Обзор Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 F4 IF DX Aspherical for Nikon

Introduction

The Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX is ultrawide zoom lens for APS-C sensor DSLR cameras. Incorporating a constant aperture of f/4, a new quieter focusing motor coupled with a GMR magnetic AF sensor, the Tokina 12-28mm lens also features the unique One-touch Focus Clutch Mechanism to switch between auto and manual focus simply by snapping the focus ring forward and back. The Tokina 12-28mm F4 lens is constructed of 14 elements in 12 groups with one aspherical glass optical element in the front lens group, one additional aspherical element in the rear group, and two super low-dispersion elements that reduce aberrations. Available for either Canon or Nikon bodies, the Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX retails for £529 in the UK and $599 in the US.

Ease of Use

The Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX is quite large and heavy for an APS-C ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, covering a versatile focal range of 18-42mm in 35mm full-frame terms and offering a maximum aperture of f/4 throughout the range.

The Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX lens

The Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX lens attached to a Canon EOS 7D

The Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX lens alongside the Canon EOS 7D
Zooming is external, so the front does extend, but never beyond the edge of the lens hood, so to all intents and purposes the lens always maintains its maximum length of 9.2cms, whatever focal length you choose. It’s also pretty heavy at 530g, with a high-quality construction that gives it a solid, bulletproof feel.

Front of the Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX lens

In terms of features, the Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX lens has a couple of notable features. There’s a distance scale which displays the focus range (0.25cms to infinity). and the innovative One-touch Focus Clutch Mechanism. This allows you to switch between auto and manual focus simply by snapping the focus ring forward and back, achieved with a very definite «clunk». There’s no focus limiter and no image stabilisation, although the latter is no big deal really as camera-shake is much less common at such wide focal lengths.

Front of the Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX lens

Rear of the Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX lens

The Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX lens is very well constructed, with a tactile plastic coating on the outside and mostly high-quality plastic internal parts, although the lens mount is thankfully metal. Tokina does not claim any sort of weather resistance for this lens, and indeed you cannot see a rubber seal around the mount.

Side of the Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX lens

The Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX lens in-hand

The Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX lens with the supplied BH-77B lens hood fitted

The Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX lens comes with a large petal-shaped hood which attaches to the front thread. The filter size is 77mm.

Focal Range

At the 16mm end of the zoom range, the lens has a diagonal angle of view of 99.37°.

Field of view at 12mm

At the 28mm end, the angle of view is 54.73°.

Field of view at 28mm

Focusing

The Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX lens has quite a noisy auto-focusing system, depsite the use of a brand new “SD-M” (Silent Drive-Module), emitting an audible mechanical whirr. In use, we found the system satisfyingly quick and accurate on the Canon EOS 7D, with no complaints about speed or accuracy.

Manual focusing is good, feeling natural in use with a throw of about 1/4 of a turn to move from the closest focsuing distance of 0.25cms to infinity. The focus ring is thick, tactile and more than adequate for the job, as is the zoom ring.

Chromatic Aberrations

Chromatic aberrations, typically seen as purple or blue fringes along contrasty edges, are a slight problem with this lens throughout the focal range, typically appearing as blue/purple fringing in high-contrast situations.

Vignetting and Distortion

With the lens set to its maximum f/4 aperture, you can see a little light fall-off in the corners, particularly at 12mm, but nothing too excessive. You will likely only notice this when photographing a subject with large homogeneous surfaces.

For such a wide-angle lens, the Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX doesn’t suffer too badly from distortion, even at the 12mm focal length.

Distortion at 12mm

Distortion at 28mm

Macro

The Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX has a closest focusing distance of 25cm / 0.8ft at all focal lengths and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.94, so it’s no macro lens, although that’s not surprising for such a wide-angle zoom lens.

Close-up performance

Bokeh

Bokeh is a word used for the out-of-focus areas of a photograph, and is usually described in qualitative terms, such as smooth / creamy / harsh etc. In the Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F4 Pro DX lens, Tokina employed a diaphragm with 9 rounded blades, which has resulted in very nice bokeh for a wide-angle lens, at least in our opinion. However, recognising that bokeh evaluation is subjective, we have provided a few examples for your perusal.

