Review of Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX Aspherical (for Nikon)

According provided by Tokina AT-X Pro lens SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX Aspherical (model 128, for Nikon cameras) many thanks to Anna.

Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX Aspherical Review

Review of Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX Aspherical

Tokina AT-X Pro SD The 12-28 F4 (IF) DX Aspherical (model 128) is another excellent wide-angle lens from Tokina with a 2,3x zoom and constant aperture.

This time, the company immediately released a version with a built-in focus motor for Nikon cameras, in contrast to the 116 DX /116 DXII and 124 DX /124 DXII, which were updated to models with a built-in focusing motor only after some time and caused some confusion among users.

Tokina 128 is available for cameras with APS-C sensors of the most popular brands - Canon and Nikon, so before buying, pay attention to which system the lens is designed for. This may sound funny, but I am often asked why a purchased third-party lens does not fit the user's camera. In the end, it turns out that a copy was just purchased from another system :(.

Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX Aspherical

Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX Aspherical

It's no secret that the Tokina 128 DX is a redesigned model Tokina 124DX II.

Key changes between the 128 DX and 124 DXII:

  • The maximum focal length has increased from 24 to 28 mm, while, of course, the optical design of the lens has been changed. The old version had 13 elements in 11 groups, the new version had 14 elements in 12 groups. It's nice that the new scheme uses 1 SD element (with low variance) is larger :).
  • MDF decreased from 30 cm to 25 cm, while the macro scale changed from 1: 8 to 1: 5.
  • The new model has become 10 grams lighter (not too great an achievement), and the supplied hood has also changed - instead of the BH-777, the BH-77B is now.
  • The design of the case has changed a little.

Everything else is the same for lenses, this applies to focusing speed, aperture device, assembly, focus mode switch, etc.

Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX Aspherical

View of Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX Aspherical rear

When using the lens hood, you need to be extremely careful - always click it all the way, otherwise you can get a lot of photos with strong vignetting due to incorrect installation. You also need to be careful when shooting with the built-in flash - at the focal length range of 12-20 mm, a shadow appears on the pictures from the lens itself. If you shoot with the built-in flash and the hood installed, the shadow always appears in the pictures.

Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX Aspherical

View of Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX Aspherical with hood

The Tokina 128 DX is a well-built Japanese lens. The only pity is that it does not have constant manual autofocus control.

Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX Aspherical

Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX Aspherical with hood mounted in transport position

With the specimen I reviewed, I couldn't get super-sharp shots. Many users praise this lens very much, because I think that there is a small variation in quality. In general, the lens is excellent - a low level of distortion (at least shoot portraits at 28 mm), good contrast, good resistance to flare.

Here link to the archive with the originals - 245 MB, 28 photos in format RAW, photo parameters in the gallery of the site and archive are indicated here. Part of the photo was taken using a Marumi 77mm GC-Blue made in Japan gradient filter. When using thick filters, a strong vignetting of 12 mm appears (there is an example in the archive with the originals).

Alternatives

Below is a list of all ultra-wide angle lenses with auto focus support for cameras with an APS-C sensor (crop Kf = 1.5-1.6X) whose focal length is less than or equal to 14 mm.

Tokina (for different mounts):

With moderate aperture:

  1. Tokina 124 AT-X PRO SD 12-24 mm F4 (IF) DX Aspherical, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
  2. promaster Digital af 12-24 XR EDO F4 Aspherical, previous lens under the 'ProMaster' brand
  3. Tokina 124 AT-X PRO SD 12-24 mm F4(IF)DX II aspherical, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
  4. Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 mm F4 (IF) DX Aspherical, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
  5. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX V, Canon EFS only

Aperture:

  1. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-16 F2.8 (IF) DX ASPHERICAL, since 2007, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, Sony A
  2. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-16 F2.8(IF)DX II ASPHERICAL, since 2008, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, Sony A
  3. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-16 F2.8 (IF) DX V, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
  4. Tokina atx-i 11-16mm F2.8CF, since 2019, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, black/white
  5. Tokina atx-m 11-18mm F2.8E, since 2022, for Sony E, black/white
  6. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-20 F2.8 (IF) DX ASPHERICAL, from 2014, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
  7. Tokina atx-i 11-20mm F2.8CF, since 2020, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, black/white
  8. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 14-20mm F2 (IF) DX, from 2015, for Nikon F, Canon EFS

fisheye:

