Tokina Launches 16-28mm f/2.8 lens for 35mm-sized Sensors

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dpreview.com/news/1007/10070501tokina16_28mmnikoncanon.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.dpreview.com/news/1007/1...mnikoncanon.asp</a><br /><br /></div><p>Did I mention I like Tokina lenses? Out of all the third-party lens makers Tokina is one of my favourites, dating back to their 28-70/2.6-2.8 zoom lens. In addition to being quite a good performer, the thing was built like a pro-grade Nikkor lens - not surprising since the founders were ex-Nikon engineers.</p><p>Today they've just announced the availability and pricing of the 16-28mm f/2.8 zoom in Nikon and Canon mounts. I heard about the product development announcement back in PMA 2010 (essentially an announcement of an&nbsp;announcement), and I was expecting a version of the 11-16/2.8 for 35mm sensors. It now appears to be a new optical formula, and comes with Tokina's take on the piezo-electric AF motor, called Silent Drive Motor (SD-M; I guess all the nice names have been taken).<img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1278339370.usr15670.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>There are two downsides to this lens. The first is that like the Nikkor 14-24/2.8, there is no way to attach filters. While digital photography has rendered a lot of filters obsolete, there are still a few useful filters that I still use, like neutral density filters and the occasional circular polariser. The second is that its announced list price, US$1400, is quite a bit more than the original 11-16/2.8, which was announced at US$800. It is not going to be quite the bargain that the 11-16/2.8 was. That said, if it's anything like the 11-16/2.8 optically, I think it's going to be a very worthy alternative to the even more expensive Nikkor 14-24/2.8. Canon users might still want to stick to their 16-35/2.8s though.</p>

[ptyork]

I wanna see a second take on the Tokina 50-135 (or better, a 50-150) f/2.8. Preferably one with image stabilization. You can't even find one of the originals used for Canon anymore. They're like limited editions, and once someone gets one, they don't let go. That range is so perfect for crop sensors. I'm plenty happy with my canon 17-55 f/2.8, but I really need a lens with better range for portraits and indoor/outdoor tele-action. The 70-200 f/2.8's are just too big for lugging around (not to mention crazy expensive), and even if I compromised on a f/4, I think I'd miss that 55-70 range when doing outdoor portraits of my crazy active kid.

I suppose I could go with the Sigma 50-150, but I've been scared of their telephoto's due to stories of initial quality issues. Plus I want to see that one stabilized, as well. Progress here seems so slow. I guess the high-quality-crop-tele-zoom niche is just that...a niche.

[Jason Dunn]

Some sample images here:

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http://www.kenko-tokina.co.jp/tokina/atx16-28.html&sl=ja&tl=en

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Oh my, I have no idea that Tokina discontinued the 50-135. I have no experience with it, but it should be a fine lens. Currently your only option is indeed the Sigma, and like you I'm just as wary of Sigma's err, quality control.

I guess the reason cropped zooms haven't taken off beyond the budget level is because the 70-200/2.8s cover that area well. It's more reach, and I think there's a perverse lust for "big" lenses among many lens buyers, who tend to be a) male b) equipment lovers.