Overview of Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus N / AIS

According provided by Tokina AT-X PRO lens SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus N/AIS (for Nikon, model 165) many thanks to Alexander.

Overview of Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus N / AIS

Review of Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus N/AIS

Tokina AT-X PRO Lens SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus N/AIS, better known as Tokina 165, was very rarely seen on sale even at the time of its production. Now that the lens is no longer in production, it has become completely difficult to find.

Main technical characteristics of Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus (version N / AIS):

Review Instance Name Near the front lens of the lens it says 'Tokina AT-X PRO' SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Ø77', bayonet side 'N / AIS'. On the case there are gold letters 'Tokina' SD 16-50 F2.8 DX AT-X PRO', in white letters 'Ø77 Internal Focus CE' + 'Japan serial number'. Model AT-X 165 PRO DX.
Basic properties
  • DX - the lens is designed for cropped cameras with APS-C sensor (analogue of Nikon DX)
  • AT-X PRO - the lens belongs to the professional line tokina Advanced Ttechnology EXbetween PROfessional
  • N / AIS - this version was developed for Nikon CLC
  • auto focus analog Nikon AF
  • IF (Iinternal Focus) - internal focusing
  • aspherical - aspherical elements are used in the optical design
  • SD - the optical scheme uses low-dispersion elements Super low Ddispersion
  • Advanced multi-layer coating - special multi-coating optics
  • FC (one-touch Fear Clutch) - focus mode switch AF / MF one touch
  • WR (Wstick Repellent) - special water-repellent coating of the front lens
  • 1:2.8 - fast lens with a fixed maximum aperture over the entire range of focal lengths
  • The lens transmits the focusing distance to the camera, analog Nikon 'D'
  • without aperture ring, analogue Nikon 'G'
  • Tokina Duo-Cam Zoom System (2 trunk sections)
  • Lens housing made of Tokina Armalite metal alloy
  • Optics developed in conjunction with Pentax
  • Important: a lens from a third-party manufacturer, which imposes some restrictions on its practical use.
Front Filter Diameter 77 mm
Focal length 16-50 mm EGF for Nikon DX cameras is 24-75 mm
Diagonal viewing angle 82 ° for 16 mm, 31 ° for 50 mm
Zoom ratio 3.125 X (usually rounded to 3)
Designed by for Nikon DX digital cameras. Also, there is a version for Canon APS-C cameras.
Number of aperture blades 9, the petals are rounded
Tags window with focusing distance in meters and feet, focal lengths for 16, 24, 35, 50 mm, mark of bayonet mount and hood mount
Diaphragm F / 2.8 to F / 22 over the entire range of focal lengths
The lens does not have an aperture ring (G - lens type).
MDF (minimum focusing distance) 0.3 m over the entire range of focal lengths, the maximum magnification ratio is achieved by 50 mm focal length and is 1: 4.8.
The weight 610 g
Optical design 15 elements in 12 groups. The scheme includes:

  • 2 Tokina Super Low Dispersion Elements
  • 3 Aspherical Tokina Aspherical Elements

Tokina 16-50 optical design

The image of the optical circuit is clickable.

Optical design similar to lens Pentax SMC DA * 16-50mm f / 2.8 ED AL (IF) SDM (joint development, optical design of Pentax variant looks like this)

Lens hood Petal BH-777, can be installed in the opposite direction
Manufacturer country Japan (Japan)
Period Since July 2006
3D view See
Price
Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus

Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus

Tokina 16-50 / 2.8 165 was produced for different systems, this review presents a version for Nikon cameras, there is an inscription N / AIS (Nikon AIS) near the camera mount. The lens is designed for use with cropped cameras. For Nikon cameras EGF (Equivalent Focal Length) will be 24-75mm. This range of focal lengths is considered standard (in terms of focal lengths) and makes the lens versatile, as you can use a wide angle of view at 24 (16 mm) and capture a little telephoto range at 75 (50 mm).

