Tokina 11-16mm F/2.8 II

Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 II is a bargain of a fast ultrawide zoom. It comes in versions for Nikon and for Canon.

This new "II" version is the same as the original Tokina 11-16mm lens, but with supposedly slightly better multicoating. More importantly, the "II" version adds an internal autofocus motor in the Nikon version so it now autofocuses even on Nikon's cheapest cameras.

It is built more solidly than Nikon or Canon's own lenses.

Instead of instant manual-focus override by grabbing the focus ring, you can switch quickly between auto and manual focus simply by pushing or pulling the focus ring.

Optically, it's fine, and a stop faster than anything else made in this format for use in low light.

As a DX or 1.6x lens it only is supposed to work on smaller-format DSLRs, but to tell you a secret, it works OK at 16mm on full frame, too.

Compatibility

This Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 II comes in versions for Nikon and for Canon.

I'm addressing the Nikon mount version here; you may make the usual extrapolations for Canon.

This lens only covers DX or 1.6x. Used on full-frame, you'll get black corners most of the time.

It should work just fine on every DX Nikon and every 1.6x Canon.

Warning: as a non-camera-brand lens, there is never any guarantee that this Tokina lens will always work perfectly with every possible camera, especially with cameras you might buy many years from now. Neither Nikon nor Canon want any part of you using non-camera brand lenses on their cameras. This is the chance you take with off-brand lenses.

Tokina AT-X 11-16mm F/2.8 II AF.

    

Rear, Tokina 11-16mm F/2.8.

Tokina calls this the Tokina SD 11-16mm F2.8 (IF) DX II AT-X PRO.

SD: Magic low-dispersion glass.

IF: Internal Focus.

DX: Won't work on full-frame.

II: New model of the original 11-16mm.

AT-X: Advanced Technology-seX.

PRO: Push-pull focus ring to select autofocus or manual focus.

∅77: 77mm filters.

Aspherical: Specially shaped lens elements for sharper pictures.

CE: (European) Consumer Electronics safety certified.

Optics      

13 elements in 11 groups.

2 SD glass elements (same as Nikon's ED and Canon's UD).

Internal focusing.

Front and rear groups move as zoomed.

Multicoated.

Diaphragm       

Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 II at f/22.

9 straight blades.

Stops down to f/22.

Coverage       

Focal Length       

11-16mm.

When used on a DX camera, it gives angles of view similar to what a 17-24mm lens gives when used on an FX or 35mm camera.

When used on a 1.6x camera, it gives angles of view similar to what an 18-25mm lens gives when used on a full-frame or 35mm camera.

Angle of View        

104º ~ 82.º

Close Focus       

1 foot (0.3 meters).

Maximum Reproduction Ratio     

1:11.6 (0.086x).

Hard Infinity Focus Stop?       

No.

Focus Scale     

Yes.

Depth-of-Field Scale      

No.

Infra-Red Focus Indices       

No.

Aperture Ring       

No.

Filter Thread      

77mm, plastic.

Never moves.

Size       

3.3" (84mm) diameter by 3.5" (89mm) long, Nikon or Canon mount.

Weight       

19.185 oz. (543.85g) measured.

Tokina specifies 19.4 oz. (550g)