  1. Tokina 107 Fisheye 10-17 mm F3.5-4.5DX AT-X, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
  2. Tokina 107 Fisheye 10-17 mm F3.5-4.5 DX NH AT-X, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
  3. Tokina 107 Fisheye 10-17 F3.5-4.5 DX AT-X V NH, Canon EFS only

Tamron (for different mounts):

  1. Tamron SP 10-24 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 Di II B001, from October 2008, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K, Sony A. Japan / China / Vietnam
  2. Tamron 10-24 mm F/3.5-4.5 Diii VC HLD-B023, from February 2017, for Nikon F and Canon EFS
  3. Tamron Aspherical LD ​​DI II SP AF 11-18 mm 1: 4.5-5.6 [IF] A13, since 2005, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, Sony A. Konica Minolta AF DT Zoom 11-18mm 1: 4.5 (22) -5.6 D and Sony 4.5-5.6 / 11-18 DT (SAL1118) lenses are built on the same optical scheme )
  4. Promaster Digital EDO AF Aspherical LD ​​(IF) 11-18 mm 1: 4.5-5.6, previous lens under the 'ProMaster' brand
  5. Tamron 11-20 mm F / 2.8 Di III-A RXD B060, from April 2021, only for Sony E

Sigma (for different mounts):

  1. Sigma 4.5 mm 1: 2.8 EX DC HSM CIRCULAR FISHEYE, since 2007 for Canon EFS, Sigma SA and Nikon F. Since 2008 for Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A
  2. Sigma 10 mm 1: 2.8 DC FISHEYE HSM, from 2007 for Canon EFS, Sigma SA and Nikon F. In 2008 a version for Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A was released
  3. Sigma 8-16 mm 1:4.5-5.6 DC HSM, since 2010, Canon EFS, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sigma SA, Sony/Minolta A
  4. Sigma 10-20 mm 1: 4-5.6 DC EX [+ -HSM, + -D], since 2005 for Canon EFS, Sigma SA, Nikon F, Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A. Since 2008 for 4/3 SLR system. 'D' prefix for select Nikon and Sony / Minolta A only. HSM motor only available for Canon EFS, Sigma SA, Nikon F and 4/3. The Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A versions have a different appearance (there is no focusing distance window). There are two sub-versions: with a matte finish and with a velvet finish on the body.
  5. Sigma 10-20 mm 1: 3.5 DC HSM EX, since 2009, for Canon EFS, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sigma SA, Sony / Minolta A
  6. SIGMA 10-18 mm 1:2.8 DC DN C, from 2023, for Sony E, FujiFilm X and Leica L

Nikon DX (for Nikon F mount):

  1. Nikon DX AF Fisheye Nikkor 10.5 mm 1: 2.8G ED
  2. Nikon DX VR AF-P Nikkor 10-20 mm 1: 4.5-5.6G
  3. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 10-24 mm 1: 3.5-4.5G ED SWM IF Aspherical
  4. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 12-24 mm 1: 4G ED SWM IF Aspherical
  5. Nikon Nikkor ZDX 12-28mm 1:3.5-5.6PZ VR

Canon EF-S / EF-M

EF-S (Mirror APS-C)

  1. Canon Zoome Lens EF-S 10-18 mm 1: 4.5-5.6 IS STM
  2. Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 10-22 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 USM

EF-M (Mirrorless APS-C)

  1. Canon Zoom Lens EF-M 11-22 mm 1: 4-5.6 IS STM [2013]

RF-S (mirrorless APS-C)

  1. CANON LENS RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM [2023]

Pentax DA (+ Samsung / Schneider-Kreuznach, for Pentax K mount):

