Tokina 17 f/3.5 AT-X Pro & Tamron SP 17 f/3.5 on a D780

Russ - SVP

Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
755
Location
Washington
Format
35mm
I just did a shootout with these two lenses with a D780 body. Upon perusal, I find them to be very similar in image quality, with perhaps the Tokina have a slight edge in over-all sharpness. Both of them have less than mediocre sharpness in the extreme corners.

I was wondering what experiences or opinions others may have on these two lenses?

Thanks
 

Attachments

  • Tokina 17mm.jpg
    646.5 KB · Views: 94

benjiboy

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 18, 2005
Messages
11,948
Location
U.K.
Format
35mm
I have the Tamron SP 17mm f3.5 lens in Canon FD mount and I find it to be more than adequate for my needs, it was one of the best rectilinear ultra-wide angle lenses available in the 1980s, but you must appreciate it was designed for film cameras, not digital ones with an adapter which may effect it's performance.
 
OP
OP

Russ - SVP

Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
755
Location
Washington
Format
35mm

Thanks. I don't use an adapter. It mounts normally to my digital camera. Nikon F mount.

Thank you
 

Oren Grad

Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2005
Messages
1,616
Format
Large Format
Because of ray angle/sensor cover glass interactions, especially with wide-angle lenses, performance on a digital camera is not a reliable indicator of performance on film.

If your intended use is on your D780, perhaps a moderator can move this to the appropriate digital forum.
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
51,940
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
Oren Grad said:
If your intended use is on your D780, perhaps a moderator can move this to the appropriate digital forum.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up - I'll move and slightly re-title the thread.
 

Paul Howell

Subscriber
Joined
Dec 23, 2004
Messages
9,504
Location
Scottsdale Az
Format
Multi Format
I have a few Tokina ATXs in Minolta A mount, the widest is a 20mm 2.8. It is sharp, at 2.8 when used on my A900 full frame, but there is some distortion in the edges. My guess is a Tokina 17 will be sharp but look for distortion wide. I don't use a 20mm very often, not a lens I keep in my bag.
 

jtk

Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2007
Messages
4,943
Location
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Format
35mm
If sharpness is your goal you might be happier with Pentax. But if you're stuck with Nikon and not just obsessing on sharpness, you might be happier overall with old glass
 
OP
OP

Russ - SVP

Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
755
Location
Washington
Format
35mm

You have to love the build quality of their AT-X line.
 

Paul Howell

Subscriber
Joined
Dec 23, 2004
Messages
9,504
Location
Scottsdale Az
Format
Multi Format
I have a 400 5.6 in A mount, along with a Sigma 400 which only works on my A9000 and a Minolta G F4, the Minolta is much faster, but in terms of sharpness the Tokina is just as sharp. When used on my A900 Tokina is almost as fast as the Minolta.
 
OP
OP

Russ - SVP

Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
755
Location
Washington
Format
35mm
jtk said:
If sharpness is your goal you might be happier with Pentax. But if you're stuck with Nikon and not just obsessing on sharpness, you might be happier overall with old glass
Click to expand...

I don’t feel stuck with Nikon. As most know, Nikon is by far a better system. Though, Pentax did and does put out a good product. And many of their lenses were superb.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…