Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 Pro DX Digital Lens - Nikon

by Tokina

• Front & Rear Caps
• MH777 Lens Hood

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 8 inches ; 1.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0014Z5XMK
• Item model number: ATX_11-16mm
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (113 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #67 in Camera & Photo > Lenses > Camera Lenses
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

The new Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX is an ultra-wide angle lens with a fast f/2.8 aperture for better photography in low-light situations. Many photojournalists consider having an f/2.8 aperture a must for any lens in their camera bag.

Based on the award-winning optical design of the AT-X 124 PRO DX (12-24mm f/4) lens, the new AT-X 116 PRO DX has a slightly shorter zoom range to maintain optical quality at wide apertures.

Tokina’s exclusive One-touch Focus Clutch Mechanism allows the photographer to switch between AF and MF simply by snapping the focus ring forward for AF and back toward the camera to focus manually. There is no need to change the AF-MF switch on Nikon cameras** and there is no second AF/MF switch on the lens for Canon, everything is accomplished by the focus ring.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

279 of 280 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A better solution than the Nikon 10-24. November 18, 2010

By AWBoater

I actually bought this lens from Amazon as a kit, which included a 77mm low profile UV filter and camera cleaning kit. But since all of the reviews for this lens are here, I am posting my review here as well.

I was in the market for a super-wide angle DX lens, and I had originally considered a Nikon 10-24. Then I ran across this lens in several reviews that suggested the Tokina might be a great alternative. I own several Nikon lenses, and this is the first time I did not buy a Nikon lens.

I am really glad I bought the Tokina 11-16 lens.

My first consideration was the focal length. The reason I am purchasing the lens is for a super-wide angle, so the 10mm of the Nikon vs. the 11mm of the Tokina was the most important concern. Published specifications indicate a 109 Deg Field-of-View for the Nikon, and 104 Deg for the Tokina. Doing a bit of math suggests a 4% wider image for the Nikon.

But what does that really mean? I finally found a review on-line with the same photograph taken by the Nikon @ 10mm and the Tokina @ 11mm. You could tell the difference if you really looked at the photographs close, but placing the photographs next to each other, you really could not notice the difference when viewing them "casually". It might be that we naturally look to the center of a photo, but the size difference was not enough that it drew your attention to the corners.

For a practical example, take an 8x10 photograph and trim 1/4" from each of the 4 edges (you will end up with a 7.5 x 9.5" photo). This would be the difference between 10mm and 11mm. And as it turns out, 1/4" off each edge is about 4%.

With that realization, it put the Tokina in direct competition with the Nikon lens for my decision. After watching several reviews, including one really good one on YouTube showing enlarged corner sharpness at various focal lengths and f-stops, it seems as the Tokina is sharper in the corners than the Nikon.

The advantages and disadvantages of the two lenses, as I evaluated them were:

Tokina 11-16mm Advantages:

- Faster lens: f2.8
- Sharper at the corners.
- Semi-Pro construction - feels less "plastic" than the Nikon (but it is also heavier).
- Less expensive: about 25% less.

Nikon 10-24mm Advantages:
- Wider coverage, 10-24mm vs. 11-16mm
- AF-S focusing. The Tokina is AF only, and doesn't have an internal focus motor .
- Nikon brand reputation.
- Five year warranty vs. three years.

After all of these considerations, I went with the Tokina. I shoot a lot of indoor photos so the faster lens is important to me. And the price difference didn't hurt either. Since my next lens begins at 18mm, the extended 24mm range of the Nikon didn't bother me. But only after comparing the 10mm to 11mm photographs and I could not readily tell a difference in casual viewing, I was sold on the Tokina.

But if you have an entry-level Nikon DSLR, perhaps a D40, D3000/D3100, or D5000/D5100, these cameras do not have focus motors, so the Tokina will NOT autofocus with these cameras. Higher end Nikon cameras; basically D70 and above do have internal focusing motors and will correctly focus the Tokina. If you have a lower-end Nikon, you may want the Nikon 10-24mm lens as it has an internal focusing motor.

This lens is made in Japan, while the Nikon lens is made in China. I don't know if this makes a difference or not.

One thing I did find out, and this is not limited to one lens or another, is that using the camera's built-in flash results in a dark area at the bottom of the photo. Even with the lens hood off, the lens is blocking the flash. So if you need a flash, be prepared to use an external flash unit. But given the faster Tokina lens, you may not need to use a flash as often.

I have heard of others having autofocus issues with this lens, but all of those reviews were at least a year or more old, so perhaps there was a problem and it was corrected. At any rate, I didn't have any problems. There is no manufacture date on the packaging, so its hard to tell when the lens was made.

------------------- Apr 21, 2011 Update ------------------------

I have had this lens now for awhile, and have taken it on two Caribbean cruises. This is simply a killer lens, and I am very glad I bought it. It works great for internal photos on board the cruise ship, as well as landscape photos. With the fast lens, I don't usually need a tripod.

The only downside is that it is fairly heavy, but I suppose that it is well made and 2.8 glass, that is the penalty.

I see now that the lens is available in a Sony/Minolta mount.

I am very happy I bought this lens.

------------------ Apr 18, 2012 Update -------------------------

A few weeks ago Tokina announced a DX 2 version of this lens. The DX 2 lenses have an autofocus motor in the lens, which is more or less equivalent to a Nikon AF-S lens. This means that Nikon entry-level DSLRs (D3100, D5100, etc) will autofocus with that lens.

However, I have heard the lens will not be available until fall 2012. Look for the DX II (DX 2) at the end of the lens model number as those are the AF-S equivalent lenses.

121 of 128 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Lens January 2, 2009

By Sammy

This is the best wide-angle lens around for cameras with Nikon DX sized sensors. It's got great optical quality, and with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 it's faster than competing wide-angle lenses.

The only cautionary note I would add is that although the Tokina lens itself is built like a tank, Tokina lens caps seem to be less sturdy. At least, that's the conclusion I reached after the lens cap on my Tokina broke after my camera dropped a few inches onto a tatami mat in Japan. In looking at the broken cap, I wasn't too impressed by its construction with its tiny fragile looking, broken plastic clips. I now have a Nikon lens cap on the lens. If you get this lens, I suggest protecting your investment by buying a Nikon 77mm lens cap for it and ditching the one that comes with the camera.

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good performance January 9, 2009

By Eugene Fratkin

I have had this lens for about 6 month. It is an excellent lens. Construction is Nikon pro quality. It produces very good results with DX body at all apertures, of course a bit better stepped down. Edge performance is significantly better than 12-24 both Nikon and Tokina. It can also be used on a full frame cameras. I used it on D700. At 16mm it has insignificant levels of falloff in the corners, 15 is still usable.