Tokina 16-50 f/2.8 - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

03/12/2007 04:13:30 AM · #1

So just thought I'd pass on that PMA 2007 saw the official release of the Tokina 16-50 f/2.8 lens.

I first started hearing about it in December of 2005. I was going to buy one when I was told it would be available in April 2005. I was told that it would then be released around Photokina last September... No news until now.

Still no solid information available on actual availability, but it is actually going to come out. Japanese website lists March 20 for Nikon, End of April for Canon.

Sure hope that the price is going to be reasonable...

The Japanese web page seems to indicate that flare resistance has been significantly improved and directly addressed by using multiple coatings on each element.

Scary thing is the price.... It looks like it may well be around 800-900 dollars US.

Big momma too. 77mm filter thread.

Message edited by author 2007-03-12 04:14:16.

shalrath

Nikon D200

03/12/2007 04:27:58 AM · #2

Damn... looks like a beast... might have to keep an eye out.

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100VI

03/12/2007 06:25:17 AM · #3

Is this a 35mm lens or DX/EF-S?

Artyste

Sony Ericsson W810i

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Pentax

03/12/2007 06:39:18 AM · #4

Originally posted by Azrifel:

Is this a 35mm lens or DX/EF-S?

DX/EF-S, as the Pentax 16-50 f/2.8, which was jointly produced with Tokina, and is basically the same lens (just without Pentax' coatings and what-not), is a DA*, meaning the digital image circle.

Funnily enough, it's an image circle compatible with a 1.3x crop...

Not sure if the Tokina is as well.

option

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

03/12/2007 02:55:40 PM · #5

Originally posted by Artyste:

Originally posted by Azrifel:
Is this a 35mm lens or DX/EF-S?

DX/EF-S, as the Pentax 16-50 f/2.8, which was jointly produced with Tokina, and is basically the same lens (just without Pentax' coatings and what-not), is a DA*, meaning the digital image circle.

Funnily enough, it's an image circle compatible with a 1.3x crop...

Not sure if the Tokina is as well.

I'm pretty sure the lenses have less in common than they appear. I don't think the Tokina versions have USM/AF-S or weather sealed. At least, Tokina doesn't claim either, and those are the two main selling points of the 16-50 and 50-135, IMO.

And yes, the Pentax versions are designed for a 1.3 crop, so I would wager the Tokina ones are as well.

03/12/2007 09:26:46 PM · #6

The Tokina is significantly larger than the Tamron 17-50. This would seem to suggest one of two things:

1 - that the front element is all that is really larger - with little significance

2 - that the internals are designed to cast a larger image circle, this avoiding the common ailments of lenses in this class where edge to edge sharpness is less than desirable.
***

I read a little something in Japanese that said - if the translation was accurate - that each element has multiple coatings (possibly both front and back surfaces), specifically addressing the 'ghosting and flare' issues...

If that is true, this lens indeed may have benefited from Pentax technology to address this issue (others have in the past suggested that the Tokina will be inferior in the area of lens coatings as Pentax would not share this tech)... This also may lead to the lens costing a fair bit more than the Pentax version.

In either event, patience is key to those who want this lens... I am personally at the very end of my patience for this lens. I've actually got some specific photo assignments for school coming up in the next couple of months and I am not looking forward to having to cover my <100mm focal length needs with my S2 IS as I have been doing for more than a year.

Yellow_Bear

03/30/2007 04:00:10 PM · #7

I am quite fed up with Tokina, because the launch of this lens is just unserious after having witnessed a couple of release dates while the price point still must be justified.
I might end up buying the Tamron, finally...

Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR

04/24/2007 09:31:26 AM · #8

Just a small note of interest likely to myself and no other.

Almost a month later and still no sign of it becoming available in the immediate future. With a few Japanese purchasers having reports that the lens is sharp and with decent color, but mediocre performance and still suffering from chromatic aberration problems, it seriously isn't looking like it will really be worth it.

Thanks a bunch Tokina for rewarding my long term loyalty with overpriced crap. Lazy jerks.

I officially gave up on the weekend and purchased the excellent Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. It's just the tiniest hair softer than the 50mm f/1.8 and while it doesn't seem to grab the focus as quickly as the plastic 50, it does seem to be a fair bit more accurate... the 50mm often misses focus.

In real world situations, I feel that the 17-50 f/2.8 outperforms the 50 which I always stop down to f/2.5 or less anyhow. Hopefully I will be able to find a buyer for the 50 and upgrade to the f/1.4 before the year is out.

Nice lens... easily 'good enough' for even fairly demanding users.

EstimatedEyes

Fujifilm X-T5

04/24/2007 09:57:06 AM · #9

I've been waiting for the pentax version of the 16-50 as well ... its listed on BH as coming soon, and has been for a while. Hoping it arrives before my trip to costa rica this june.

I would probably have grabbed the Tamron as well, but its not available for Pentax. Anyone know why not, or whether a pentax version is coming?

digitalpins

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

04/24/2007 10:00:33 AM · #10

wow looks like a nice lens thats another to add to the list. I am very insterested in getting this lens

option

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

04/24/2007 12:46:51 PM · #11

If its any indication, heres a couple reviews of the Tokina 50-135 2.8:

PopPhoto
Photozone (imatest results)

The 16-50 looks like its available in Japan at the moment...
16-50 samples (in russian)
more samples (in japanese)

both should be here soon (well, the Pentax versions, anyway), and I cant wait... I'm gonna go run around shooting in a rainstorm the first chance I get!

Prof_Fate

04/24/2007 12:57:33 PM · #12

I was awaiting the 10-17 fisheye for nearly a year and still no word of it's release so it got the canon 10-22 - and then they release it! I really had a hard time choosing between the 12-24 and canon's lens. I picked the wider one.

The 50-135 intrigues me no end, and the reviews I read are pretty favorable, but my 70-200 2.8 IS will be here thursday - I need the IS even if the cost is a bit over the top IMO.

Unless there is something special about the 16-50 get teh Tamron 17-50 2.8 - it gets rave reviews and can be had now, today, for a known price.

yido

Canon EOS-5D

Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX Aspherical DG DF RF for Canon

04/24/2007 10:19:54 PM · #13

After much delay, the USA's site announced that it'll be available in May of this year.
//thkphoto.com/news/news-pr040107.html

checking B&H, no "coming soon" post of the lens, so it maybe late May, which in Tokina's term is Mid June.

This is a lens made for APS-C sensors and has a special coating to repel finger prints and water.

New Tokinas made for dslr's have had problems with more CA than their competitors and I suspect this will be the same. As for the price who knows. Their build feel is excellent, but unless you have great patience, I'd just get a Tamron/Sigma instead.