Tokina Lenses: This may be curiosity getting the better of me or perhaps I haven't been around the block enough- unless someone is talking about the various ultra-wide zooms, why do...

bobgreen Loc: Maryland

This may be curiosity getting the better of me or perhaps I haven't been around the block enough- unless someone is talking about the various ultra-wide zooms, why do the other lenses made by Tokina rarely come up in a topic ? I've noticed they aren't compared to the Sigma or Tamron offerings. Is there a quality or feature issue or do they simply not stand up to other 3rd party lenses?

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Tokina is a reputable company. Tamron and Sigma appear to be more popular than Tokina and Tokina does not offer new lenses often like the other two companies do.
Nobody makes lenses like Tokina. Their lenses are made to last. Their customer service is excellent. Image quality in general is excellent also.
Tokina has been kind of slow improving certain features in lenses like AF. No wide angles, regardless of price, have better correction than those made by Tokina. Distortions are kept very low.
The information above is based on what I know.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

I had a Tokina lens that was excellent. My experience in buying Tokina, Sigma and Tamron lenses is that even if they are optically excellent, the build quality isn't always there and they don't keep their value in the resale market. I know that is a broad statement and certainly not applicable to all but it has been to what I have purchased. So for me, because I buy and sell more than some, I probably won't buy anymore 3rd party lenses unless I buy them used.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

bobgreen wrote:

This may be curiosity getting the better of me or perhaps I haven't been around the block enough- unless someone is talking about the various ultra-wide zooms, why do the other lenses made by Tokina rarely come up in a topic ? I've noticed they aren't compared to the Sigma or Tamron offerings. Is there a quality or feature issue or do they simply not stand up to other 3rd party lenses?

Tokina makes very good lenses, and they have been mentioned quite frequently on this forum. They make two wide angle lenses that work great on crop sensor cameras. The 11-16mm and the 11-20mm. The 100mm f2.8 macro has been rated superb. And their 24-70mm f2.8 has been called the best kept secret. I'm looking forward to owning one of their wide zoom lenses. I missed their last rebate offers. Hopefully, they will offer it again.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I have the Tokina 17-35 lens and love it
Here is an IR image that was taken at 17 mm f/8 ISO 200 1/800

Pitt 2020 Loc: Farmer City, Illinois

Tokina 11-16mm

Jim Bob

bobgreen wrote:

This may be curiosity getting the better of me or perhaps I haven't been around the block enough- unless someone is talking about the various ultra-wide zooms, why do the other lenses made by Tokina rarely come up in a topic ? I've noticed they aren't compared to the Sigma or Tamron offerings. Is there a quality or feature issue or do they simply not stand up to other 3rd party lenses?

I recommend both the 11-16 and 24-70. Read some reviews.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

bobgreen wrote:

This may be curiosity getting the better of me or perhaps I haven't been around the block enough- unless someone is talking about the various ultra-wide zooms, why do the other lenses made by Tokina rarely come up in a topic ? I've noticed they aren't compared to the Sigma or Tamron offerings. Is there a quality or feature issue or do they simply not stand up to other 3rd party lenses?

I have found that Tamron and Sigma have higher quality of construction and performance than Tokina.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

bobgreen wrote:

This may be curiosity getting the better of me or perhaps I haven't been around the block enough- unless someone is talking about the various ultra-wide zooms, why do the other lenses made by Tokina rarely come up in a topic ? I've noticed they aren't compared to the Sigma or Tamron offerings. Is there a quality or feature issue or do they simply not stand up to other 3rd party lenses?

Tokina lenses easily topped Sigma and Tamron lenses, but lately with the introduction of their "Global Vision" line of lenses, Sigma moved to the front, but Tokina's are still a very good value and worth their money!

rfcoakley Loc: Auburn, NH

With my D7000 DX setup, I purchased a Tokina 11-20 F2.8 two years ago in prep for a trip to Italy later that year. I've been happy with it - one of my favorite Tokina pics from that trip (after post processing) follows. Just last week, I decided to switch to full frame. I decided to buy a refurbished D810 and wanted a 24-70 F2.8 to go with it. With the large outlay for the camera, I wanted to limit spend on lens to about $1000 - that left my decision to either Sigma, Tamron, or Tokina - no affordable Nikon. I didn't have any direct experience with Tamron or Sigma (and still don't). All three were highly rated, but the Tokina seemed to have the best grading on dxomark. I bought the Tokina.

(Download)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

bobgreen wrote:

This may be curiosity getting the better of me or perhaps I haven't been around the block enough- unless someone is talking about the various ultra-wide zooms, why do the other lenses made by Tokina rarely come up in a topic ? I've noticed they aren't compared to the Sigma or Tamron offerings. Is there a quality or feature issue or do they simply not stand up to other 3rd party lenses?

Maybe you just haven't spent enough time here. Lots of us own Tokina lenses. If I'm going to buy a lens, I read all the reviews and comparisons I can. I don't limit myself to one brand, nor do I automatically exclude any.

EDIT: I find it interesting that several posters proved the OP's point by saying how good their Tokina wide angle lenses are.

bobgreen Loc: Maryland

mborn wrote:

I have the Tokina 17-35 lens and love it
Here is an IR image that was taken at 17 mm f/8 ISO 200 1/800

Very cool picture! Where was this taken?

bobgreen Loc: Maryland

rfcoakley wrote:

With my D7000 DX setup, I purchased a Tokina 11-20... (show quote)

Excellent picture! Well done!

bobgreen Loc: Maryland

jerryc41 wrote:

Maybe you just haven't spent enough time here. Lots of us own Tokina lenses. If I'm going to buy a lens, I read all the reviews and comparisons I can. I don't limit myself to one brand, nor do I automatically exclude any.

EDIT: I find it interesting that several posters proved the OP's point by saying how good their Tokina wide angle lenses are.

Thanks Jerry! I should have mentioned the Tokina macro lens which has also received very high praise. I just really didn't hear much about the longer Tokinas and I often see them priced lower than others on sites like KEH. Hence my question....

bobgreen Loc: Maryland

Pitt 2020 wrote:

Tokina 11-16mm

Nice picture. I like the color and sharpness!