Tokina 12-24 f/4 IF DX

[Carlton]

This is a quicky shot of my studio (well my studio is in a small part of the building :) ) at 17mm, 90 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200 and Circular Polarizer

I'll admit a little perspective PS was added as I did this per the building owners request (paid job), it really was not too bad, however had to try and do my best. I took one awhile back with my 28mm and still had some distorsion and I could not get back far enough without clipping the building.

Anything else you think to improve (except remove the poles and lines)?

I think the lens is very sharp and built well, will post some more examples ASAP.

Oh, and the image has about 25% cropped off.

[AzRich]

is that the north side? If not can you get it with some more light? I'd say som shadow & highlight adjustment.

How is the tokina??

[Carlton]

Yep, it is the north side of the building. This is as much sun as it gets in the early morning. (and only a small window of time at that)

Only have PS7 so no highlight/shadow adjustment. I may try to do some selection on the front and use levels.

I haven't hardly used the lens yet, but so far I'm very impressed. Got it from Samys in CA for 499.95

I was going to get some more examples today, but heavy rain outside...will get some more soon.

[AzRich]

I'm sure if you know what you're doing you can get the same results with 'curves'

Here's the jpg with 0% Highlights and about 16% shadows, which may even be a bit too much-

[Carlton]

Thanks Rich,
That is quite a bit more pleasing, I really need to upgrade to CS. But for now I will play around with curves. Thanks again!

[Wichita Wayne]

I believe they are made by Hoya and in the reviews I have read they are the tops in quality when compared to other 3rd party lenses. I have handled the lens you speak of and it felt as tight and smooth as any lens that I have used. I also like your picture. When I saw it I thought to myself "where is he from?" and sure enough you are from the Midwest. There are builds like this in every small town in Kansas too, utility wires and poles included. You did good my friend.

[Carlton]

Thanks Wayne,

The owner has asked me if I would remove the poles and wires :eek:
I think he want's the building to look like it did in 1892. This is going to take awhile......

[JPS]

...............I really need to upgrade to CS..............
Hi Carlton ! i remember having recently found a free action for PS version 6 or 7, reproducing the Shadow/Highlight options of PS CS... i even tried it and found it was JUST AS GOOD !!! ...but i can't remember where i saw that :dunce: ! Make a search on the Net, i'm sure you'll find it...
:cheers:

[HulaMike]

Carlton, a CS upgrade right now might be less than $100 with CS2 coming out soon. CS has the amazing healing patch tool that would rid that pic of wires in about 5-10 minutes.

[Serge]

Hmmm, I want to trade my budget Sigma 18~50, which is quite OK for the price IMO.
wonder which of the 12~24's between Sigma/Nikkor/Tokina are the better performer? The bricks in this shot look a tad soft, could be JPG compression kicking in, aperture etc. Like Wayne, I've always had a respect for Tokina, especially their ATX series, was very happy with their 28~85 ATX some years ago.

[Carlton]

Serge,

Got this lens from Samys in CA for 499.94

I can't compare with the other lenses as have not used, however I don't think the Sigma will allow screw type filters.

So far I really like this lens, it is tack sharp. Everything seems to be good. Here are a few more I got today...

The window was shot wide open

[Serge]

Thanks Carlton, nice shots, filters are important for me, use them a lot, hefty price for us here, but worh it if quality is there, cheers.

[Carlton]

Serge,
You are welcome! Just saw the samples by Jim of the Nikon...what a great lens, but at a price.

BTW, I did not do any post sharpening to my images. Camera was set at STD

[Serge]

Ya, wonder if the quality is reflected in the price difference?

[Carlton]

Ya, wonder if the quality is reflected in the price difference?

For sure! Although, the more I use this Tokina, the more I like it. One thing I failed to mention, these images are much sharper on my monitor without the compression for the web. I may be doing something wrong on the steps to place these here? (that surely would'nt suprise me!) Another thing, these were shot fine Jpg. I'm sure if these were Raw and not having to compress twice would make a difference...I need to get better at this new tech stuff (well it's still new to me :) )

[photoworks]

Hi Carlton ! i remember having recently found a free action for PS version 6 or 7, reproducing the Shadow/Highlight options of PS CS... i even tried it and found it was JUST AS GOOD !!! ...but i can't remember where i saw that :dunce: ! Make a search on the Net, i'm sure you'll find it...
:cheers:


Here it is :)

Billy

[Carlton]

Thanks Billy and JPS, I'll give it a try!

[Wichita Wayne]

Once you have purchased a lens the brand no longer matters. If it works well in your hands and takes good pictures then you have a winner. Every lens has strong and weak points and the secret is to take pictures that play to your lens strengths. If one of the lenses weaknesses stiffles your creativity then take it back or otherwise get rid of it and get something that works for you. If you take a lot of macro shots then bad bokeh will reject a lens for you. But the same lens might be great somebody else that mainly shoots landscapes. That is one of the reasons to visit forums like this is because you get to see pictures and read opinions on a lot of different lenses.

[Carlton]

Wayne,

Very well said!

[Wilm]

While seeking thru the internet I found this website:

http://www.nikon-foto.de/templates/stuff/test/tokina_sigma_12-24.html


OK, it is in German, but there is a comparsion between the Sigma 12-24 and the Tokina 12-24, with absolutley visible results.

HTH

:cheers:
Wilm

[photoworks]

While seeking thru the internet I found this website:

http://www.nikon-foto.de/templates/stuff/test/tokina_sigma_12-24.html


OK, it is in German, but there is a comparsion between the Sigma 12-24 and the Tokina 12-24, with absolutley visible results.

HTH

:cheers:
Wilm


Woohoo!! If you want soft pictures, Sigma is the lens :goldcup: :haha:

Billy

[Wilm]

Vasillis,

I was impressed too !

The cheapest lens creats the sharpest photos.

I am lucky, this lens is my bag, and the colors as also the contrast are superb !


:cheers:
Wilm

[photoworks]

Vasillis,

I was impressed too !

The cheapest lens creats the sharpest photos.

I am lucky, this lens is my bag, and the colors as also the contrast are superb !


:cheers:
Wilm


Wilm,
Tokina sells for about 450€ here and I'm thinking of it :)

:cheers:
Billy

[Duck]

Check out this review at Nikonians.org

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/nikon_articles/nikkor/af/wide_angles_shootout/index.html

I will be getting the Tokina 12-24mm as soon as my money comes in... (to go wtih my Tokina 28-70mm f/2.8 :righton:

[dartz]

hmmmmmmm,
iwas thingking to replace my sigma 12-24 to tokina..
how bout the distortion ?
some magz here in indonesia, report, sigma perspective is killer one..
i use the lense mostly for interior shoots..

[AzRich]

Dartz- I was thinking about the same switch as I also own the sigma.

But I can't justify it, the Sigma is good glass and it's paid for :)

Now, the Sigma 10-20mm... that's tempting!!

[dartz]

u betcha azrich.. my first assigment with 12-24..
i got a break even point situation..

the only worryness is sigma softness..

but thats was day with d70..

if this lense doing sharp enuff with my newly D2x, i wont exchange it...