Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 ATX Pro Review

Last December I had the opportunity to "borrow" the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 ATX lens.

Here is my non technical review: This is one sweeeet lens.
The Tokina 11-16mm 2.8 is everything I want in a ultra wide, fast, sharp, next to no chromatic aberration, and relatively no distortion (this is not a fisheye lens). I wish I could say I purchased it for myself, however it's quite pricey, and at this point I can't quite justify spending that kind of money on my hobby.
I also have not compared it to the Tokina 12-24mm f4 ATX, at roughly half the price of the 11-16mm, it is another lens I would like to demo. At f2.8 the 11-16mm is a full stop faster, which is always nice to have, but the nature of ultra wide photography, Is it critical? How often would I shoot at f2.8? Does anyone ever feel the need for 2.8 at 11mm? I see myself using it mostly for landscapes, cars, and maybe interiors of homes. As such, speed is not critical, shallow DOF is not desirable, both what you get with 2.8. It's not like I would ever use it for birds in flight, where speed is crucial. So considering that, if the 12-24mm proves to be of similar optical quality. I think I just might opt for the slower lens and save my money for the 300mm 2.8. :)

Nikon D300 Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 ATX. Photo taken at 11mm, 1/250, f8 ISO 320

Nikon D300 Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 ATX. Photo taken at 11mm, 1/320, f8 ISO 320.
The out of focus grass in the foreground was actually touching the lens hood!

Bare Tree

Lone bare tree near the shore of Lake Minnewasta. Another on of those mornings that I convince myself that it's not that cold. It was cold, but worth it.

Riding Mountain National Park

Early morning sunrise over frozen Katherine Lake in Riding Mountain National Park. Very cold and way too early. I had a hard time convincing myself to get out of the warm bed and outside into the cold for a hike, But as always, when I actually get out there I really enjoy the peaceful quiet, and getting a few good landscape images like this makes it all worth the effort.

Oak Hammock Marsh

Mallard duck at Oak Hammock Marsh, Manitoba

Canada Goose at Oak Hammock Marsh, Manitoba

Fishing on William Lake, Manitoba

B&W Photos of Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park

Bald Eagles

Came across a pair of bald eagles while paddling on Moose Lake. Didn't get a particularly great shot of them, (shooting birds with a long lens from a kayak is difficult). If I was any closer to the shore, they were behind the trees. I was initially disappointed when they flew away. They flew a few hundred meters and perched on a tree closer to the water, which gave me an opportunity for a better photo.

Kayaking on Moose Lake Manitoba

Early morning kayak on Moose Lake Manitoba, A little cool but very calm and the morning mist hung over the lake for quite a while. A perfect way to start your day.

Glacier National Park

Photo taken somewhere along the Going-To-The-Sun Road a few years back. Weather was not ideal, rainy/overcast all day. I think I could spend a whole month there.