Tamron AF 17-35mm f2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical vs. Tokina 17

[Saturn]

Hello:

I'm almost sold on the Tokina 17 for about $380. It was suggested for an extra $110 or so, I could get the Tamron AF 17-35mm f2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical.

I don't really need the extra focal length options of the Tamron zoom, and I don't care about it's extra weight or slower maximum aperture (@ F4), but if the 17-35 is better at 17mm (sharpness, aberration, color etc.) than the fixed Tokina 17, it'll be worth the extra $110 to get the zoom.

Any thoughts?

[Persian-Rice]

Not exactly sure, but I would be under the assumption that the prime would be better or atleast equal. Besides, unless you start buying expensive Canon primes, you wont get anything better then the Tokina. Im not saying the Tokina is the greatest, but it's as good as they come in terms of 3rd part lenses. Chances are the the Tamron is as good, not better or worse.

[tumb]

I'm going to be in the hunt soon for a wide angle prime and will be interested in hearing (and seeing) your experiences if you get the 17mm.

[drisley]

I debated about these two lenses for a long time, and ended up getting the Tokina because it's built way better than the Tamron (the Tokina is almost L quality build), has better flare resistance, is smaller than the Tamron, and offers atleast the same optical quality (maybe even better).
Both lenses actually weigh the same, but the Tokina is built MUCH more solidly, as mentioned.
In addition, the Tokina is quite a bit cheaper than the Tamron.
However, if you prefer a zoom, the Tamron is the clear choice.

[Saturn]

Hello:

I just ordered the Tokina 17 for $375 including shipping. After I run some tests, I'll report back on the lens. Should be great! :wink:

Saturn

[drisley]

Run some flare tests first. You will be amazed!
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=47676

It also fares well in the fringing department for such a wide angle lens (apparently better than the 17-40L)

[Andy_T]

I'm going to be in the hunt soon for a wide angle prime and will be interested in hearing (and seeing) your experiences if you get the 17mm.

Tumb ... why not use the 'search' button in the top right area of the screen? :wink:

There have been a lot of posts and comparisons recently, especially by DRisley ... so ... why wait?

Best regards,
Andy

[drisley]

There have been a lot of posts and comparisons recently, especially by DRisley ... so ... why wait?

I know, I know. I've got to shut up already about this lens :lol:

[nosquare2003]

I know, I know. I've got to shut up already about this lens :lol:

:P

What's next? 300L? :P

[RbnDave]

I've owned the Tokina for over a year and I really like it. It is extremely sharp even in the corners. I have one photo taken with this lens blown up to 24x35 inches and it looks great. There are a few times I miss having zoom, but most the time at wide angles changing camera possition works as well as zoom. As everyone says, this lens is flare resistant. I can get it to flare sometimes, but it needs to be pointed almost straight at the sun. Here are some samples. All are processed so these might not be of much use.

http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/24402831
http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/23799858
http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/34202869
http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/27661051
http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/24761270
http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/29367022
http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/23196813
http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/27846246

[Olegis]

Beautiful shots there , RbnDave !

[drisley]

Wow! Those are awesome!
My favourite is Thunderstorm or Binghamton.

You are right about the flare resistance. For a wide angle it is amazing. Under extreme circumstances you can get some flare, but never enough to ruin a picture. The most important thing is that contrast is not affected at all. Even most L lenses can't say that.

[tumb]

Some excellent shots there Dave. I'm thinking that lense may be on top of my Christmas list :D . What's it selling for if you don't mind me asking?

drisley, do you have an example or two with your 20D?

I'm on slow dialup here folks or I would use the search, I live too far out in the sticks to get DSL so be patient with me 8)

[RbnDave]

I got mine for about $370. i think I got it from B and H or maybe it was delta. i can't remember.

Thanks for the compliments on my pics. The Tolkina 17mm is stuck on my camera a lot. It is sort of my walk around lens.

[drisley]

drisley, do you have an example or two with your 20D?
8)

Sure do. These were all shot with the 20D and Tokina ATX

http://www.fotop.net/sharpnsmart/10222004

http://www.fotop.net/sharpnsmart/11032004

http://www.fotop.net/sharpnsmart/11102004

[C.S.I.]

Kudos RbnDave/Dris......Remarkable photos!


I Need this lens!


----MAN.... was just checking the "usual" lens test guides.....has the Tokina listed only as "average" for optics.........coulda fooled me with those outstanding photos!

[wolf]

drisley, do you have an example or two with your 20D?
8)

Sure do. These were all shot with the 20D and Tokina ATX

http://www.fotop.net/sharpnsmart/10222004

http://www.fotop.net/sharpnsmart/11032004

http://www.fotop.net/sharpnsmart/11102004

Awesome photos!!!

I have been debating on which wide angle to get. Maybe I'll have to get that one, decent price too.

[drisley]

Thanks for the compliments.
Really when you think about it, there isn't any other lens out there that competes directly with this one.
Are there any other 17mm prime lenses out there? Are there any 17mm prime lenses out there that are only $350? Further, are there any 17mm prime lenses out there that are built like tanks, come with a 3 year warranty, and have very good optics for an ultra wide angle lens? I couldnt find any.
I tend to take those lens test guides with a grain of salt.
For example, on this Lens Performance Survey (http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/), they give the overall rating of the 135F2L a lower rating than the 100mm macro, or 85F1.8 lenses. But in that same survey, when you check the ACTUAL performance numbers they give the lenses wide open and stopped down, the 135F2L is way better than any other lens on that page. For example it's the only lens that gets 4.5 stars under performance wide open. Plus it's the best at performance stopped down (5 stars), but they only give it an optical verdict of 4.44, which is places it behind 6 other lenses in overall optics. That is just a joke!

The Tokina isn't as sharp as a 50mm prime, but then again, NO ultra wide angle lens is. But when you consider things like flare resistance, fringing, and distortion that usually plague ultra wide angle lenses, the Tokina is exceptional! It has better flare resistance that most telephoto lenses (which is amazing for an ultra wide), and has less fringing than most ultra wide lenses (it even beats the Canon 85F1.8 in this department). Sure it has some fringing in extreme circumstances, but show me any ultra wide angle lens that doesn't.
As far as distortion is concerned, it definately beats the 17-40L lens.

[tumb]

Yes, some excellent pictures. I did find this lense earlier today on B&H in stock, but I just looked again this evening and it's on backorder now. Maybe lots of people are reading this post?

By the way, epinions (http://www.epinions.com/content_92551089796) has a review on the lens.

[drisley]

Tumb, thanks for the link to the review.
That pretty much sums up my thoughts on the lens.

BTW, Adorama has the Tokina for less than BH.
It's interesting to note that BH is now sold out on that lens. :lol:

[tumb]

That was quick, I just got an email from B&H that the Tokina is back in stock. I wonder if they price-match?

They are at $389

[drisley]

I think it's $365 at Adorama