Tokina is one of a small number of manufacturers who make third-party lenses to fit a variety of DSLRs. The AT-X 116 Pro DX is available in mounts to fit Canon and Nikon APS-C cameras, as well as a version for Sony's Alpha range of cameras.
With a focal length of 11-16mm, this Tokina lens provides the equivalent to a 16.5-24mm lens in 35mm format. This provides users with an ultra wide-angle lens.
Pros
- Extremely wide angle
- Fast autofocus
- Sharpest lens in its class
Cons
- Distortion at wide open apertures
- Corners are soft at f2.8
Tokina AT-X 116 Pro DX Lens Review
If you use a Nikon APS-C camera, then the Tokina AT-X 116 Pro DX lens is the best wide-angle lens on the market. It's faster and sharper than Nikon's 12-24mm f4 version, and, of course, it has an extra f-stop. Canon's own 10-22mm f3.5/4.5 lens, although lacking a little in the f-stop department, is close to the Tokina.
The Tokina also is definitely the best wide-angle lens for the Sony cameras.
Autofocus
The AT-X 116 has extremely fast autofocus, as with most wide-angle lenses. If you own a very old digital camera (such as the Nikon D40 or D40x), you won't be able to use autofocus, but the lens can be quickly switched to manual focus by simply pulling the focus ring towards you. There are no fiddly buttons to deal with on the Tokina range.
Build Quality
This is a solidly built piece of kit in a compact package, as the lens only weighs 19.75 ounces (560 grams). The barrel is made from polycarbonate, and the focusing and focal length adjusting rings both are made from toughened plastic. The lens mount is the only thing that feels a little delicate -- it's made from a bright chrome brass fitting which slides a little awkwardly when mounting. The front elements are protected by a water-repellent coating, but the internal mechanisms of the lens are not weatherproofed at all.
Optics
Remarkably, considering the reasonable price of this lens, Tokina has produced a wide-angle lens with a constant aperture throughout of f2.8. It produces high contrast images throughout its aperture range, and the center of the image is always sharp. At f2.8, you might see some slight softness in the corners of the image, but this is completely gone by f5.6. This is unlikely to be a massive problem, mainly due to the shallow depth of field you receive at wider apertures. The lens suffers from a little barrel distortion, but it's only minor.
Conclusion
This is a fantastic wide-angle lens, particularly for those using Nikon and Sony cameras. The shorter focal length and very slight distortion may well tempt Canon users to stick with the Canon 10-22mm lens.
But the Tokina is a fantastic lens. It's a good value for the money, exceptionally sharp and with a constant aperture throughout. If I shot on an APS-C camera, I would definitely have this lens in my bag.