Digital Camera World (2019-06)

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com JUNE 2019 DIGITAL CAMERA^117

Verdict

It has a robust build and very good image quality,

but it’s not a dramatic improvement over the older

ATX Pro lens. The latest Sigma and Tamron f/2.8

wide-angle zooms perform better, but the Tokina

is only about half the price.

4.0 Excellent

4.0

Features

4.0

Image

Quality

5.0

Value

okina has focused most of its attention on wide-angle
lenses over the years, earning a good reputation in
this sector of the market. Surprisingly, the first lens
in the new series of Opera lenses was a 50mm f/1.4
prime, but the second is a direct replacement for
Tokina’s popular ATX 16-28mm f/2.8 Pro wide-angle zoom
for full-frame Canon and Nikon SLRs.
The new 16-28mm is aimed at enthusiast photographers,
with Tokina’s typically sturdy build quality and a fast and constant
f/2.8 aperture rating. The metal mounting plate is weather-sealed
and the bulbous front element is protected by a fixed petal hood.
The optical layout is based on 15 elements in 13 groups: there
are three glass-moulded aspherical elements, including one
large-diameter precision-moulded element, second from the front.
Towards the rear, three low-dispersion elements are featured, with
the aim of reducing lateral and spherical chromatic aberrations.
As with the older AT-X Pro lens, the opera’s autofocus system
is based on a ‘silent’ DC motor coupled with a GMR (Giant
MagnetoResistance) magnetic sensor. Tokina says the GMR sensor
has been updated for increased speed and accuracy. We didn’t
notice any real boost in speed and autofocus remains slower than
in competing ultra-wide zooms that feature ring-type ultrasonic
or stepping motor systems. However, autofocus proved more
consistently accurate in our tests.

Performance
At the short end of the zoom range, centre sharpness and contrast
are fabulous, even wide-open at f/2.8. At mid to long zoom settings,
centre sharpness is similarly excellent if you stop down to f/4.
Corner sharpness is less impressive. Vignetting is fairly low
for such a wide-angle, wide-aperture lens. Matthew Richards

T

1

The fixed petal-shaped

hood precludes the

use of filters without

a specialist adaptor.

2

The overall physical

length of the lens

is fixed throughout

the zoom range.

3

There’s a focus

distance scale

positioned beneath

a viewing panel.

4

To kin a’s u s u a l

push-pull focus ring

enables switching

between autofocus

and manual focus.

Tokina Opera

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£699/$699

Add drama to wide-angle shooting

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Full-frame compatible Ye s

Elements/groups 15/13

Image stabiliser No

Minimum focus distance 0.28m

Max magnification factor 0.19x

Manual focus override Push-pull

Focus limit switches No

Internal zoom No

Internal focus Ye s

Filter size N/A

Iris blades 9

Weather seals Ye s

Supplied accessories Built-in hood

Dimensions 89 x 134mm

Weight 940g

4.0

Build &

handling

2

1

3

4

Sharpness

Sharpness is superb in the central region of the

frame, but less impressive towards the corners.

Fringing Short 1.85 Long 1.37

Cyan and magenta fringing can be clearly noticeable

towards the edges and corners of images.

Distortion Short -2.99 Long -0.12

Barrel distortion is pretty well-controlled at 16mm,

and negligible at mid to long zoom settings.

Tokina Opera 16-28mm f/2.8 FF Zoom lens