Tokina Wide Angle Lens Question

GadgetRick

So it's gotten to where I need to purchase a wide angle lens as I'm starting to get some business which requires it. I'm shooting a crop body sensor (Canon) so I need an ultra wide. Looking at either the Tokina 11-14mm f2.8 or the 12-24mm f4. Reviews seem pretty good on both. I don't need the wider aperture but it might be fun to play with a little at times. However, the f2.8 is about $110 more than the f4. Not a HUGE price difference but it's large enough to make me pause.

Wondering if anyone can comment on either lens and help me decide which to go with.

Thanks.

Matthew Saville

Both lenses are awesome so I would simply recommend buying the one that is more suited for your shooting style. If you shoot more photojournalistically, and enjoy just hanging out with friends and shooting hand-held in close quarters, then the 11-16 is it. If you're a methodical landscape etc. type shooter who likes to use a tripod when an image matters, then of course get the added range in the 12-24.

Personally, I would go with the 11-16 because I do a little of both- I shoot photojournalism on both crop sensors and full-frame snesors, (and the 11-16 works great on full-frame if you leave it at 16mm!) ...and I also enjoy doing crazy landscape / cityscape things at night, or star trails / time lapses, where f/2.8 and 11mm is pretty valuable. But I would ONLY consider it a good buy if I also had a 24-70 on a full-frame camera to compliment it with, as far as photojournalism and portraiture are considered. 16mm is kinda limiting even on a crop sensor...

Good luck deciding!
=Matt=

Brendan

Matt makes a lot of good points. I went for the 12-24 because I wanted the added range for landscape shooting, and was fine giving up 1mm on the wide end. I haven't felt a need for f/2.8 very often, but I don't use my 12-24 for photojournalistic/street/wedding photography very much.

Qarik

The 11-16mm sacrifices range for IQ. Optically it is very good and better then most wide angles out there (distortion, sharpness, etc).

zoomer

I used the 12-24 for a few years. No complaints, it was a nice lens.