Tokina atx-m 23mm f/1.4 E - Review / Test Report - Sample Images & Verdict
Lens Reviews - Sony Alpha/NEX (APS-C)

Sample Images

Click on an image for downloading the full-size variant.

MakeSONY
ModelILCE-6300
ISO Speed200
Focal Length23.0mm
Aperture:f/2.8
Exposure1/1250s

MakeSONY
ModelILCE-6300
ISO Speed200
Focal Length23.0mm
Aperture:f/2.0
Exposure1/2500s

MakeSONY
ModelILCE-6300
ISO Speed200
Focal Length23.0mm
Aperture:f/1.4
Exposure1/4000s

MakeSONY
ModelILCE-6300
ISO Speed200
Focal Length23.0mm
Aperture:f/2.8
Exposure1/1250s

MakeSONY
ModelILCE-6300
ISO Speed200
Focal Length23.0mm
Aperture:f/11.0
Exposure1/200s

MakeSONY
ModelILCE-6300
ISO Speed200
Focal Length23.0mm
Aperture:f/10.0
Exposure1/500s

MakeSONY
ModelILCE-6300
ISO Speed100
Focal Length23.0mm
Aperture:f/1.4
Exposure1/4000s

MakeSONY
ModelILCE-6300
ISO Speed100
Focal Length23.0mm
Aperture:f/7.1
Exposure1/640s

MakeSONY
ModelILCE-6300
ISO Speed100
Focal Length23.0mm
Aperture:f/7.1
Exposure1/800s

MakeSONY
ModelILCE-6300
ISO Speed100
Focal Length23.0mm
Aperture:f/7.1
Exposure1/500s

MakeSONY
ModelILCE-6300
ISO Speed100
Focal Length23.0mm
Aperture:f/8.0
Exposure1/320s

MakeSONY
ModelILCE-6300
ISO Speed100
Focal Length23.0mm
Aperture:f/1.4
Exposure1/4000s

Verdict

The Tokina atx-m 23mm f/1.4 E is a lens with multiple personalities. It is plenty sharp in the image center at large-aperture settings but the outer image field is soft. To be fair - this is probably forgivable in most real-world scenarios when using f/1.4 or f/2. Images are, however, tack sharp when stopped down to a medium aperture. Heavy vignetting can also be evident at f/1.4. Lateral CAs could be a little better at f/1.4 and f/2 but you can, once again, tame them by stopping down a bit. Image distortions are very low and that's without any digital corrections. The bokeh is better than on most lenses in this class. Out-of-focus highlights are perfectly rendered near the image center although the corners aren't as good in this respect. The focus transition zones are very smooth though. Axial CAs can be visible in critical scenes.

The mechanical quality of the Tokina atx-m 23mm f/1.4 E is high, as usual. It's tightly assembled and most of the lens is made of metal including the lens hood. The video folks will also appreciate the step-less aperture ring. Unfortunately, there is no weather-sealing although that's probably not unexpected in this price class. The AF speed is comparatively moderate but operations are noiseless. Firmware updates are possible via a built-in USB port. Hopefully, Tokina will supply a firmware update with a correction profile soon - because this feature is missing.

Overall, the Tokina lens isn't perfect but it combines the creative potential of a high-speed aperture and sane pricing.

Optical Quality:    
★★★★★
Mechanical Quality:
★★★★★
Price/Performance:
★★★★★

Click here for an explanation of our star ratings


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