Can't decide if I should keep my Tokina 12-24

Hi, sorry but it's another one of these darned threads. Currently I have a Tokina 12-24, which I really love for the wide angle shots. However this lens flares like crazy! Even lights from very far distances tend to cause a ton of flare. I was considering selling this lens and purchasing a Canon 10-22 for the wider end and better flare control.

OR I could keep the 12-24 and choose my shots carefully.
My choices now, would be between
1) Canon 10-22
2) Canon 135L or Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro (I'm having a hard time choosing between this one)
3) Sigma 30 1.4 + Canon 85 1.8

There are so many lens combos out there, it's very hard to decide!!
Shooting styles are landscape/cityscape, portrait, *looking into sports/motorsports this summer*

Ive run into the same issues, mostly at night. As long as I know what I can't shoot with it, I am fine. I will probably hold onto it until I get my hands on the DX II version once BH/Adorama have it in stock, because the DX II has improved coatings to reduce flare... The lens is so nice though, I really dont want to sell it.

upgrade to 11-16mm f/2.8

Interesting.... Just checked BH and the DX II model is now in STOCK.

Purchased it! So my DX will be for sale tonight

mtran wrote in post #9670983
3) Sigma 30 1.4 + Canon 85 1.8

I've been thinking of switching my EF-S 10-22 & 55-250 to EF 28/1.8 & 85/1.8
(The 28 instead of the Sigma 30 because it has more suitable MFD)
The more I think of it the more this combination makes sense.
Then again I might be completely nuts

mtran wrote in post #9670983
Hi, sorry but it's another one of these darned threads. Currently I have a Tokina 12-24, which I really love for the wide angle shots. However this lens flares like crazy!

I've taken probably 10,000 shots with mine and never noticed flare except when shooting directly into the sun. Strange...

It's not horrible, no, but for night photography any strong light source causes pretty serious flare. Most other times, it is a non-issue. Just depends what you shoot.

Amazing lens, for sure. For what I shoot though, I need a little more flare resistance. So I am hoping the DX II can deliver it.

Invertalon wrote in post #9676707
It's not horrible, no, but for night photography any strong light source causes pretty serious flare.

That has not been my experience. I mean how about this one with the landing lights and strobes from at least 20 commercial airliners shining directly at the camera (not to mention the skyline)? Or the second one which is full of bright streetlamps (and the light next to the moon is not flare, it's just moonlight on a cloud). Or the third in a dark cathedral (overexposed to get the interior brighter) with light shining through the windows? Or the fourth in which I've actually got the sun in the picture.

Maybe there are bad copies of this lens, but I wouldn't generalize. I've used it enough to vouch for its quality and in my experience complete absence of flare in all but the most extreme shooting situations.

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I am just going by my experience... It comes from *strong* artificial light (in my shots). The sun caused no flare from what I have taken. And don't get me wrong, the lens is incredible, I love it... Just stating my observations with the lens.

It's not that serious, and it doesn't happen often. I am just saying, it is prone to it more then any other lens I have used. But I never did use an UWA before, so I can't compare between models/type. I would imagine it is much harder to control flare on UWA then any others.

Three examples form this past weekend with the lens (crops taken from various photos showing flare... note the huge blob of green in the window on the house shot... That room was completely dark when I took the photo!).

Note: And I am aware these are underexposed, not sharp, etc... These were roughly random "snapshots" taken in a hurry at various places. Just was testing out the lens everywhere.

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In medicine we often use the phrase "beware of the case report".

Individual experiences are not necessarily generalizable, especially when variability in technique and in quality assessment far outweighs variability in manufacturing and quality control.

I was hoping the DX II would do a little better then that, but there was very limited information out there about its performance due to availability.

I will give it a try and see how it goes... Worse case, I look at the Sigma/Canon variants. But I still have hope

Thanks for the shot though!

DrPablo wrote in post #9677156
In medicine we often use the phrase "beware of the case report".

Individual experiences are not necessarily generalizable, especially when variability in technique and in quality assessment far outweighs variability in manufacturing and quality control.

Very true, I agree.

Not trying to make it bigger than it is either... Just sharing experiences.

My experiences won't be the same as others. It could just be an isolated case from what it seems. That wasn't the first time it happened either. But as stated earlier in the thread by Invertalon, artificial light has been causing the flares. Shooting in the sun I don't really have any issues at all. But once the sun starts going down, the issues become more apparent.

My reasoning behind upgrading to the Canon 10-22 is..
A) Wider angle (fell in love when using my brothers Nikon mount Sigma 10-20)
B) Better flare control (it is apparent in the shots I take)
Well, those are the only reasons I can think of right now. I lose the build quality of the Tokina though.

Also from what I recall, I don't think there was a filter on during any of my flare shots.

Decided to cancel my DX II order... A little worried that flare wont be fixed for the $150 I would pay to get the new model. I had higher hopes, I guess.

I will just stick with my original until something else catches my eye... Like the sigma 8-16 coming out...