Comparison shots between Tokina's 19-35mm and Canon's 17-40mm L lenses.

by Smaug

All images taken with Canon 10D, natural light (window), NO processing.   They are straight out of the camera.

The first two images of each set are uncropped, resized to 640x and slightly compressed.

 Canon  zoomed to 17mm , taken at F8

Tokina zoomed to 19mm , taken at F8

The next two are the full width of original image, edge to edge . Click on the image for the large version .  

Canon , same original image as above .  Zoomed to 17mm taken at F8

c_F8_17mm_180-3.jpg (190486 octets)

Tokina , same original image as above.  Zoomed to 19mm taken at F8

t_F8_19mm_180-4.jpg (179441 octets)

Canon  zoomed to 17mm , taken at F4

Tokina zoomed to 19mm , taken at F4

 

The next two are the full width of original image , edge to edge. Click on the image for the larger version.

Canon , same original image as above .  Zoomed to 17mm taken at F4

c_F4_17mm_180-7.jpg (173695 octets)

Tokina , same original image as above .  Zoomed to 19mm taken at F4

t_F4_19mm_180-8.jpg (176346 octets)

Price of both lenses
Canon 17-40mm f/4L - $799
Tokina 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5  - $189   

 

Conclusion :  The Tokina is an amazing bargain . It just nearly holds it's own against a lens that costs almost 5 times as much . Sure , at F4 the Canon is clearly sharper at the edges but how often am I going to use F4 on my landscape images ?  Exactly . I'll grant you that this is a one shot comparison .There are no skin tones to compare , no different lighting conditions , no comparison of  lens flare or focus speed or ...  you get the point. 

 My quick and dirty comparison tells me this : For professionals or absolute perfectionists the differences may warrant the extra expense but you won't see ME spending the extra $630 for the Canon.  

$169 after $20 mail in rebate)