Tokina 11-16mm question.

[Uncle B]

I've been using a Tokina 11-16mm 2.8 lens on my Nikon D5100 for a couple dive trips with great results. Two trips ago, I found the Iris vanes would stick open on a dive, resulting in over exposure. Same thing happened when I tried it on land. If I bumped the camera, the vanes would close. I sent it for repair and they said the vanes were sticking and they repaired it. I had used the lens since then for some night sky shots - wide open aperture - with no problems but no diving due to Covid restrictions. I took it on a recent trip and found it was sticking again, both underwater and on land. When I remove the lens and worked the iris control arm, I get no sticking. Tried it on two D5100s. Has anyone seen this happen with this lens? I hate to put any more money into it if I can't be sure it works correctly.

 

[Uncle B]

fwiw, I got the Nikon 10-24mm to replace the Tokina. The Tokina is one stop faster so I may still use it for low light/night photos.

 

[Jhnvan]

Glad you found a suitable replacement. Tokina lenses are usually well built though.

P.S they are called aperture blades, not iris vanes

 

[Newwaterphotographer]

Go with the Nikon, haven’t seen this problem with them.

 

[Uncle B]

One bonus I found with the Nikon 10-24, The Ikelite zoom ring works on it, so I can zoom underwater. Will be diving again next June so I will post results.