Tokina AT-X 107 DX AF Fish-Eye 10-17 mm f/3.5-4.5 review - Build quality

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Tokina AT-X 107 DX AF Fish-Eye 10-17 mm f/3.5-4.5

30 September 2007

Arkadiusz Olech

3. Build quality

To describe the Tokina 10-17 mm in a military language one could easily describe it as a small and compact hand grenade. If you throw it, it probably won’t blow up like a grenade but because of its sturdiness and weight it will destroy the target it was thrown against. It is almost impossible to find any low quality elements in its build.

Tokina AT-X 107 DX AF Fish-Eye 10-17 mm f/3.5-4.5 - Build quality

In spite of its interesting parameters, the Tokina is not a huge lens, as can be observed in the picture below, where we compared the Tokina with the ultra wide-angle Canon EF-S 10-22 mm and Canon 18-55 mm kit lens.

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At first glance you can notice the big front lens, which minimally moves forward while zooming from 10 to 17 mm. The zoom adjustment ring is precise, sturdy and works firmly, but smoothly. Thanks to these characteristics we do not have to worry that something will change itself while moving the lens’s position downwards.

Tokina is equipped with a classic AF/MF autofocus switch and a comfortable manual ring with legible length scale. Here everything looks perfect.

Because of its field-of-view there is no filter thread.

As far as the internal construction is concerned, Tokina does not have many elements. The manufacturer claims that the small number of elements (10 elements and 8 groups) was gained thanks to an efficient low dispersion glass lens used in the construction. In addition to its weight and size reduction, it is also designed to help correct chromatic and spherical aberration.

As an interesting aside, we may add that Tokina is proud to use a new WP (Water Proof) coat in the front lens, which should help reduce any water, finger smudges, or dirt on the glass.