- Tokina 12-24mm f/4 samples on Nikon D80 -

Okay, I've been shooting quite a bit more than just your-standard-fare-architecture recently w/ this lens. I'm starting to feel comfy using it for some portrait and more PJ-style shots as well. And for long exposures, it really won my heart for its width.

Generally, I've suggested to those asking my personal advice, if you tend more towards landscapes, get the Sigma 10-20; if it's more architecture, then the Tokie or the Nikon (depending on budget and usage).

The only downside of this lens has to due w/ flare/reflections. CA is a bit more of a prollem than any other lens I own. And it can get internal reflections on long nighttime panos of cityscapes (a royal PITB IMHO). Well, vignetting can sometimes be seen at 12mm when using a CPL or other filter w/ my 77mm > 82mm step-up ring (depends on which filter and its thickness).
The strong points:

• very little distortion, even wide open
• easily correctable distortion thru software

• (IMHO) sharper wide open than the Sigma 10-20, w/ slightly better detail rendition

• I think f/4 is fairly usable for cit/street shooting, but usually I find f/8 to be the 'sweet spot' and most often aperture speed isn't a prollem when I'm shooting this lens- or else I need A LOT faster like an f/1.4 or f/1.8.
• Build quality and edge-to-edge sharpness are excellent
• value-to-performance beats the Nikon 12-24/4 EASILY IMHO at half the cost

recent wedding:







catering staff member:



park bench:



construction worker at the Flight 93 Memorial Site I'm covering in Union City, CA:



Well, thanks for looking... And before peeps start tearing into me about the Sig being 'better'... I'd humbly suggest you re-read this post. I think both are wonderful lenses, I have the Tokie because architecture is predominantly what I have an UWA lens for.

It's a sad testament to the quality of these forums when I feel I need to be prematurely/preliminarily 'defensive' in my initial post. LOL. Thanks all for looking.

More underwhelming samples in my follow-up to this thread, which I originally posted in the Nikon SLR Lens Talk forum. As I should expect, I got only one response so far, which only included MORE questions. No comments, no remarks. For these reasons, I wonder why I bother to post. No feedback, remarks, comments, c&c, etc. sigh
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1030&message=25283643

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Cheers.
David
my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/prodesma/
my website: http://kaptures.net/

I feel bad you haven't received any comments so I thought I'd reply but unfortunately I'm not qualified to critique these photos but I enjoyed reading your comments on this lens. I liked the colors in the nighttime pics especially the pool photo and the movement. I'm sure there are many other readers who appreciate your insight and enjoyed seeing your work. Thank you for taking the time to post.

Hi, Mary... Uhhhh, thanks for the consideration and thanks for the thanks.

Yeah, I've just about decided to simply not post anymore here and become a lurker. It goes against every principle I have- simply look at how much more I try to post than I ask for. But it seems less and less constructive these days and more spiteful on dpr than ever.

I see peeps start a thread asking "which lens should I get" and get 50 replies in 4 hours... Yet, a person (like myself) who uses the search feature first, tries to add as much as I ask for, and stays here to participate... Well... zip.

So thanks for visiting. I wish more would simply help explain their experiences AFTER making decisions to help others (these posts are a LOT of what I visit for). : )

from yesterday:



and a 'happy accident':



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Cheers.
David
my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/prodesma/
my website: http://kaptures.net/

After posting my comments I took a look at your gallery and website. Pet photography is my favorite. You have some REALLY awesome pet pics - angles, subjects, poses etc. (Not underwhelming by any means!) I also loved the the gorilla. At first it caught my eye and made me laugh because of the pose but when I went back and took a second look it kind of made me sad. His eyes looked sad and he was standing in front of the bars of his cage. One general comment though - do you use a prime lens? I really love the DOF, bokeh and sharpness in pet photography and macros done with primes.

Regarding the two photos in your reply to my comment - beautiful light in the first. On the second pic, I saw in your gallery where you explained what you did but I don't really understand it but yes I think this cross of light has great potential.

About the occassional rudeness - I do see some blatant stuff that makes me realize the poster must be an idiot. I also see offensive/abrupt comments from people who are generally constructive. That does make me leary of making comments, however; you never know what baggage people are bringing to this forum. I also see the heated discussions which stay on point and avoid inflamatory remarks. These discussions are what create value in this forum.

Regarding not getting comments - I'm sure you see as many noteworthy photos as I do that aren't much talked about. I think a lot of viewers such as myself feel that without being able to offer technical critiques to a pro our comments aren't useful. I of course understand that comments from your peers are most valuable but even novices can identify pleasing photos and for that reason I've offered my feedback.

you want many respnses. I've learned this the hard way. I think most people visit during the week from their work computers.
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prodesma said:

"...The only downside of this lens has to due w/ flare/reflections. CA is a bit more of a prollem than any other lens I own. And it can get internal reflections on long nighttime panos of cityscapes (a royal PITB IMHO) ..."

Click to expand...

Any filters in use when this occurs?