The Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X PRO DX-II is the update to the ever-popular original Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X PRO DX. Designed for Nikon DX shooters, it offers high quality images with relatively low distortion and good corner sharpness. The ultra-wide angle makes it perfect for sweeping landscapes, while its fast f/2.8 aperture allows you to continue shooting even when the light gets low. With a close focus distance of 11.81", subject isolation at f/2.8 is quite noticeable.

Improved upon the original version is a multi-layer coating that improves reflections, as well as a built-in silent autofocus motor, making the lens faster and more quite during use. Carried over from its predecessor is the One-touch Focus Clutch Mechanism which allows quick transition from autofocus to manual focus. If you’re looking for a fast aperture ultra-wide lens, the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X PRO DX-II is among the best of them.

Please Note: This lens is designed for Nikon DX crop-frame cameras. While it will mount to Nikon FX full-frame cameras, it will not cover the sensor area. Depending on what mode you’re shooting in, you would see either reduced image resolution or full-size images with noticeable vignetting.

Roger's Take

Roger Cicala

President of LensRentals.com

Comparing the ultra-wide crop-sensor camera lenses is an extremely difficult task, so I’ll put the summary first: they all deliver excellent image quality and you can’t go wrong with any of them. To my ‘just taking pictures’ assessment, they are all excellent. There are some differences though, so I’ll try to point those out so you have a better chance at choosing the one that’s best for you.

• Sigma 8-16 f/4.5-5.6 is the widest (and remember, 8mm is 20% wider than 10mm, so it’s a very real difference). Not quite as sharp in the corners as the others, and lower maximum aperture, but it’s really pretty good, especially considering it’s the widest of the wide.

• Nikon 10-24 f/3.5-4.5G Shows a fair amount of barrel distortion at 10mm (note to self: never take girlfriend’s portrait with this lens) and doesn’t have the best corner sharpness of the group. It’s got the largest range and is fast to autofocus, which makes it a great wide-angle walkaround lens. If I was mostly going to shoot at 15-24 and occasionally shoot wider, this would be a great choice. If I was going to take lots of 10mm scenic shots, I’d probably look at one of the others – they’re a bit better at 10mm.

• Sigma 10-20 f/3.5 has a bit more distortion than the others but delivers very nice images and is also built well. It does everything well.

• Nikon 12-24 f/4G has exceptional center resolution and is very flare resistant, but does show some field curvature at 12mm. It’s a very good lens, maybe better than the competition, but not as much better as its price would suggest.

• Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 (version I or II, they aren’t very different) gives you the widest aperture if you’ll be working in low light (with ultra wides, depth of field is rarely an important point), but it’s a bit soft at f/2.8, so the aperture advantage isn’t huge (I usually shoot it at f/3.5 if I can to get it sharper). 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.

• Tokina 12-24 f/4 PRO is built like a sturdy tank (and therefore a bit heavier). It’s a good lens but does tend to give low contrast images when shot into the sun and has a tendency to show some chromatic aberration when objects are backlit. This is the one I’d take if conditions were rough: I pity the rock this bad boy falls on. Poor rock.

But like I said above: they’re all excellent. We hardly ever get anything but happy comments about any of them.
May, 2013

Filter Size

77mm (nonrotating front element)

Aperture

f2.8-22

Length

3.5”

Diameter

3.1”

Weight

1.1 lb (without tripod collar)

Hood

BH-77B

Minimum Focusing Distance

11.81"

Maximum Magnification

1:11.6

Angle of view: (crop frame)

104 to 82 degrees

Zoom method

Internal

Image Stabilization

None

Focusing System

Internal, AF-MF Clutch

Aperture Blades

9, circular

Groups/Elements

11/13

Low Dispersion Elements

2

Fluorite Elements

0

Aspherical Elements

2

Weather Resistant

No

System

Nikon F

Compatibility

DX

Autofocus

Yes

• Hood

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