Tokina 12-24 users???

[Mac]

I have a few questions for all of you Tokina 12-24 users.

I have read many reviews on this lens, and I have read and CA is a problem...is this true, and if so, how bad...is it easily fixable in PS?

Also, how bad is the distortion on the wide end? Not that is matters all that much, as I like that effect on some shots...but at what length does the distortion cease to be a problem?

Lastly...filters...can I use a standard Polarizer? I understand from reading reviews and stuff, that stacking filters is not possible without vignetting on the wide side...so do you use protective filters on this lens, if you do, do you remove it to use the polarizer?

Sorry for the many questions, but I am hoping to know what to expect if/when I order it (which I hope will be in the next couple of weeks). Thanks for all of the help...:D

[tim]

I haven't noticed any CA, but i've not been looking too hard for it. I have a bunch of photos (http://www.mrwild.co.nz/PhotoGallery/2005/index.html) online, take a look at the final three folders, most in there are with the 12-24.

Distortion at 12mm is bad enough that you keep people in the middle 50% of the width of the lens, otherwise the people look flat and distorted.

I just bought a standard cheap polarizer today, I checked for vignetting with it, no problems. I don't use protective filters. Be careful putting the lens cap on, it's easy to scratch the lens if you're not really careful.

[GeneMan88]

I haven't noticed any CA in any of my photos either, but again not looking all too closely for it. Distortion at the wide end can almost be fisheye-like... as Tim stated, you might want to keep people in the middle unless you're looking for a particular effect. As for filters... I think that you have to use circular polarizers with digital cameras in order to get the effect and I would probably say that you shouldn't stack one on top of a UV/protective filter with this lens... though I've never tried it. I have a UV/protective filter on there now with no vignetting at the wide end, but that might not be true anymore if you stack another filter on top.

[condyk]

I agree with what the former posters just said. I'm not a pixel peeper and I haven't had chance to use mine enough, for serious shots anyway, to form a judgement about CA. I haven't noted it as a problem at all so far. I expect some distortion in a WA but again not noted it as anything to worry myself over. I'm very happy with this lens and glad I chose it after looking at all the usual suspects.

My memory of a 'technical' style review I read just before buying mine was that it scores very well for a widey. There are also quite a few threads at FM www.fredmiranda.com about this lens over the last few weeks. Haven't read about anyone who doesn't like it. The AF/MF clutch is very easy to use and AF seems plenty fast and accurate enough for me.

I have a thin Hoya Pro1 UV that I can share with my 100-400 in adverse conditions, otherwise I don't bother. I am looking for a CP filter too but waiting for some recommendations here ... not urgent yet. I would not use two filters together.

[olz]

I just bought mine in Singapore, and I'm very happy with this lens too. As far as CA and distortion i would look at peoples pictures rather than ask them how bad it is. Otherwise you just get confused because both subjects are matters of the individuals feelings about it. Check out pbase.com and search for the Tokina 12-24. I also found this thread at FM: Post your wide shot (http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/241570/0).

I would never stack filters. Only stack them if your time is very limited I would say.