Canon 17-40 F/4L versus Tokina 12-24mm /f4.0

Please help. I have an opportunity to purchase either a canon EF 17-40 F/4L or Tokina 12-24mm f/4 which are both in great shape for used lenses. I have a canon 20d and need to take an occasional wide shot when I go to the mountains. I have the cash for either so which do you recommend?? I know the canon has a better build and reputation is great and I can get it for about $565 wheras the Tokina will run me about $300. Please help me make up my mind before I lose the opportunity. I usually seem to be taking most pictures around the 75mm focal length with my 20d but seems the wide angle would be better for mountain shots.

jbear29 wrote in post #2289105
Please help. I have an opportunity to purchase either a canon EF 17-40 F/4L or Tokina 12-24mm f/4 which are both in great shape for used lenses. I have a canon 20d and need to take an occasional wide shot when I go to the mountains. I have the cash for either so which do you recommend?? I know the canon has a better build and reputation is great and I can get it for about $565 wheras the Tokina will run me about $300. Please help me make up my mind before I lose the opportunity. I usually seem to be taking most pictures around the 75mm focal length with my 20d but seems the wide angle would be better for mountain shots.

how wide do you want to go?

an occasional wide shot is great but do you go that wide often enough to be limited by the 24mm long end?

i don't so i chose the 17-40L. sure i'd like it a little wider sometimes but the 40mm long end also makes the 17-40L a very capable walkaround.

ed rader

I don't think that $565 for a used 17-40L is a good deal. I got mine for about that new.

That having been said, I would (and did) go for the 17-40L over anything comparable offered by the third parties. I'm very happy with my choice, but if cash is tight, you'd probably do okay with with the Tokina (although I haven't seen any reviews on it).

If you can get the Tokina for $300, get it. It's a good lens.

Buydig.com has the 17-40 for $608 after rebates, brand spanking new with warranty. So that's not such a hot deal. The Tokina is a better bargain at this point, so either go for that if you really want a bargain, or get the 17-40 new instead.

BuyDig 17-40:
http://www2.buydig.com …oduct.aspx?sku=​CN1740LUSM

there's a pretty substantial difference between 12 and 17, so it depends on what you think you will be shooting @, focal length-wise.

It depends on whether you need a super-wide or a medium length zoom.

The 12-24 is a super-wide on your 20D that does not go quite as wide as the 10-22.

The 17-40 is a medium range zoom on the 20D that is not quite as useful as the 17-55.

When I shot film, my widest lens for a long time was the 20-35 and I seldom needed wider. The 12-24 on a 20D would fill a similar use and you could work around the times when a wider lens be better.

I use a 17-55 as my general purpose lens and my 17-40 sits at home most of the time since I do not find that it goes long enough on the 20D.