By the way, Tokina 16-50 / 2.8 165 is an analog of full-format lenses of the 24-70 / 2.8 class and an alternative to the native Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-55mm 1: 2.8G ED IF SWM DX... Of course, this Tokine is very far from the native Nikon 17-55 / 2.8, first of all it lacks a focusing motor, M / A mode, low noise level during operation, and most importantly - excellent quality, especially at open apertures. But Tokina is much cheaper and can use a 16mm focal length, which is a record figure among all universal high-aperture zoom lenses from native and third-party manufacturers. Personally, I have not noticed much difference between 16mm and 17mm, and when choosing a lens, you should not pay serious attention to this.

Tokina 16-50 / 2.8 165 has a 3.125x zoom and a constant maximum aperture of 1: 2.8 over the entire range of focal lengths. By the way, geometric aperture F / 2.8 is 4 times (2 stops) longer than f / 5.6 of standard kit lenses such as Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII VR II AF-S DX Nikkor.

Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus

Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus

Tokina 16-50 / 2.8 165 is very well assembled, holding it in my hands, it seems to me that it is stronger than analogues from Tamron and Sigma. The lens weighs a little more than 600 grams and uses 77 mm large diameter filters (i.e. professional diameter).

A bit embarrassing is the two-piece lens trunk, which can become loose over time. The focus and zoom ring are rubberized. The zoom ring is narrow enough and very close to the camera mount. When zooming, I often touched the beak of the built-in flash of my camera with my hand and it annoyed me, and once I even pinched my finger, which got under the beak of the flash. A trifle, not nice. Also, the lens can change the focal length under its own weight (the lens trunk spontaneously protrudes and folds back). During focal length changes, the front lens does not rotate, but the rear lens moves inside the housing.

Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus

Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus

Tokina 16-50 / 2.8 165 has fast but noisy auto focus, focusing time from infinity to MDF and vice versa is about the same as Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-55mm 1: 2.8G ED IF SWM DX. Of course, the Nikkor refocus response is much faster.

The focus ring is truly huge! But the trouble is that it rotates only 40-50 degrees and manual focusing is not very convenient. During autofocus 'AF', the focusing ring is fixed and can be rotated freely to either side without affecting focusing. To switch to manual focus mode 'MF' pull the focus ring towards the camera mount. It is very pleasant that after switching the lens to manual focusing mode, you should not additionally switch the focusing mode near the camera mount :). This switching mechanism exists on a large number of Tokina lenses and is called the 'One-touch Focus Clutch Mechanism'.

The lens has a window with a focus distance scale in meters and feet, there is a scale with focal length values, as well as a mark for attaching the lens hood. On the case you can still find information about the filter diameter, serial number, and next to it is the country of manufacture (Japan).

The minimum focusing distance is 30 cm, while the maximum zoom ratio is 1: 4.9. Focusing with an internal lens, as befits a modern professional-grade lens. On the body, internal focus is indicated by the inscription 'Internal Focus', which is usually abbreviated as 'IF'.

On a full-size camera Nikon D700 the lens does not have problems when focusing in Live View, and vignetting does not disappear at any value of the focal length and / or focus distance.

It's important: auto focus with this lens is available only when using him on cameras with built-in motor focusing.

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras with a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will focus automatically:

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras without a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will not focus automatically:

Only auto focus and sound confirmation of focus will not work with these cameras, all other important functions, such as automatic exposure metering and automatic iris control, will work well.

You will find a lot of useful information on the types of cameras and lenses Nikon here.

I think that due to the fact that the manufacturer was too lazy to insert the focus motor into the lens, he lost a huge number of users among owners of amateur Nikon cameras.

Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus

Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus

The lens comes with a plastic bayonet hood BH-777, exactly the same as the lens Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm F3.5-5.6DX... The hood can be attached to the lens in transport mode, while it does not block access to the focusing ring :).

Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus

Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus

The lens does not have all-weather protection, but its front lens has a special coating (coating) Tokina WP - Water Repellent (translated as 'Water-repellent'). With such a coating, it is easier to get rid of water drops, dirt and fingerprints, which will not greatly stain the optics :).

Most likely, the Pentax 1: 2.8 16-50mm ED AL (IF) SDM SMC DA * lens has the same optical scheme as this Tokina, since you can find a lot of information that Pentax and Tokina worked together to create such a lens. It's funny, but the lens was only available for Nikon and Canon and not for Pentax and Sony. There are already 3 aspherical elements, one LD and one SD element (although even on the official website information about special items varies).

