Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF
The constant f/2.8 aperture across the 11-20mm zoom range, combined with a weather-sealed build and water-repellent coating, makes this lens a reliable tool for challenging light and conditions. Its optical formula, incorporating three aspherical and three ED elements, delivers sharp, high-contrast images while the One-Touch Focus Clutch mechanism allows for instant switching between autofocus and manual focus. This lens is best for APS-C landscape and astrophotography shooters who need a bright, ultra-wide zoom with rugged, all-weather durability.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
Sharp, fast, and cheap. The Tokina 11-20mm f/2.8 is the ultra-wide zoom APS-C shooters have been waiting for. Skip it only if you need stabilization or shoot mirrorless without an adapter.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Constant f/2.8 aperture at this price is a steal 90th
- Sharp optics that punch well above the price tag 72nd
- Weather sealed and built like a tank 69th
- Great for astro, interiors, and landscapes 68th
Cons
- No stabilization, so handheld video is rough
- Focus ring switch design is awkward
- 555g feels heavy on smaller APS-C bodies
- Not parfocal, so zooming shifts focus
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q3 202687/100
Buyers praised the lens as sharp and great value versus Nikon, though one noted missing auto distortion correction on D7200.
- Sharpness praised as excellent overall.
- Value highlighted as much cheaper than Nikon equivalent.
- Some functions like auto distortion don't work on D7200.
- Q4 202180/100
Buyers in this period found the lens solid and performing well, especially for wide-angle use on crop-sensor cameras, though one noted it's not for full frame.
- Lens is solid, performs great, and recommended for general use and mild astrophotography.
- Wide-angle coverage from 11-20mm is liked on Canon 77-D.
- Good overall but not intended for full frame cameras, a limitation for some users.
- Q4 202050/100
Buyers praised image quality and sharpness for landscapes, but noted edge softness at certain apertures, distortion at close range, and one reported a Canon error 70.
- Sharp images and great quality for landscape and nature photography, especially on hikes.
- Edge softness at f/16 and other apertures, limiting large print suitability.
- Distortion at close range and steep angles, but less chromatic aberration than a Sigma lens.
- Occasional Canon error 70 after shutter press, suggesting possible software incompatibility.
Based on 23 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
The optical score lands in the 90th percentile, and it shows. Three aspherical elements and three ED elements do real work here, keeping distortion and chromatic aberration in check while delivering edge-to-edge sharpness that surprised us for a lens at this price. The constant f/2.8 is the real star though. You can shoot interiors, astro, and low-light landscapes without cranking ISO into the stratosphere. Autofocus is quick enough thanks to the SD-M motor, though it's not going to win any speed races against modern mirrorless glass. The one-touch focus clutch is a nice idea, but the switch design feels a bit clunky in practice.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 11 |
| Focal Length Max | 20 |
| Elements | 14 |
| Groups | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 |
| ED Elements | 3 |
| Coating | Anti-Reflective Multi-Layer Lens Coating, Water-Repellent Top Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.2 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 82 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | SD-M AF Motor |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 280 |
| Max Magnification | 1:8 |
vs Competition
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN is the obvious modern alternative if you're on mirrorless and want something lighter and more versatile, but it starts at 18mm, which just isn't the same as 11mm for interiors and astro. The Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 is faster and sharper in the center, but it's a prime, so you lose the zoom flexibility. If you're on a Nikon Z body with an FTZ adapter, this Tokina works surprisingly well, but the lack of native mount support means you're adding bulk and losing some AF polish. For pure ultra-wide zoom value on DSLR mounts, the Tokina is hard to beat.
| Spec | Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Nikon NIKKOR 20059 | Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC | Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 11-20mm | 28-300mm | 18-55mm | 17-40mm | 16-50mm | 8-18mm |
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/4 | f/3.5 | f/1.8 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Canon EF | Sony E | Nikon F | Fujifilm X | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | false | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 555 | 590 | 205 | 535 | 107 | 313 |
| AF Type | SD-M AF Motor | VXD linear motor | pulse stepping motor | HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) | Autofocus | 240-fps autofocus drive |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF | 53.9 | 25 | 65.5 | 72.3 | 89.8 | 21.8 | 65.8 | 68.5 | 67.8 | 34.4 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 97.7 | 83.7 | 63.1 | 83.2 | 96.3 | 71.1 | 92.5 | 97.9 | 50.6 | 79.4 |
| Nikon NIKKOR 20059 Compare | 84.7 | 81.5 | 83.7 | 95.3 | 54.7 | 82.9 | 65.8 | 82.8 | 86.2 | 92.3 |
| Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Compare | 53.9 | 97 | 67.2 | 72.3 | 96.7 | 95.3 | 98.4 | 75.7 | 94.1 | 34.4 |
| Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 53.9 | 81.5 | 98 | 41.4 | 66.6 | 82.9 | 65.8 | 83.4 | 81 | 92.3 |
| Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 Compare | 53.9 | 86.7 | 83.6 | 35.3 | 93.5 | 88.4 | 82 | 75.2 | 81 | 79.4 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At 399 USD in the US, this lens is an absolute no-brainer for APS-C shooters who want a fast ultra-wide. The European and UK pricing is less exciting, 775-789 EUR and 692 GBP respectively, but even there it undercuts most first-party alternatives. You're getting 90th percentile optics for mid-range money. Buy it.
Amazon 1 offer From ¥92,344
Price History
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Overview
The Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF is one of those lenses that makes you wonder why anyone pays double for a first-party ultra-wide. You get a constant f/2.8 aperture, weather sealing, and genuinely sharp optics across an 11-20mm range on APS-C, all for around 399 USD in the US. That's the headline. It's not perfect, but it's the kind of value that makes crop-sensor shooters smile.
Common Questions
Q: Does this lens work on full-frame cameras?
No. It's designed for APS-C sensors only. On a full-frame body you'd get heavy vignetting, so stick with crop-sensor DSLRs or use it on mirrorless with an adapter in crop mode.
Q: Is the f/2.8 aperture constant throughout the zoom range?
Yes. You get f/2.8 at 11mm all the way to 20mm, which is rare at this price and great for consistent exposure when zooming.
Q: Can I use this for astrophotography?
Absolutely. The 11mm wide end, constant f/2.8, and solid coma control make it a popular budget choice for Milky Way shots. Just bring a tripod since there's no stabilization.
Who Should Skip This
If you shoot handheld video or need stabilization, this isn't your lens. Go grab the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN on mirrorless instead, or look at a stabilized ultra-wide if you're married to DSLR video work. Also skip it if you're on full-frame, this is APS-C only.
Verdict
The Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF is the ultra-wide zoom to get if you're still shooting APS-C DSLRs and don't want to spend a fortune. It's sharp, fast, and weather sealed, with only minor ergonomic quirks holding it back. The lack of stabilization and the heavy build are real trade-offs, but at this price, they're easy to forgive. If you shoot landscapes, interiors, or astro on a crop body, just get it.
