tokina 17mm 3.5

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tokina 17mm 3.5

fracas
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p.1 #1 · tokina 17mm 3.5

Hi everybody
I am planning to buy a copy of this lens for my NEX-7. I know that there are single-coated and multi-coated versions and that the multi-coated should be better.
How can I recognize a multi-coated copy? Has it to be "RMC" instead of "SL"? or must I look at S/N?

Thanks
Francesco

Jun 19, 2012 at 02:23 PM

AhamB
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p.1 #2 · tokina 17mm 3.5

You may find the AF version interesting too (and it's probably better optically): http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/17mm.htm

The Tamron 17/3.5 adaptall 2 is a good alternative too and said to be a bit sharper than the Tokina by some, but also vice versa -- sample variation probably.

Jun 19, 2012 at 02:41 PM

fracas
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p.1 #3 · tokina 17mm 3.5

Thanks... Ken Rockwell finds the MF version better and here on FM I find a thread, where most people preferred Tokina over Tamron

Other alternatives could be the Oly 18mm, the Pentax 18mm or the new fuji 19mm AF

Jun 19, 2012 at 02:48 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #4 · tokina 17mm 3.5

I have owned the RMC 17/3.5, AT-X 17/3.5 AF Pro, and Tamron SP 17/35 [151B]. Both the AT-X and SP were better than the RMC in terms of IQ (sharpness, reolution, etc.). I prefered the AT-X over SP, as mine had better corners, but that could change with copy-to-copy variations. I've also owned the SMC Pentax 18/3.5. A legend in its time, but not as good as the AT-X and SP 151B.

Here's a photo of my RMC 17/3.5, that I sold in 2005 - long time ago...

Edited on Jun 19, 2012 at 07:06 PM · View previous versions

Jun 19, 2012 at 06:51 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #5 · tokina 17mm 3.5

Here's a few comparison images from the AT-X (top left in all cases) with 17-40L and SP 17/3.5 or SMCP 18/3.5. The last composite image shows the AT-X distortion, which is extremely good for a 17mm lens.

You can find a more threads with many more comparison images from these and more ultra-wides if you look for 17 and/or 18 in past years.

I sold my AT-X because the Samyang 14/2.8 UMC cropped to the same AOV was sharper (same camera, same distance to subject).

P.S. the 17-40L is consistently way sharper in the centre, but lags in the edges and corners.

2013 © jcolwell

Jun 19, 2012 at 06:57 PM

James Markus
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p.1 #6 · tokina 17mm 3.5

Francesco, I just recently got the same version that Jim says he sold (pictured RMC), and that he felt wasn't quite as good as two other versions he owned. Simply put - I am very pleased with this excellent lens. It is a touch sharper than my Nikkor 20mm f2.8 ai-s, and seems to have identical excellent resistance to flare, and ghosting. Here is one from today....
Full frame

This image is copyrighted by the owner

100% crop

Jun 20, 2012 at 12:45 AM

fracas
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p.1 #7 · tokina 17mm 3.5

Jim, James .. thanks!

Jun 20, 2012 at 06:13 AM

joxang
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p.1 #8 · tokina 17mm 3.5

A minor hijack/addition....how does the OM 18mm compare to the above?

Jun 20, 2012 at 05:44 PM

Dustin Gent
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p.1 #9 · tokina 17mm 3.5

I LOVE this lens! I would ONLY sell it to help fund either a Samyang 14mm or Nikon 14-24.

Here are a few, taken with a Canon 1Ds. I am now using it on my Nikon F5. I haven't ever used the OM 18mm, but I wouldn't ever pay that much for the Oly. I highly doubt it is worth the extra $750. I paid $130 for this lens. This is coming from someone who has had the Oly 24mm 2.0, 24mm 2,8 - Oly 28mm 3,5 - Oly 50mm 3,5 Macro - (50mm 1,4 and 1,8 as well) Oly 35-70 3,6 and a few others, lol.

I remember that when I bought the Tokina last May (2011), I posted a thread here on if the Tokina would be as good as the Oly 24mm 2,0 as it was a superb lens itself. I tested the two lenses, and the Oly was sold.

Jun 20, 2012 at 05:55 PM

joxang
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p.1 #10 · tokina 17mm 3.5

Beautiful shots there! Yeh, the Oly does seem pretty well overpriced compared to the Tokina and the Tamron equivalents. Hard to find a detailed review of the lens though.

