Digital Camera World - UK (2019-08)

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com AUGUST 2019 DIGITAL CAMERA^123

ltra-wide zoom lenses with
fast aperture ratings for
APS-C format Canon and
Nikon cameras are few and
far between. The main competitor to
this lens is Tokina’s own AT-X 14-20mm
f/2 AF Pro DX, which is a little pricier
and has an even faster aperture rating.
However, its maximum viewing angle
is a little restrictive compared with
this 11-20mm lens.
The autofocus system feels basic,
powered by a rather noisy electric
motor. Build quality feels very
solid and robust, and the zoom
and focus rings operate smoothly.

Performance
As with the Tamron 15-30mm on test,
the Tokina’s corner sharpness drops
off substantially at the short end of
the zoom range when using the widest
aperture. Vignetting and spherical
aberration are well controlled, and
there’s little coma and astigmatism.

esigned for full-frame Sony

E-mount cameras, the Firin

20mm is available in two

versions, either with or

without autofocus. This autofocus

version looks clean, simple and in

keeping with Sony mirrorless cameras.

Autofocus is reasonably quick and

generally very accurate. It’s definitely

worth having for general shooting.

When focusing manually, the large

focus ring operates with smooth

precision. Compared with the other

lenses on test, the Firin has a reduced

viewing angle of 92 degrees but its f/2

aperture rating is second-fastest.

Performance

Shooting wide-open, coma and

astigmatism are as apparent as

with the Irix 15mm and Sigma 14mm

primes, towards the corners of the

frame. Again, narrowing the aperture

by an f/stop cures the problem. Corner

sharpness is also disappointing.

UD

Tokina

AT-X 11-20mm

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£529/$469

ȸƏȸƺɿȒȒȅǔȒȸƬȸȒȵɀƺȇɀȒȸɀ

Lens mounts Canon EF-S, Nikon DX

Tokina

Iǣȸǣȇ׎אȅȅ

ǔٖאI0I

£799/$799

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Lens mounts Sony FE

Sharpness

Corner sharpness drops

off more than usual at the

widest aperture setting.

Sharpness

It’s excellent across most

of the frame, but corner

sharpness is weak beyond f/4.

Fringing 2.64

Lateral chromatic aberration

towards the corners is a little

worse than with other lenses.

Fringing 0.17

There’s remarkably little

colour fringing, even at the

extreme corners of the frame.

Distortion -2.31

Barrel distortion is quite well-

controlled at the short end,

and negligible at the long end.

Distortion 0.25

The Firin scores extremely

well for distortion, with

excellent lab results.

Digital Camera verdict Digital Camera verdict

4.0 Excellent 4.0 Excellent

4.0 4.0

Features Features

4.0 3.5

Performance Performance

4.0 4.0

Value Value

4.0 4.0

Build &

handling

Build &

handling

If you’re after a zoom
lens for APS-C format
astrophotography
on a Canon or Nikon
camera, this is the best
overall choice – but
Tokina’s 14-20mm f/2
also works well.

Shooting wide-open,

coma, astigmatism and

corner-sharpness are

disappointing. In other

respects, the Firin is a

fine lens although its

viewing angle can feel

a little restrictive.

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22

Centre Edge

Corner

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

f/2 f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22

Centre Edge

Corner