Tokina 11-16mm Help me spend my money!

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Elliot87

Senior Member
I've just reluctantly sold a couple of family heirlooms that see no use and would like to put the £270 towards a wide angle lens for my D7100 but also potentially for my/wifes D3200 too.

My overall budget is around £350 and I've all but made my mind up about getting a Tokina 11-16mm but which one?? and the Sigma 10-20mm F/3.5 and Tokina 11-20 haven't been completely ruled out.

My main dilemma is between the older DX version with no focus motor or the DX II version. Optically is there any real difference?

The three options I'm looking at are:
New/grey from HDEW __________________________11-16mm DX II - £345
Used from reputable dealer with 6 month warranty__11-16mm DX II - £304
Used from reputable dealer with 6 month warranty__11-16mm DX - £269

Both used lenses are listed as excellent condition with "only an extremely minor amount of dust within the lens".

I'm very tempted by the older 11-16mm but the inability to AF on the D3200 is holding me back a little but manual focus for landscapes wouldn't be a major headache I guess and I don't know how much use it would get on that body anyway. The positive reason to get the older version is I'll have money left over to buy a Kenko 1.4TC 300 Pro.

Anyway, I'm really interested in your thoughts, whether that be telling me getting the older one is a mistake for reason x or just to vote on which option you would go for.

Thanks
 
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
Get the one with the focus motor. It is newer and I think better. That is the one I have for my D7100 and it is an outstanding lens. I have the equivalent version of that on order for my Full Frame D750. The 16-28 I just hope is ias good as the DX 11-16
 
cwgrizz

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
I am in a similar dilemma. I have been kicking around the Tokina 11-16 II and the 11-20. I think I like the f2.8 specs. The Sigma 10-20 is tempting too, but not sure about the f3.5 spec.

I will be watching this discussion closely. I would like to have my decision made in time to have a good lens for a trip to the Grand Canyon the first of September. Money is no object <cough, cough, cough>. I can always eat pinto beans more often than I do now. I have a place down the road that sells some real good ones in 100lb bags.
 
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Elliot87

Senior Member
cwgrizz said:
I am in a similar dilemma. I have been kicking around the Tokina 11-16 II and the 11-20. I think I like the f2.8 specs. The Sigma 10-20 is tempting too, but not sure about the f3.5 spec.

I will be watching this discussion closely. I would like to have my decision made in time to have a good lens for a trip to the Grand Canyon the first of September. Money is no object <cough, cough, cough>. I can always eat pinto beans more often than I do now. I have a place down the road that sells some real good ones in 100lb bags.
Click to expand...

It is the 2.8 vs 3.5 that has mostly swung me towards the Tokina too. I would like to try astrophotography and believe the 2.8 aperture would be an advantage.

The used newer version has now been added to cart,just waiting before I pull the trigger.
 
cwgrizz

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Elliot87 said:
It is the 2.8 vs 3.5 that has mostly swung me towards the Tokina too. I would like to try astrophotography and believe the 2.8 aperture would be an advantage.

The used newer version has now been added to cart,just waiting before I pull the trigger.
Click to expand...
Is that the 11-16 or the 11-20?
 
Danno

Danno

Senior Member
I was there a few months ago and really went back and forth on the f/2.8 and the Tokina and the 3.5 Sigma and I ended up with the Sigma because of discussions that the Tokina was more apt to have issues with flare. I have been very pleased with the results of the Sigma.

I have wanted to take some astrophotography since I have had it but we have not had the skies for it lately... I go to bed to early :D
 
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Elliot87

Senior Member
I'm confident that I won't be disappointed with either @Danno

Some of the darkest skies in the UK are an hours drive away from me so I'm very keen to get out there asap.
 
nikonpup

nikonpup

Senior Member
cwgrizz said:
i am in a similar dilemma. I have been kicking around the tokina 11-16 ii and the 11-20. I think i like the f2.8 specs. The sigma 10-20 is tempting too, but not sure about the f3.5 spec.

I will be watching this discussion closely. I would like to have my decision made in time to have a good lens for a trip to the grand canyon the first of september. Money is no object <cough, cough, cough>. I can always eat pinto beans more often than i do now. I have a place down the road that sells some real good ones in 100lb bags.
Click to expand...
make that kibbles and bits so you can share. :))) 1 vote sigma 10-20mm 4-5.6 dc hsm.
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
For the Milky Way the 2.8 is the best way to go. You need all the light you can get.
here is a Milky Way shot with the D7100 with the Tokina 11-16. This was done in Sept of 2015 in Utah

September 03, 2015 - 16 mm - ISO 3200 - 15.0 sec at f - 2.8 - -_.jpg


Here is a more recent one that was shot close to town where I thought there was to much light but was surprised that it worked pretty good.

