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Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX EF Mount Review

Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX

Main Features

  • 17-135mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 610g / 1.34 lb
  • Dimensions(øxL): 84mm x 78mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.5m
  • Max Magnification: 0.18x
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Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX Overview


Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX is a Variable aperture Auto Focus (AF) Superzoom Zoom lens with APS-C / DX max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with EF Mount cameras.

What type of photography is the Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeAverage
SportsAverage
PortraitGood
TravelExcellent
StreetGood
WeddingGood
Walk AroundVery Good
VloggingGood
LandscapeGood
MacroPoor

Reasons to Buy Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX Lens

Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Autofocus
Distance Scale
Hood supplied
Versatile Lens with a Zoom Ratio of 7x
9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh
Report a correction

Buy Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
Lens Extents while zooming
Slow Aperture at Tele end
Variable Aperture


Lens Mount

Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX is compatible with cameras that have a Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon T8i, Canon 90D and Canon SL3.

Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX is also available in Nikon F (DX) mount.

Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX has a maximum diameter of 84mm and total length of 78mm when not extended. It weighs 610g / 21.5 oz.

Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX has a filter thread of 77mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX:

  • 77mm Variable ND Lens Filters
  • 77mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters
  • 77mm Clear Protection Lens Filters




Focal Range

Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX has a focal range of 17-135mm and 7.9X zoom ratio which has a 35mm equivalent focal range of 27.2-216mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.


Optical Image Stabilization

Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX doesn't have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).

Alternatively, you can check the Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM. in Canon EF mount that have similar focal range but features Optical Image Stabilization.

Lenses Similar to Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX With Optical Image Stabilization
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS Lens Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS
Compare
APS-C / DX 455gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM
Compare
APS-C / DX 480gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM
Compare
APS-C / DX 515gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM
Compare
APS-C / DX 490gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Zoom Method

Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.18x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.5m. 0.18x means that the max magnification ratio is very low and not suitable even for modest close-up shots.

Below are the 3 Superzoom Zoom type Canon1 mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:

  • Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM C: 0.33x - (Compare)
  • Canon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6L IS USM: 0.3x - (Compare)
  • Tamron 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 VC PZD: 0.29x - (Compare)

Aperture

Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX is a variable aperture lens with a max aperture of f3.5 and a minimum aperture of f22 at 17mm, and a max aperture of f5.6 and minimum aperture of f36 at 135mm .

Focal Length Max Aperture Min Aperture
17mm F3.5 F22
135mm F5.6 F36

Optical Formula

Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX's optical formula consists of 15 elements in 9 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:

  • 3 aspherical elements
  • 2 Super-low Dispersion (SD) glass elements

Lens Hood

Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos. The model number of the hood is BH-777.

Popular Comparisons of Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX

Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM
Compare
APS-C / DX 515 g / 1.13 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM
Compare
APS-C / DX 490 g / 1.08 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS Lens Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS
Compare
APS-C / DX 455 g / 1.00 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM
Compare
APS-C / DX 480 g / 1.06 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 16-35mm f4L IS USM Lens Canon EF 16-35mm f4L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 615 g / 1.35 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Lens Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM
Compare
APS-C / DX 470 g / 1.03 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 16-35mm F2.8L III USM Lens Canon EF 16-35mm F2.8L III USM
Compare
35mm FF 790 g / 1.74 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC Lens Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC
Compare
APS-C / DX 405 g / 0.89 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX Alternatives in Canon EF Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS Lens Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS
Compare
APS-C / DX 455 g / 1.00 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM
Compare
APS-C / DX 480 g / 1.06 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM
Compare
APS-C / DX 515 g / 1.13 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM
Compare
APS-C / DX 490 g / 1.08 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo

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Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Tokina
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type SuperZoom
Lens Mount Canon EF
Max Format APS-C / DX
Focal Range 17-135mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Unknown
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No Zoom
Zoom Lock No Zoom
Zoom Ratio 7.9X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F3.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture F22.0 - F36.0
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 9
Optics
Optical Elements 15
Optical Groups 9
Special Elements 3 aspherical elements 2 Super-low Dispersion (SD) glass elements

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 0.5m
Max Magnification 0.18X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Micromotor
Full Time Manual No
Focus Method Unknown
Distance Scale Yes
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 610g
Diameter 84mm
Length 78mm
Weather Sealing Unknown
Filter Thread 77mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied Yes
Hood Code BH-777
Tripod Collar No
Report a Correction
Frequently Asked Questions about Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX
is the Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX
is the Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX
Does Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX have Image Stabilization?
Does Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX


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