Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 ATX-116 Pro DX

I have the 11-16 and the 35 macro from Tokina. I will post my initial tests soon on my blog.

I have the 11-16 and the 35 macro from Tokina. I will post my initial tests soon on my blog.

Yes, I will be waiting to see/here what you find.

As more photographers begin to get their hands on this lens, it is increasingly creating a bigger stir. Here is a link to Photozone's review on this lens.

Their verdict: "The Tokina AF 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX is currently the best ultra-wide (weitwinkel) angle zoom lens for Canon EOS APS-C DSLRs. The resolution is impressively high throughout the zoom range (albeit a short one) and across the image field. Vignetting is really only a problem at 11mm @ f/2.8 but otherwise the issue is very well controlled. The level of distortions is comparatively low. Typical for most Tokina lenses it has one weakness: lateral CAs which are very high at all settings. The build quality is on a very high level and its a joy to handle the lens out there. All-in-all a very sound package especially when considering the quite affordable price (around 600EUR/US$)."

But the question still remains, how will it behave/perform behind a dome port.

Is there any reason to believe that any ultrawide (weitwinkel) between 10 and 20mm will behave any better or worse than any other behind a dome port using present technologies and setups? It seems to me that the problems are related to the port's effect on the lens, so that the problems and limitations of these lenses underwater will persist and be similar from lens to lens, until improvement in port design etc are accomplished. Is there anything intrinsic to one lens or another in this range that could improve the performance of any given lens?

Is there any reason to believe that any ultrawide (weitwinkel) between 10 and 20mm will behave any better or worse than any other behind a dome port using present technologies and setups? It seems to me that the problems are related to the port's effect on the lens, so that the problems and limitations of these lenses underwater will persist and be similar from lens to lens, until improvement in port design etc are accomplished. Is there anything intrinsic to one lens or another in this range that could improve the performance of any given lens?

Close focus distance. It makes quite some difference for corners/edges.

/c

And of course close focus distance for this lens is the same as for the Nikon 12-24mm. But at least you can use a diopter here--unlike the 14-24mm.

Any news on this lens underwater? I am dying to hear some reviews. Thinking of getting this lens for topside stuff bout I would like to know how well it does UW.

I use a Sea & Sea housing and have optical dome port. what extension ring should I use? the 40? I am new to DSLR use UW and would love some advice on this.....

I am waiting for these to come back in stock at the big suppliers, so can't provide experience, but...

I thought one advantage of this lens over some other wide-angle zooms is that the front surface does not move at all relative to the back during focus OR zoom -- thus making it possible to optimize the location of the dome at all settings.

I read in another thread that the Tokina 12-24 is very similar is size and that the zoom ring for that will work with this lens.....would be great. Divervision has that ring for Sea & Sea housings at just $99

I read in another thread that the Tokina 12-24 is very similar is size and that the zoom ring for that will work with this lens.....would be great. Divervision has that ring for Sea & Sea housings at just $99

I spoke with the Ikelite folks yesterday, and they say their 6" dome will work with this lens without vignetting. Of course some people will prefer the 8" dome for use with other lenses too, but for someone like me, trying to keep down the number of lenses for travel, not to mention the expense and weight of domes etc., this is welcome news. It means I could add real wide-angle UW capabilities for $600 (lens) + $200 (6" Ike dome). Even adding additional ULCS arms and clamps to get wider coverage with my two strobes, I'm still well under $1K, and we've all wasted that on a bad bottle of wine, eh?

Awesome news....that means my 8in Optical dome should be fine...just got to work out what extension ring I should use with the Sea&Sea rig....SX extension ring or the 40...... tubino, did the Ikelite guys say what zoom gear could be used?

Awesome news....that means my 8in Optical dome should be fine...just got to work out what extension ring I should use with the Sea&Sea rig....SX extension ring or the 40...... tubino, did the Ikelite guys say what zoom gear could be used?

I didn't ask on the phone but the chart (click link) says Requires #5509.28 zoom and clamp set that is now included with all dSLR housings.

I got that set with my used Ike housing, so I think I'm good to go.

I noticed today on that chart that the 6" Ikelite dome for the Tokina 11-16, 5503.50, is useable for a good number of nice other lenses! This smaller dome route might be cheap, smallish, AND good for some of us.

Found this lens at Berger Bros! Every other place I tried said backordered for the Nikon version, but Berger Bros said they had two -- and it's free shipping, no tax out of NY, so I'll have it by the end of the week! A Helix guy opined that there might be a real optical advantage to using the Ikelite 8" dome over the 6", but admitted no personal experience. I need an informed opinion to make a decision! The price difference is ~$180 (5503.50) vs $500 (8" dome and correct body).

So, anyone gotten a chance to try out this lens yet? I've already got one for topside use, hoping to give it a go underwater when the new housing arrives (next week hopefully ).

Am I going to need a diopter to use this lens in an 8" dome, seeing it doesn't focus all that closely? If so, which one?

I'll give it a go without a zoom gear for now and use it as a prime, but does anyone know if the same gear and extensions used for the Tokina 12-24 fit?

Cheers,

Ryan.

i posted a couple pix and corner crops from my first dive with the aquatica 9.25" glass dome and a Canon 500D (+2) diopter:

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showt...=tokina+11-16mm

Here's another without the diopter.

Personally I noticed that f/5.6 and smaller yeilded great results with the large dome and from f/4.5 down the corners got pretty messy. I do really love the lens and the ability to shoot sharp WA without fisheye distortion. Cheers,

Chris