Is the Tokina AF 12-24mm good?

[TMC]

if unsure, the 50/1.8 is a good one to start with. 12-24 is a good buy for travel and landscapes. But if you are getting the 18-200, the hold on the 12-24 until you know you want to go really wide.

 

[Red Rush]

At the risk of turning this thread into something completely unrelated to the Tokina 12-24 (which I have tested, and am quite impressed with it's wide angle capabilities)...

Personally, I like to go wide in my shooting. A recent example was when I was in Cologne, and had to walk really far out to get in all of the magnificent Cologne Dom (old Gothic Cathedral). A 12-24 would have been sweet to capture that 157m high church. There were many shots that the 18mm wide-end of the kit lens simply could not deliver on.

Now, for the 50mm. I like the idea of shooting indoors without flash. The extra 2/3 of a stop that the 1.4 offers could prove useful. But Ken Rockwell seems to be of the opinion that the 50mm 1.4 Nikkor suffered a drop in quality (especially build quality) when they moved production from Japan to China. He seems to think that its unethical to sell full price products when you drop the quality - and he does have a point, I think!

18-200. My girlfriend seems to like the tele-end of lenses, so it looks like a good compromise lens top get. That, and the fact that she has trouble hand-holding even in bright sunlight means that the VR would be mighty handy. But I think it's a little too early to get that as its such a new lens, and the demand is over the top at the moment for it. Call me paranoid, but I believe that when you ramp up production to meet excessive demand, there must be some compromise on QC. So, better to wait until the euphoria dies down...

So, all things considered, I think TMC is right in suggesting that the 50mm 1.8 is a good starting point. Maybe I'll get it when I come back from my next trip.

Thanks for the tips! Much appreciated!

 

[zhang3feng]

At the risk of turning this thread into something completely unrelated to the Tokina 12-24 (which I have tested, and am quite impressed with it's wide angle capabilities)...

Personally, I like to go wide in my shooting. A recent example was when I was in Cologne, and had to walk really far out to get in all of the magnificent Cologne Dom (old Gothic Cathedral). A 12-24 would have been sweet to capture that 157m high church. There were many shots that the 18mm wide-end of the kit lens simply could not deliver on.

Now, for the 50mm. I like the idea of shooting indoors without flash. The extra 2/3 of a stop that the 1.4 offers could prove useful. But Ken Rockwell seems to be of the opinion that the 50mm 1.4 Nikkor suffered a drop in quality (especially build quality) when they moved production from Japan to China. He seems to think that its unethical to sell full price products when you drop the quality - and he does have a point, I think!

18-200. My girlfriend seems to like the tele-end of lenses, so it looks like a good compromise lens top get. That, and the fact that she has trouble hand-holding even in bright sunlight means that the VR would be mighty handy. But I think it's a little too early to get that as its such a new lens, and the demand is over the top at the moment for it. Call me paranoid, but I believe that when you ramp up production to meet excessive demand, there must be some compromise on QC. So, better to wait until the euphoria dies down...

So, all things considered, I think TMC is right in suggesting that the 50mm 1.8 is a good starting point. Maybe I'll get it when I come back from my next trip.

Thanks for the tips! Much appreciated!

my advice is... Buy wat u can :thumbsup: :bsmilie:

 

[Cheesecake]

Now, for the 50mm. I like the idea of shooting indoors without flash. The extra 2/3 of a stop that the 1.4 offers could prove useful. But Ken Rockwell seems to be of the opinion that the 50mm 1.4 Nikkor suffered a drop in quality (especially build quality) when they moved production from Japan to China. He seems to think that its unethical to sell full price products when you drop the quality - and he does have a point, I think!

Thanks for the tips! Much appreciated!

yes and we all Love Ken Rockwell!

 

[zhang3feng]

yes and we all Love Ken Rockwell!

some hate some love... dunno to love or hate...

but i prefer to love $$$:thumbsup:

 

[Red Rush]

Well, like him or hate him, I think he knows a lot more about photography that the average Joe (especially me)! I think his website is definitely a good resource and is quite informative, although it does appear that he has his own biases - especially towards all things Nikon...

Anyway, 2/3 of a stop advantage for 50 1.4 over 1.8... Perhaps I should test both at a friendly shop before I decide.

 

[Cheesecake]

Well, like him or hate him, I think he knows a lot more about photography that the average Joe (especially me)! I think his website is definitely a good resource and is quite informative, although it does appear that he has his own biases - especially towards all things Nikon...

Anyway, 2/3 of a stop advantage for 50 1.4 over 1.8... Perhaps I should test both at a friendly shop before I decide.

yes!!! get the D200 and not the D2X!! :bsmilie:

 

[billpepsi]

some hate some love... dunno to love or hate...

but i prefer to love $$$:thumbsup:

Nice album you have there.

Looking forward to see your test shots with Tokina 12-24mm.

 

[zhang3feng]

Nice album you have there.

Looking forward to see your test shots with Tokina 12-24mm.

which album r u refering to LOL ^_^U

 

[billpepsi]

which album r u refering to LOL ^_^U

Like you CGI manga, is of publishable standard (really). :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[zhang3feng]

Like you CGI manga, is of publishable standard (really). :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

hahaha.. i'm still far from there :bsmilie:

thx for the comment :thumbsup: