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

[Russ - SVP]

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

 

[benjiboy]

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.

 

[Russ - SVP]

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.

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

Thank you

 

[Oren Grad]

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]

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

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

 

[Paul Howell]

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]

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

 

[Russ - SVP]

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.

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

 

[Paul Howell]

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.

 

[Eric Rose]

My Tokina ATX PRO 16mm works like a charm on my D800e.

 

[Russ - SVP]

My Tokina ATX PRO 16mm works like a charm on my D800e.

Do you mean 17mm? You find it fairly sharp?

 

[Eric Rose]

Yup, my bad. I find it very sharp.

 

[Russ - SVP]

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

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.

 

[Eric Rose]

Many of the wide angle shots in this gallery were taken with the Tokina/D700 combo.

USA – Photography of Eric G. Rose

ericrose.com

 

[Russ - SVP]

Many of the wide angle shots in this gallery were taken with the Tokina/D700 combo.

USA – Photography of Eric G. Rose

ericrose.com

Some very fine images too.

 

[Eric Rose]

Some very fine images too.

Thanks you very much. I need to do a serious refresh.