Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Tamron 17-50 vs Tokina 11-16

profile picture
west-coast
Posts: 985 - Karma: 204
Hey NS,

Right now I'm deciding which lense to buy, the Tamron 17-50 or the Tokina 11-16. I use a Canon 60D and I'm currently working with the 18-135, however need a wider lense for follow byes. I have the budget to buy either one, but I'm not convinced that the Tokina is worth the extra money. That being said, I barely know anything about lenses, which ones are better and why, etc. What's your advice?

+k for advice
-k for hate

I just need some good info so I can make my decision soon. Thanks
Oct 16 2011 4:37PM
0 0
profile picture
andstuff
Posts: 1118 - Karma: 61
As a rule of thumb, the optical quality of a lens decreases as the amount of range increases. This is why prime lenses are optically superior than zoom lenses.

Also, I can vouch that the 11-16 is effing amazing.
Oct 16 2011 4:41PM
0 0
profile picture
west-coast
Posts: 985 - Karma: 204
Ok thanks I'm definitely leaning more towards the 11-16 but I just want to hear a few other opinions
Oct 16 2011 4:46PM
0 0
profile picture
blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
11-16 is such a great lens for wide angle stuff. If you're currently satisfied with your 18-135, get the 11-16.

Oct 16 2011 5:05PM
0 0
profile picture
erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
Get the 11-16, your 18-135 already covers the range of the 17-50.
Oct 16 2011 6:46PM
0 0
profile picture
west-coast
Posts: 985 - Karma: 204
Alright my decision is made, thanks!
Oct 16 2011 7:05PM
0 0
profile picture
PeterWojnar
Posts: 3937 - Karma: 678
One more for the 11-16. I love it— optically good and super fun to shoot with.
Oct 16 2011 7:06PM
0 0
profile picture
west-coast
Posts: 985 - Karma: 204
Im getting this,

http://www.amazon.com/Tokina-11mm-Digital-Professional-Cleaning/dp/B001P2UNLI


Oct 16 2011 7:10PM
0 0
profile picture
B1kessk1s
Posts: 953 - Karma: 691
just received my tokina 11-16mm f2.8. awesome lens !!!!
Oct 16 2011 7:17PM
0 0
profile picture
andstuff
Posts: 1118 - Karma: 61
Ripoff. Don't buy kits!

Get the lens alone for ~$600, buy cleaning stuff separately for $20.
Oct 16 2011 7:42PM
0 0
profile picture
west-coast
Posts: 985 - Karma: 204
Okay thanks! The cheapest I can find the lense that fits on a 60D is for 719$ but I'll keep looking
Oct 16 2011 7:44PM
0 0
profile picture
andstuff
Posts: 1118 - Karma: 61
As a matter or principle: kits are designed to give the illusion of value by charging a premium for a product and throwing in a bunch of shitty extras. i.e. overcharging for the Tokina and throwing in maybe $10 worth of crap to make it look like you're getting a deal when really, you're being overcharged for a lens and getting stuck with a bunch of crap.
Oct 16 2011 7:49PM
0 0
profile picture
erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
Try to find a used one
Oct 16 2011 8:56PM
0 0
profile picture
west-coast
Posts: 985 - Karma: 204
Just bought one off amazon! thanks guys
Oct 16 2011 8:57PM
0 0
profile picture
MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,813
Just shot my first videoclip using the tokina 11-16, had a blast, its just so damm wide and I gave me a lot of light to work with and still was amazingly sharp
Oct 16 2011 9:27PM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,084
Even thought the 18-135 isn't the best lens, ive seen it produce decent stuff and it probably good for what you're using it for. But, that lens isnt wide enough for follows so the tokina 11-16 would be a great lens to add to your collection. In the future, you might consider getting a 17-50 or a 70-200 to increase the quality of your tele shots. Even a 50mm 1.8 or 85mm 1.8 would be a great, cheaper addition to your 18-135
Oct 17 2011 12:44AM
0 0
profile picture
west-coast
Posts: 985 - Karma: 204
thanks evan +k, ill consider that for sure
Oct 17 2011 12:48AM
0 0
profile picture
TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
For the first time ever, I dropped a lens today. It actually fell out of a camera bag that had been poorly placed in my car, but anyways, my Tokina 11-16 hit the parking lot front element first (lens cap on) from about 4 feet off the ground.

I feared the worse, but there's literally no visible damage besides scuffing on the lens cap and hood, and it still works like the day I got it.

If you have any worries about the Tokina's build quality - don't.

It's a great lens. It really comes down to whether you want more range or not.
Oct 17 2011 12:53AM
0 0
profile picture
HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
TOKINA 4 LYFE
Oct 18 2011 7:46PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)