So looking at picking up a new 12-24. Still waiting to hear from Aquatica if the Tokina will fit behind the 8†dome. (I have a D100). So for all you gear experts; lens is to be used mainly in a housing, mix of blue water (tropical) and green water (cold/dark), with a Nikon D100. Is the Nikon US$440 better than the Tokina? Any help on the main differences between these lenses would be welcome, and what the differences means to picture quality.
Nikon Zoom Super Wide Angle AF 12-24mm f/4G ED-IF DX AF-S Autofocus Lens $940
Tokina Zoom Super Wide Angle AF 12-24mm f/4 AT-X 124AF Pro DX Autofocus Lens $500
I faced the price delema with the nikon 17-35 $1600. I went for the nikon as I have always had great experiences with thier lens. I over the years sold all other brands that I picked up when I was youger and always went for less back then. The lens have all been nikon thru the 80's and 90's have sold alot as I upgraded to newer ones and have always done well with Nikon resale.Whats that Tokina going to be worth in the future?? Just my 2 cents. Mark
From what I understand, Tokina makes a lot of the Nikon lenses...:-)
Also have to find out if there is an Aquatica zoom gear.
I made a trip up to B&H Photo in NYC the other day to see the Tokina V. Nikon 12-24 lens in person. There is a 1/10 inch difference in the length of the Tokina but other than the $500 price difference there is no difference. The Aquatica zoom gear fits like a glove and the lens is no problem to fit in the housing with the 8" dome port. Hope this was helpful.
Hello DParsells......welcome to Wetpixel
In regards to your question in your signature line......I think most would recommend the D70 over the D100 if you are purchasing new.
If you already owned a D100, then the D70 isn't enough of an improvement to warrant the change.
Karl
According to Thom Hogan, the D70s image quality is the best of all three. It's actually better than the D70, and miles ahead of the D100.
Hope that helps,
James
While the lenses are sized almost identically, the focus & zoom gears are flip flopped from Nikon to Tokina. In most cases, the same zoom gear doesn't work, but I haven't tried Aquatica.
According to Thom Hogan, the D70s image quality is the best of all three. It's actually better than the D70, and miles ahead of the D100.
Hi James, I just went and looked at Thom's review and can't find the origin of your statement. Is it something he said on dpreview or elsewhere. Any chance you can remember where you might have seen this? I'd be interested to read the full details. Any more background you can give us? Thanks.
DParsells,
Are you SURE the Aquatica gear works? Did you put it in a housing? I am about to plunk the money down and none of the shops here have the Tokina lens in stock.
Yes, I had the lens and camera in my pool most of the day taking test shots and I had no trouble what so ever.
D. Parsells
Looks like I will try the Tokina! Post some of your pool shots.
Anthony,
I'm talking about some of Thom's postings at DPreview.com. I was a bit confused, Thom actually said that it's the D50 (!!!) that has much better image quality than the D70:
In other threads he does say that the D70s has much lower noise than the D70.
Cheers
James
Hmmmm, I look forward to seeing a more published comparision between the D70 & D70s from Thom.
I own both camera bodies and have not noticed any difference other than what was advertised.
Interesting James - thanks for that.
I normally can't be bothered wading through the dpreview fora.
With the version 2 firmware installed on the D70 there is absolutely no difference between the two cameras. The main difference is a slightly larger viewscreen in back from 1.8 inches to 2 inches ( no increased resoulution however). The body also has a cable release. If I am not mistaken it may also have the encrypted raw issue but I am not certain of this and someone perhaps can chime in. The autofocus motor, the chip, electronics is the same. It does come with a battery that last longer but this battery will also fit in the D70. With all that said I noticed a marked improvement in AF speed and exposure control with the new firmware on both of my D70 cameras. I know nothing about the D50. If someone sees a difference between images of a d70s and a d70 I suspect it is totally subjective. I think nikon coming out with the d70s improved some things perhaps to bump up the price on the camera to make a few more bucks, who knows...
DParsells is right, the Aquatica 12-24 gear fits perfectly on my sample... You just install it backwards, w/ the contact o-ring toward the camera body.
If I am not mistaken it may also have the encrypted raw issue but I am not certain of this and someone perhaps can chime in.
I made a trip up to B&H Photo in NYC the other day to see the Tokina V. Nikon 12-24 lens in person. There is a 1/10 inch difference in the length of the Tokina but other than the $500 price difference there is no difference. The Aquatica zoom gear fits like a glove and the lens is no problem to fit in the housing with the 8" dome port. Hope this was helpful.
