This is the meaty part of the story writen for a magazine a while ago...
Last month our magazine managed to get hold of some of the elusive optics from Tokina, Tamron and Sigma and so we decided to road test these lenses along with their Canon and Nikon equivalents. Lenses were tested on either a Nikon D70s or a Canon 350D with most test images being made in identical conditions. Worth noting is that there can be variations in lens quality within a manufacturers run of a lens type and as we only get one sample of each lens to test we can only go with what we are presented. Treat these reviews as a useful guide but given the chance always try a lens before you buy. Here’s how the lenses compared for us!
Nikon 12-24mm f4G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor
The Nikon 12-24mm f4 lens offers Nikon D-SLR users the equivalent of a 18-36mm lens. Some of the advantages of this lens include the Silent Wave AF motor, G type aperture control and a constant f4 maximum aperture. A switch on the barrel of the lens allows the photographer to select between manual focus and auto focus with manual override. In a rather tricky move Nikon have also swapped the positions of the focus and the zooming rings, putting the later to the front.
Geometrically the lens has only minor barrel distortion at the 12mm setting and minimal pincushion at the 24mm setting. At the 12mm setting there is a slight softness to the image at f4 however this improves at f5.6 / f8 and is not so noticeable at the longer focal lengths. There is minimal colour fringing at the 12mm setting and none at the 24mm setting. This is a good lens for most photographic applications although the price tag may discourage some photographers.
Pros - Well-built lens, Low distortion and chromatic aberration.
Cons - Expensive, Some softness at the 12mm setting.
Nikon 12-24mm f4G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor
Format: Digital APS sized sensors only
Aperture Range: f4 (constant) to f22 (constant)
Lens Construction: 11 Elements / 7 Groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.30 metres
Macro Ratio: 1:8.3
Aperture Blades: 7
Filter Size: 77mm
Dimensions: Length 89.5mm / Max Diameter 84mm
Weight: 485g
Accessories Included: HB-23 Dedicated Perfect Hood
Available Mounts: Nikon DX mount only
Recommended Retail: $2150
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Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM
Normally Canon and Nikon lenses are reasonably similar in price however this Canon lens has slotted into the market at around $700 below is Nikon equivalent. The Canon10-22mm f3.5-4.5 lens offers owners of the Canon smaller format D-SLRs (the 20D, 350D, D60 etc) the equivalent of a 16 to 35mm lens and it also offers the brightest aperture (f3.5) in its class at the short end of its zoom range.
The build quality of this lens is not as solid as some L series lenses however it is still solid enough for the demanding use of serious photographers. The lens barrel is dominated by a large zoom ring about the front half of the lens while behind it is a located a narrow manual focus ring. Manual focus with this lens is not as smooth as some other lenses in this class however it does work.
Optically this lens is one of the best in the bunch with only minor barrel distortion at the 10mm setting and very slight pincushion at the 22mm setting. Sharpness wide open is very good throughout the zoom range and although there is some minor chromatic aberration at the 10mm setting this is resolved at the 22mm setting.
Pros – Great sharpness throughout the zoom range, even at f3.5
Cons – Below average manual focus operation. Lens hood sold separately!
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM
Format: Canon Digital APS sized sensors only
Aperture Range: f3.5-4.5 to f22-29
Lens Construction: 13 Elements / 10 Groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.24 metres
Aperture Blades: 6 (circular aperture)
Filter Size: 77mm
Dimensions: Length 90mm / Max Diameter 83.5mm
Weight: 385g
Accessories Included: Dedicated Perfect Hood
Available Mounts: Canon EF-S mount D-SLR cameras only.
Recommended Retail: $1399
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Tokina AT-X 124 AF Pro DX 12-24mm f4
Many photographers think Tokina only make cheap kit lenses for entry level cameras however they have also been making a pro range of optics for over twenty years. The Tokina AT-X 12-24mm f4 is the only after market lens to be released to date that offers a constant f4 aperture throughout the zoom range. The build quality is good and a slight crackle finish on the lens adds to the look; sadly though the lens lacks the ultrasonic focussing drives found in other manufacturers lenses. A clutch mechanism is fitted to the focussing ring and by pushing it forward the photographer can disengage the manual focus
mode and engage AF
mode. This system is quick to use although it is sometimes difficult to click back into manual
mode.
