Tokina has just announced a new super-wide-angle zoom lens for Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras: the Tokina atx-m 11-18mm F/2.8 E. This compact and lightweight lens is fully compatible with Sony E-Mount cameras, including image stabilization, direct manual focus, MF assists mode, Eye AF, and optical corrections. Let’s take a closer look at it!
The Tokina atx-m lineup of lenses is designed explicitly for Sony E and FUJIFILM X-mount mirrorless cameras. Last year, the company introduced a 23, 33, and 56mm F/1.4 trio of very fast primes for Sony E-Mount cameras.
However, up until now, there was no zoom lens within the Tokina atx-m line: meet the new Tokina atx-m 11-18mm F/2.8 E super-wide-angle zoom lens.
Tokina atx-m 11-18mm F/2.8 E features
The Tokina atx-m 11-18mm F/2.8 E is a highly compact zoom lens that has an overall length of only 7.4cm for a weight of 335g. However, this super-wide-angle zoom is only compatible with Sony E-mount mirrorless/cinema cameras with Super35 sensors.
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The nice thing with this 11-18mm lens is that it does not extend/retract when you zoom in or out, nor when it focuses. Also, the silent ST-M focus motor should give you fast and precise autofocus performance in both stills/video modes.
Like the other Tokina atx-m prime lenses, the 11-18mm super-wide-angle zoom lens is fully compatible with Sony E mount cameras. In short, it means you’ll have access to all your cameras’ functions, including fast hybrid AF, image stabilization, direct manual focus, MF assists mode, eye AF, and optical corrections such as shading, chromatic aberration, and distortion.
Optical design
The lens design consists of 13 elements in 11 groups with two aspherical and two super low-dispersion (SD) glass elements to suppress chromatic aberrations and reduce image distortion/low light fall-off. The aperture diaphragm has nine aperture blades.
The Tokina atx-m 11-18mm F/2.8 E has a minimum focusing distance of only 19cm. The front filter thread is 67mm. For future firmware updates, the lens features a micro USB port.
Price and availability
The Tokina atx-m 11-18mm F/2.8 is available now for $699. When it comes to super-wide-angle zoom lenses, there is very little competition, but the Sony E 10-18mm F/4 OSS lens will cost you the same as the Tokina. You’ll have to choose between a faster lens and optical image stabilization!
For more information, please visit Tokina’s website here.
What do you think about this super-wide-angle zoom lens? Do you often use or need such a wide-angle lens? Do you prefer a faster lens or built-in image stabilization? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments down below!
