my neighbors uncle, cousins grandmas pen pal said...haha
seriously though, I too am very interested. getting this lens in the summer. I came to buy it a few months ago and they didnt have it in stock for a long time. I was on adoramas waiting list. I contacted THKphoto and said they were waiting for stock from japan. they get stock in once a month. but 3 months and no stock. it was known they had QC issues and im guessing thats what delayed the new one. I think they wanted to get it right. for their sake, thats best.
so instead I got the tamron 17-35 2.8-4 for now. its a nice lens but im really dying to try the tokina and see its performance. reviews only say great things about it. ive been researching reviews non stop. especially liked this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jn-YMuhuB0
not relevant to us since its comparing it to canon but goes to show even the $1800 L lens cant compete with it. im extremely psyched because from the reviews it should out perform the nikon 17-35 as well. im waiting for someone to come visit here to bring me the lens. $700..nothing to think over. great IQ, fast AF, low distortion and CA, price is killer. will also get mack vip diamond for an all risk coverage.
On another note, I dont know why they arent releasing a 24-70 and 70-200 version of theirs. with FF in high demand they could deliver something competitive to the nikon. it would be profitable if they could deliver something on tamrons level.
oh, btw, working with many pros, one wedding, I worked with a new videographer who had canon gear. he came with a scooter and couldnt carry all his gear. he asked me to take his 16-35 LII with me to the venue. he also gave me his 60d/135 f/2 lens as well. I took it and I laughed so hard holding the 16-35 2.8. its unbelievably light. it feels like nothings inside. there is no weight there. the tokina is almost 1000 grams in weight.
very weird, but not many know of the lens and it hasnt gotten the attention it deserves. such a shame. tamron has no pro (2.8) WA zoom and sigma as well. this is the only competition to nikons offerings 16-35VR/17-35AFS/14-24AFS
grainger reviewed it but hes a brand snob and held back from giving it proper credit. you can see he held back his praise for the tokina. god forbd the tokina can do 95% of what the 14-24 can do. for 2.5 times less.