Fuji X-E1 with Tokina 11-16mm, shot at 14mm f2.8, 1/15 and ISO 640
“Will it be wide enough or should I wait for the 10-24mm OIS f4?” This is a good question. I paired the Tokina 11-16mm with the Fuji X-E1 and went to Grand Central Station. More after the break
It is impossible to answer this question and give a satisfactory answer for everyone. It will mainly depend on how you plan to use it and your subject matter. I for one am very excited about the Fujifilm 14mm F2.8, not because I think it is an ultra wide angle, by current standards it certainly is not, but I find the angle of view very appealing and I like the idea to have a depth of field scale for hyperfocal distance settings. And what we have seen so far from Rico Pfirstinger’s first tests, distortions are not a problem at all, the 14mm appears to be a stellar performer!
Fuji X-E1 with Tokina 11-16mm, shot at 11mm f2.8, 1/15 and ISO 640
The Tokina 11-16mm is probably the best ultra wide angle zoom currently available for APSC sized sensors. Cinematographers are spending big bucks on having it converted to PL mount. The reason? Minimal distortions at every focal length and constant aperture value.
Kudos to Fuji for bringing us an almost distortion free 14mm prime , nothing is more frustrating then trying to correct complex, mustache style, barrel distortion during post-processing, especially when shooting interiors.
As for difference in angle of view, compare the two shots below, at 14mm (21mm equiv. FF) angle of view 89 Degrees, at 11mm (16.5mm equiv. FF) angle of view 108 Degrees.
Image above: Fuji X-E1 with Tokina 11-16mm, shot at 14mm f5.6, 1/30 and ISO 5000
Image above: Fuji X-E1 with Tokina 11-16mm, shot at 11mm f5.6, 1/30 and ISO 5000
On ultra wide zooms like the Tokina 11-16mm and the Nikkor 14-24mm I find myself usually at the widest end. A notable exception is the Canon L 17-40mm, because it covers true super wide to normal on a FF sensor.
Image above: Fuji X-E1 with Tokina 11-16mm, shot at 11mm f2.8, 1/30 and ISO 2500
The Tokina 11-16mm is a big and heavy lens, especially when mounted on the Fuji X-E1. I found it produced fantastic images and mf wasn’t a problem due to the brightness of 2.8. If you can’t make up your mind about the Fujifilm 14mm, here are a few things to consider:
Pros:
1) “distortion free” prime
2) fast 2.8
3) fast AF, MF with depth of field scale for hyperfocal focusing
4) smaller and lighter then a high quality ultra wide zoom
Cons:
1)not really ultra wide
2)the lack of zoom could be a problem in a confined space
3)wide is never wide enough
4)image stabilization (this is debatable on an ultra wide, but can come in very handy shooting inside dark castles/churches)
If you happen to own a Tokina 11-16mm for a different system it might be worth spending approx $25~30 bucks for one X-adapter, it might save you lots of cash! If you have an UWA zoon in Nikon mount, you are in luck because you can get an adapter with aperture control. Click here for the one I am using. For other mounts, just search on Ebay.
I will be getting the 14mm not as an ultra wide zoom replacement but as an alternative to the 18mm when I need something wider. I really hope this lens won’t be too heavy, lots of glass in there 
Lens profile Fujifilm 14mm f2.8
Update: Check my first impression (part I review) of the Fujinon 14mm, click here.
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Thank!!!!
I wouldn’t be concerned about the stress on the mount, however, if you use longer shutter speeds, a tripod mount will allow you to balance the camera/lens better, esp if you have a smaller tripod with a small-ish tripod head.
Mmm… on ebay following your link 3 found some cheap ones with tripod mount… Still I would prefer the fotodiox via amazon. So the question would be with a big lens like the 11-16 f/2.8 would you confidently mount the tripod on the camera or would be advisable to mount it on the lens mount adapter?
Thanks for the answer Mike!, I’m concerned if it won’t be too much stress for the mount when mounting the camera to the tripod on the camera (instead of to the adapter) for long exposure shots, star trails or timelapses.
If only hand held… I won’t doubt
And the metabones (normal G to X or F to X and speedbooster) are the only ones I’ve seen with a tripod mount section on the adapter. But if not necessary I would spend 80 USD without reason
so I prefer to ask.
Hi AGM,
I am using this $20 adapter with the 135mm f2 and the 14-24mm without problems, it is the best one I found, very smooth aperture control and tight tolerances, the cameras certainly can handle it, depends on your personal preference.
Hi Mike,
Would you use the tokina 11-16mm on a tripod with a cheap adapter (ie Fotodiox F mount to X mount) with the x-e2? (I use ultra wide maily for landscapes/long exposure shots). Or maybe would be better to get the Metabones F mount to X mount (for around 100 bucks) since it has a tripod mount on it?
Thanks!!
mf only
thanks
and with this adapter do you keep the auto focus ?
I am using an adapter (click here), mine has a Nikon mount, but you can also get a Canon, etc adapter
hi
where do you found a tokina 11/16 for fujifilm ?
i don t found a tokina with fuji mount
thanks
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Thanks Holger!
Very good information, due to the fact that I’m a nikon user with Tokina 11-16 mm and combine my new X-pro1 via the adapter of Novoflex incl. manual aparture control with this lens. My first impression of the image quality, but under low light condition, were very good. This relativly large lens fits better on the heavier X-Pro1 and in combination with the optimal front focus ring, results are quit practicable.
So, I’am impressed about your shot at central station.
Holger
thanks aj! the Sigma 8-16mm is a great lens! I am using a Nikon G to fuji X adapter (click here), allows for aperture control on a lens without aperture ring, everything is manual of course, exposure and focus. Those adapters are also available in Canon mount (and a few other mounts) however not with aperture control. hope this helps. Apparently the X sensor works well with UWA. No corner smearing. The only thing is the weight and size of the big lens. Doesn’t balance well, adds weight and makes the whole set up bulky. However, image quality is fantastic.
Great info! I was wondering how UWA lenses would work, I have a Sigma 8-16 and am looking at buying the fuji X-pro or X-e1. Any other hiccups you can think of? I’d love to see more shots with the Tokina. Did you use an adapter that had an aperture ring?