  1. SMC Pentax-DA 1: 2.8 (22) 14 mm ED [IF] (Pentax 14)
  2. SMC Pentax-DA FISH-EYE 1: 3.5-4.5 10-17 mm ED [IF] (Pentax 10-17) (FISHEYE, most likely optically identical Tokina Model 107)
  3. HD Pentax-DA FISH-EYE 1: 3.5-4.5 10-17 mm (FISHEYE, most likely optically similar to Tokina 107 NH)
  4. HD PENTAX-DA * 1: 2.8 11-18 mm ED DC AW
  5. SMC Pentax-DA 1: 4 12-24 mm ED AL [IF] (Pentax 12-24) (most likely optically identical Tokina Model 124)
  6. Samsung Zoom Lens Fisheye D-Xenon 10-17 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 AL, copy Pentax 10-17optical scheme from Tokina Model 107
  7. Samsung Zoom Lens D-Xenon 1: 4 12-24 mm ED ALcopy Pentax 12-24optical scheme from Tokina Model 124
  8. Schneider-Kreuznach D-Xenogon 1: 3.5-4.5 10-17 mm ED AL, copy Pentax 10-17optical scheme from Tokina Model 107
  9. Schneider-Kreuznach D-Xenon 1: 4 12-24 mm ED AL, copy Pentax 12-24optical scheme from Tokina Model 124

Sony / Minolta (A or E):

E-mount (E):

  1. Sony E 4 /10-18 OSS (2012)
  2. Sony E 4 /10-20G PZ (2022)
  3. Sony E 1.8 /11 (2022)

A-mount (A):

  1. Sony 4.5-5.6 /11-18 DT (SAL1118) (most likely optically identical Tamron model a13)
  2. Konica Minolta AF DT Zoom 11-18 mm 1: 4.5 (22) -5.6 D (most likely optically identical Tamron model a13)

Samsung NX

  1. Samsung Lens 1: 3.5 10 mm Fisheye
  2. Samsung Lens 1: 4-5.6 12-24 mm ED I-FUNCTION

Fujifilm x

  1. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS SUPER EBC XF 8 mm 1:3.5RWR
  2. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS SUPER EBC XF 14 mm 1: 2.8 R
  3. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS NANO-GI XF 8-16 mm 1: 2.8 R LM WR
  4. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS SUPER EBC XF 10-24 mm 1: 4 R OIS
  5. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS SUPER EBC XF 10-24 mm 1: 4 R OIS WR

Zeiss (E / X)

  1. ZEISS Distagon Touit 2.8 /12 T* (Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount)

VILTROX (E/X/Z)

  1. Viltrox AF 13mm 1: 1.4 STM ASPH ED IF C (2021, Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount, Nikon Z-mount)

Leica CL/TL/T/L

  1. Leica SUPER-VARIO-ELMAR-T 1: 3.5-4.5 /11-23 ASPH. (2014)
  2. Leica SUPER-VARIO-ELMAR-TL 1: 3.5-4.5 /11-23 ASPH. (2014)

Samyang (E / X)

  1. Samyang AF 12/2E + Samyang AF 12/2X (2021, Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount)

Yongnuo (E/X/Z)

Yongnuo 11mm 1:1.8 DA DSM WL S/X/Z (2023, Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount, Nikon Z-mount)

Do you know more similar lenses? Or do you have experience with any of them? Then be sure to share your thoughts in the comments.

Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX Aspherical

View of the Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX Aspherical lens on a film ZK


Prices for the Tokina AT-X 12-28mm f / 4.0 PRO DX lens in popular online stores can look at this link.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Results

The Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX Aspherical is a good 2.3x ultra wide angle lens. For this kind of lens, this zoom ratio is a record. On cropped cameras EGF is 18-42 mm, so the lens can be used for a wide range of photographic tasks.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Jury

 

 

Comments: 50, on the topic: Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX Aspherical (for Nikon) review

  • CH

    "Tokina 128 is available for cameras with APS-C sensors from popular brands - Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax ..."
    This lens is only available for Canon and Nikon.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Really. Fixed

  • Dmitriy

    Is the difference in the extreme focal length 24 and 28 important for the wide-angle on the crop? otherwise I only dealt with a normal angle. Will I really miss these 4 mm for street photos and indoor photos? (that is, is it worth 6 thousand rubles, these 4 mm?) The option to go to the store unfortunately will not work, in our town everything is on order

    • Alex

      there is a difference, but it’s not critical, but in general order both, and when you go watch, choose which one you like best, no one forces you to immediately buy what you ordered

    • Maksim

      To beat the raj with a little bit of growth, speed up the simulator, there I think there is more power in the fall - http://www.nikon.ua/uk_UA/product/nikkor-lenses/simulator. And I’ll say to myself, what is not great and not critical.

  • AM

    Hello Arkady. You have already reviewed the Tokina AT-X 116. Please tell me which lens is preferable and what are their differences that may affect the choice between these lenses? (FR can be ignored - it is clear that Tokina 128 wins slightly in this parameter)
    Thank you in advance.