Jun 20, 2012 at 08:56 PM

fracas
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p.1 #11 · tokina 17mm 3.5

thanks... but nobody answered my first question: how can I recognize the multi-coated Tokina vs the single coated?

Jun 20, 2012 at 09:29 PM

Jabberwockt
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p.1 #12 · tokina 17mm 3.5

I think the RMC version is multicoated since RMC = Rainbow Multi Coating

Dustin, lovely picture, if you don't mind me asking, where was that second picture taken. It looks like the kind of place that I'd like to visit on vacation one of these days.

Jun 20, 2012 at 10:00 PM

Dustin Gent
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p.1 #13 · tokina 17mm 3.5

thanks. Second one was taken in the Columbia River Gorge

Jun 20, 2012 at 10:49 PM

AhamB
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p.1 #14 · tokina 17mm 3.5

joxang wrote:
Beautiful shots there! Yeh, the Oly does seem pretty well overpriced compared to the Tokina and the Tamron equivalents. Hard to find a detailed review of the lens though.

Have a look at 16-9.net in the reviews section.

Also, there has been plenty of discussion about the Oly in this forum a few years ago. What I remember:
- very small/light lens
- sharp across the frame, but not as sharp in the center as some other lenses
- almost no distortion, which is quite unique for an 18mm lens
- perhaps more vignetting than other 18mm lenses because of the compact build?
- needs the original hood to mount filters, or you can use a combination of step-up rings to achieve the same thing

Jun 21, 2012 at 11:38 AM

Sunny Alan
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p.1 #15 · tokina 17mm 3.5

I was about to buy one of this 17 f3.5 seeing above shots...
Luckily I just thrown an email to Tokina. They dissuaded me from buying the 17 prime, saying it is a lens for film cameras, not for digital cams, and advised to buy 17-35 f4 @630

Nov 03, 2012 at 10:30 AM

Edgars Kalnins
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p.1 #16 · tokina 17mm 3.5

A good move from Tokina as they can not make profit from second hand sales

. Could be better of course. I have just bought a Vivitar 17/3.5 which is a re-branded Tokina and goes for half the price! Got mine for £51 in well used but still good condition.

Nov 03, 2012 at 10:43 AM

eosfun
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p.1 #17 · tokina 17mm 3.5

Thanks... but nobody answered my first question: how can I recognize the multi-coated Tokina vs the single coated?

Kenko Tokina speak for their lines is:

AT-X: Advanced technologies, top of the line lenses, with best coatings and often floating elements/groups as part of the optical design, sometimes with glass with special dispersion characteristics
RMC: Multicoated lenses, highly corrected for all kind of abberrations
SL: Standard Line, single coating, less high level correction for residual abberrations.

I hope this is helpful.

Nov 03, 2012 at 11:08 AM

RustyBug
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p.1 #18 · tokina 17mm 3.5

joxang wrote:
A minor hijack/addition....how does the OM 18mm compare to the above?

The Oly 18 stays in my bag ... I've not found a replacement for it yet, despite having looked at both the Tamron & Tokina. Sorry no sample comps. The vignetting on the Oly 18 corners come into play a bit ... but distortion and edge/corner resolution is tough to beat.

Although ... the Tokina 16-28 / 2.8 is on my radar.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/597185/542#11008116

Edited on Nov 03, 2012 at 03:13 PM · View previous versions

Nov 03, 2012 at 02:31 PM

Edgars Kalnins
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p.1 #19 · tokina 17mm 3.5

If we recommend expensive lenses like Oly 18mm I might as well mention the modern Zeiss 18mm f3.5. Get it used for good price and you will neither regret nor loose money selling it in future. I wonder if anyone has compared these two directly?!

Nov 03, 2012 at 02:56 PM

RustyBug
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p.1 #20 · tokina 17mm 3.5

Yes, the comp of the Zeiss vs. Oly would make for an interesting one. I suspect we'll see the same faster vs. slower transitions and mustache vs. linear that are inherent trademarks to certain designs ... i.e. both good, with different drawing styles and the Zeiss having more micro-contrast than I'd expect from the Oly.

Now, if someone wants to loan me their Zeiss ...

Nov 03, 2012 at 03:16 PM

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