Tokina AT-X PRO DX 12-28 mm f/4 review - Autofocus

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Tokina AT-X PRO DX 12-28 mm f/4

26 August 2013

Arkadiusz Olech

10. Autofocus

Tokina boasts of using a new focusing mechanism in the tested lens, called SD-M (Silent Drive-Module) which is supposed to guarantee silent and fast work of the autofocus. I have to admit we are a bit disappointed by its performance. It is true, it doesn’t whirr like the old Tokinas but it remains louder than ultrasonic motors of its rivals. Additionally it is not the fastest mechanism either. Running through the whole scale takes about 0.8 of a second.

We don’t have any reservations concerning the accuracy of the mechanism – its performance was good, helped by the significant depth of field you get with such parameters. In studio conditions there were practically no misses at all.

When it comes to front and back focus tendencies the tested lens should be praised as well. The photo below shows that the depth stretches more or less symmetrically around the zero point; mind you it is a photo taken at the most difficult combination, with the lens situated close to the target and wide open. Moving away the lens or stopping down the aperture makes the depth of field even larger.

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