The lens diaphragm consists of 9 blades, closes over the entire range up to F / 22 and always forms an almost even hole.

Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus

Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus

Optically, the lens turned out to be pretty good, with good sharpness at F / 2.8 in the center of the frame over the entire range of focal lengths. Common problems at the wide end for such lenses are distortion, chromatic aberration and vignetting. If you cover the aperture, then the sharpness at the edges of the frame returns to normal. The nature of the glare in the backlight can be seen in the examples of photographs. I was very pleased with the quality of such a zoom :).

On my instance when used on my camera Nikon D80 autofocus was often mistaken, usually the camera diverted focus behind the subject (back focus). Typically, focusing errors were at 50 or 16 mm of the focal length when focusing on objects farther than 2-3 meters from the camera. On the network you can find completely different information about the accuracy of focusing, and therefore I conclude that focusing with this lens is very dependent on the instance used and the camera.

Here is a link to the archive with the originals - 280 MB, 35 photos in .NEF format (RAW) from the camera Nikon D80 (DX, APS-C, Kf = 1.5). Pictures in the gallery a little bewitched with ViewNX 2. During shooting was used protective filter Marumi 77mm UV HAZE made in Japan.

Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus

Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus

All fast universal zoom lenses

Below is a list of all such aperture-type universal zoom autofocus lenses for SLR and mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor or less.

Tokina (DX, various mounts)

  1. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus, model AT-X 165 PRO DX, for Canon (C/EF version) and Nikon (N/AIS version), from July 2006. Optical design is the same as Pentax SMC DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 ED AL (IF) SDM

Tamron (DI II, DI III-A, various mounts)

  1. Tamron Aspherical LD ​​XR DI II SP AF 17-50 mm 1: 2.8 [IF], model A16 N / E / P / S (under Nikon [N], Canon [E], Pentax [P], Sony / Minolta [S]), since February 2006. Produced in Japan, China and Vietnam
  2. promaster DIGITAL XR EDO AF Ashperical LD ​​[IF] 17-50 mm 1: 2.8 MACROprevious lens under the brand Promaster
  3. Tamron Aspherical LD ​​XR DI II SP AF 17-50 mm 1: 2.8 [IF], model A16 NII (only for Nikon cameras), since March 2008
  4. Tamron Di II SP 17-50 mm F / 2.8 VC B005, model B005 E / NII (for Canon [E] or Nikon [NII]), from September 2009, Japan or China)
  5. Tamron 17-70 mm F / 2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Model B070, Model B070, Sony E only, from December 2020

Sigma (DC, different mounts)

With constant maximum aperture (DC EX and DC ART series):

  1. Sigma DC ZOOM 18-50mm 1: 2.8 EX (+ -D), since July 2004, for Sigma SA, Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K. The version for the '4/3' system has been available since February 2006 (not mass-produced). The version for Nikon in its name includes the prefix 'D'.
  2. Sigma dc 18-50mm 1: 2.8 EX MACRO, from September 2006, for Sigma SA, Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K
  3. Sigma dc 18-50mm 1: 2.8 EX MACRO HSM, since June 2007, for Nikon DX cameras only (Nikon F mount)
  4. Sigma dc 17-50mm 1: 2.8 ZOOM EXOS HSM, from February 2010, for Sigma SA, Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K, Sony / Minotla A
  5. Sigma dc 18-35mm F1.8 A [ART, HSM], from April 2013, for Sigma SA, Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K, Sony / Minotla A
  6. SIGMA DC 18-50 mm 1: 2.8 DN C [Contemporary], since Oct 2021, for Sony E, Leica L

With variable maximum aperture (DC and DC Contemporary series):

  1. Sigma dc 17-70mm 1:2.8-4.5, February 2006, for Sigma SA, Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K, Sony / Minotla A
  2. Sigma dc 17-70mm 1:2.8-4.5 MACRO HSM, from July 2007, for Nikon DX cameras only (Nikon F mount)
  3. Sigma dc 17-70mm 1:2.8-4 MACRO HSM OS, from December 2009, for Sigma SA, Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K, Sony / Minotla A
  4. Sigma dc 17-70mm 1:2.8-4 C, [MACRO, OS, HSM, Contemporary], from September 2012, for Sigma SA, Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K, Sony / Minotla A
  5. Sigma dc 18-50mm 1:2.8-4.5 HSM OS ZOOM, from March 2009, for Sigma SA, Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K, Sony / Minotla A

