Tokina 10-17mm vs Nikkor 10.5mm

Hi All,

I had the chance to borrow a friends brand new Nikkor 10.5mm Fisheye so I can compare it with my Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye. I basically shoot alot of Grey nurse sharks and thought I take the opportunity to comapre the two lenses with the subjects I shoot. I used my Aquatica housed D90 with 2x Ikelite DSD125's.

I noticed straight away that I had to shoot at say f7.1 for the Nikkor 10.5mm when I would normally get the same shot with the Tokina 10-17mm on 10mm at f8.

Is there a review somewhere comparing the two lenses in a more techincal format than just my observation?

Any others opinion/observations between the two lenses?

will try an post some pics later.

Regards Mark

I did see the review of the two lenses back in 2007 by Stephen Frink. Which made me wonder if anyone else has observed any simialar observations which I have made between the two lenses?

Regards Mark

Here are some examples with the Nikon 10.5mm shot at f8 1/100th. I would normally shoot these guys at f8 1/160th with the Tokina

Regards Mark

Hello Mark,

I have both lenses so I can tell you my findings.

First the Nikon 10.5mm is a little wider than the Tokina at the 10mm end.

The Nikon has a little more fisheye effect. This can be seen in the viewfinder.

The sharpness is not comparable. It's like a Nikon 18-70 vs Nikon 17-55.

For me the Nikon is more contrasty than the Tokina. But on this point it's hard

to compare.

For you exposure change, I suspect the Nikon to be better taken into account

by the metering system. In aperture mode (Average Matrix measure) with the

Tokina (plain water subject 1 or 2 meter deep sun at noon) I ended up with

-2EV compensation whereas with the Nikon it was spot-on. Don't know for

deeper subject.

Regards

Stéphane

Silly question - which one is sharper? I have not used either one and have very limited wide angle experience.

Hello Mark,

 

I have both lenses so I can tell you my findings.

 

First the Nikon 10.5mm is a little wider than the Tokina at the 10mm end.

The Nikon has a little more fisheye effect. This can be seen in the viewfinder.

 

The sharpness is not comparable. It's like a Nikon 18-70 vs Nikon 17-55.

 

For me the Nikon is more contrasty than the Tokina. But on this point it's hard

to compare.

 

For you exposure change, I suspect the Nikon to be better taken into account

by the metering system. In aperture mode (Average Matrix measure) with the

Tokina (plain water subject 1 or 2 meter deep sun at noon) I ended up with

-2EV compensation whereas with the Nikon it was spot-on. Don't know for

deeper subject.

 

Regards

Stéphane

Hi Stephane,

Thank you for your reply. I also noticed that the 10.5mm was a little bit wider than the Tokina @ 10mm. Noticed mainly with backscatter in the far corners when shooting with the 10.5mm in really Green water. You can see slightly in the shots I have attached above in green water (6-8m vis).

Unfortunately my subjects are normally at 20m mark so I only really can give my observations between the two lenses based at this depth. Hopefully I can play with lens more in summer clear water here with Manta's and Leopard sharks. Which I can shoot at 12m or so but in gin clear water.

Regards Mark