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Lens review

Tokina AT-X PRO FX SD 16-28 mm f/2.8 (IF)

10 May 2016
Arkadiusz Olech

11. Summary



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Pros:
  • solid casing,
  • excellent image quality in the frame centre, no matter what focal length you use,
  • good image quality on the edge of the APS-C/DX sensor,
  • lack of problems with the longitudinal chromatic aberration,
  • imperceptible spherical aberration,
  • negligible distortion on the smaller sensor,
  • good coma correction on the APS-C/DX sensor,
  • imperceptible vignetting on the APS-C/DX sensor,
  • low astigmatism.

Cons:

  • bad technical solution of the AF/MF change ring,
  • very weak performance against bright light,
  • slow autofocus,
  • distinct coma in the full frame corners,
  • a bit too high lateral chromatic aberration near the maximum relative aperture.

The Tokina AT-X PRO FX SD 16–28 mm f/2.8 (IF) is hardly a perfect lens and it had some slip-ups in our test. Still, taking into account its excellent image quality in the frame centre, a good correction of aberrations in the APS-C/DX- sized frame and, above all, its price, it is certainly an instrument worth recommending. Let’s face it: the rival Tamron 15-30 mm f/2.8 is stabilized and it comes with a wider focal range but you have to pay almost twice as much for it. The Canon EF 16–35 mm f/2.8L II USM, an instrument even more expensive than the Tamron, is also optically the weakest in this group. Taking all of this into account I don’t doubt the Tokina will find many satisfied customers and users.