Nikon (DX, F mount)

  1. Nikon DX VR AF-S Nikkor 16-80mm 1:2.8-4E ED N, Nikon F mount, from July 2015
  2. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 17-55mm 1: 2.8G ED IF SWM, Nikon F mount, from July 2003

Pentax (DA, Q, K and Q mounts)

  1. Pentax SMC DA * 16-50 mm 1:2.8 ED AL (IF) SDM, Pentax KAF2 mount, since February 2007. Optical design is similar to the lens Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus (joint development of Tokina and Pentax)
  2. HD PENTAX-DA * 1: 2.8 16-50 mm ED PLMAW, from July 2021, Pentax KAF4 mount
  3. HD Pentax-DA 1: 2.8-4 20-40 mm ED Limited DC WR, Pentax KAF3 mount, black or silver body, from November 2013
  4. SMC Pentax 1: 2.8-4.5 5-15 mm ED AL [IF] [LENS 02], Pentax Q mount (crop factor Kf=5.53X or Kf=4.65X)

Canon (EFS, EF-S mount)

  1. Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 17-55mm 1: 2.8 IS USM (Image Sabilizer, Ulstrasonic, EFS), Canon EF-S mount, since May 2006

Sony (DT, A and E mounts)

  1. Sony DT 2.8/16-50 SSM, Sony A mount (Minolta A), since August 2011
  2. Sony E 2.8/16-55G, Sony E bayonet mount, from August 2019

Fujifilm(X)

  1. Fujinon Ashperical Lens Nano-GI XF 16-55mm 1: 2.8 R LM WR, Fujifilm X mount, since January 2015
  2. Fujinon Ashperical Lens Super EBC XF 18-55mm 1:2.8-4 RLM OIS, Fujifilm X mount, September 2012

Samsung (NX)

  1. Samsung lens 1: 2-2.8 S 16-50 mm ED OIS i-Function, Samsung NX mount, since January 2014

Olympus/Panasonic/Leica/Yongnuo (4/3, Micro 4/3, Kf=2X)

Mirrored 4/3:

  1. OLYMPUS ZUIKO Digital 11-22 mm 1:2.8-3.5, from February 2004
  2. OLYMPUS Digital 14-54 mm 1:2.8-3.5, from June 2003
  3. OLYMPUS Digital 14-54 mm 1:2.8-3.5 II, from November 2008
  4. OLYMPUS ZUIKO Digital 14-35 mm 1: 2 ED SWDsince January 2005
  5. Panasonic Lumix LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 1: 2.8-3.5 /14-50 ASPH. MEGA OIS, from July 2006

Mirrorless Micro 4/3:

  1. OLYMPUS M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 12-40 mm 1:2.8 PRO, since October 2013
  2. Panasonic Lumix Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25 mm f / 1.7 ASPH.since May 2019
  3. LUMIX G VARIO 1: 2.8 /12-35 ASPH. POWER OIS, since June 2012, in March 2017 an improved sub-version is released (outwardly they do not differ in any way)
  4. Panasonic Lumix Leica DG Vario-ELMARIT 1: 2.8-4.0 /12-60 ASPH., since March 2017
  5. Yongnuo 12-35 F2.8-4 STM ASPH, since April 2023

Catalog of modern Tokina lenses 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.


Instead of totals

If the lens had a built-in focus motor and image stabilizer, then with such build quality and optical performance, it would be a very serious competitor for native fast 'generalists'. And so, if I had to choose, then I would stop at Sigma Zoom 17-50mm 1: 2.8 EX DC OS HSM or Tamron AF 17-50mm f / 2.8 SP XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] VC.

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

Add a comment: Lynx

 

 

Comments: 25, on the topic: Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus N / AIS review

  • Lynx

    Muahaha! 1111
    just a couple of days ago I came across a specimen at a flea market and was puzzled to look at it for a review. How on time!

