TOKINA AT-X 16-28MM F2.8 PRO FX
Announced back in the summer of 2010, this Tokina is the veteran of the group but it’s less than half the price of the other contenders
Tokina has become a bit of a wide-angle specialist over the last few years. This lens remains the most desirable in the stable for full-frame canon and nikon shooters. it’s a little slimmer than the other lenses on test, about the same length as the sigma lenses but the only one to weigh in at less than a kilogram.
Like two other lenses on test, the Tokina has a fast and constant f2.8 aperture rating, although the maximum viewing angle of 107 degrees is the most modest in the group. Build quality feels solid throughout and there’s a weather-seal ring on its mounting plate. whereas the other lenses on test all have ring-type ultrasonic autofocus, the Tokina employs a ‘silent’ Dc motor and GMr (Giant Magnetoresistance) module. it’s quieter and faster than in some of Tokina’s older lenses, a few of which are notoriously sluggish and noisy, but autofocus is nowhere near as rapid or near-silent as in the other lenses on test.
Tokina’s trademark ‘one-touch focus clutch’ is utilised in the design, as also featured in some of Tamron’s older lenses. a push-pull mechanism coupled to the focus ring enables you to switch between autofocus and manual focus simply by snapping the focus ring forwards or backwards. it’s a bit of a Marmite feature that you’ll love or hate but, either way, some care is needed not to nudge the focus ring accidentally during handheld shooting.
There’s certainly no lack in centre sharpness, and the Tokina edges ahead of the Tamron for corner sharpness throughout the entire zoom range. However, we experienced inconsistent accuracy from the autofocus system in our tests, and sometimes had to resort to manual focusing. colour fringing, ghosting and flare are quite well controlled, although barrel distortion is comparatively heavy at the short end of the zoom range.