|
Tokina atx-m 56mm f/1.4 E - Review / Test Report |
|
Lens Reviews -
Sony Alpha/NEX (APS-C)
|
|
Page 1 of 3
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published January 2022
Introduction
Recently, we reviewed the Tokina atx-m 56mm f/1.4 X in Fujifilm X mount, but there's also a variant in E-mount - correspondingly named the Tokina atx-m 56mm f/1.4 E. On APS-C cameras, the field-of-view is equivalent to "85mm" on full-format cameras. Thus it primarily targets the popular portrait-, still- and street-photography market. Priced at around 370EUR/$430USD, which is slightly more affordable than the X-mount version - probably a result of the stiffer competition in E-mount. As of the time of this review, we can count no less than 19 different standard prime lenses making it hard to find a niche for any new player in this segment.
The build quality of the Tokina atx-m 56mm f/1.4 E is on a very high level. The lens is made of metal, including the large focus ring and the dedicated, step-less aperture ring. This may not be ideal for photography purposes, but it'll make the video folks happy. You can, of course, also control the aperture via the camera when setting the aperture ring to A-mode. The length of the lens remains constant throughout the focus range. A deep barrel-shaped lens hood - also made of metal - is provided.
The Tokina lens uses a stepping motor for auto-focusing. It's not a speed demon in E-mount, but it is noiseless. Manual focusing works, as usual, by wire and is comparable to the implementation on modern Sony lenses. EXIF data is provided so it's compatible with in-camera image stabilization. On the downside, there is no built-in correction profile thus you have to rely on the raw optical capabilities of the lens in JPEG mode. Unlike the Fujifilm X mount version, the 56mm f/1.4 E features a USB port for firmware update.
| Specifications |
|---|
| Equivalent focal length (full-format) | "85mm" |
| Equivalent aperture (depth-of-field, full-format) | "f/2.1" |
| Optical construction | 10 elements in 9 groups inc. 1xSD |
| Number of aperture blades | 9 (rounded) |
| min. focus distance | 0.6m (max. magnification 1:10) |
| Dimensions | 65x72mm |
| Weight | 315g |
| Filter size | 52mm |
| Hood | barrel-shaped (bayonet mount, supplied) |
| Other features | - |
| Mounts | Fujifilm X, Sony E |
|