    • Do_Oraemon

      So in this case, Arkady deserved a like.

      • THE

        Honorary editors of the site are not required :)

        • Lynx

          “Moving parts in the rubbing pair need to be lubricated to avoid
          wear. Respect and formal courtesy are the mask worn
          people rubbing against each other. Often people are young, not wandering,
          naive, simple natures, tend to reject these formalities as "empty",
          “Senseless”, even “dishonest” - and neglect them. Regardless
          from how “pure” their motives are, they always throw sand into the car,
          which doesn't work very well anyway. " (c) Diary of Lazarius Long.
          .......
          So it’s not necessary, but desirable

          • Ivan

            Well said.

  • Alex

    “Otherwise, if I had to choose, I would go with the Sigma Zoom 17-50mm 1: 2.8 EX DC OS HSM or the Tamron AF 17-50mm f / 2.8 SP XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] VC.”

    I settled on Nikkor AF-S 17-55 / 2.8….
    Probably guessed ?!

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Well, you’re funny, it goes without saying about technology from third-party manufacturers. And so, yes, of course, I'm glad that you have 17-55, but you also need to be able to read and understand the context :).

    • Lynx

      Yes.

  • Jury

    Thank you, Arkady for a nice review. Sunset in the fields is super :)

    • Arkady Shapoval

      There is mostly dawn in the photo.

      • Jury

        So dawn is super :)

  • Gene jb

    Recently, I often pay attention to how something was filmed on TV. For example, in the TV series “The Other Side of the Moon” with Derevianko in the title role in the first episode, at the very beginning, the lens gives a very interesting flare in backlight, divided by color. I wonder which lens can give such a flare?

    • AM

      Maybe this is computer graphics?

    • Yarkiya

      And you look at the new films from the "Star Trek" series which is "Star Trek", so there is generally the whole film of glare, hares and flares.

  • Alexander

    Thanks for the review. Really, did not expect so fast. He already managed to come back :)
    I’m thinking about the results. Well, do not change it to a tamron, if I have a token on the d7000?

    • Jury

      not to change, but to take pictures and enjoy the pictures, a good lens.

  • Exhausted

    Arkady is right, even though this Tokina is rare, but Sigma Zoom 17-50mm 1: 2.8 EX DC OS HSM will be cooler. Of course, you don’t need to change, if there is Tokina already. But if there wasn’t, then Sigma was definitely.

  • Dmitriy

    What would you advise, Tamron 17-50 or Tokina 16-50?

  • anonym

    There is Nikkor 35-70d - not satisfied with the contrast in the back. I want to change either to this optics or to sigma 17-50 ex dg

    I need advice, I can’t take focal points in the solution, it's interesting to win and lose in the picture, sharpness by 2.8 contrast in the back and side.
    Thanks to everyone who will help you make a choice

    • Obv

      Sigma! 100%

  • Alexander

    I recently bought a brand new one in a box, I get acquainted:

    https://ibb.co/Ms5wTgX

    https://ibb.co/pJb769R

    • Jury

      And how do you like this Tokina? Which camera are you using?

      • Alexander

        I couldn’t understand everything, how this Tokina differs from the same Nikon, in the dullness of the surface of the image objects, velvety, Nikon varnishes and from this it seems more accurate, sharper, but dullness has its own charm. Tokina’s same leaf is velvety. .

        • B. R. P.

          Well, you give.

  • Dmitry Kostin

    I needed an inexpensive compact zoom to Fuji Protroika and Pryatka and found such a Tokina.
    Box set. Even the warranty card from 2008 was preserved. Such a nostalgic blast from the past. The lens appeared to be in good condition. For your little money - a good option. Sigma 17-50 is about twice as expensive in a similar condition (and it is not clear what is happening with the stub), and prices for Nikkor 17-55 in really good condition have already become slightly higher than the level of 28-70 / 2.8D.
    Either it seemed, or Tokina is a little yellow, which is still unusual for lenses of this brand. On open 2.8 - software, for an amateur. On the covered, everything is not bad, until the crime was noticed. I will continue to test.
    PS> Multi-section trunk raises questions. It's not a 28-70 or a 28-80 with their sturdy hulls..

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