users who prefer the new 40mm macro to the 35 1.8 because the optics are better plus the ability to shoot close. Could be versatile for event work.