Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 Pro DX Review
Third-party lenses have long been a cost-conscious alternative to name brands, but not every one is a strong optical performer. The Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 Pro DX ($599) doesn't necessarily look like a modern lens from the outside, but it makes up for it in image quality. Its angle of view is solidly in the ultra-wide territory. If you shoot with an APS-C Canon or Nikon SLR and are after a bright, wide lens, take a look at the Tokina. It's not the the sleekest zoom on the outside, but its f/2.8 aperture puts it in a class of its own, especially given its relatively low price point.
Dated Aesthetics
The 11-20mm doesn't look like a new lens. Its design is straight out of the 90s, rife with odd font choices for labels and chunky rubberized knurling on the focus and zoom rings. Gold accents are similar to what Nikon does with its recent SLR lenses, but buck the more recent trend of understated designs with little color to grab your attention.
The 11-20mm measures 3.6 by 3.5 inches ...
The Tokina 11-20mm f/2.8 Pro DX is a bright, sharp, ultra-wide lens for Canon and Nikon systems, but a noisy focus motor makes it less than ideal for video.
Quite sharp; Bright f/2.8 aperture; Ultra-wide angle of view; Nominal vignette
Slow, loud autofocus; Visible distortion; Focus clutch can be tricky to use; Not weather sealed; Omits image stabilization