  • Alexander

    I join the question above. The sharpness and level of distortion on the crop is interesting.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      In 116 models by 11 mm and in 128 models by 12 mm the distortion is almost the same, in 116 models a little less is possible. Sharpness with the same f / 4 aperture is higher on 116 models. In general, with the 116 model, we get a unique aperture but a very poor zoom; in the case of the 128 model, we get a more maneuverable lens suitable for reporting. Personally, I decided for myself a long time ago that for a wide-angle, a slightly larger zoom is better than 1 level of aperture, if F / 2.8 is not required for specific tasks. Also, it is worth considering the fact that despite the proven performance, a slight variation in quality (within acceptable limits) is still present.

  • Jury

    Thanks for the review, it was interesting to know about this piece of glass for a long time. I have a predecessor - Tokina 12-24 f / 4 - razor sharpness, especially at aperture 8. It is a pity that this brand has started to jump in quality.

  • Pastor

    What a joy - fresh shirik in the review! I really hope that not greedy owners of sigma shirikov will appear and share them with Arkady for review.

  • Vladimir

    Regarding the record zoom ratio. There is TAMRON 10-24, Nikon 10-24. It is not difficult to calculate and determine that there is a multiplicity of 2.4.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I think the article is pretty clear that we are talking about such lenses with a constant aperture.

  • Vladimir

    And if we talk about wide-angle, then 10-24 is much preferable, because it is at wide angle that they have an advantage.

    • Jury

      Yes, only Tamron 10-24 is optically much worse, and Nikon 10-24 costs about $ 1000. Here on Sigma AF 10-20mm f / 3.5 it would be interesting to see, even though it has a multiplicity worse than all of the above.

      • Alexey

        Tokins 11-16 and 12-24 were developed by engineers from Nikon. or vice versa, Nikon 10-24 is developed by Tokina. lenses of the same level but Tokin are much cheaper.
        Tampon and Sigma widths are significantly worse.

  • Ivan

    I recently bought this lens for myself and I can say that it is excellent glass, sharp, the color rendering is very contrasting, also suitable for portraits at 28, there is practically no distortion. The only thing I can not say anything about its weather protection, but assembled efficiently.

  • Sergei

    And I have this lens emits an unpleasant creak during manual focusing. Does anyone else have such a bug?

    • Ivan

      Yes, Sergey, I have the same nonsense with a creak

      • Sergei

        So this is such a design feature :) The main thing is that the photos are beautiful!

    • Dmitriy

      I have such a problem with the 124 II model. Squeaks like an old bike.

      • Sergei

        :)

    • Alexey

      was a few years, nothing creaked.

  • Andrei

    Where do these lenses come from? Not in stores. The owners are praising. Or maybe I'm just unlucky ...

    • Sergei

      Online stores are always on sale.

  • anonym

    << >>

    Tamron 10-24 is still record

  • anonym

    I own the lens of this model.
    Surprising lack of sharpness, at the level of whale 18-55. Even on closed diaphragms!
    There is nowhere to align in our city. What to do?

  • anonym

    Please write only to those who understand the issue!

  • Eugene

    As for me, a terrible lens, judging by the pictures that you showed.
    It is clear that an instance may not be successful, but as already is.

    I shot a lot of weddings on 12-24 / 4 I will say that it is much sharper.
    But it is dark and sharp indeed from 5,6.
    I’m shooting now on the FF at 11-16 by 16mm. He is already amazing at 2,8. Much sharper than 12-24 / 4 on his own f4-f5.
    The difference between 2,8 and 5,6 is practically nonexistent. In fact, it is 2 stops lighter.
    And no camera can replace aperture. Now shooting at sunset already
    You can get ISO in the shade of 1000 trees, and this is at 2,8-4 aperture. So the aperture is most important. In color, 11-16 is also 2 heads in front.

    I would like to go to 16-28, but it is heavy and not practical.

    • Alexey

      “I'm shooting now at FF at 11-16 at 16mm. He's already amazing at 2,8. Much sharper 12-24 / 4 on his own f4-f5. ”
      ==============================================
      how do you use tokina 11-16 on ff at 11mm on open? there will be a vignette on the floor of the frame.