Optically the Tokina ATX 12-24mm is a very good lens. Image sharpenss is very good at the 12mm setting with only slight chromatic aberration in the corners. There is slight barrel distortion at the 12mm setting however this is resolved at the 24mm setting. Although it lacks the USM motor this lens actually offers very good performance at a reasonable price.
Pros - Solid construction, Constant f4 aperture, Affordable
Cons - Clunky MF / AF select control.
Tokina AT-X 124 AF Pro DX 12-24mm f4
Format: Digital APS sized sensors only
Aperture Range: f4 (constant) to f22 (constant)
Lens Construction: 13 Elements / 11 Groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.30 metres
Macro Ratio: 1:8
Aperture Blades: 9
Filter Size: 77mm
Length 89.5mm Maximum Diameter 84mm
Weight: 570g
Accessories Included: Dedicated Perfect Hood
Available Mounts: Canon and Nikon only
Recommended Retail: $1050
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Sigma 12-24mm f4.5-5.6 EX DG Aspherical
The Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 lens is unique in this line-up because it is the only lens that will give a full frame image at the 12mm setting on both D-SLR and 35mm film cameras. This lens is very big and there is hardly any taper between the 82mm lens cap and the camera mount; the front element is also rather bulbous and projects nearly a centimetre beyond its mount making it impossible to fit on conventional screw-in filters. This is the price that you have to pay though if you want to get 12mm coverage with a 35mm format camera.
Although the larger image circle should give this lens an advantage in the smaller digital format it was actually a rather average performer. At the 12mm setting it lacks sharpness, particularly in the corners and this is slow to improve as you stop down the lens. Contrast is also rather flat. At the 24mm lens the sharpness is marginally better. Of interest though was that there was no noticeable chromatic aberration in the sample we tested.
Pros – Works with both digital and 35mm format.
Cons – Large dimensions, no screw-in filter option.
Sigma 12-24mm f4.5-5.6 EX DG Aspherical
Format: Digital APS sized sensors only
Aperture Range: f4.5-5.6 to f22
Lens Construction: 16 Elements / 12 Groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.28 metres
Macro Ratio: 1:7.1
Aperture Blades: 6
Filter Size: Rear Mounted Gelatin Filters only
Length 102.5mm Maximum Diameter 87mm
Weight: 612g
Accessories Included: Case, Simple Hood and Built-In Perfect Hood
Available Mounts: Canon, Nikon, Sigma, Minolta and Pentax
Recommended Retail: $1499
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Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX DC HSM
The Sigma 10-20mm lens has been much anticipated by recreational photographers for two reasons – it is affordable, dropping in at under $900 but more importantly its 10-20mm zoom range give Nikon users the equivalent of a 15-30 mm lens and Canon owners the a 16-30mm lens.
The build quality of this lens is good and the rather sleek finish is comfortable in the hand. The Sigma HSM (Hypersonic Motor) AF system is very fast and accurate and so the lens is as fast to use as its Canon and Nikon equivalents. The main disappointment is that it drops to f5.6 at the long end of the range. Optically this lens is very sharp through out the zoom range although there is some barrel distortion at the 10mm setting that progresses through to minor pincushioning at the 20mm setting.
Pros – Sleek design, very fast focussing
Cons – Minor vignetting, slight softness at the corners at 10mm range.
Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX DC HSM
Format: Digital APS sized sensors only
Aperture Range: f4 (constant) to f22 (constant)
Lens Construction: 14 Elements / 10 Groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.24 metres
Macro Ratio: 1:6.7
Aperture Blades: 6
Filter Size: 77mm
Length 81mm Maximum Diameter 83.5mm
Weight: 470g
Accessories Included: Case, Dedicated Perfect Hood
Available Mounts: Canon and Nikon only
Recommended Retail: $899
END OF STORY
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Worth noting is that during this testing process I actually got to compare two different Nikon 12-24mm lenses with the other lenses and both of them came of a sad second to both the Tokina lens and the Sigma. Overall thumbs up would have to go the the Canon lens but visually this lens is more comparable with the Sigma and Tokina than the Nikon. IMHO, the Nikon 12-24mm is one of the few disappointing lenses in their range at the moment. I have long been a Nikon fan however I am also able to keep objective about my equipment. Hopefully Nikon will replace this lense sooner rather than later!
Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:49 am
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