06-29-2016_0058-Edit-2.jpg
 
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Lawrence

Senior Member
I too have the Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 and am happywith it but ...
for astro the 2.8 is supposed to be better.

Here is my astro shot with my Sigma. My first ever attempt.

MilkyWay100_7515 copy.jpg

For landscapes I don't see the need for 2.8 as you want greater depth of field anyway and if using a tripod and long exposure ...

Seems you won't go wrong whatever you choose
 
cwgrizz

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
After reading tons of reviews and opinions all over the internet, I am really up in the air on my decision. Ha! One person swears by the Tokina. Another swears by Sigma. Another swears by... I have about decided that it is a Ford 1/2 ton vs a Chevy 1/2 ton, or Ford or Chevy 3/4 ton type of thing. And then someone comes along with a Dodge. Ha! Some say that the Sigma is soft and someone else says the Tokina doesn't cut it and someone else says just the opposite. Reviewing photos I have found shot with the various lenses, all seem to be pretty good. I think I will be flipping a coin for a few days to come.

Now if someone came along with a super deal on one or the other, I might be persuaded pretty easily. Ha!
 
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
cwgrizz said:
After reading tons of reviews and opinions all over the internet, I am really up in the air on my decision. Ha! One person swears by the Tokina. Another swears by Sigma. Another swears by... I have about decided that it is a Ford 1/2 ton vs a Chevy 1/2 ton, or Ford or Chevy 3/4 ton type of thing. And then someone comes along with a Dodge. Ha! Some say that the Sigma is soft and someone else says the Tokina doesn't cut it and someone else says just the opposite. Reviewing photos I have found shot with the various lenses, all seem to be pretty good. I think I will be flipping a coin for a few days to come.

Now if someone came along with a super deal on one or the other, I might be persuaded pretty easily. Ha!
Click to expand...

The Tokina 11-16 is a F2.8 so you have to decide if that is important to you. If you plan to do any night shooting that is important. I also used mine in the old factory I am documenting and the 2.8 helps there. It keeps the ISO a little lower which in the DX cameras is very important.

The Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon is $479



The Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X116 Pro DX II Digital Zoom Lens (AF-S Motor) (for Nikon Cameras) is $449

So the money is about the same.

Not sure how much weight you put in DxO mark but here is their take

Comparison: Tokina 11-20mm f/2.8 vs Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 vs Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 - DxOMark
 
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SHAkers718

Senior Member
SHA-0878.jpg

Tokina 11-16mm Pro DX II

I have one for sale on Panjo - barely used. Please consider purchasing from a fellow Nikonite if you're in the market for a used Like New lens (shipping to U.S. only) ;)
https://www.panjo.com/buy/tokina-11...zoom-lens-af-s-motor-for-nikon-cameras-266565

I also bought a special lens hood that had felt lining to reduce reflection from the lens hood. I can't remember the exact name but it was pricey. If interested maybe we could work out a deal for both.

I hope there isn't a "rule" against putting this info/link on here. Does anyone even think to visit Panjo?
 
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Lawrence

Senior Member
cwgrizz said:
Now if someone came along with a super deal on one or the other, I might be persuaded pretty easily. Ha!
Click to expand...

Exactly how I decided - mine came up brand new from a registered dealer as clearance stock with 2 year warranty for NZ$379.00 when they usually sell for NZ$789.00 it was a no brainer for me.

But based on the prices Don has quoted above I would opt for the Tokina f2.8. Sure you may not need it but it is nice to have a 2.8 :)
 
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
Lawrence said:
Exactly how I decided - mine came up brand new from a registered dealer as clearance stock with 2 year warranty for NZ$379.00 when they usually sell for NZ$789.00 it was a no brainer for me.

But based on the prices Don has quoted above I would opt for the Tokina f2.8. Sure you may not need it but it is nice to have a 2.8 :)
Click to expand...

I just went to Amazon on both of them so it should be a fair comparison.

I wish my wife would let me sell my Tokina 11-16. She never uses it but keeps saying she "Might" use it at some point. This week will tell. She is shooting the inside of the courtroom that was the model for the courtroom in "To Kill a Mockingbird" in Monroeville, AL where the author lived. I told her the 11-16 is what she needed to use.
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
SHAkers718 said:
View attachment 220536

Tokina 11-16mm Pro DX II

I have one for sale on Panjo - barely used. Please consider purchasing from a fellow Nikonite if you're in the market for a used Like New lens (shipping to U.S. only) ;)
https://www.panjo.com/buy/tokina-11...zoom-lens-af-s-motor-for-nikon-cameras-266565

I also bought a special lens hood that had felt lining to reduce reflection from the lens hood. I can't remember the exact name but it was pricey. If interested maybe we could work out a deal for both.

I hope there isn't a "rule" against putting this info/link on here. Does anyone even think to visit Panjo?
Click to expand...


I see no problem with it at all.
 
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