  • Valery

    I came across an unsuccessful instance, in the range 12-18 everything is fine, 18-22 is still acceptable, and then solid soap, especially 28 mm. Now the question of replacing with another is being decided. So be careful when buying.

    • Andrei

      Tell me, did you take a new one?
      Have you decided to replace the issue?

  • Andrei

    Hello!
    Thank you so much for the reviews!
    In this report, you wrote about not so much sharpness at 12-28, but in a review of 12-24 https://radojuva.com/2012/04/obzor-tokina-at-x-124-pro-dx-ii-12-24-f4/ - simply fantastic sharpness across the entire aperture range.
    Please advise which one to take? (at almost equal price-condition per bu)
    Thank you

    • Mikhail

      I join the question! :)

      Thank you!

  • Igor

    I have a question - who can align the Tokina lens in Ukraine?
    I took it on the target, checked, everything seems to be ok. I began to shoot, darkness and horror focus is only on objects about a meter from the lens, then soap. But there are no problems in liveviews. There was not enough internal adjustment to adjust ..

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    I apologize for the stupid question, but explain, will it work at full frame? I have D90 now, in the future I plan to switch to full frame !! I take the lens immediately to the perspective. There is Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4, I want to take shirik and something like 28-70. With widths now in search, I choose between this Tokina, Samyang 14mm f / 2.8 and Sigma AF 10-20mm f / 3.5 EX DC HSM. What can you advise?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      It will work, but it will give the strongest vignette on certain focal points, because it is not designed for a full frame.

      • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

        I get it. I read your comment that even better is not a fix, but 12-28 for example. Then what shirik for FF to pay attention to?

        • Arkady Shapoval

          What money do not mind. But you must understand that the shirik on the crop will not be completely shirk. All native full-frame autofocus widths, for example, are indicated here.

  • Irina

    Arkady, thanks for all the reviews and analysis!

    I’ve been thinking about buying shirik for amospheric-general Polans and an extra lens when traveling.
    I photograph portraits, reports and rarely events.
    I have been thinking for a very long time which one to take Nikon 10-20 f4.5-5.6 (new), Nikon 12-24 f4 (used) and this Tokina 128 (used). - all 3 at one price
    Or is it worth digging up a bit on the Nikon 10-24 f3.5-4.5G / Tokina 11-20?
    Photography for me is more of a hobby or not the main job (there are orders), but work is also required several times a year.

    In stock nikkor 50 f1,4 nikkor 105, nikkor 16-85

    I would be glad if others share their experience in working with widths.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Tokins themselves are not bad and inexpensive. You can even get by with Tokina 12-24 or 11-16. For complete happiness, I would recommend 11-20 / 2.8 or this one from 12-28 / 4 review

      • Irina

        Thanks! I will look for them)

      • Irina

        I ended up taking a Tamron 10-24 f / 3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD for myself a year and a half ago.

        In January 2019, they were not certified in the Russian Federation, so I bought it through cash at the store.

        It cost about 33 tons.

        Then there was no review here on this lens. And in Russian there was nothing sensible about him either. I found on one of the forums in English that the photographer was very pleased with him, despite the sound noise and so on. I watched the review on YouTube.

        I don’t remember why, but most likely due to the picture that I draw, I took a tamron, and not a faster aperture of Tokina.

        Tamron 10-24 is now one of my favorite and commonly used lenses. He and Nikkor 50 f / 1.4 (the lens with Nikon D7000 walks around, but I will now have it supplemented with another body; the WiFi adapter is not friends with the 7000)

        Many thanks for the articles. Without them, I would certainly not have gotten to Tamron!

        • Arkady Shapoval

          Thanks for your feedback.

  • Trueash

    A couple of weeks ago, I discovered another huge plus of this lens: it is VERY sturdy. Foolishly dropped it on the stone floor from almost a meter height. The lid flew off with such a crash, like the wall had collapsed ... and that's it. It works as it did. There are two conclusions: 1) always fasten your bag with equipment, 2) do not remove the hood.

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    Arkady, welcome! Please tell me, is it possible to consider such a lens, or this particular one as a standard one for the Nikon D 40?

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Copyright © Radojuva.com. Blog author - Photographer in Kiev Arkady Shapoval. 2009-2023

English-version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2014/03/tokina-128-at-x-pro-sd-12-28-if-dx/?replytocom=60221

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