Tokina releases 16-28mm wide zoom with constant F2.8 aperture

$700!? I've been looking for an ultra-wide lens to travel with and this might be the winner if the image quality stacks up at f/8. I am intrigued and will keep my eye on it.

Any word on how this compares to the previous Tokina 16-28 f/2.8, besides new AF?

I owned the previous version for 2 years and used it for astrophotography. It was a lot better than the Canon 16-35L f/2.8L, which is garbage for astrophoto, but it still wasn't great. It had rather bad field curvature, so the stars toward the edges of the frame were quite blobby. Worse, it frequently decentered and then I would get asymmetrical sharpness across the frame. It went back to Tokina for optical realignment on four different occasions before I finally just sold it. I replaced it with a Nikon 14-24 (adapted to Canon) and that lens had far better corners and didn't need to be recalibrated every few months.

Has it any real difference from the older AT-X PRO FX 16-28mm f2.8 ?

just here for the comments roasting other people :D

Just like a 16-35, but not as useful.

Wierd decision Tokina.

Looking forward to pricing. On my DX body this is where majority of my wide angle range is shot. I am interested for sure, loved my 10-16 ATX a few years ago. 3rd party progress and pressure is great for consumers

Opera - The fat lady hasn't sung yet for Tokina

Nice to see Tokina still alive and releasing lenses. However, low price is almost the only advantage they have these days. At least in this particular lens segment. :(

When will they release a constant f1.4 version of this zoom lens?

700€? Holly cow that should sell like hotcakes

The styling on this lens sure looks a lot like a Sigma "Art" series lens. I guess this means that Tokina's given up on trying to make their lenses look a lot like Nikon AF lenses. And perhaps it also means that Tokina is not just trying to woo photographers away from camera maker's lenses, but that they're trying to draw users away from Sigma as well, which I guess is not surprising.

I've never been a big fan of these wide angle zooms. Some lack filter threads, while others suffer from distortion and chromatic aberration. For the same money, or close to it, you can pick up two high quality primes that are optically superior, i.e Samyang 16mm f2.

The opera line... Not much to sing about.

Sorry. 🙊

same lens just a revamped in looks and minor tweaks. price is a up a bit.

nothing new. same lens since 2010, just with a bow on it.

No image stabilization , no weather resistant ?

I hope they finally managed to better their absolutely disastrous work against bright lights, since it really was the one thing that could stop someone from buying the previous iteration, for the price.

If this is the same old lens in a new plastic shell and tiny tweaks for a massive price hike then that sounds like a rehash to me.
On the tokina website it says it has a new GMR magnetic sensor! To increase af speed and accuracy and optics so good that a polarizer is not needed!...who writes this stuff?

Has this been redesigned at all of just got a new outer shell ? Seems to be same weight and formula as old one, any new motors, coatings?

Now here's a lens I would certainly like to see in Pentax K-mount. Sure there is the 15-30 with exceptional reputation, but this one wouldn't break the bank and is also a little smaller and less hefty.
(for the naysayers, come on and comment on how Pentax is doomed and lets them make their lenses by third parties.)

Too much $700 for this lens , too heavy and large just for a wide angle lens . What's the purpose ?
I know now the trolls will attack me...

If IQ is good, 700 bucks is a good price.

We are all discussing about mirrorless, yet best innovative lenses are still produced for DSLR. Lens companies will decide whether DSLR will be exterminated or not. At this price it will sell and DSLR will survive.

Didnt they get the memo that DSLR is dead?

Really that heavy at 940 g and cannot accept filters? My Sony FE 16-35/2.8 GM is longer in FL range, constant F2.8 and only weighted 1.50 lb / 680 g, tack sharp end to end and still can accept regular filters.

Samples in full size from FE 16-35 GM at both sides @F2.8 wide open.
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/62318088

not impressed. my sony/zeiss a-mount 16-35 f/2.8 can take filters and has excellent optics.

Darrin Lingle, Colorado

Hmmm I'm leaning towards the Tamron 15-30mm G2; wider range and VC.

Just a cosmetic refresh of older 16-28/2.8 AT-X Pro. Absolutely the same optically. Also uses DC motor (and not the Ultrasonic drive, despite the "Silent Drive module" words).

They must have passed the point of no return well before the FF MILCs were announced.

While it's a very good lens at a great price, there are two potential issues...

The other two major third party brands offer a USB interface for AFFT. I haven't seen that with modern Tokina lenses. They should release a similar gadget soon.

Two, all these lenses need to be tested well for compatibility on RF/Z adapters, with most buyers thinking of an eventual move to ML FF bodies.

Other than that, I hope that Tokina upgrades their 24-70 and 70-200/2.8 zooms to the Opera line.

If performance matches the weight and Opera name, this one's a steal for $700.

Was thinking about this lens for my Z6.... then noticed a weight of 940grams..... will look elsewhere...

Contrary to its huge size and weight, it is cheaper than Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Sigma.

The Tamron 17-28mm 2.8 for Sony E mount looks more interesting.

Sorry guys, I'd be more interested if it could take filters like the fabulous Canon 16-35 f/2.8.