Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF . review
Super-wide zoom lenses for APS-C crop sensor bodies are popular, but it’s a bit rarer to find lenses that shoot fast and continuous apertures. At launch, Tokina reported that the Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF was the first of its kind to combine such a wide zoom range and maintain a constant f/2.8 aperture. Although competitors have caught up, this Tokina is still one of the best super-wide zoom lenses for APS-C cameras on the market. Here we are looking at the DX F-mount version for Nikon cameras, but it is also available in Canon’s EF mount.
Impressively sharp, elegantly designed, and robust enough to withstand regular use, the Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF is an incredible value for money. It fits comfortably in the hand, despite the large 82mm filter thread, and even eliminates the autofocus/manual switch difficulty found on other lenses by operating the clutch mechanism. on the zoom ring where drag it down to the camera body for manual focus. It is also lightweight, weighing only 550g.
Building on Tokina’s past line of legacy ultra-wide lenses, this lens is useful for anyone who requires a wide field of view and fast aperture. It is especially suitable for low-light photography such as real estate, architecture, environmental portraits, and astrophotography. There are some areas where it could be improved, which is why we’ve downgraded it half a star, but otherwise it’s almost perfect for beginners as well as enthusiasts.
Want to consider other camera lenses for your tool bag? Check out our overview of best zoom lens and Best lens for astrophotography.
Design
- Metal interior provides durability
- Sleek lens with textured focus and zoom rings
- One-touch focus clutch mechanism for AF/MF . switching
Tokina has built on this ultra-wide design legacy and refined its features inside and out. The Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF now benefits from a smaller lens that fits APS-C crop sensor bodies without feeling too bulky, despite the large filter thread. 82mm front. The focus and zoom rings also fit snugly into the case, making the device slim overall, but without compromising on functionality. The textures on the circle make it easy to manually control focus and zoom in and out whether wearing gloves or operating the lens in rain or snow. The zoom ring also pulls down to switch between autofocus and manual focus, eliminating the need for a switch on the side of the lens, simplifying the design even further.
A simple matte black finish polishes the aesthetic of the lens and prevents it from showing up in shots of reflective surfaces. There are only two very small points that we think could be improved in the design of this lens. Specifically, the visible screws on the side of the lens could perhaps be tucked away for a more professional finish, and the name logo, now in silver, we prefer gold like previous versions, but again they are very small and subjective on another nice lens.
Performance
- Sharp zoom range
- Minimum optical distortion
- Some problems with chromatic aberration
The Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF was the fastest super wide-angle zoom lens for APS-C bodies when it first came out, and although other manufacturers have occasionally matched this, but it is still the best choice for crop sensor camera owners.
Everything is sharp throughout the zoom range and there’s minimal optical distortion with lines remaining straight even at 11mm. The wide field of view makes it perfect for astrophotography, which can be better suited to the night sky without the need to superimpose panoramas. It is also beneficial for architectural and real estate photography, where wide field of view and straight lines are important for accuracy and composition.
The lens has unfortunately dropped in places due to chromatic aberration appearing around contrast edges, which is most noticeable when photographing darker subjects against brighter skies. This can become a problem when photographing stars where color is very important. But for the sake of keeping it in context, it’s an affordable APS-C lens, so professional astrophysicists who demand clearer images won’t use this lens in public. their job.
When shooting wide open at f/2.8, there’s a large amount of effect blurring the edges of the frame, especially when shooting at 11mm. But this can easily be remedied by using lens corrections in image editing software, and this seems acceptable for its price point. Otherwise, in our opinion, the picture is clear and sharp enough from every angle to rival professional full-frame ultra-wide.
Manual focusing through the lens ring is quick and precise, with the infinity marker almost perfectly matching manual focus to infinity results. It’s important to note that many lenses have the distance marker at infinity still slightly off, meaning the image remains soft due to not achieving full focus when using the marker alone. Autofocus works well but can struggle a bit in low light and is slow when compared to more expensive lenses.
Should you buy the Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF?
For anyone looking for a fast, super-wide zoom lens for APS-C cameras (suitable for Nikon’s F-mount or Canon’s EF-mount), the Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF is the way to go. Our leading exporter. It’s sleek, thin, light, and sharp. Sure, there are some things it could do better, but in terms of optics and construction, it’s an absolute unit. It’s perfect for wide-field astrology work and simultaneous daytime shooting thanks to its fast constant f/2.8 and maximum aperture. The improved zoom from the old version increases from 16mm to 20mm in this latest iteration making it much more versatile.
Alternative solution
Nikon APS-C camera owners looking to save money may want to opt for the smaller and lower-cost Nikkor AF-P DX 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G IF VR. However, full-frame Nikon DSLRs that require an ultra-wide zoom with the F-mount should look to the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED but understandably more expensive and require special filters to be installed. filter capture.
However, Nikon cameras that have now switched to full-frame mirrorless cameras (such as the Nikon Z5, Z6 or Z7) will require a Z-mount lens and the Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S as an investment. Best initial for this . While the f/4 continuous aperture isn’t as wide as expected, Nikon’s in-body image stabilization combats blur caused by hand-held camera shake to compensate for loss of light.
https://www.space.com/tokina-atx-i-11-20mm-f2.8-cf-review Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF . review
