Advice on a wide angle for Nikon - Tokina 12-24mm?

[peapody]

What do you guys think of this lens for an affordable wide angle. Reviews from amazon, and Ken Rockwell are favorable, and I think this is the best I can afford! Does anyone out there have any opinions on build, handling, speed, and picture quality?

I am looking to take scenic photos with this lens on a D80 - for pleasure. I currently have an 18-105mm VR and a 50mm 1.8 as my main lenses and would like to round out the collection. What do you guys think?

 

[luminosity]

I'd stay away from Rockwell, but the Tokina 12-24 is highly regarded, and is half the price of Nikon's 12-24. Here are some good reviews by users of it:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=327&sort=7&cat=40&page=1

The new version of it hasn't been out for long. It has an AF-S type motor, and so it can autofocus on any Nikon body.

 

[NEiMac]

The Tokina 12-24 is an excellent lens for the price, Ive read lots of good things about it, and ordered one myself. I'm thinking the Tokina 11-16 might be a better fit for you though with your 18-105, if you can find the thing.

 

[normwood]

I have had the Tokina since I got my D80. It is a great lens.

Steve

 

[GT41]

Though a Canonite (and cannot comment on the Nikon aspect) the Tokina 12-24 is a fantastic lens. It is very solidly built (even managed to absorb a nice fall off my desk )...

as I've said in other posts, it stays on my camera as a walk around lens most of the time I'm in Europe as its great in the narrow spaces. I can't say anything bad about it, other than 77mm filters are damn expensive.

 

[Westside guy]

I can't say anything bad about it, other than 77mm filters are damn expensive.

Well 77mm filters and a bunch of step-up rings are cheaper than buying a set of 72mm filters and a set of 67mm filters and ...

But back to the topic - when I shot with a DX sensor, I was quite happy with the results I got using my Tokina 12-24mm f/4.

 

[theBB]

I'd stay away from Rockwell,

Why?

 

[Phrasikleia]

Well 77mm filters and a bunch of step-up rings are cheaper than buying a set of 72mm filters and a set of 67mm filters and ...

Well, yeah, but then you can't use a hood at the same time, which is why I ended up purchasing separate CPL and ND filters for three of my lenses.

 

[Westside guy]

Well, yeah, but then you can't use a hood at the same time, which is why I ended up purchasing separate CPL and ND filters for three of my lenses.

I have a screw-in rubber hood that works well for this purpose. However most of the time when I'm using an ND filter, I'm shooting on a tripod with a remote shutter release - so I also have the option of shading the lens (if necessary) with my hand, a magazine, whatever.

 

[peapody]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Seems like a great lens, so I think I will go for it.

The Tokina 12-24 is an excellent lens for the price, Ive read lots of good things about it, and ordered one myself. I'm thinking the Tokina 11-16 might be a better fit for you though with your 18-105, if you can find the thing.

I was considering the 11-16 for a while because of favorable mentions of this lens as well. However after some thought I would be okay with some overlap so that I can keep the lens on my camera as more of a "walk around" lens that is versatile for the shots I am looking for. I am hoping the wide angle on the 12-24 is good enough for me and I don't get a lemon!

 

[markrowland]

I used the Tokina 12-24 for a while (though it was the Canon version, can't see how it could be too different for Nikon). I liked the lens, but while it wasn't anything particularly special, it's an overall good piece of glass.