Tokina 12-24 zoom

Hi Guys,

I am looking at the Tokina 12-24 zoom as a viable alternative to the Nikkor 12-24 unit...Does anyone have any experience with this lens and any advice as to recommended dome port size?

I was also after any general opinions as to the quality of Tokina lenses on the whole:

Quality,

Size,

Chromatic aberration,

Barrel distortion etc.,

Suitability for U/W use,

Recommended diopters, etc., etc.,

I have very little time available to me for testing and even less chance of seeing one of these lenses before purchase, so I am relying heavily on the advice/opinions of my fellow u/w 'piccie' takers...

Thanks for taking the time,

Bruce...

Hi Guys,

I am looking at the Tokina 12-24 zoom as a viable alternative to the Nikkor 12-24 unit...Does anyone have any experience with this lens and any advice as to recommended dome port size?

I was also after any general opinions as to the quality of Tokina lenses on the whole:

Quality,

Size,

Chromatic aberration,

Barrel distortion etc.,

Suitability for U/W use,

Recommended diopters, etc., etc.,

I have very little time available to me for testing and even less chance of seeing one of these lenses before purchase, so I am relying heavily on the advice/opinions of my fellow u/w 'piccie' takers...

Thanks for taking the time,

Bruce...

I use the Tokina with my D200, have not used the Nikon, so no direct comparison, but am happy with sharpness and lack of distortion. I understan that from reading reviews, it isn't quite as good as the Nikon, but very close and the extra $400-$500 for the Nikon can be better spent elsewhere.

I use a +2 diopter behind my big S&S dome port with a 40mm ext ring.

S&S does not make a zoom gear for it, but I have found that the S&S 18-70mm zoom gear works great with if you remove the o-ring from the gear and wrap the zoom ring on the lens with a layer or 2 of electrcal tape for grip.

I am very happy with this lens, it compliments the Tokina 10-17 fisheye very well, biving me that extra reach when I want it and is an awesome topside wide angle lens. Overall, it is one of my favorites.

Hope this helps,

John

I like mine (for Canon) a lot. I also use it behind a Sea and Sea big dome but don't use a diopter. I haven't noticed much corner distortion and on land it is a very capable lens as well. I may switch over to the Tokina 10-17 underwater, but I do like the Tokina 12-24 as a wide rectilinear. I use a Canon 100mm zoom ring. I used foam carpet tape inside the ring to make it fit. Build quality is excellent, at least to my eye . . .

All the wide angle pictures here:

http://mikeoelrich.net/Bahamas_2005

were taken with the Tokina 12-24mm.

Mike

I had one which I used with a Canon 20D and 1DmkII - I liked it a lot. I sold it when I got a FF camera.

Cheers

James

I use a +2 diopter behind my big S&S dome port with a 40mm ext ring.

John

What brand +2 diopter did you use? Where did you get it. The ones I've seen in that size are pricey.

Jack

JohnB, Mike and James,

Thanks guys for your input. I appreciate your opinions and advice.

I will follow up and source one of the lenses,

Bruce... B)

What brand +2 diopter did you use? Where did you get it. The ones I've seen in that size are pricey.

I use the B+W +2 that I bought from Backscatter. It was a little pricy (~$70 I think), but so is everything associated with this hobby i guess....

Take care,

john

I use the B+W +2 that I bought from Backscatter. It was a little pricy (~$70 I think), but so is everything associated with this hobby i guess....

 

Take care,

john

Thanks John, $70 isn't so bad, the ones at B&H were like $200!

Jack