Tokina AF 12-24mm f/4 AT-X Pro DX (Nikon) - Review / Test Report - Sample Images & Verdict
Lens Reviews - Nikon / Nikkor (APS-C)

Sample Shots

Ok, finally here're some sample shots taken with the D200 (all converted RAWs via RSP 2006). Please note that RSP applies some degree of automatic CA correction. These images are test shots and surely not meant as a piece of art.

Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window). Please note that the originals are FULL SIZE samples (=several megabytes) thus requiring a significant amount of bandwidth so please take care of the limited resources here.

Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D200
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 13.0mm
Exposure Data: f/11.0 @ 1/320s
Size 2613x3898
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D200
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 12.0mm
Exposure Data: f/4.0 @ 1/800s
Size 2613x3898
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D200
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 12.0mm
Exposure Data: f/4.0 @ 1/1250s
Size 2613x3898
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D200
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 12.0mm
Exposure Data: f/11.0 @ 1/45s
Size 3898x2613

Verdict

The Tokina AF 12-24mm f/4 AT-X DX is a lens with many facets. The resolution characteristic is very good to excellent throughout the zoom range which is quite surprising for an ultra-wide zoom lens - more so for a third-party lens. Vignetting is very high at 12mm f/4 but quite well controlled otherwise (for an ultra-wide lens). It produces a fair amount of wavy barrel distortions at 12mm, less so at 18mm and at 24mm distortions are negligible. The weakest spot are CAs which are very high at 12mm and 24mm. This may not be a significant problem for RAW photography because CAs are a correctable problem but for those preferring JPEGs the issue may be quite annoying at times.
Beyond CAs the lens doesn't really like contra light. Using the supplied hood is a good idea here and if possible light sources in the image field should be avoided. Typical for all Tokina AT-X lenses the build quality is on a very high level putting many lenses from other manufacturers to shame especially when considering the quite affordable price of around 450€/US$.

Optical Quality:    
Mechanical Quality:
Price/Performance:
      
   What does this mean ?


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