There is a great range of third-party lens manufacturers like Tamron and Sigma. One of the best is Tokina. This company produces a solid range of affordable lenses for Canon, Sony, and Nikon cameras. In this guide, we look at five of the top Tokina wide-angle lenses under $500.
Tokina specializes in wide lenses and has a solid choice of both zoom and prime models. The company produces really good lenses that usually feature excellent maximum apertures and advanced lens construction to provide high-quality images.
Also, Tokina lenses have some interesting features like one-touch focus clutch buttons, and external water-repellent glass to protect from moisture and dust.
1. Tokina AT-X 17-35mm f/4 PRO FX
The top choice for Tokina wide-angle lenses under $500 is the AT-X 17-35mm f/4 PRO FX. This budget lens offers a wider focal distance, a great consistent f/4 aperture, and is available for full-frame DSLR cameras and the Nikon AF mount.
The external construction of this lens is durable and it features water-resistant elements. It also benefits from a dual-textured grip so that you can use the lens comfortably and hold it easily. There is also a focus indicator screen so you can quickly check the focusing distance.
The lens element has several special elements to improve image consistency and clarity. Firstly, it has two ED low dispersion elements. These help improve light transmission. Secondly, there is an P-MO aspherical lens element which helps reduce distortions like chromatic aberration.
The total field of view of the Tokina AT-X 17-35mm f/4 PRO FX is 103.9 degrees and it offers consistent high-quality wide-angle photography.
2. Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 PRO DX
Next, we have the Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 PRO DX. This affordable lens has a superior lens element construction, great external build, and provides consistency and high-quality. It is available for Nikon DX, FX, and F mount DSLR cameras.
The lens element is made up of 14 elements in 12 groups. This includes two aspherical elements to greatly reduce lens flare, chromatic aberration, and other distortions. Also, it has two SD low dispersion elements which help improve color contrast and image consistency.
For usability, there is a useful one-touch focus clutch mechanism. This allows you to instantly switch between AF and MF. Also, the external materials are durable and have minimum weather resistance. The Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 PRO DX is also comfortable to hold and the zoom mechanism is smooth.
This is one of the top Tokina wide-angle lenses under $500, and a solid choice for your Nikon DSLR camera. It also weighs just 550g and has an overall length of 8.89cm which makes it quite compact and portable.
3. Tokina AT-X 11-16mm f/2.8 PRO DX II
The Tokina AT-X 11-16mm f/2.8 PRO DX II is a solid wide-angle option and is a great third-party lens available for Canon EF mount, Nikon, and Sony DSLR cameras. It has an overall weight of 550g, and a maximum length of 8.91cm which makes it compact and lightweight.
The external glass of the lens element features water-resistant coating. The glass will repel water and dust and is incredibly easy to clean. Also, the exterior features two textured grips which make the lens easy to hold, and transition through the zoom lengths.
It also features a focus clutch button so that you can instantly change between AF and MF. The autofocusing system is an internal mechanism that provides quiet and fast autofocusing. This is complemented by the excellent maximum aperture of f/2.8.
The Tokina AT-X 11-16mm f/2.8 PRO DX II also features an advanced lens construction with an array of aspherical and ED elements to provide consistent image quality throughout the focal distances. You will notice minimal distortion and softening, even at the extreme edges of photos. Â Â Â
4. Tokina AT-X 35mm f/2.8 PRO DX Macro
Our next affordable option is the Tokina AT-X 35mm f/2.8 PRO DX Macro. This cheap prime lens is a good option available for Canon EF-S mount DSLR cameras. As a prime lens, it is incredibly compact and easy to carry in luggage. It weighs just 0.75lbs and has an overall length of 3-inches.
Aside from being a great lens for wide-angle photography, it is also a decent macro lens. It has a closest focusing distance of 14cm and an excellent macro ratio of 1:1. This means you can create effective wide-angle macro photography with great detail.
The front lens element features water repellant glass that enables you to use this lens outdoors. Also, it means that the Tokina AT-X 35mm f/2.8 PRO DX Macro is easy to clean and remove those annoying fingerprint marks and smudges.
This lens also features a decent internal focusing system and has an optimized lens construction. This features an array of elements to provide consistent image quality. It is one of the most versatile Tokina wide-angle lenses under $500.
5. Tokina AT-X 16-28mm f/2.8 PRO FX (Budget Winner)
The budget choice we have selected is the Tokina AT-X 16-28mm f/2.8 PRO FX. This wide-angle lens is available for Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras. It has a silent DC autofocusing motor which provides quick and accurate focusing.
Also, it has some useful features like a one-touch focus clutch button. Using this, you can switch between AF and MF instantly. The lens construction features several F&R aspherical elements and SD super-low dispersion elements. These ensure that image quality is consistent and has minimal distortions.
We like the compact design of the AT-X 16-28mm f/2.8 PRO FX, and it comes with a detachable lens hood too. The external design also has a solid grip, and you can easily transition between the focal distances. Â
Tokina Wide-Angle Lenses Under $500 – Affordable Third-Party Lenses
We hope you have found this list of the best Tokina wide-angle lenses under $500 useful. This third-party manufacturer offers a viable alternative to often expensive official lenses.
Any one of these budget lenses offers a quality wide-angle option. When choosing a Tokina lens under $500, always look at the compatibility and check which type of camera sensor and mount the lens is suitable for.
If you have a bit more leeway in your budget and can afford to invest more, then check out our picks for the Best Tokina Wide-Angle Lenses Under $1000.
