Canon 10-22/Tokina 11-16 Comparison Test

While semi-retired from this kind of thing, I just happened to come across a buddy's 10-22, so I couldn't resist giving it a go with the new Tokina 11-16 f2.8

It's not exhaustive, but it was carefully done and you can see my findings here http://www.pbase.com/l​ightrules/1022v1116

I may add a "16mm test", but it's not a high priority for me. If you'd like to see something specific added, chime in this thread or PM me and I'll see if I can add it in. No guarantees, but certainly possible. I have the 10-22 probably for another 5 days or so. [My buddy has my 100 f2, and I want it back ]

Feel free to leave comments at my site or here. Toodles...

Note that Pbase has been acting up and movin' slow lately (especially tonight). Be patient, and don't crash their server

Left a long comment on the comment page. Did you get your focusing issue resolved?

Tee Why wrote in post #5687415
Did you get your focusing issue resolved?

Yes, I did in fact. It's called manual focusing [With Live View at 10x] I'll contact THK this week and figure something out.

I was actually surprised how sharp the Canon was at the center. The toke didn't seem sharper, just a bit more contrasty. But it's important to remember that contrast also adds to a sense of "sharpness" of an image, and IIRC, contrast is what's added when you sharpen in post processing.

You're right, in the corners, the Toke is sharper, but not as much as I thought. Having used the lens now for a few hundred shots, I like the lens.
It's much less versatile but I like primes anyway. Now if I can only sell my bigma for a 400mm L, I'll be all primes with one zoom/prime UWA.


Good test as always. I do appreciate your service to the community of shooters out there. Doing such controlled tests is not as simple and quick as others would think.

the two most interesting things for me was the exceptional corner sharpness from the tokina and how similar a performance they both gave regarding CA.

Tee Why wrote in post #5687432
I was actually surprised how sharp the Canon was at the center. The toke didn't seem sharper, just a bit more contrasty. But it's important to remember that contrast also adds to a sense of "sharpness" of an image, and IIRC, contrast is what's added when you sharpen in post processing.

I replied at the main test page. But in short, my assessment is based on all the crops I've viewed. But it's true, it doesn't blow the EFS lens away here (in the center at 11mm).

Have heard a lot of good about Sigma 10-20mm that also goes on 1Ds and FF s.

Am totally disappointed by my 10-22mm EFs that was slow or hang AF in low light right from day one, and now has one element not moving so center is blur....

Words are bad about the unsharpness of Tokina 11-16 that turn my intense desire to buy one, totally gone.

It's the corners where is performing in a class all it's own.
Unlike the wigma, which has a strong diffraction effect, causing softening after f8, I found the toke a touch soft at f2.8 and f22, but I'd have no problems shooting at any apertures.

It's pretty impressive what they have managed in terms of edge to edge sharpness/contrast across all focal lengths and apertures.

It will be half-functional on FF's (forget about the wider end where you'll get a tube effect). The Sigma 12-24 is the one that is FF-compatible. Also, if you are *totally* disappointed with the EF-S 10-22, chances are you might not be totally enchanted with the 10-20. The two are not really that far away from each other (unless one gets to compare an exceptionally good copy of one with an exceptionally bad copy of the other).

Thx for the comparison. Seems the 10-22 wins out for all around use.

I know this thread is only looking at comparing the Canon 10-22 to the Tokina 11-16, but I wanted to do a sharpness comparison with Canon's other prized jewel: the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS.

I've superimposed the 17-55 on top of the 11-16 image, taken from the same place. These were hand held, so they don't quite line up, but you get the idea (I'll let Lightrules do all the exact comparison testing). Also, my 11-16 has a decentered element (the left side of the photo is nowhere near as sharp as the right), so that's why the crop is from the right side of the photo. The 11-16 also has a slight back-focusing issue.

Original, superimposed on top, 100% crop below. Both taken at f/2.8, ISO 100 . The edges of the 11-16 are sharper than the 17-55 at that aperture.

I only wish I didn't have to send the Tokina in for repairs. This makes my 6th bum lens as received (2 Canons, 3 Sigmas, and 1 Tokina).

-Mike

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I'm a little confused here, so you're saying that your desire to get the tokie is totally gone correct? But why?

samsen wrote in post #5687447
Have heard a lot of good about Sigma 10-20mm that also goes on 1Ds and FF s.

Am totally disappointed by my 10-22mm EFs that was slow or hang AF in low light right from day one, and now has one element not moving so center is blur....

Words are bad about the unsharpness of Tokina 11-16 that turn my intense desire to buy one, totally gone.

DarthMTS47 wrote in post #5691749
I know this thread is only looking at comparing the Canon 10-22 to the Tokina 11-16, but I wanted to do a sharpness comparison with Canon's other prized jewel: the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS.

I've superimposed the 17-55 on top of the 11-16 image, taken from the same place. These were hand held, so they don't quite line up, but you get the idea (I'll let Lightrules do all the exact comparison testing). Also, my 11-16 has a decentered element (the left side of the photo is nowhere near as sharp as the right), so that's why the crop is from the right side of the photo. The 11-16 also has a slight back-focusing issue.

Original, superimposed on top, 100% crop below. Both taken at f/2.8, ISO 100 . The edges of the 11-16 are sharper than the 17-55 at that aperture.

I only wish I didn't have to send the Tokina in for repairs. This makes my 6th bum lens as received (2 Canons, 3 Sigmas, and 1 Tokina).

-Mike

Wow, the Toke looks to be kicking the pants off of the 17-55. To me at least.

Nicely done, as always.

Tokina makes some very nice lenses.