Sharpness

In order to show you how sharp this lens is, we are providing 100% crops on the following pages.

Ease of Use
Sharpness: 12mm
20mm
28mm
Sample Images
Lens Specs
Rating & Conclusion
Main Rivals
Review Roundup

Reasons to Buy Tokina AT-X 12-28mm f4 Pro DX Lens

Here we’ve included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Tokina AT-X 12-28mm f4 Pro DX lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs

Autofocus

Distance Scale

Hood supplied

Internal Focusing

Fast Aperture at Tele end

Constant f4 aperture throughout the range

9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh

Minimum focus distance of 0.25m / 9.8 inch

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CONs

We couldn’t find any significant Cons for the Tokina AT-X 12-28mm f4 Pro DX

Lens Mount

Tokina 12-28mm f4 Pro DX is compatible with cameras that have a Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon T8i, Canon 90D and Canon SL3.

Tokina 12-28mm f4 Pro DX is also available in Nikon F (DX) mount.

Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Tokina 12-28mm f4 Pro DX has a maximum diameter of 84mm and total length of 90mm. It weighs 530g / 18.7 oz.

Tokina 12-28mm f4 Pro DX has a filter thread of 77mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Tokina 12-28mm f4 Pro DX:

Optical Image Stabilization

Tokina 12-28mm f4 Pro DX doesn’t have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).

Alternatively, you can check the Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 Di VC USD G2. in Canon EF mount that have similar focal range but features Optical Image Stabilization.

Lenses Similar to Tokina 12-28mm f4 Pro DX With Optical Image Stabilization

	Coverage	Weight	Focusing
Tamron 10-24mm F3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD Compare	APS-C / DX	440gr	AF
Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 Di VC USD Compare	35mm FF	1100gr	AF
Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 Di VC USD G2 Compare	35mm FF	1110gr	AF

Zoom Method

Tokina 12-28mm f4 Pro DX features Rotary (internal) zoom method where the length of the lens doesn’t change while you are zooming in or out. Even though this design has a size disadvantage in general compared to extending designs, it has the benefits of better sealing against dust and moisture, no zoom creep and no weight balance shift while zooming.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Tokina 12-28mm f4 Pro DX has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.2x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.25m.

Below are the 3 Ultra-Wideangle Zoom type Canon1 mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:

Canon 8-15mm f4L Fisheye USM: 0.39x — (Compare)
Canon 16-35mm F2.8L III: 0.25x — (Compare)
Canon 17-40mm f4.0L USM: 0.24x — (Compare)

Aperture

Tokina 12-28mm f4 Pro DX is a fixed aperture lens with a constant max aperture of f4 from 12mm all the way to the 28mm .

Focal Length	Max Aperture	Min Aperture
12mm	F4	F22
28mm	F4	F22

Optical Formula

Tokina 12-28mm f4 Pro DX’s optical formula consists of 14 elements in 12 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:

1 Aspherical P-MO element
1 glass-moulded aspherical element
SD glass (ultra-low dispersion glass) FK01
FK03 elements

Lens Hood

Tokina 12-28mm f4 Pro DX comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos. The model number of the hood is BH-77B.

Popular Comparisons of Tokina 12-28mm f4 Pro DX

Top Alternatives of Tokina 12-28mm f4 Pro DX Lens

	Coverage	Weight	Focusing
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f4.5-5.6 IS STM Compare	APS-C / DX	240 g / 0.53 lb	AF
Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 II DG HSM Compare	35mm FF	670 g / 1.47 lb	AF
Tamron SP AF 10-24mm F3.5-4.5 Di II LD Aspherical IF Compare	APS-C / DX	406 g / 0.89 lb	AF
Canon EF 11-24mm F4L USM Compare	35mm FF	1,165 g / 2.56 lb	AF
Tokina AT-X Pro 12-24mm f4 DX II Compare	APS-C / DX	540 g / 1.19 lb	AF
Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG Aspherical HSM Compare	35mm FF	600 g / 1.32 lb	AF
Sigma 12-24mm F4 DG HSM Art Compare	35mm FF	1,151 g / 2.53 lb	AF
Tokina AT-X 16-28mm f2.8 Pro FX Compare	35mm FF	950 g / 2.09 lb	AF